Again, ZOE, where ever you're going, they should provide you with all this stuff. I received a 10 page hand out about having the procedure and managing type 1 diabetes prior and after, as well as how to prepare for it and the prep work for type 1 on MDI's and/or Pump. If they're not doing this, maybe find someplace else. You need to tell them you're a type 1 diabetic and get this from them, not from someone off tudiabtes, as they're process, procedures may be different.
Thank you, Sarah, that is a useful suggestion. I contacted the facility and hit a stone wall. The first person I spoke to was extremely patronizing, the manager less so but still inflexible. Without getting too deeply into rant territory this to me is typical of the infantalizing attitudes of American medicine. I had to repeat over and over, "Yes, I don't want to do anything unsafe and that is why I'm broaching alternative ideas". If they say I could be compromised for as much as 12 hours, fine, I take a cab and rest in my hotel where I've laid in food ahead of time. I'm not going to go, "ok, whoopie, I'm high, I think I'll drive across a mountain!" It is not the medical professions job to keep me safe, it is mine. I'm not an idiot, but if I was, as an adult, that would be my problem. They don't care about my safety they care about their liability. In other countries adults are allowed to make adult decisions...for better or worse.
Ok, rant over. For practical considerations: I don't think they have that service or they would have mentioned it, but my plan now is to: Go to the doctor who was willing to make an appointment ahead of time. Talk to him about symptoms and see if he's willing to try me on a med such as someone suggested above first to see if that works. If not, and I need the colonoscopy, does he have any suggestions (such as the above, or a nurse case manager or whatever). The person I spoke to mentioned a few years ago she knew they did these in the town I live in, so I'll check on that too, though I don't have a lot of confidence in medical personnel here. Finally if all else fails I will ask a friend here to meet me there (she won't be able to drive me there and home as I need to go in the night before to do prep and would have my own car, but she can take me to the hotel). I don't have friends here I see regularly and it feels like using people to me which I hate doing so I'll try other options first.
It makes me so angry when rules and regulations are so inflexible and so infantalizing. Makes me remember why I left this country to begin with. I'm now officially more, not less stressed.
Sarah, the first doctor that I did schedule the procedure with sent out the packet, I just haven't gone to the post office and gotten it yet. (that appointment is in May). But their knowledge on diabetes was very minimal. They know nothing about Type 1 or pumps, and probably wouldn't know a basal rate if it bit them in the ■■■. Most medical people don't. I appreciate your advice, but TuD is my only resource for info on Type 1 related information and I trust them a lot more than a colonoscopy scheduling person who said "we schedule all our diabetics first thing in the morning" and "nobody else has asked us all these questions" (like sugar free mixes). There is no place else. There is one endoscopy center in Redding that all the gastroenterologists use. I'm glad your gastroenterologist was so well informed; my guess is you live in an urban area, but it is still rare and you are very fortunate. I chose to move to a rural area for more peace in my life (and so I could teach) but there are definitely disadvantages.
Like many of us, I've learned nearly all of what I know about Type 1 from TuD and from books like Using Insulin. I went to one endo one time. She read my list of five things that said why I knew I was type 1 instead of type 2 as I'd been diagnosed (by another doctor) and checked off each one, saying "yes, you are type 1". She said she wished all her patients were as well informed as I was. She said "take 1-3 units before meals" and went on vacation. I came on here and learned how to do I:C ratios.
I agree that you can't rely on the gastro doctor to know anything about diabetes. Mine didn't. Gastro's words were "Check with your endo. That's what he's there for."
I would be interested to know what basal reductions people make during the prep and procedure also. I was on injections at the time of mine but had low blood sugar while prepping, even after reducing my long acting insulin the night before. I handled it by drinking juice.
they do these procedures all the time on type 1s and 2s and there are standard protocols to follow for prep and post-op. yeah, they're not required, GI docs or their staff, to know about insulin pumps, type 1 management, etc...just as an endo wouldn't do a colonoscopy - it's not their speciality, but there are guidelines put together to assist. i too was told to contact my endo prior to procedure.
you can dislike and disregard system, that's your prerogative of course. but this america is where we live. doctors and heatlh care providers/systems are sued all the time. this could be a liability just waiting to happen and has been in the past. So, of course they're protecting themselves and you and the public too. it is what it is. Crap, if one goes into a bar, is served there, drinks too much, leaves that said bar and has an accident, that bar is responsible as well as the bartender. think your plan sounds like a good one, see a GI doc first, ask for suggestions, then stay with friend.
Thanks, smile; I appreciate your understanding.
If I knew someone in the town to stay with (and who could come get me) the whole problem wouldn't exist.
I did osmoprep for my colonoscopy-- its just pills instead of the liquid... no nasty liquid to choke down and no sugar. Never done the other but hard to imagine it wouldn't be more unpleasant
I understand your reluctance as this isn't something that anyone looks forward to. But I think a colonoscopy is pretty much considered the standard of care for anyone your age at some point, and much earlier if they are having any symptoms whatsoever to justify it. The prep is fairly unpleasant-- I did osmoprep for mine this year and I think that it probably vastly preferable to the liquids. I was given propofyl for anesthesia (sp) and don't remember a thing. I'd just make sure to tell your doctor and prep nurse that you are insulin dependant... even at the little hospital in rural alaska where they did mine they didn't bat an eye at that and were obviously well experienced with it (except for the recovery room nurse, who tried to tell me I should have a milkshake)... So I understand your reluctance but I'd definitely reccommend you go ahead and get it done asap-- colon issues aren't something you want to procrastinate on. I easily could have driven myself home after mine but they did recommend against it. I think you'd be fine with your plan to go hang out somewhere for a couple hours then drive home-- although you probably are going to want to be fairly close to a bathroom for a few hours afterward.
Zoe - Looks like the ride issue is complicating things. I thought about your situation. Perhaps you could call a volunteer organization that is affiliated with a hospital that’s in the clinic’s community. I know I often see people at hospitals that volunteer their time. Maybe one of them could drive you to and from the hotel.
I know that this is irritating. None of my three procedures left me feeling impaired. I could have driven safely. But that’s me, some people could be much more impaired post-procedure. I value my independence highly and don’t like it much when I have to ask for help. I realize though that I need to develop a better social network as I age.
One other thing that I haven’t seen raised. I picked up some glucose tablets that were white, in other words they had no food coloring. If you need to correct a hypo during the nights/morning before the procedure, at least the glucose tab won’t obscure things.
Thanks, Sam. I appreciate your advice!
Thanks, Terry, you definitely seem like you understand the issues. I'm happily single and self-sufficient but as I'm getting older there's been a few occasions now when I felt isolated and in need of support. When I returned to the U.S. I did it in part to me near my relatives and friends, but I found to my frustration that they were all way too busy with their lives the way most people are today. Also that I'm no longer a city girl! I didn't even think about glucose tablets, thanks for that input! God this is complicated! In addition to asking the doctor (if it comes to that, I'm still hoping he'll give me some treatment to try first!) I'll look up volunteer organizations in Redding that might be available. Surprising the endoscopy place made no suggestions!
Hi zoe, you have so many replies here i dont have time to view the whole thread, but i wanted to pipe up and say they should absolutely meet with you and discuss your sx's and medical hx. your diabetes complicates things and they cant just say do this drink see you in the morning without reassuring you. my colonoscopy experience shows another flaw in med. field a month or so ago i had my physical and had a small prob she wanted me to have a colonoscopy the gastro was to call me in a week or two,no call, meanwhile my prob has resolved, if they called now i would say noooooo meanwhile my lovely pcp will not remember ordering it when i see her next year, ( she ordered one in the past and i deferred).. if i was truly suspicious i would follow threw but i clearly know what my issue is. anyways a consult first is a must! i work in cardiology this is a bit extreme but i can equate it to doc i have chest pain lets order that heart cath next week! obviously different but still.. a reality and fortunate we are pretty savvy medically and can research and advocate for ourselves and our families! best wishes darling, if your insurance covers it i think i would opt for being admitted just incase where you live alone...i also have a fear of the prep and of passing out due to dehydration and all. have the consult,get comfortable with the doctor and proceed as necessary ..thinking of you, amy
Thanks, Amy, I appreciate your wise and reassuring words. I do currently have an appointment with the gastroenterologist on 3/28 and I actually look forward to that. I'm hoping we can negotiate and he will put forth a possibility and try me on a treatment first. If not, as others have suggested, he might have some referrals for a volunteer service or something. I actually thought of the hospital to solve the problem but until November when I get Medicare I have a 20% copay and the procedure will be enough for me to handle financially. Thanks again.
if only we weren't separated by a whole continent or i would gladly help you out! i think you are thinking this through clearly though, that is why pcp's order a consult, so the specialist can consult with you and see what if any medical tests, treatments ect are warranted. i hope you feel better and get the answers you need, here is hoping for an intelligent, empathetic gastro! let me know how things go! i have no idea what your issues are but do you take probiotics? they cured my IBS! talk soon, amy
thanks, Amy, that's so nice of you to say! My symptoms are primarily pain in my very lower left abdomen (so low I thought of ovaries at first). It is sometimes aching that goes on for awhile and sometimes sharper twinges. I also have had some reduction of stool quantity (TMI!) and have been steadily gaining weight no matter what I do (grrrr!).
I generally don't bother with any kind of supplements because I eat fresh food, can't afford them, and they come out with something new (or contradictory!) every other week! Probiotics is just one of those words like "apps" that I only vaguely know the meaning of! But IBS seems to match my symptoms the most of the things I've looked up. It would be so nice if I could find a fairly simple solution and avoid this whole ordeal not to mention expense!
i forgot to be clear up what probiotics do they put the healthy bacteria back in your system, very important for good gi health, since you eat super healthy you may have a good balance in there already i guess i dont know all the science behind it but i had some pretty frequent flares, more diarrhea than constipation and now everything is fine for the most part it also is touted for improving immunity and shortening the duration of colds... i could be a sucker but i stand by this one, anyone else out there that them???
I use probiotics from a health food store, expensive ones that have to be refrigerated, but for me they are worth the price. Pernicious Anemia destroyed my stomach acid and enzymes, additionally I have Celiac Disease.
Another way to get good probiotics is to drink Dan Active, a kefir type drink which has 14 carbs, making it great for lows. If I am low enough to need more carbs and want to raise my BG quickly, I have a tsp. of honey before the Dan Active.
Probiotics seem to prevent the lactose intolerance that Celiac often causes.
Okay don't think I'm nuts but I am a huge believer in Chia seeds. They changed my GI life and that's all I will say so I don't go into the the territory of TMI. I make like a cream of wheat porridge with them. Two to three tablespoons with hot water and some almond milk and blueberries for my breakfast. I swear by those seeds....for real. So does my daughter...who has gone gluten free to cure her migraines and reduce stomach bloating. We are both BELIEVERS!!!!
I found someone to help me when I had surgery by asking around at church. The people who gave me good suggestions were quite elderly. The woman I hired helped me with all kinds of household chores and doctor appointments. She was retired and needed extra income. It was a good fit.