severe pain with colonoscopy

[suziem45]

I had a colonaoscopy yesterday and i had sedation/pethidine and buscapan all i.v. This procedure was the most painful experience i have ever experienced and i have had x2 children. The procedure went on for over an hour and in the end the nurse told the doctor to stop as i was sobbing. I'm still very tearful over the event and can't understand why i suffered so much pain. Can any one help. Sue


This discussion is related to Extremely Painful Colonoscopy.

[ambers786]

Hi! I had the same thing happen to me yesterday, I also have had two children but the pain was so bad that they couldnt complete it. Did you find out the reason why this happened to you? What was the alternative solution for you. Thanks and I know now im not alone.

[cgu11]

I've had three attempted colonoscopies, 2 different doctors, and none of the three could be completed due to intense pain.  I have always had a high threshold for pain and am convinced that I can stand just about anything for a while and it will be over.  I do not dread surgery or recovery pain (been there, too), injections and am very interested in watching whatever is done to me.  I had the IV solutions and felt loopy until the pain convinced me that my bowel was on the verge of being perforated.  Some of the most awful pain ever, including childbirth and toothache.  I felt like a wuss, but had to stop them.

[rubynolegs]

I am having a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy at the same sitting. My first was Private after the NHS Doc refused to explain the warnings about breathing probs with sedation. When i had it done Privately The Doc (in Europe) used 7mg Madazolam and i never felt a thing. He removed 7 Polyps and 3 Adenomas, one with active cells. He then wanted to go down my throat so a week later I flew back.

He found the biggest bag of cack in my Oesophagus so I am glad I returned. I had a follow up in  UK and I got 3 mg and woke up. I admit I didnt feel a thing but was in terror. Tried to keep saying "I am awake and whats so funny that you are laughing and joking about it" Thing was I had a car crash 10 years ago and an out of body in which i had no controll and this "awake" experience put me straight back there.

There is a list you can google for age and doses of medication, but in UK they shortcut the dose to save money.

22 March 2012 I took a bloody Stool sample to the GP and he was as worried as I was so said he would send it off and refer me on to a Gastro.
A week later I found out that another GP marked my records "Stool sample not required at this time". Not much i could do about that but I and my carer were gobsmacked. I made an appointment at the surgery EVERY week till they got fed up and referred me. Took 5 months and 3 weeks!!

On Xmas exe 2012 I saw a Gastro. He actually looked at my records and booked the double under General, mainly as I am disabled and live alone, and assistance would come to £285. but also he wanted a good root around, and he also booked me into hospital for 3 days or whatever time was needed so I would be cared for (RESULT)

I had already called Cancer UK and explained to them about  the stool destruction and delays. They said to call the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. once in their hands the GP could not interfeer. I did. It took a while  but they sent me a FOB kit out in January 2013.

I did the test, and it came back Abnormal. I did a second test and THAT was abnormal. They made me an appointment but as long as things go well with the booking i have, I will cancel it, but right now I am too worried that the booked one will be cancelled at the last minute.

The point is that 11 months have elapsed since the GP destroyed the  stool sample I took in, and I have been bleeding ever since, so I fear not getting my procedures at the last minute, and worry about the 11 month delay.
I think a lot is down to your Health Authority and the Consultant and I have made i clear that I am selling my house and moving area, so insist I am treated in the new area (naughty me invented my new area)
.

I have really had to jump through hoops and spend my savings on Private procedures, but there is a very worrying reason.

My father died of OesophageaCancer aged 64
My sister died of Stomach Cancer aged 55
My eldest daughter is now suffering blockages and a twistted Bowel age 46
I have 6 other children and 14 grand children and it has been mentioned that this could be "Familiel", so need the connection recognised to protect the next generation  :-/

I have already had Polyps and Adenomas removed, 10 altogether, a lot..
I have Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease,
Hiatus Hernia. Peptic Ulcer Disease. Oesophagitis. Gastritis. Gastroparesis. Perforated Ulcer (left to stop bleeding itself).
Duodenitis. Malabsorption.

And worse, Cachexia,(Google that) diagnosed by 2 Drs, one NHS, but still nothing done, not a single pill. And in nearly 6 months my weight loss dropped 5st 2lb, now struggling to hold on to 6st 6lb from 11st 10lb. I was size 20 and now 6, or 11-12 year old clothing and not even allowed a Dietician to help me. I would pull my hair out but it falls out in clumps itself...

I think, and hope I am getting somewhere now, but bless the Consultant who offered me the General, even though I will need Intubating some how because of Acid Reflux and a previous backwash.
At least he seems to know the fight I have had.

I wont have a problem, but my sympathies go with all here with a past bad experience, and for those just reading as they may need a procedure, dont be afraid to ask, because Anxiety is a common condition with the stress of the unknown. I wish you all well and that your procedures either show what the problem is, and you are treated, or shows a clean bill of health so you can get on with your lives  ;-)  Love and prayers to all x

[peppy3]

I had a colonoscopy yesterday and although I was given pain relief and sedation I felt it all and they gave me more pain relief but when I asked for more I was told that I had had it all-I am wondering if its because Im asthmatic and I also have allergies and maybe they weren't able to give any more. Also the doctor doing the procedure was asking if I had had an operation as he was doing the procedure and I told him I had a cesarean-thats how wide awake I was-the only thing I could think of was a cesarean scar - I also tried to tell the prep nurse that I had an hernia and would it get in the way but she didn't think it would

[slamdunk59]

I had the same experience recently and the gastroenterologist said it was because I had been taking Clonazapam for 11 years for head tremors and it is a 'sister' drug to Versed, rendering it ineffective.  They did give me some kind of pain medicine along with the Versed, and I think it helped some, but the worst pain was when they put in the gas and even worse when they removed it.  The did remove 4 polyps, one of which was precancerous and rather large.  So it was worth it to have that taken care of.  I am hoping they will be able to give me something different next time to make me not remember any of it.  I know they need you to move to your side....and then I had to move onto my back.  I talked to the Dr. and watched them 'snare' the polyps and remove them....watched the whole entire thing.  Cried when they were removing the scope and the gas....of course, it was almost over by then.

[Quebec]

I had my first colonscopy a little over a week ago and I was entirely alert and lucid throughout the WHOLE procedure. I also moaned loudly and uncontrollably throughout the entire procedure from start to finish (about 20 minutes). I honestly couldn't form any words like "Help me!" or "You're killing me!"; all I could do was moan. The pain was alsolutely intolerable. The doctor removed one polype (located in a dangerous area, where the large intestine joins the small intestine). I didn't think to complain after the procedure: I was completely exhausted and--until I read this thread tonight--I figured everyone must suffer this way. I have to go back in 5 years...I think I'll shop around for another specialist.

Sean Rooney, Quebec City, Canada