Prepping for Colonoscopy with Dialysis and Diabetes

[Learning_as_we_go]

Hi, all! My mom recently completed a Cologuard test as part of her annual physical, and it came back positive. Her PCP sent her to see a GI specialist for a second opinion and they’re recommending a colonoscopy, which will require her to drink a lot of liquid and avoid solid foods 24 hours beforehand. This would be her first time getting a colonoscopy, and she’s a little worried about how to handle the whole “tons of liquid and no solid foods” thing while on dialysis and as a Type 1 diabetic. Can anyone who has gone through something similar offer some tips on how they got through it, especially not being able to eat solids? I was thinking she might be able to use Nepro shakes and chicken broth to get needed nutrients and minerals, but I’m not sure if it will be enough. She also suffers from dangerously low blood pressure whenever she stands for more than a few minutes, so there’s also come concern about the prep leaving her very weak.

Any advice you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated!

[bumblebee_tuna]

I did one about a year ago, it wasn't particularly concerning as far as I remember. They give you a cocktail to drink to clear the colon but the amount of fluid wasn't huge. It had gatorade so might need to ask about an alternative to sugar.

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

Thank you for sharing! We feel a lot better knowing it probably won’t be a huge amount of fluid. I’ll see if they have any diabetic-friendly alternatives.

[Bassetmommer]

My husband just did one and the product they use are much milder. He is diabetic so we did sugar free popsicles, jello and broth and he was fine. e ha sugar free soda and regular which he mixed together to keep his levels good. I have to do one in spring as part of the transplant process. No big deal

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you for your input! Glad to know the product is milder now.