Painful Colonoscopy
Posted , 44 users are following.
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
bobby_baggs Vonney63
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stewart21177 bobby_baggs
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babs49935 stewart21177
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chris90246 babs49935
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However, if most people go into the appointment well-informed through these comments, and question the level of pain to be expected, maybe doctors will wake up to the fact there is a problem. Is it too much to hope they start to ask themselves whether there isn't a case to answer for General Anaesthetic in this situation?
Placatory, patronising and smug publicity through NHS leaflets ensure is not the case.
Stories on this site remind one of the early days of surgical practice, with patients strapped to a bench and operated upon before an audience, while wide awake. Where's the difference?
jackie_52126 babs49935
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It's only when we get there and are put into shock by the extremely bad pain that we come on to this site and try to be truthful about how barbaric this procedure is and how we have the righ to try to treat it as seriously as any other surgical operation.
Being "properly informed"is indeed being told that it is going to be very painful like any operation would be without anaesthetic - and I do not mean mild sedation.
jackie_52126 chris90246
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babs49935 jackie_52126
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annie255 Vonney63
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bobby_baggs annie255
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jackie_52126 annie255
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The staff and doctors are wonderful and will help you all the way but do sail away on the sedation. Lots of love
jackie_52126 Vonney63
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As a result I chose to have my colonoscopy without sedation as I have nobody near to take care of me.
The doctor was very against this and tried everything in her power to make me have sedation.I thought I was brave and insisted on saying no.
I had already had a CT scan and the polyp was very low in the colon but you still need this procedure to remove it.
It was ******* agony !!
I agree with everything said here.This procedure is totally barbaric and should be regarded an operation needing general anaesthetic.
I also will never go through this again, what a shame when well meaning people are advising this test without knowing how extremely painful it is.
Vonney63 jackie_52126
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vic23489 Vonney63
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I had a colonoscopy yesterday and I can honestly say it was by far the worst experience of my entire life. The pain was to put it simply, excruciating! I had to ask the Dr to stop the procedure half way in (no pun) thankfully; he did stop, although I was immediately put under pressure to have it done again another day – NO CHANCE of that EVER happening.
I am sorry to hear of your experience and offer my support in any way I can.
The Whole procedure from start to finish is both Dickensian and grossly inhuman. It is also very bad clinical practice to make anyone undergo such uncontrolled pain. I will be making a formal complaint… that is, as soon as I can actually GET through to the relevant Patient Experience Team. Like many others, I am physically and mentally traumatised.
babs49935 vic23489
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Vonney63 vic23489
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christine58244 Vonney63
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Vonney63 christine58244
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vic23489 Vonney63
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Health Complications aside, sedation it is by far, the most distress lessening option.
It is probably a NHS Cost reduction policy to offer a colonoscopy procedure without sedation?
Personally, do not recommend that anyone takes the chance on being just comfortable with just gas and air. It spaces you out to a point where you lose your control on what’s actually being done to you. I found the whole process disturbing – even though I am quite used to severe pain, owing to 17 years of ongoing Chronic back pain.
I also represent PALS in another NHS field so I know full-well How to listen to patients concerns. That’s why a forum like this is SO important. Patients really need to feel empowered.
As a patient you ALWAYS have the right to say NO - and that right should always be respected.
This forum is Brilliant - just wish I’d come here before I made crucial decisions about a clinical procedure I knew little about. In conclusion I’d add that on NO account be TOO afraid to ask searching question about what’s going to done to YOUR body. Again, that’s your intrinsic right. Good Luck – and never be Afraid to Ask.