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Colonoscopy procedure

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margaret91698
margaret91698

i have posted extensively on this site about my woes regarding colonoscopy procedure.  I feel quite guilty, because I realise that loads of people need this to either diagnose or dismiss the possibility of bowel cancer and these negative comments don't help.  I know from the postings that the experience for some was horrendous, but also for others it's been very easy.  It's important these tests are done so this dreadful bowel cancer can be zapped in its early stage.  However, my horrible procedure was made a whole lot worse due to the nonchalant attitude of my medical team.  I had a a cannula placed in my arm by a nurse who couldn't be bothered to explain what it was for despite my extensive questioning, little information was given to me.  The doctor doing my procedure turned a deaf ear to my yelling, whilst the nurse looked on.  A few comforting words by both may have helped.  After my recovery from the sedative, but still fairly drowsy the doctor came to say "we have found something suspicious-could be cancer, when you are ready you can go home".  I left feeling shell shocked.  I did hear from the oncologist very soon to confirm early. Stage cancer.  Radiotherapy treatment followed quickly by a superb team, the follow up operation and hospital stay was excellent, I am now cancer free.  I am knocking the NHS, they treated me wonderfully.  Recently I read on this site that a video was to be made on behalf of macMillan regarding this procedure. People should not be put off of this procedure because it's unpleasant.  But I think that the medical teams doing this regard it as routine and do not cater for each individual.  I am sure loads of people will reply to this to say their experiences were fine, but in my opinion they should ALL be fine.  Colonoscopies are necessary, however unpleasant, but I just hope MacMillan can persuade the doctors and nurses doing these that for some. They can be a bit traumatic, and a lot of compassion given to alleviate fear would make a big difference. I am due a follow up colonoscopy in a couple of months, and I am dreading it.

Margaret.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • julie57883
    julie57883 margaret91698

    Posted

    Hi Margaret sorry about your experience. I just thought I'd let you know mine was pretty horrible too. When I arrived one nurse threw a gown at me which landed on the floor (she did give me another one) but that has stuck with me. I did find it very painful but the colonoscopist doing the procedure was very re-assuring. She did tell me that they had found a tumour & couldn't rule out cancer & I think I knew at this stage it was. I will also be dreading my next one but know it needs to be done on a regular basis for check ups. Good luck with your treatment.
  • dragon21
    dragon21 margaret91698

    Posted

    I'm sorry you had an awful experience but I hope that you wrote to the hospital and told them of your experience, it sounds very clear to me that the staff need to be reminded of what patient centred care is.

    I am grateful that I have had two colonoscopies in two different hospitals and was treated with respect reassurance and adequate sedation, so much so in the second case because of problems that I have, that I didn't even realise that the procedure had been carried out, due to the type of sedation given. Maybe this is something you need to discuss with the consultant before your next procedure.

  • anthony10484
    anthony10484 margaret91698

    Posted

    It is surprising just how different the experience can be between various hospitals.  I was fortunate in that the hospital at which I went through the endoscopy procedure was one of the better ones.  The doctor carrying out the examination was very chatty and gave a running commentary as he carried out both gastroscopy and colonoscopy processes, which kept me well informed.  I chose not to have sedation but to use the entonox gas as required, but there were only one or two occasions where I needed to use it, and these were more related to discomfort than pain.  The advantage of not being sedated was that I was able to watch the progress of the colonoscopy examination on the monitor, which was quite interesting to see, although actually seeing the cancer was a little disconcerting!  Two nurses were in attendance, one was helping the doctor and the second seemed to be there just to keep me reassured as the process progressed.

    It is a pity that there is such a variation in care because, as you say Margaret, such examinations are essential if early detection is to be achieved.  The sort of experience that you went through is all too likely to deter people which is such a shame.  There really does need to be some training in the area of patient care when subjecting them to what can be quite daunting processes.

    • anthony10484
      anthony10484

      Posted

      PS.  I'm delighted to hear that your treatment has been successful and that you are now free of the cancer.
  • christine58244
    christine58244 margaret91698

    Posted

    Hi Margaret sorry to hear of the bad experience I am waiting for a colonscopy and have read mostly negative things so pretty scared, what part of the country are you in as London seems to be the place where no one cares from past experience so dredding it
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