Colonoscopy preparation

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Euphorbia - 29 Jun 2006 20:23 GMT

I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting. During my
visit doctor brushed off any questions about my hypoglycemia. My husband had
recently colonoscopy and received instruction with only one day of
preparation. My two days preparation requires Phospho-soda Saline Laxative
Solution. My husband's one day preparation requires Phospho-Soda Preparation
Solution with Dulcolax.

I found on internet listing of different methods without any distinction
which method is better or used for specific cases.

I wonder whether it matters if I use my husband's method. I am really scared
to have two days of fasting especially with my hypoglycemia. I am affraid
that doctor will insist on using his two days method so I don't even want to
bother asking him.

Much obliged for any responses.

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LurfysMa - 29 Jun 2006 21:01 GMT

>I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
>preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting. During my
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>that doctor will insist on using his two days method so I don't even want to
>bother asking him.

If you feel you can't bother your doctor about your health, then
either you need (a) a new doctor or (b) assertiveness training.

The doctor works for you. You are the boss.

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Steven Bornfeld - 29 Jun 2006 21:17 GMT

> I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
> preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting. During my
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Much obliged for any responses.

If you have abnormal glucose tolerance or have had problems with
fasting you ought to tell the doctor. There are alternative preps, and
I've heard quite a range. Some use that awful Go Litely stuff; some use
enemas. My prep was nothing but clear fluids after midnight 2 days
before the morning of the procedure; I was a bit weak but was OK.
Naturally I was pretty dehydrated after, and being foolish enough to try
to do too much after the procedure was a bigger problem.
In any case, your doctor should be able to discuss this with you.

Good luck,
Steve

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Pete - 30 Jun 2006 19:08 GMT

> I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
> preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Much obliged for any responses.

I have written on this in the past, and have had several colonoscopies. IMO
the two day fasting is torture, and complete overkill, and very few doctors
(the old timers mostly I believe) do the two day fasting prep. If you have
hypoglycemia, you certainly need to discuss that with the gastro or general
surgeon who is doing the colonoscopy.

I only had one surgeon try the two day thing on me (my last colonoscopy in
3/06) and I queried him about it and told him my previous procedures were
with one day fasting (and requested that I be allowed to fast for just one
day), and he told me that was his method, yada yada.

So I ignored it (but didn't tell him of course), and fasted for one day
(like always) and everything went fine. I am not encouraging you to ignore
what your doctor says, but in this case I did because I knew the two day
fasting was overkill, since I have had colonoscopies before with one day
fasting, and with different cleansing agents. BTW the phospho soda is nasty
stuff and they stopped using it where I live I believe. I took it once and
it tore me up real bad. For my last colonoscopy, I requested plain old
saline solution, and that was much better, and did not make me near as raw
(but it is really hard to drink all that salt water - lol). I have also had
the colyte variants.

You definitely need to discuss your hypoglycemia with the doctor doing the
procedure. If he/she refuses to back down to the one day fasting then I
think you need another doctor. Good luck.

Pete

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Euphorbia - 30 Jun 2006 20:37 GMT

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your response. All of responses encouraged me to call the doctor
and ask him about hypoglycemia and two days fasting. Eventually he allowed me
one day fasting with Phosho-Soda and Dulcolax. Regarding hypoglycemia he told
me to dring sweet drinks to increase sugar level. In the worst case scenario
I will just melt some sugar in my mouth. I feel much better about it now.
I am curious why you needed so many colonoscopies. People do this only once
every five or even ten years unless they have specific problems with their
digestive system.

Thanks once more for your support,

Euphorbia

>> I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
>> preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting.
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
>Pete

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Steven Bornfeld - 30 Jun 2006 21:31 GMT

> Hi Pete,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Euphorbia

    I think the general recommendation is first colonoscopy at age 50--age
40 for those with a family history, repeated at 5-10 year intervals.
    In my case once my wife had one, she held a gun to my head. ;-)
    The prep was not bad, the procedure trivial--nothing at all to worry about.

Steve

>>>I have hypoglycemia. I am awaiting colonscopy. My doctor gave me a
>>>preparation instruction. Instruction is for two days of fasting.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>>
>>Pete

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