REALLY Bad Experience of Colonoscopy

I had maximum dose and I still remember maybe not the 1st minute I sat up and asked why wasn't I heavily sedated like I was promised it just didn't work for me . Probably due to nerves and stress . This was the second attempt to remove polyps and I won't ever go through it again .I will take my chances silly but my choice .

I begged for general anaesthetic only to be told no

That's why I have asked for a general ... I am afraid that my natural fearfulness and stress will render the sedation useless. To be honest though, it wouldn't bother me if I remembered everything so long as there was a way of blocking out the actual pain.

Unfortunately, as I have a family history of bowel cancer, I need this procedure

You can only ask hopefully they will.

I was refused as they said they need you to cooperate in turning etc..

I really didn't want to be aware just the thought is traumatic also due to past childhood abuse it's too much for me to handle.

But I can say truthfully the virtual c.t scan did not hurt at all .. it's not invasive the only problem is if they do find polyps you then have to go through colonoscopy.

My GP gave me diazepam to take beforehand takes the edge of your nerves

Carol, please give me more info about the virtual colonoscopy.  You say its not invasive. Ddo you still have to do the prp?  Nobody sees or touches your bits?  There's a little bit of dignity? What is worn?  Thank you

Hi

Yes you still have to do a prep it's a contrast medicine so it shows up on the scan . But... your allowed to eat a special diet you take the medicine after meals and believe me it was very tasty mine was a missed flavour but like cough medicine . You take about 1/4 of the bottle each time it's not a large bottle.

You wear a gown they insert a very small tube approx 2 inches yes a little bit undignified but they need to pump your bowels up with air . I won't lie to You I got 2 niggly pains for seconds little cramp nothing really .

You are laid down and your bottom half of body goes through a tube bit like a extra large mint polo so it's not claustrophobic. Hardest part is not farting your giving instructions to hold your breath ..turn over the nurses were in a little room talking you through it. If I can laugh through it and joke anyone can .

I got this done after the first attempt of colonoscopy which they had to stop as I couldn't tolerate the pain and I freaked out panic attacks. They had removed 2 polyps at that time .

They found more through the scan and I was advised to have them removed under heavy sedation ..

Once again I freaked out sedation didn't work for me . I'd begged for a general.. I've still got polyps and I made it very clear I won't ever allow invasive colonoscopy again unless I'm asleep .. hence I've took my chances as they've refused was told they do not give general anaesthetic.

I'd had enough sedation to knock a elephant out .. but I was up dressed and gone within 5 mins much to their horror . They knew my medical background and my fears and views I'd even took 2 diazepam before hospital.

Mind over matter fear wins ..

Go for the virtual .. I promise it's nothing to worry about xx

Excuse predicted text lol

Carol, you may see my reply to Susie which was " I had a sigmoidoscopy about 5 years ago and it was a really uncomfortable procedure- apparently I have an awkward loop in my bowel and I think they had to introduce more air to get round it.  When i was told I had to have a full colonoscopy, I was tempted to say no but the possible alternative of them missing something that may be life-threatening overcame my dread.  I am pleased to say the full colonoscopy was a doddle - well apart from the prep!  I told them about my previous painful episode and they gave me Fentanyl as a painkiller (wonderful!) and Midazolam as a sedative with gas and air on stand by if I needed it.  A few seconds after the Fentanyl went in, I was feeling great then the sedative cut in.  The next thing I remember was the doctor saying "all done".  No need for the gas and air (Entonox).  Before the procedure the nurse said they can administer more Fentanyl if necessary so get all this clear with them tomorrow.  For me, it was close to having a general anaesthetic and I am sure your experience will be the same.  If they told me I had to have another, I would now say bring it on."

I was wondering if you were given Fentanyl as well as the sedative and was it Midazolam?

Yes I was given Fentanol and Midazolam also the gas and air before hand also diazepam that was to get me through the door .

1st time they give me it in 2 doses

2nd time they give me it all 5mg Midazolam 50mcg Fentanyl it knocked me out for approx 1 minute after which I sat up told them to stop was very upset as I was promised I would be heavily sedated which apparently I should have been ? I was up dressed and gone walked out within 5mins before I'd gone I took 2 diazepam prescribed by GP..

Never again I begged to be put asleep but not a chance

That is awful. Keep pushing for the GA though. As a matter of interest, do you take a fair amount of painkillers on a day to day basis?  I rarely need them but when I take one it makes me drowsy.  I am wondering if you could manage without painkillers for, say, a month leading up to the procedure but I am guessing you don't want to chance it again.  Hope you find a solution - keep bullying them.

Not often I take painkillers paracetamol if I do . Odd occasions I will take something to help me sleep .they were well aware of my meds and my mental health issues ...panic attacks ..and my views of been aware of the procedure I personally find it traumatic. Prior to all this they'd tried years before I only made it to the bed took a massive panic attack couldn't breathe etc.. so they knew the chances of me freaking out.

Told the specialist I never want to see him again and it's in my notes that I won't ever go through it again . I was so angry and upset . Why won't the give GA surely it must be available for some cases. ? I've still got polyps and have bowel problems

They were lying to you.  At least, in the US, the nurses are always there to turn patients that are heavily sedated.

Midazolam, which is also called Versed, may be called a sedative, but it is really an amnesiac.  That's right, it acts by giving the patient temporary amnesia.  And hopefully, it works like that, but sometimes, patients develop permanent memory problems  because everybody has different reactions to drugs.  Versed is also referred to as the "date rape" drug in the US.  As devious men will sneak it into women's drinks and then rape them, as Bill Cosby has been accused of doing to many women.

Beforehand my GP had told me I wouldn't remember the procedure maybe not for the 1st minute but that's it for me. They knew I suffered with PTSD was it mind over matter ? I couldn't mentally accept or willingly go through the procedure. I fought the drug. They knew my views common sense tells me it needs to be done but fear won't allow. Why do they lie ?

They knew my past history surely they should take this into consideration.

I begged for general anaesthetic but no they know better.. never ever again

.

They believe that the Versed that they give you will make you forget about screaming in pain, but not everyone forgets. In my case I remember everything, because Versed doesn't work on me. I have to get Propofol, that puts me out good. I wouldn't skip having the test, but I would tell them you will not have it done unless they give you a general or try Propofol, if they use it.

What upset me was they knew from the 1st procedure that it didn't work I screamed blue murder not just because of the pain I called them all liars it upset me and put me into panic attacks and shock.

Surely the 2nd attempt they knew my reactions double the dose didn't work .

I remember it all . I sat up once again upset asked why they hadn't kept their promise and that they've now broken my trust and I never want to see them again .

On my notes it's wrote that he thinks this lady will never be suitable for colonoscopy / sigmoidoscopy under sedation .

I asked for a general but they refused point blank saying they need me to help with instructions to turn / move etc. My physiologist put in my notes that I'm not open to unconscious suggesting saying that I had PTSD and that for me it's the invasive procedure that sets off the panic . To be rendered helpless whilst for me I find it an ordeal after a traumatic past history they could have been more understanding.

I will take my chances I've now made it very clear in my medical notes that I'm against this invasion trust has gone

Silly I know but that's how I feel

Psychologist meant to say lol