Colonoscopy

Posted , 10 users are following.

Had my third colonoscopy today and as the others it was absolute torture,  Had to grit my teeth and bear it to the end.  I was on the verge of jumping off the strectcher.  Was told that I have a lot of looping in my colon and that the next one will be done under general anesthetic.  Others were coming out from the procedure saying they did not felt any pain. Why  is this is it true

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    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.
  • Posted

    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. 

    • Posted

      I have to say that my bowels have been more sensitive since the procedure as well - on the plus side I have lost 1/2 stone! I think I was quite traumatised by the whole thing - having pain which no one seems to believe really exists during the procedure - and it knocked my sleepo rhythm completely out. Four weeks later I'm still having to take sleep remedies to get me through the night. I can't explain it!
    • Posted

      Have they said you have a twisty colon too Adam? Yeah mine are a lot different and I have a lot of pain, do you experience pain the the lower abdominal? I'm still trying to get my head around what's going on and why it hurts. Oh I really sorry it's affected your sleep, that sucks rolleyes 
    • Posted

      They haven't said anything - just didn't find anything obvious in the scan. The biopsies have obviously come back normal as they don't want to see me until July! Yes I do have pain in the lower region which I find is better if I lie on my left side but then my hip seizes up! I feel like an old man! LOL. Hope your pain is soon dealt with - I'm learning what foods make me more susceptible - bread is not great for me - soup is great however.
    • Posted

      Oh really so they didn't even mention if it twists cos it sounds like you have the same issue as me, I haven't got my biopsy results yet either and also have to wait till July for the specialist but I rang my GP and asked what the report from the hospital said. Yeah I'm the same I'm very uncomfortable if I lie on my right it feels very strange so I have to lie on the left too. Yeah bread isn't great for me either I'm trying to eat  a lot of fruit and vegetables 
  • Posted

    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.
    • Posted

      I had a sigmoidoscopy some 15 years ago, also performed by Dr. Callous.  I have never returned.  I'll take my chances.  Because a colonoscopy is 100% guarantee of torture based on my experience. Colon/rectal cancer for those without family history is 5% risk, and better than that probably with an active lifestyle, little red meat in a good diet, and no weight issues. 

      Life is risky.

  • Posted

    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

  • Posted

    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.

  • Posted

    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
  • Posted

    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. 
  • Posted

    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.

     

    • Posted

      Hi Andrea, I feel for you. my last one they had to abort due to the distress I was in (though I don't remember it) Imagine coming round and finding they hadn't even finished it? Anyway i was offered a CT scan which was 100% better. See if you can have that due to your probem bowel 

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