Inaccurate information and how the sedation can make it worse
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I had a colonoscopy with sedation (midazolam and fentanyl) in Chorley Hospital a few days ago and I still feel as if I had a PTSD. I read the information sheet and expected to be relaxed after sedation, with maybe some discomfort. When I was injected with the drugs (midazolam and fentanyl), I suddenly felt very anxious. I tried to seek reassurance, but the physician was talking to somebody else, busy preparing for gastroscopy. I think it could have helped if somebody asked me how I was at that point. I also had some trouble speaking – I think I was able to speak, but I could not hear myself so it made me feel very strange. Later on I read that difficulty speaking is a side-effect of midazolam. I felt quite intense pain during colonoscopy and the kind student nurse was talking me through it. I recovered well, I think, but I remember the whole procedure (so the amnesia that the leaflet talks about obviously doesn’t happen in every case). Next day I was very irritable and anxious and sick later on.
My main grievance is about lack of information beforehand concerning pain and the nasty side effects of the sedation. The leaflet mentions that you might feel ‘discomfort’. Of course you will feel discomfort – you will have a camera up your bum, what are supposed to feel? There is no ‘may’ about it. However, there is a difference between ‘discomfort’ and ‘pain’ and these words should not be used interchangeably. The leaflet and what you are told by the medical staff makes you believe that you will be drowsy and relaxed while medication works, and then back to normal after. I got quite a shock when I had the anxiety attack after the drug was injected and realized how vulnerable and helpless I was. I was also very unpleasantly surprised at how awful I felt the next day. Had I known this could happen I would have opted for entonox. Unless something changes dramatically in the way they perform colonoscopies, there is no way I’m having another one any time soon.
I would not like to discourage those for whom colonoscopy could be beneficial from having it. However traumatic it is, it is preferable to dying from cancer. However, I think that medical staff are not well trained in empathy (only student nurses seem to have it) and you have to be very assertive with them in order to receive honest information. If you are unlucky enough not to experience post-colonoscopy amnesia, the feeling of being at the mercy of medical people who are inflicting pain on you can be disturbing. It might be preferable to experience the pain whilst being alert and able to speak, and thus having some degree of control.
1 like, 8 replies
lesley53828
Posted
Jacq56
Posted
I had my colonoscopy a week ago. I am thankful that nothing sinister was found, however I now find myself quite upset about my own experience with regard to the severe pain I endured. I too was told that the procedure is 'uncomfortable' and patients may have discomfort. When I mentioned reading about other patients' painful colonoscopies, the nurse told me it depended on who was carrying out the procedure, and that I should not worry as the consultant doing my procedure was very gentle. Someone has already commented on this site about the Lynn Faulds Wood video which shows her own procedure, no doubt this has helped others, I watched this too and it did make me feel less anxious about going for mine. In the video she is awake and holding a conversation with the consultant during the procedure. However, her consultant states firmly on the video that colonoscopies should NOT be painful, and that if patients suffer pain then the doctor is not doing their job correctly. Tell that to my consultant!
After my IV drugs were administered (Midazolam and Pethidine) I must have been completely out of it as my next memory is hearing terrible groaning and feeling severe pain which I can only describe as feeling my insides being twisted and pulled out. At the time I remember being shocked at the pain and the noise, I sounded like a wounded animal. I must have been given more sedation as my next recollection is of being in my cubicle bay and the nurse telling me she was bringing me tea and biscuits. I did not ask what had happened, I just wanted to be out of there and back home. The day after the procedure I was quite euphoric that I had been given a clean bill of health, so why do I now feel so down?
When I left hospital I was told I would be contacted in a few weeks for feedback. I would like feedback on my time in the treatment room! I understand that everyone is different where pain is concerned and that medical staff do not want to cause patients unnecessary anxiety, but to say that the procedure is merely uncomfortable is very misleading.
Sara, I echo your last paragraph and, like you, I would not want to discourage others, however I feel that medical staff are being less than truthful regarding the pain issue.
lesley53828
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Sara_00139
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I was provided with some evidence today that the vast majority of patients don't feel pain during colonoscopy and that made me think that I should not have felt it either. I should not have been trapped, in pain and ignored, that shows a complete lack of empathy. So I made a complaint to the hospital and I encourage you to do the same, perhaps that will save you or others pain in future. I have been shaking, tearful and could not concentrate or eat the last few days, but now I've complained I feel better.
But listen to this - I asked the hospital if they have a counselling service for patients in distress after a medical procedure and they said no, but I could talk it over with the consultant! Like I really want to talk to somebody who not only has no psychological knowledge but no empathy either!
I wish you luck and hope you will not experience any more pain and neglect that you already have.
Sara_00139
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lesley53828
Posted
Sara_00139
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lesley53828
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