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Colonoscopy alternatives for heart conditions

Fri, March 10, 2023 8:34 PM

Greetings, I was diagnosed with colitis in the ER 2 weeks ago when I was having what I thought was gallbladder pain and heaviness. They ran an ultrasound and it showed a contracted and thickened gallbladder, so I had a CT (w/o contrast because I had a previous anaphylactic reaction). The CT showed:

1. Right upper quadrant inflammatory stranding adjacent to mild focal hepatic flexure thickening, differential diagnosis including infectious/inflammatory colitis, less likely diverticulitis.
2. Right mid calyceal 2 mm nonobstructive calculus.
Approximate 4 cm region of edema/inflammation partially encircles the hepatic flexure, coronal se/im: 4/33.
Mild hepatic flexure wall thickening present, without overt diverticulum. Right upper quadrant reactive edema/inflammation as above.

The doctor sent me home with 2 antibiotics, Cypro and Metro, and said to schedule a colonscopy with my doctor as soon as possible. He said nothing more. The next day when I received my lab results, the ECG showed the following:

Possible Left atrial enlargement
Inferior infarct , age undetermined
Abnormal ECG

This is the first time I have heard of any problems with my heart beyond an "innocent heart murmur" and "the flap is flapping the wrong way but you're okay". Because of this the cardiologist requires that I have a consult with him before an echo or any further testing.
To have the colonoscopy, I have to be cleared by the cardiologist. The cardiologist is booked 2 months out, plus an extra 2 weeks for the consult beforehand.

My question is: please tell me there is another way. I am reading that the longer I wait, the more damage is done. I had my first flare-up last Monday and it was a night of hell. This was on the last day of antibiotics, so I am assuming I have ulcerative colitis due to extreme stress in the home.

Also, FWIW I had a colonoscopy 4 years ago with no problem being sedated.

Thank you if you read this far and can help me.
Michelle

HiMichelle
Joined Mar 10, 2023

Tue, April 04, 2023 10:20 PM

Reply posted for HiMichelle.

Hi Michelle. I had a similar issue right before my planned resection surgery in 2020. My paroxysmal a-fib was acting up, the bowel prep totally deranged my electrolytes, and I had an early-morning syncope. Went to the hospital, and they postponed my surgery 24 hours, until a cardiologist said it was okay. What a nuisance, plus an extra night in hospital! I have had a couple of electrophysiologists tell me the a-fib could be related, somehow, to IBD. Certainly, general inflammation around the body could affect one's heart. I hope you get some answers, and a coordinated plan, soon.

MrNews
Joined Mar 5, 2024

Sat, March 11, 2023 2:45 PM

Reply posted for HiMichelle.

Unfortunately no because you are under the care of a cardiologist you would have to follow any and all protocols prior to having your colonoscopy because if they put you under any kind of problems can occur without going through the proper channels your cardiologist would have to clear you for the procedure as well even though you've had a colonoscopy four years ago

gameofcrohns42
Joined May 11, 2023

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