Am I the only one?

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Muppetgirl

Muppetgirl

Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
225
I recently had a colonoscopy (to investigate a partial obstruction) that failed. I was quickly experiencing severe pain, had to ask them to stop. As soon as they started again the pain returned and I was crying (I've never cried in hospital in front of anyone before). They had to stop totally.

I feel like such a fool because it seems like everyone else gets them done ok. The surgeon performing it did nothing to reassure me afterwards or the nurses for that matter. They left me feeling like it was my fault.

Anybody else out there? :confused2:
 
Your not the only one, my last scope was really sore and they had to stop too. One before that was fine though.
 
Oh goodness, I don't think I could do a colonoscopy without anesthesia! You are brave! But I do wonder if a colonoscopy is typical for investigating an obstruction... I would think that a CT scan would be better, with less chance of further complications? But either way, I say forgot about those doctors! These procedures are the norm for them. Again, you are brave! And it is definitely not your fault. In fact, I commend you for speaking up. I have been through several procedures that were over the moon painful and I really wish I would've said something...
 
You definitely aren't the only one, my colonoscopy was horrible. I found the whole thing very painful and uncomfortable, but I did manage to get through the whole thing. I had much nicer staff though, the doctor doing the test took his time and did everything with care and my nurse held my hand the whole time and reassured me and that made the whole process easier to deal with.

I'm now flaring again and waiting for another scope. I'm really nervous because of how the last one was, but confident I'll be well looked after as it'll be the same department as before.

Colonoscopies can be hard and painful for lots of reasons, but it wouldn't of been your fault. If you have active inflammation then that can make it more painful. I had a narrowing that the scope wouldn't fit through, so that made things more difficult for me.
 
I wasn't really brave as the pain was out of this world, similar to what I've experienced during the worst of the obstruction. Crying out was an involuntary response :eek2: And I am used to pain but I could not have just sucked it up.

They gave me CT colongraphy afterward. The tube only goes as far as the rectum, and the scanner does the rest so it was ok. I agree it would have been much better if they had just done this in the first place.

That is the strange thing, I was told beforehand by both nurse and surgeon that it would be difficult and painful due to previous pelvic ops especially hysterectomy, as the bowels move into the empty space and are not where they should be. Given this and the issue of adhesions / obstruction, they changed down to a peadeatric scope and said they'd take it slow. Yet when it was a disaster they seemed put out!

Valleysangel I hope your upcoming colonoscopy goes better than your last one. I'm glad you have a good team who are reassuring, that is so important.
 
I would consider making a complaint, that's really not good enough the treatment you got.

:ghug:

I've had two colonoscopies.

The first time I was fine with just gas and air. I'd had Klean prep which was horrendous.

The second time (done because of severe anaemia which was not an issue at first scope) I opted to take everything they offered. "good" doses of pain relief and twilight sedation. Halfway through the Dr asked if I was ok. I said no so got more doses of everything plus muscle relaxants. A few minutes later I then requested gas and air which I was given. I'd had Picolax which as prep was wayyyy better. I ended up having so much stuff I slept for an hour on the recovery ward without being aware of it!

:rof:

Visually it was fine waiting on the biopsies.

It's possible my disease is finally coming out (hence the anaemia, low B12 etc) and that's why the second scope was so difficult. Otherwise I don't know why the second was so difficult.
 
Thanks. I'm waiting to see what the outcome will be. The things we do for our bodies hey!

I'm glad you were well attended at the second scope even if you weren't fully aware of it! Good luck with the results.
 
I had a scope yesterday and was given the sedative and I remained fully concious throughout , no offer of more sedation either they just told me it was nearly finished and continued , this happened to me before but I demanded more sedation and got it , I was in a bad way yesterday and hadn't the energy to demand more .
 
I've only had one colonoscopy, a while ago, as I don't have a colon anymore. They didn't give me the option of no sedation - they just sedated me! I remember nothing of it.

Later I had an upper endoscopy, and in the information leaflet they sent me beforehand, they said full anaesthetic would be available if needed, but when I got there, they clearly wanted me to just have the spray to numb your throat, so I did. It certainly wasn't pleasant, but not unbearable, yet when I had another upper endoscopy a couple of months ago, I was given the choice with no pressure to avoid complete sedation... and I'm such a wimp, I immediately opted to be knocked out completely, even though it wouldn't be unbearable. I think it's natural to avoid as much pain and discomfort as possible!
 
UnXmas said:
I've only had one colonoscopy, a while ago, as I don't have a colon anymore. They didn't give me the option of no sedation - they just sedated me! I remember nothing of it.

Later I had an upper endoscopy, and in the information leaflet they sent me beforehand, they said full anaesthetic would be available if needed, but when I got there, they clearly wanted me to just have the spray to numb your throat, so I did. It certainly wasn't pleasant, but not unbearable, yet when I had another upper endoscopy a couple of months ago, I was given the choice with no pressure to avoid complete sedation... and I'm such a wimp, I immediately opted to be knocked out completely, even though it wouldn't be unbearable. I think it's natural to avoid as much pain and discomfort as possible!
Click to expand...

Oh lord, the endoscopy is the one that goes down your throat to stick the camera in your stomach right ? I was told you have to be sedated for it, as if you suddenly struggle you can damage yourself. Between this an Tony's post I know for a fact I am damn well making sure I am out of it for both procedures. I'm not a wimp, just not a sadist looking for pain freebies, have enough of that without more being piled on TYVM. :ymad:
 
Geee, colonoscopies withput anestehsia... Those were the days, or not. I had 4 colonoscopies between 1999 and 2003 and every single one was damn awful and extremely painful as in really, really painful. I know what you are talking about.

Then I left Europe for the US in 2004 and wanted a routine colonoscopy in 2005... And it turns out it's pretty much standard to sleep through thr whole thing, which means no pain, no nothing. Doctors who still have their patientd awake for colonoscopies are pretty f@cked up if you ask me...

I have less problems with endoscopies and MRIs or scinitgraphies are a-ok, but colonoscopies, I will never ever do one again without getting a sedative to sleep through it.
 
juggys69 said:
Oh lord, the endoscopy is the one that goes down your throat to stick the camera in your stomach right ? I was told you have to be sedated for it, as if you suddenly struggle you can damage yourself. Between this an Tony's post I know for a fact I am damn well making sure I am out of it for both procedures. I'm not a wimp, just not a sadist looking for pain freebies, have enough of that without more being piled on TYVM. :ymad:
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a camera down your throat, into your stomach and the first part of your small intestine. It actually wasn't particularly painful - it's the gagging that makes it so unpleasant.
 
UnXmas said:
Yes, it's a camera down your throat, into your stomach and the first part of your small intestine. It actually wasn't particularly painful - it's the gagging that makes it so unpleasant.
Click to expand...

Agreed, endoscopies are pretty much ok, not much in terms of pain, just a bit uncomfortable in my experience (about 5 of them in the past).
 
I,ve had both and found them bizarre experiences I don,t have much of a squeamish bone and watched what was going on I was amazed at how much camera went down my throat and I could still breath!just like a documentary on television don,t be bothered about telling them it's hurting they need to know!good luck all the best
 
I've had two uppers- the first was a bad experience from start to finish. Had to sit in the waiting room 2 hours past my appointment getting more and more anxious. I get a hatchet faced nurse who offers numbing spray or sedation "but you will be awake and feel everything". I went for the former and it was horrendous. Was really panicky and wanted to rip it out frequently. My throat killed for 48 hours after.

Second time I was really anxious but was at another Hospital. I did ask for a general anaesthetic but was told sorry no. So I went for the sedative. Twilight sedation so I knew i'd probably be awake. I got 1 dose then as I wasn't very calm they gave me another 1/2 dose (I was warned ahead of time this might be needed due to my age). It wasn't nice but you know I wasn't so panicky like with the first one I just lay there and thought a couple of times "this is horrible" and not many urges to rip it out. They told me the sedation would take away my anxiety and it really did. Obviously due to the nature of the procedure I wasn't 100% happy but it was nowhere near as bad as the first time.

They wheeled me back to the ward (I was an in patient) where the Nurses made me toast which I ate right away, unthinkable to do that after my first! I did get a sore throat that evening but it went overnight.
 
I had the gastroscopy (that's the upper) about 18 years ago. They offered me a sedative, but I said no, then wimped out at the last minute. A friend came to collect me and before we left I asked someone if the doctor was going to talk to me, but apparently he already had. They found the doctor again, and he said that I'd been talking to him and asking questions, but I had no memory of it. Then I went home, laid down on the sofa and woke up lunchtime the next day. I'd slept for about 16 hours. So I guess the sedative worked.

Last year I had both ends done, and I was determined not to be such a scardey cat. I had to ask not to have a sedative; I guess things have changed and it's now considered normal. It was fine really. It's pretty unpleasant having the tube down your throat, but I only panicked the once and it was over in about 5 minutes. The other end takes a lot longer, but they gave me pain killers and it was only a little painful.
 
Had both an upper and colon. The upper was like a method of medieval torture. I was wriggling around, gagging - it was awful. All I had was the throat spray which the nurse recommended because it's apparently more effective. Lies. Next time I want full sedation.

The colonoscopy wasn't unpleasant at all, apart from the prep.
 
I concur Lewis my second was better with sedation. I was awake and of course it's not nice but the drugs really relaxed me. And the sore throat was way better so I must have been physically more relaxed as well as mentally.
 
Colonoscopy with no sedation sounds barbaric. I have never met anyone who had a colonoscopy without sedation and I'm 60! Wow!
 
My first colonoscopy was some 20 yrs ago now. My GI was lovely but I was so stressed that I wouldn't shut up, so they knocked me out lol. I woke up to the news that my bowel was so angry that I was being admitted just in case it perforated. I've only had one other colonoscopy since then.

Don't let the arrogant doctors make you feel like they are doing you a favor. One time, during an asthma attack, I refused prednisone. The doctor gruffly threw his hands up and said to the nurse," leave her there, she obviously doesn't want any help." I was doing fine on the oxygen.
 

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