Colonoscopy and autoimmune disease? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard Do you have an autoimmune disease and you're getting a colonoscopy? Consult your physician and take their advice, not mine. However, I have a lot of experience so let's get into that. In advance of the colonoscopy, prep in advance for food. You'll get detailed instructions about what to eat. The instructions are daunting. At the very end your diet will be VERY limited. But keeping enough nutrients and calories is important. Prep, think in advance about what you'll need. Make sure you have broth, a way to get protein. For me I supplemented my clear liquids with collagen powder to get protein. Think about the quality of nutrients and shop ahead. Also, as you go through the process, disclose all of your conditions and medications to your endoscopist. There may be some medications you have to stop in advance of the colonoscopy and they may need permissions from other specialists to stop those medications (like blood thinners or statins). So there are lots of layers to the process. Many of us with autoimmune disease have mixed connective tissue disorders. Because of that (and Reynaud's) I have poor circulation and I'm frequently cold. I called ahead to the surgery center and told them that. In any medical center I tend to be freezing. Add to that IV liquids, being in a paper or hospital gown, and having fluids injected into my bowel, I'm going to be very cold. Find out about whether they have the bear hug suits available or just warm blankets. But let them know in advance you'll need extra warmth. I also charge and bring my hand warmers. Maybe your veins are poor. Talk to the nurses about where the best place to access your veins are. If you have a port, let them know in advance so they can have a port nurse available. Also, you may have sensitivities to particular forms of anesthesia. If so, it's critical to let them know about that or any allergies to anesthesia in advance so they can appropriately medicate you. Bowel prep kits often times cause nausea. You can ask for anti-nausea meds to be prescribed at the same time as your prep kit. It's lousy to be nauseous on top of prepping. Managing multilayered conditions while prepping for a colonoscopy is difficult but possible. These kits are designed to keep us from getting dehydrated, but be careful to keep fluids going while you prepare. Ask lots of questions if you haven't been through this process before. If you have tips and tricks for dealing with a colonoscopy, please leave those in the comments below. This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness. Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.