Colonoscopy Problems

Posted , 5 users are following.

I had a colonoscopy done over a month ago. I have been in pain ever since it was done. Sharp cramping and sore. I went to the er awhile ago cause I thought she had hurt my spleen or tore my bowel. But all tests show that everything is fine except my pain keeps getting worse. I followed up with the physician who did the procedure and she assures me nothing is wrong and says you were in pain before you seen me. But I tell her not like this. I originally seen her cause I kept having a these attacks in my upper abdomen every couple months that felt like pressure going into my shoulder and chest. Now my colon feels like someone ran a wire brush through it and I'm affraid it's never going to go back to the way it was. I have IBS-C but pain was never a daily issue. Only occasionally and it would subside with a good bowel movement or passing gas. Now a good bowel movement seems to aggravate it and so does constipation. So I'm left just constantly in pain and when I call the drs office they tell me they'll leave a message with the dr and have her call me back except they don't call me back.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Colonoscopies can cause complications.  This is a known risk that doctors know about.  They should be admitting this.  However, it is no surprise that the consultant who did the procedure is fobbing you off.  I would make a written complaint.  Were you warned about the side effects before the procedure?  If you were not you should have been.  This is part of the consent process.

    This procedure can put strain on your colon because it is invasive.  Having IBS will make this worse along with the added anxiety you would have had before having it done.

    I got IBS C as a result of a botched blood test by a health care assistant.  Medical mistakes and complications can and do happen.  

    • Posted

      Yes I was warned that there's a chance of a perforated bowel or reaction to the sedatives and I have had this done before 3 times actually and never had any troubles after. Never was I told that it could send my IBS into hyper mode. But she assures me the colonoscopy did not do this. But I never had this before. I'm wondering if I should take legal action cause I'm basically being denied treatment at this point cause I call and they don't call me back. As if I'm lying to them and the don't believe me. I can't work as a result of this.

    • Posted

      I had an endoscopy and was not warned about reactions to the sedation.  I got severe depression from it and when I complained I was told I had handled the procedure well during the examination and my reaction was unusual.  I became unwell less than 24 hours after the scope.  This was a private appointment and a lot of money was spent and they found nothing!

      This is very bad service if they are ignoring you.  You have a right to a proper explanation since the treatment went wrong.  They also owe you compensation if you cannot work because of it.  It is well known that IBS can flare up because of stress.  This should also have been explained to you.  Even the tinest amount of anxiety/stress sets my IBS off.  I don't think you are being told the correct story.  If your colon is already irritatable, an invasive procedure will not help.

  • Posted

    Yes these tests can cause problems like pucturing the bowel or irritate the lining. That eventually clears.

    When you had the test did they find any problems, and operated at that time. Sometimes we get Fissures, Polyps, or Pyles etc. and operated to clear or did they just examine the bowel etc. ? If they did not do anything you need further tests, although I do not know what they could do, I am no Doctor.

    Talk again with your GP, They sometimes pass air up into the bowel to get better results. I remember I suffered about two weeks with the pain and air.

    Good Luck

    BOB

    • Posted

      They didn't find anything. Any air has since passed it's been over a month. I've been pushing for a pill cam because I have a positive blood panel for crohns but they don't suspect I have it. I think it may be hiding in my small intestines. She took biopsies but I would think those have healed. I have no blood in my stool. It's almost like she damaged nerves and irritated everything. I though maybe simce it was a bad one it might need a couple weeks to calm down but it's been over a month and it's worsening. So I'm think she permanently damaged nerves or the lining. But I would think those would eventually heal as well. Also IBS doesn't heal so if she worsened that I could be damaged for life which is not anything I can prove in court. But I did contact a lawyer since they are ignoring me.

    • Posted

      Jon

      I was told the colon hs no nerves, like many of the other interior organs, I reserve judgement regards that as I came around when they were still checking me over. 

      i had a Scan of the bowel done twenty years ago, they took photos by lying you down on a rotationg bed and scanner, they were passing air into the gut and it was very uncomfortable. They were passing so much air into the colon they thought it was funny because of the air coming out of the back passage, I was unable to go home for several hours after the test.

    • Posted

      Sorry but whoever told you that was talking rubbish. All your organs have nerves or they wouldn't work

    • Posted

      That is what I was told, whereever I agree of disagree, that is what I was told in clinic

      I am so tired now with the whole health problems I have it has been going on now for over thirty years.

       

    • Posted

      It is amazing what you can find out about your body.  I have learned quite a lot from this site from other people's conditions.

      The nerves in your gut also link with your brain.  This is why anxiety has such a large part to play in IBS.

    • Posted

      Pain all in some ways comes via your brain, it is your brain that tells you what is wrong and if anything needs attention

      BOB

  • Posted

    I had pain and diarrhoea for a while after my colonoscopy. Since your intestines are already irritated a colonoscopy makes it worse. Stick to an easily digestible diet, take antispasmodic medication and try heat pads or hot water bottle to relax the muscles
    • Posted

      Thanks. My problem is the constipation cause by anti spasmodics. It feels like everything is stuck and ripping apart under my ribs.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.