Colonoscopy

i believe that some of us have more sensitive bowels. Mine hurt quite a lot - I have suspected IBS. Nothing was found in the scope but it certainly gave me more than slight discomfort which is what we are warned about.

Hi 

I had the exact same problem 3 weeks ago, during my colonoscopy they struggled and said I had a twisty colon. It was extremely painful for me too. I've had my report back from the hospital and they have said I have a tortuous bowel, it's bendy and twists around a lot. They said the best way to treat this is a high fibre diet and prescribed me laxatives. Did they manage to finish the colonoscopy or did they have to stop because of the twists?

are you still experiencing pain? Because I haven't been the same since the colonoscopy, I'm having more lower abdominal pain than before. 

I had my first colonoscopy a few months ago following an episode of diarrhoea lasting 7 weeks.  Apparently after 6 weeks it is policy to check this out.  I was not warned about the painful procedure.  I am not a wimp but found it agonising and felt traumatised for several weeks afterwards with lots of stomach pain.  Was told I had a tortuous colon.  Fortunately nothing sinister was found but since the procedure I have developed a urinary tract infection requiring 2 lots of antibiotics.   The information about a high fibre diet and laxatives was not given to me so this will be useful.  I did have one or two diverticula which was also news to me.  I was unhappy with my callous treatment and lack of support or follow up advice - not even a nice cup of tea! Sorry you have suffered in same way.  Your stomach pain will eventually settle, guess having a tortuous bowel is the problem.   I would never want to experience this again.

Hi all, 

sorry for you all...truly.....posted a few weeks ago that I had a totally pain free Colonoscopy, it really was ! Felt only slightly odd when they turned the corners of my colon.....and was given a cuppa and biscuits half an hour later....

But realise from yours and other postings that you need to have a relatively healthy bowel to achieve this.....tortions and Diverticuli would be extremely painful and me and others said we need to talk to our consultants...ANYONE who has a more difficult suspected prognosis should be given the opportunity of a general anaesthetic for this procedure.....yell at those doctors for putting you through this.....it wasn't necessary...!!!!

good luck all.. X

Hi - I too had an extremely painful experience - my first colonoscopy. They said I had a 'bendy bowel' but I am convinced that this was only part of the issue. I think the doctor was inexperienced. He eventually called a more senior doctor in who took over and it was definitely less painful thereafter. The junior doctor said that the camera probe kept looping. I have read that they can use some sort of hood to prevent this happening. My test was due to having had an appendicular mass so they had to get to the appendix - in fact the bowel was found to be quite healthy so the pain was not due to any issue there. Anyhow to fellow sufferers you are not alone. I would be interested to know if there are people who have had more than one colonoscopy with significantly different levels of pain.

If I have to have another one ever I will be asking a lot more questions! One thing that I am wondering is whether the extent to which the bowel is bendy or twisted could have been identified on the CT scan that preceded the colonoscopy. If so it could have been flagged up that I would experience pain and I would have asked for medication. I am really not a wimp -I can cope with pain but this experience exceptionally unpleasant.

I am the same. My third they had to abort and I ended up having a CT scan instead. Everyon'e bowels are obviously very differt regarding twists and sensitivity. I would rather have a baby than go through the 'slight discomfort' again

Sorry to hear about your trauma, but that is exactly what it is....trauma. A few weeks ago I had my second one. It was every bit as painful as my first a few years ago. Both have had to be abanoned and both consultants agreed that I am not suitable for this procedure. Like you, I've got a twisty bowel!!!! If was totally traumatic from the minute I got told I needed to have the second one....never again. Good luck to you all. 

hi, I had my first colonoscopy last November and it was painful, even with sedation! Indecember the surgeon removed 2 polyps. This was so painful , I was gripping the side of the bed and actually shouting out with pain. The procedure took 25 mins.,  and was done without sedation. Halfway through this I requested sedation and was told this was not offered  for this procedure. I was tempted to get off the bed and out of the theatre, However, I just persevered and was just so grateful when it ended. The nurse in attendance was telling me to do deep breathing to help relax. Believe me this did not help the pain at all. I have had 3 children and this was as painful as giving birth. I waited 8 weeks for results and was pleased the polyps were benign . However the tenderness in my abdominal and the pain and frequent bowel movements 4 or 5 times a day has not stopped and I am now under weight . I went back 2 weeks ago and was informed I had a floppy bowel. I was not informed about this during my procedure. I can only assume this is the same as a tortuous or twisted bowel that has been mentioned by other contributors to this discussion . This was probably the reason why my experience of my colonoscopys have been so painful and traumatic! I am waiting for more scans on my abdomin and pelvic area  as well as more blood tests to establish why I still have these ongoing symptoms. One thing is certain if I ever need another colonoscopy I will insist on being anthiestised  or be referred to another consultant.