Horrific experience during colonoscopy now petrified of having virtual colonoscopy

Hi Susan

There is absolutely no need to worry.  I too had a painful colonoscopy but found the virtual one was totally different and pain free.  You just feel a bit bloated.  In fact I have had far worse period pains.

You have to follow a prep period of restricted diet then fluids as before.  However the liquid they gave me contains a contrast which coats your insides, and was just two 100ml doses of an aniseed flavoured liquid, 12 hours apart.  The first one seemed to have no effect and I had a good night's sleep, but then had to "go" first thing.  The 2nd dose did the clearing out but it was not nearly as fierce as the colonoscopy prep.

When I got there I changed and was taken into the scan room.  It is not the big noisy tube people expect, just a donut shaped ring which covers your tummy and bottom.  They put a canula into my hand and injected a dye into the bloodstream.  This feels a bit warm.  Then they lie you on your side, put a valve into your bottom and pump in some air.  This is where you feel a bit bloated - more like overstuffing Christmas dinner than anything else.  You don't have to worry about the air coming out, that's what the valve thingy is for.  You might feel like you want to pass wind, but you can't. 

Then they lie you on your back and do the scan pass.  I had 2 done.  You are then asked to lie on your tummy.  This was where I felt the pressure from the air inside, but it wasn't painful, just uncomfortable.  2 more passes and all was done - no more than 10 minutes in total.  They release the valve and you are then free to pass wind.  I did!!!!!!!!!!!!  No need to be embarrassed, everyone does it.  From the moment I arrived at the hospital until I left and headed straight for the nearest cafe was probably no more than 40 minutes.  I did continue to pass quite a bit more wind, but compared to the colonoscopy, it was a piece of cake - literally in my case!

I can't actually remember ever reading a post about people having pain from the virtual CT, just a bit of bloating, pressure, and touches of mild period pain like cramps.  I'm trying to remember if I was given any pain killers before hand, but I think you could certainly ask, or take paracetemol afterwards if you are permitted. 

Certainly let them know you are nervous, but from what they said to me, most people are.  For many it is the fear of the unknown, and like us, many were there following bad experiences with colonoscopies.  Whatever you do, please enjoy Christmas before you start your prep - at least it's 29th, not 27th!!

I must admit I've not come across anyone in permanent constant pain.  It does sound as though you might actually need surgery quickly if the colon is too narrow to even pass stools.  But no matter how narrow, the air will be able to pass up.  I suggest you warn them in advance though of what you have been told so far, and that you have constant cramps, so as you say, they can give you Buscopan in good time.  

I never got to see my consultant, she just sent a letter to my GP.  Like you I have a narrowed twisted colon and I was warned I might need surgery.  So far I am managing by diet - lots of fluids.  There are quite a few people who have had a sigmoidectomy and found it helped greatly.  Best wishes.

Thanks so much. If the colonoscopy hadn't traumatised me so much I would just waltz in, get it done, and not give it another thought like I've always done with any hospital test. Unfortunately because of my experience with excruciating pain I can't get 'that colonoscopy pain' out my head so I'm expecting the worse. Just can't wait to get it over and done with now. Thanks for your support and reassurance. Sounds much more civilised than the barbarism of a colonoscopy. Actually, I read on internet on a surgeons site that only 13% of people went for their repeat 5 year colonoscopy check! I think it's appalling that people are risking their own health because a procedure is too painful to want to repeat!