Painful Colonoscopy
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I am trying to collate information on this. I had one done yesterday and I have never known pain like it. I even shouted for them to stop but all they kept giving me is gas and air and telling me to breath deeply with it. It did not help. I know this is not always the case but after reading lots of messages from people where this has happened to I am trying to get as much information together - trying to see if there is a pattern i.e same doctors, same hospitals. If anyone is willing to put there experience on here for me to be able to put together some kind of proof that this does happen I will be very grateful. I feel so traumatised by this that I want to take this further but I cannot do this without any back up info. So please, I know this is not always the norm to feel as much pain as I did but I am going to try my best to get this recognised and hopefully even if I manage to stop 1 other person going through this I will be happy.
13 likes, 200 replies
bencooper Vonney63
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I think people are having dreadful experiences which are leaving them traumatised is due to less medication being used since bowel screening started for everyone of a certain age.
Some research recently showed that many people who had had the first colonoscopy for bowel screening and were offered another one two years later, didn't choose to have one.
It seemed pretty obvious to me why they didn't want one.
I've had many colonoscopies and speak from experience when I say that it is only since screening started that the procedure has become traumatic.
Prior to that the drugs used resulted in people not remembering pain and discomfort.
Gas and air is a joke for people having a colonoscopy. (Maybe they think we will laugh our way through it and be happy!)
The more drugs they use, the more care they have to offer during and after the procedure .
People are voting with their feet by refusing to have another one done. You are it seems.
If you need another , have pethidine and midazolim (and make sure the dose of midazolim is about 5).
You are right. They need to get their act together.
john96381 bencooper
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Vonney63 john96381
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bencooper john96381
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I find it disgusting that your GP said the pain was 'in your head'.
You have a lot to deal with.
If you need another colonoscopy I think you need to make sure it is done by someone who is fully aware of your previous suffering and is experienced enough to do the job in the most professional way they can.
Maybe you should get in touch with the complaints department or PALS if it is an NHS hospital. Get them to communicate your concerns and ensure that the next procedure is done humanely.
You need to know which endoscopist is willing to do the procedure as painlessly as possible and to make sure that person does yours on the day.
Good luck. Sorry you are having a rough time.
john96381 Vonney63
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Vonney63 john96381
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babs49935 john96381
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lady67208 Vonney63
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British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidance states that, if an unsedated patient demands that the procedure is abandoned, then the colonoscopist must recognise and respect that consent has been withdrawn and terminate the procedure immediately.18 If a sedated patient appears to withdraw consent through verbal or physical actions, the colonoscopist may pause and see if cooperation may be regained. However, if it is clear that the patient continues to withdraw consent and patient safety may be compromised, the procedure should be terminated.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436770/cs4.pdf
This was written in 2009 - it seems that you have more say in how things proceed during a colonoscopy if you opt for 'no sedation'
I myself did, and had a painless colonoscopy, I just had fentanyl (Painkiller) and Boscopan (bowel relaxer) and experienced mild discomfort at one of the bends. I also chose a well experienced consultant for the NHS procedure. I refused any sedative.
barbara26695 Vonney63
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Vonney63 barbara26695
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bencooper Vonney63
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'TWO-FIFTHS of people who have an abnormal bowel test result and are referred for further investigation decide to drop out of the screening process.
EXPERTS in Britain are anxious to find out why so many of these patients ignore their next screening invitation two years later.
Two possibilities are that they do not think further screening tests are necessary after undergoing other procedures or they are put off by their experiences.
Just 13 per cent of those who have a normal result opt not to continue with screening, according to the study of almost 40,000 men and women living in the south-east of England.
In England, everyone aged 60 to 69 is invited to take part in the bowel cancer screening program, which involves looking for hidden traces of blood in stool samples. The age limit is being extended to 74.
Eligible participants are sent a home-testing kit every two years.'
But I am not sure that that 'experts' in Britain really are 'anxious' to find out the reason. It will mean spending more money.
Anyway, good luck with this!
Vonney63 bencooper
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bencooper Vonney63
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Vonney63 bencooper
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babs49935 Vonney63
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Vonney63 babs49935
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babs49935 Vonney63
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bencooper babs49935
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Vonney63 babs49935
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