Diabetes and colonoscopy

[tealandteal]

FIL is type 2 diabetic, insulin controlled and has various other meds for his arthritis. He needs a colonoscopy and has been advised to fast for 24 hours before hand. Is this advice for non-diabetics and diabetics alike? He is going to ask but wondered if anyone had any experience.

I’ve had one before. Has he been asked to take Movecol? I can’t remember if I had to fast (rather than just not eat in the morning) but I definitely had to take several packets of Movecol. Perhaps there is a longer fasting period as Movecol not advisable?

He didn’t mention it, I’m guessing he will have to adjust his insulin but it seems counterproductive for a diabetic to fast for 24 hours. Although I understand the reason it is needed and the movecol advised usually.

If he isn't eating he won't need any insulin in his system then He would be ok ?

If he doesn’t eat won’t his blood sugars drop massively?

Not without insulin

Insulin transports sugar around the body . No food , no insulin , balance

If you eat the sugar goes into your blood abs then used in muscles or stored , the insulin takes the sugar away / but if you don't eat then there is no sugar to go into the blood so no need for insulin to mop it up ( this is vague I need to read up on it again)

What needs to be watched is that your liver can release sugar which might means he would go hyper ( high ) - assuming he stopped the insulin due to lack of food

I've not had to fast for that long before but I was advised to take half of my basal dose when I had to fast for my c sections. I've had other situations where I've had to fast and been told to take my insulin as usual but I took the advice from my c sections instead because that came from my diabetic consultant.

I have had a few colonoscopies and was always allowed to drink clear, but not red, fluids, including apple juice.

I've had several colonoscopies and am type 1 diabetic. If you let the colonoscopy department know you are diabetic they send a different advice sheet and also a different thing to swallow. I also phoned the hospital diabetic department for advice as I am insulin dependent. They were very helpful.

You could try that - better to have specific advice for your DH's condition.