Colonoscopy Horror Story

[parakeets]

6 years ago I had a routine colonoscopy and it was the most upsetting medical procedure of my life.  Even though it was done in a hospital under Demerol and Versed, I had excruciating pain, was thrashing about, totally awake, and in such agony that I was begging and screaming at the doctor to stop.  Instead, he had me restrained in a Tyvek restraint jacket on the surgical table and I was held down while he proceded with the colonoscopy.  It was traumatic beyond belief.  Afterwards, he admitted to nothing and would only say  my colonoscopy was "totally routine."  I had violent flashbacks for weeks afterwards, and even had to get a bite plate due to damage I did to my jaw biting in agony from pain during the procedure.  Though I tried, I got nohwere when I tried to go against him legally.  I determined I would never have a colonoscopy again.  I was severely traumatized by my doctor's actions during the procedure, and even more afterwards, when he denied what I said had happened  (even though I had physical evidence).  I was told that under these drugs "people imagine things."  That re-traumatized me even more.  

Now it turns out I have some rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids.  Because of the bleeding, my primary care physician wants me to have another colonoscopy (the one 6 years ago showed no polpys or anything, though the previous doctor did admit my colon had many turns and was longer than the endoscope tube he used).  Even after some sessions with a therapist, I still cannot submit to a colonoscopy again.  Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that will help?  I just can't do it.

[angryincuse]

I had a routine colonoscopy on april 23rd.  I thought everything was fine and went to work for 2
days.  felt a little bloated but didn"t think twice until the mrning of the 26th when I had terrible
stomch pains and could barely walk. Went to the emergency room and yes it was a perforated
colon.  I was in the hospital for 12 days (5 in intensive care ).  I had to have breathing treatments
and be on oxygen for 6 weeks at home as they gave me so much fluid during the surgery that it
settled in my lungs.  Was told its hard to sue these doctors as its one of the risks they tell you about.  Its a 1-2 in 1000 risk but I should have asked my dr. ehat his record was personally.  I
now have to have my colon resected as I had to wear a bag for the past 10 weeks.I sympathize with
you and think drs. need to take more time when they do one.

                 angry in cuse

[Barbarella]

You can get the "Barium Enema" instead.  I do. I refuse a colonoscopy.  It can detect the same things a colonoscopy can.  The only difference is with the colonoscopy if they see a polyp they can remove it right there and then for a biopsy.  They cannot with the Barium Enema.  You've to come back to get the polyp removed.

As for your bleeding hemmorhoids they do "sigmoidoscopies" which is a viewing of the lower colon.  No anesthesia, no horror stories, no pain, just a little pressure that is all.

[Teej66]

CT's aren't the end all when it comes to identifying abnormalities.  CT's do not work as well on hollow organs, like the colon.  We have had patients who had CT's prior to getting scoped and their CT's were clear...however, we found significantly sized tumors.  Thus, having a CT alone should not be an option.

[Jaybay]

How about a virtual colonoscopy with the camera pill?  I don't know how widely available it is in the country now.  Even here in Houston only one doc had the equipment and it's pretty expensive, but maybe worth it for those with such horrific experiences?  As already pointed out, the one benefit of colonoscopy is that when problems like polyps are are found, they can be dealt with right there and then.  Also, biopsies of any suspicious tissue can be taken with colonoscopy.  It's such a tough call.

I have such trust in my gastro doc and he'll probably be retiring in a very few more years.  Yikes!  After all these years I can't imagine having anyone else do one on me.  In my case, I have a pathological fear of having another Air Contrast Barium Enema.  No sedation for that baby, and because of my adhesions, it hurt like H***!   They strap you to a table right from the start because they have to tilt you around to spread the barium around and get different views for the pics.  Frankly, I think the radiologist got a bit too enthusiastic when he got going on the air pump.    "WOW!  Did anyone every tell you that you have a REALLY redundant colon?!!"  Uh, yeah... you wanna stop on the air pump already?!

[parakeets]

Thanks for some alternative suggestions for colon screenings for someone like me who was permanently traumatized by an unethical behavior of a gastroenterologist.  My colonoscopy, and my doctor's ignoring me and restraining me when I was screaming for him to stop, was something I could not bear to undergo again.  For me personally, my colonoscopy was dangerously and horrifyingly abusive.  I hope other people are warned that colonoscopies can be horrendous.

[leolagraham65]

I had my first colonoscopy in 2009 at OU in OKC, OK. I was anestitized. I felt no  pain at all. I woke up and it was all over and done with. The one done  today at OU Physicians here in Oklahoma city was horrific! I was writhing and screaming in agony. I will never allow OU physicians to do another one on me. I did  not agree to this kind of suffering. I just assumed it would be the same as the first one. Why have they chosen to do it this dumb agonizing  way. They were doing it right in 2009. GREED must be involved.  I am so sorry about what happened to  you, but maybe with us speaking out about this procedure maybe they will start doing it the right way that protects patients. What happened to the Motto,  "Do no harm!"

[parakeets]

Thanks for the info that having a CT alone should not be an option, but there are patients who will not undergo a colonoscopy.  What are the alternatvies?