Colonoscopy Gone Wrong

[Jennifer]

I know I'm new to the forum but I needed to talk about this with people who would understand.

I'm 27 years old and was diagnosed with Crohns when I was 9, so I've had my fair share of scopes. I just had a colonoscopy 3 days ago. I've ALWAYS been put to sleep or close to it with the memory loss drug they use. They used the memory lapse drug on my this time and I thought nothing of it.

The problem this time is that the doctor (who I just started seeing) didn't wait for the drug to take effect so I felt a good portion of the beginning of the procedure before the drug finally kicked in. There were two other people in the room and neither tried to stop the doctor even though I was yelling and screaming at them to wait. I still have internal pain from the procedure. When I woke up in the recovery room, I was trying to tell the nurse what happened and my boyfriend was by my side. She looked to him and said that I didn't know what I was talking about and that I would forget it soon anyway.

I know that many people have this procedure done while they are awake but the difference is that you're prepared (as much as one can be) for what is about to happen and I imagine they would go slower so as not to hurt you as much.

I'm outraged and in pain and I don't think there's anything I can do other than never see that doctor again and never get procedures done at that particular facility. I also filled out their evaluation sheet they gave me quite harshly.

Am I in the wrong about this whole thing? Is there anything I can do? And since I'm still in pain (less mind you) is there a chance I have internal injuries? Is this considered malpractice? Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[lorieanton]

Unbelieveable!

I am so sorry. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been. I hope you find some solace and recover soon. :voodoo:

 

[shazamataz]

That sounds like a NASTY experience!

When I had mine I was wide awake despite the drugs. It was my first so it was all a bit of an adventure. Certainly not pleasant, but it seemed to go pretty quickly. Not sure if I would ask to be completely sedated next time or not!

However, if I EXPECTED to be knocked out and wasn't then I would be pissed too!

 

[Jennifer]

However, if I EXPECTED to be knocked out and wasn't then I would be pissed too!

Exactly. I expected to be knocked out and even made sure with the nurse before the procedure and she explained how it would all go down even though I already knew because I've done it many times before.

I still can't believe that none of them decided to speak up. Makes me wonder if they just do this with everyone who goes back there.

 

[mwb3779]

Oh my. I would absolutely speak to an attorney regarding the issue. See what your claim may be. That is absolutely not ok. Change your dr for sure. If they want to continue to press the matter, consult an attorney. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

I don't think they would've caused any internal issues, but I would speak with a GI about that. A new one. Not the same or even the same office about it.

Good luck to you Crabby!

 

[Jeff D.]

That sounds like malpractice so you may want to get a lawyer and see what you can do. Good luck and I'm sorry about your experience.

Also welcome to the forum

 

[Peaches]

I'm sorry you had to go through that CR. I have had many colonoscopies - and my husband is always in the room when they are done. He knows my GI. I have gone from having partial sedation to full sedation, so I am aware of how both things "should" go. I remember from the partial sedation that if I moaned or anything - I can physically remember my GI asking the nurse to push more meds so that I would NOT be uncomfortable.

Now - the caviat to this is that many people do all kinds of weird things under sedation - say all kinds of weird things etc (me included). So, *maybe* they thought this was what was happening to you and weren't estute enough to figure out they needed to sedate you more? I mean - were you with it enough to say "I am in PAIN!!"? If so - and they still kept going - yep - I'd be pretty mad. Then I'd have to start wondering if that doctor is trying to flip patients quicker out of the beds to be able to do more procedures in a day (!). Less sedation means quicker turnover for sure if they don't have a lot of beds.

Not sure how far you would get with a law suit. Seems like you would have to have some lingering physical issue remaining to claim malpractice. It would send a pretty strong message to that doc if they received a letter of complaint from an attorney though......

 

[Jennifer]

Now - the caviat to this is that many people do all kinds of weird things under sedation - say all kinds of weird things etc (me included). So, *maybe* they thought this was what was happening to you and weren't estute enough to figure out they needed to sedate you more? I mean - were you with it enough to say "I am in PAIN!!"? If so - and they still kept going - yep - I'd be pretty mad. Then I'd have to start wondering if that doctor is trying to flip patients quicker out of the beds to be able to do more procedures in a day (!). Less sedation means quicker turnover for sure if they don't have a lot of beds.

Not sure how far you would get with a law suit. Seems like you would have to have some lingering physical issue remaining to claim malpractice. It would send a pretty strong message to that doc if they received a letter of complaint from an attorney though......

Yes I told them that I was in pain and that I was still conscious and that they need to wait for it to take effect. They started the procedure right after the fluid went into the IV. You are supposed to wait at least a minute, preferably two before shoving things into someone. They didn't wait and the nurse knew I think cause she kept putting more and more fluid into my IV until she didn't have anymore and then shrugged at me and said that that was all she could give me. Seconds after that is when it finally took effect.

There were people lined up. I went in right after this older man (who went in after someone else) and there was another woman waiting to go after me. Our wait time was VERY short. About a half hour or so and that's not normal for any office or hospital.

I don't know about a lawsuit although one doesn't need to be physically injured to sue. Not saying anything is just as bad as ruining his career in my opinion. I'm 27 but I was diagnosed at 9 years old. What's to stop him from doing this to little kids and everyone else for that matter? I guess I could simply ask my lawyer and see what he thinks. Perhaps just a letter from him would straighten the doc and that facility out, or at least there would be a record for someone to actually have a case in the future for when this happens again.

 

[Peaches]

Wow....that is bad! Yep - sounds like he is just in there cranking them out. You could look around the web at these MD reporting sites as well and post a complaint about him, or at least that aspect of what he does. I search the web on every new doc I have to come into contact with and I'm sure others do as well. So, that might give you some satisfaction as well.

 

[Jennifer]

Thank you. I'll start searching around.

 

[shawne]

My first colo. I was 17 and was not put out, just given drugs to relax me .. it was a VERY uncomfortable. The dr. i see now puts me clean out when I go for my colos... It's actually a very pleasant nap. I pass gas, get a drink and i'm out the door.

 

[wqcoleman]

i was awake on one.. it was a total drag.. felt the same way you did... Dr did wait, however, I was on other pain meds and a benzo (which are totally evil, don't use them if you don't have to).. and I guess I needed more for the sedation to kick in.. anyway, long story short, no big deal.. If I'm on pain meds, which I still take from time to time, and I need a colonoscopy, I just tell them that I'm taking 10mg of Oxycodone with Tylenol 2x a day or something.. then they give a little extra Fentanyl and some Versed and I'm gone...

They should have stopped.. but my Doctor thought I was just breathing and moaning heavy... he really didn't know I was uncomfortable...

Now I know.. not sure about the assembly line colonoscopies tho... sounds kinda off.. I get there an hour before and they prep.. etc.. no rush.

 

[Jennifer]

They should have stopped.. but my Doctor thought I was just breathing and moaning heavy... he really didn't know I was uncomfortable...

That would suck to be forced to continue a surgery while you were unable to tell them that you could feel everything and that you needed more drugs. My boyfriend told me that many doctors were sued back in the day when doing heart surgery on patients who weren't quite out. It's a horrifying thought. With me though, it was like doing a procedure on someone who just walked in who hadn't been given any drugs because I was moving and speaking clearly or yelling I should say. Thank God I wasn't being cut open. Although I would have gotten up and walked out if that were the case.

 

[Guest]

hi CR.. that sounds awful - barbaric to be honest! my last colonoscopy was totally without meds, but i knew it was going to be once i got there (i'd not taken anyone with to drive me home). it wasn't pleasant.. but my doctor was fantastic, took it slowly and took notice when i said i couldn't take it any more... what you've been through is wrong. what to do about it though, depends on how hard you want to fight.

you could demand a meeting with the governing body of that hospital or clinic, taking in a written formal complaint and put in writing that you're giving them x amount of days to reply in writing to you regarding what they plan to do about it or you'll go higher (newspapers, legal action), or you could put that you want a written apology and explanation. sometimes just putting things in writing brings results, even if you don't carry through the threats you make such as legal action etc..

of course, the other side of the coin is that any stresses in our lives can make our Crohn's worse... and this issue, if you take it up, could go on for a while and cause you more upset than it's worth - you need to think about all aspects.. but i would definitely at the very least, find yourself another doctor, then write to the other one and tell him how you feel.

 

[farm]

Am I in the wrong about this whole thing? Is there anything I can do? And since I'm still in pain (less mind you) is there a chance I have internal injuries? Is this considered malpractice? Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm sorry this happened to you. Is your doctor at a private practice or with a company such as Novant?
If he is private practice I would send a letter from your attorney to his boss or him personally if he is the proprietor.
If he is with a company, send the letter to the Chief of Medicine (just as Ding suggested).

 

[g_1988]

Why do they give the amnesia inducing drug anyway? I was asleep for almost the entire time when I had my colonoscopy. No wait... was I? I can't remember! I don't remember much of the procedure except what I was unable to feel the tube going in or coming out, despite watching the doctor pull it out without concern for my pain (which wasn't there anyway).