Symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation have led to two colonoscopies and more digestive health adventures in my life. But simple daily changes are making a difference.

It began with unexplained bloating in my mid-section, not tied to anything I’d eaten.

That set in motion a months-long ordeal that led to prolonged digestive health symptoms, my first-ever colonoscopy, a second colonoscopy a few months later, and so many back-and-forths with different GI professionals that it made my … stomach growl.

This has all been a brand new experience for me, as I’ve reached my mid-40s and also happen to live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for most of my life.

In the 8 months of enduring these colonoscopy adventures, my symptoms have come and gone:

  • semi-regular stomach bloating, with varying discomfort around my belly button
  • excess gas
  • slight burps
  • occasional heartburn
  • periodic constipation and other bowel movement changes that can last for days

I’ve experienced one-offs of these symptoms over the course of my life from time to time. But they were typically tied to a specific illness or some other identifiable factor.

If they couldn’t, I could blame my T1D.

These new symptoms were a mystery. Finding an answer wouldn’t be easy, and it would kickstart a months-long process of colonoscopy and digestive health adventures.

After the first few weeks of experiencing these symptoms, I realized that it wasn’t a stomach bug or anything specific to my routine. It was time to get some professional help.

My new primary care doctor had ordered a standard screening colonoscopy.

But it wasn’t a priority, so I’d been procrastinating on going through that gruesome colonoscopy prep — especially since I’d never done it before and was a bit wary, given what it would mean for my diabetes management in the days before.

With these newer symptoms, the order changed to a diagnostic colonoscopy and endoscopy to identify the constipation culprit in my gut.

The possibilities we’ve discussed are wide-ranging:

About colonoscopies

Colonoscopies are important screening testsTrusted Source that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends starting at age 45.

They can help find early signs of colorectal cancer, colon and related digestive health abnormalities, inflamed or swollen tissue, ulcers, and internal bleeding.

They’re sometimes combined with endoscopy to examine your body’s upper GI tract or acid reflux-type issues.

Only 3 months later, I found myself prepping for a second colonoscopy. The reason?

Per my GI doctor at the time, the results of my first colonoscopy weren’t clear, even though I had followed instructions to the T.

I later learned on my own that people with diabetes are more likely to do “poor bowel prep” that interferes with a successful colonoscopy procedure.

This all meant I’d have to repeat the entire process.

The prep itself turned out to be the worst part of it all.

The clinic gave me color-coded diagrams and instructions on how to prep from 5 and 7 days ahead of the procedure to the days and hours beforehand. They included:

  • Avoid nuts, red meat, raw vegetables, fresh fruit, and any foods that may be considered “rough” on your digestive system.
  • Switch to soft foods 2 to 3 days prior.
  • Stay away from anything with food coloring, except allowable yellow.
  • Drink a laxative solution (aka “poop potion”): The first was a DIY mix of over-the-counter (OTC) Miralax and water, drinking an entire 8-ounce glass every 15 minutes until half of the total was taken, and then repeating for the second half several hours later; the second was a more potent prescription version that came in its own medical jug.

Without diving into the toilet bowl of description, let’s just say the very long process was not fun.

People who’ve prepped for colonoscopies shared advice to stay in the bathroom rather than rush in and out repeatedly as your system clears out.

So I kept a phone charger in the bathroom and got comfortable enough to binge-watch on my smartphone for much of the night.

As this was my first time going through this process, I even flexed my dark humor by crafting a “poop tracker” Google doc with fun, pop-culture-themed names for each line item.

Prepping with diabetes on board

Online and in medical journals, I found little practical advice on navigating this prep with type 1 diabetes, which I’ve lived with most of my life.

Even this 2022 research highlighted how inadequate colonoscopy prep is for people with diabetes and that those with the condition need more guidance on prepping and diabetes management before the procedure.

I talked with my diabetes care team to adjust my insulin dosing and eating needs in the days before, including how to manage any low blood sugars if I wasn’t supposed to eat several hours ahead of the procedure.

Turns out, neither colonoscopy found any clear signs of what was causing my digestive health woes.

They removed 2 small polyps, and a lab determined they were nothing to be concerned about. Even without a clear diagnosis or answers, I’m happy that I won’t have to repeat the process for at least 5 years.

I remain optimistic and have been making some simple, health-forward changes in my life to help my gut and digestive system, but also with my diabetes management and overall health in mind.

  • More fiber in my meal plans: Eating more fruits and vegetables, seeds and raw nuts, prunes, and fermented foods.
  • Establishing an exercise routine: At least 1 daily stroll with my dog, walking on a treadmill while I work, and using a yoga ball for twice-a-day squats to help motivate my body’s digestive response.
  • Avoiding spicier foods: Historically, my motto was “the spicier, the better.” But not anymore.
  • Using OTC medications: I take Gas-X chewables to help break down bubbles in the digestive tract for more intense bloating and abdominal discomfort.
  • Drinking daily probiotic “poop shakes”: Activia probiotic yogurt drinks (strawberry banana, for the win). Even though they add an unexpected line item to our kitchen budget, 1 or 2 of these per day have helped me feel more regular.

Not all of these are exclusively helpful for digestive health, but they’re generally good wellness habits — especially for those like me who live with a chronic condition.

Want more?

Check out Healthline’s hub on all things digestive health and what steps you can take for your gut and overall health.

It’s been 8 months of sleuthing, and we still haven’t solved my gut health mystery. I’m hopeful we’re zeroing in on some answers beyond “You’re getting older, and your body can just change like the wind.”

Here’s to happy health, no matter the passing winds we may encounter.

Mike Hoskins is an editor on the engagement team, following other editorial roles within Healthline. For a decade, he was managing editor for DiabetesMine and tapped into his life with type 1 diabetes since childhood. Mike has 25 years of journalism experience at daily, weekly, and specialty print and digital media publications, including his own personal diabetes blogging and advocacy.