Painful colonoscopy

I was told the Endoscopist had to abort my first colonoscopy due to the particular location of diverticula in my colon.  I was sedated and remember vaguely crying out in pain.  15 years later the same endoscopist tried again but this time was unable even to insert the scope due to "a narrow lumen" and "tortuous colon", despite trying for some considerable time.  I was fully aware of everything the entire time, as I suspect the butcher inputting the canula failed, despite repeated attempts, to get it in the right place.  I had a swollen, bruised and blackened hand for over 10 days, so much so that when I reported for a CT scan instead of the colonoscopy, the nurse was horrified and had to use the other hand to input the contrast. 

I have since learned that some people like me have a much more twisted colon than others, and that the development of Diverticular Disease caused thickening and narrowing of the colon in my case.  I think I was lucky that the endoscopist was considerate of his patient and did not try and force the scope around once he had seen the problems, and preferred to refer me on. 

From the posts I read it seems that sedation and pain relief seems to have been greatly reduced over the years (to save the NHS money?) and in the UK it is virtually unheard of to be put out.

You had exactly the same experience and diverticulosis in the same spot as my bowel. The Doctor called it severe narrowing\tortuosity of the bowel. He had to abandon cause he couldn't get the camera through and because I was telling in pain. I'm being booked for a CT with the thingy up my bottom with air. Any chance this will be less painful cause I'm dreading it? My colonoscopy was the worst experience of my life and I'd rather have all my teeth pulled out without an injection than have another one! Like you, too, the back of my hand is swollen, black and blue from the cannula. If they use sedation then all I can say is it didn't work at all for me!

Hi I've had the CT scan also after unable to tolerate colonoscopy.

The scan was painless had 2 slight twinges and all my worry and anxiety was for nothing .

I am not a doctor, but from all that I have read it seems there are three main reasons why a colonoscopy can really hurt. 1. There is an underlying problem/disease, like chronic constipation/diarrhea, IBS, diverticulitis, or others. This can make the colon hyper sensitive. 2. If you have a redundant colon, which is an extra long colon that has looped - this can make it very difficult for the Dr to get the scope through; ergo, pain.  3. You have a lousy Dr who got his degree from a Cracker Jack box - in other words, not nearly properly trained. This concept Drs have of "see one, do one, teach one" of procedures is BS. Even Drs need to do a procedure about 100 times before they start becoming proficient at it.

The best way to fix this is, if you are not sedated enough and are aware of everything then you tell your doctor they can't proceed until you are out. Believe me they will get enough medicine to put you under or you can get up and walk out. My last one I told my doctor that I will leave unless I am sedated enough. She was very thoughtfull of my comfort and said she wouldn't even touch me until I said it was ok. In other words she wasn't going to start until she got no response from me as I would be out and unable to respond.

I don't know where you live, but here in Merseyside it tells you in your appointment letter that they can only give you so much sedation, it tells you not to ask for more.

I had a colonoscopy last September, but I hadn't had this procedure done for over 10 years due to the pain I experienced having the last one, I had to tell the doctor to stop then.  I was referred back to the hospital in November 2016 due to what was happening, I first had a gastroscopy which was clear, I then  had a Virtual CT scan on my abdomen without any air, the doctor told me that while a CT scan is good it doesn't pick up anything under 2 cms, he then said that I really needed a colonoscopy, I asked if I could pay to have a general anaesthetic and explained the pain that I was in having the last one done, he said that I couldn't pay to be put out, but in the end he let me have a general anaesthetic, he did say that I could be waiting 9 months for that appointment, I waited 6 months. There was a problem right where the colon joins the small bowel by your appendix area, no way could I have coped having the scope put that far around the colon, I had only ever had it up the left hand side before.  The doctor did say to me that if I need more investigations at a later date he ccouldn't give me a general anaesthetic each time, this was before I had had it done, whether what was wrong would make a difference I don't know, but on the report it does say that this problem that I had could recur, it is an age related problem which they fixed this time.  I was out for an hour having it done.

I would not have a colonoscopy done without a general anaesthetic now no matter how ill I was and I would inform the doctor about this if this problem did recur.

I pity people who have to have this horrible procedure done, they did used to put you out years ago in the 1970's not that I had been put out then,  I was on a surgical ward for a different problem where patients were having it done and they were being put out.

I was given only half a milegramm of sedative, I know because it was written on my report together with time in and out. It had no effect whatsoever! I think they have reduced the sedative and pain relief so much because, like the rest of the NHS, they treat you as a conveyer belt and want you done and out as quickly as possible, so won't give you a decent amount as you'd spend too much time in recovery! I will never have another one unless I could afford to go private and have a GA. It was the most painful experience of my life, even tops childbirth!

My 1st colonoscopy was with sedation but had to be stopped as I was in agony and was screaming like a banshee. I then went for a ct scan which showed up polyps this procedure was virtually painless. I was advised to get polyps removed and I would be heavily sedated I’ve begged for a general and been refused point blankly told they don’t do this for a colonoscopy this is James Cook hospital Middlesbrough. But once again sedation did not work I sat up a minute after been administered fully awake and alert told them to stop and that I will never have this done again I will never agree unless a general is done . Needless to say was refused so will take my chances.. surely for those that can’t tolerate they must make some allowances ...

Some doctors wont so you have to speak up and say they need to stop until more pain medicine has been given. They will take notice if you tell them to stop. If you don't they will assume that you are fine and keep going. It happened to me and I can tell you they gave me more because they were unable to advance the scope due to me moving around in pain. Some doctors can be so unprofessional when it comes to patient comfort. My current doctor was quite skilled in putting me under so I didn't feel anything. I was really happy. If you tell them you were in pain and you want a different doctor or you are going to go to a different place next time then maybe they will be more careful. These doctors need to learn that it isn't ok for someone to have to endure pain in this type of exam. There really is no need for it and it should never happen.

I have complained to the hospital and told them I won't have a further test done there. I will definitely be more assertive with in future.

That is great. They need to know when they screw up. Did they even seem concerned when you complained? That is the best thing to do is take your buisiness some where else. Try to find a good doctor that will respect you. Always discuss your concerns with your doctor before any proceedure. I find it is the only way I will feel ok with what is to be done.