Very painful Sigmoidoscopy
Posted , 5 users are following.
I had a very painful flexible Sigmoidoscopy yesterday . I was offered gas and air no help at all . 5 years ago I had a colonoscopy with sedation not a problem . I had to stop the Sigmoidoscopy as I could not stand the pain after 10 mins . Never again unless I can have sedation . I now have to back to see the surgeon as it was not completed . Has anyone had this problem , and what happened next . NHS
2 likes, 6 replies
joe10258 catgirlshirl.
Posted
It was done just for screening at age 50. I will never go back for another or for a colonoscopy as I don't trust what doctors say. Luckily, I have no family history of such cancers, and none of the risk factors. I'll take my chances. And if anyone tells me I should, then I will just respond that they "should" also have a very active lifestyle, maintain a proper weight, ate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, to reduce his risk as well.
I did have a negative Cologuard some 2 yrs ago, though, and that is very accurate (even colonoscopies have a "miss" rate of 12-19% of polyps according to NIH studies).
I can empathize (and sympathize as I have been through the same!!) with the pain. Of course, the doctors say it may be just a bit "uncomfortable."
Some defend the doctors by saying that it is OK to lie to just get patients in regardless, but what about those like me who basically now TOTALLY mistrust what doctors say without my own research.
linda24795 catgirlshirl.
Posted
Dor catgirlshirl.
Posted
catgirlshirl. Dor
Posted
linda24795 catgirlshirl.
Posted
coopris catgirlshirl.
Posted
Firstly, the home enema. I managed to administer OK. It was awkward but not difficult. It took about half an hour before I felt the need to use the toilet. And I went three times in quick succession. A bit of a shock to the system (palpitations and seat) but my bowels were certainly emptied.
Now on to the hospital, the staff at Rochdale Infirmary were great. Very understanding. I was instructed to start using the Entinox as soon as I got on the table and they didn't start the procedure until I was pretty high on the Gas. I found the initial rectal digital exam to be totally painless, as was the first part of the procedure. But within minutes the 'discomfort' outlined in the blurb (and the pre-procedural chat with staff) turned into something I would describe as severe discomfort i.e. pain. Even though I was sucking in the Gas and panting, my toes were curling and I was gripping the sheets. It felt like the worst, sudden stomach upset ever. God awful cramps and nausea. I broke into a sweat and cried out several times. To their credit the team were very reassuring, soothing and on hand - encouraging me to breathe more Gas etc and I allowed them to continue. Seems the pain is caused by the air they use to inflate the areas and kinks in the bowel as they move the scope along it, but it felt really horrible and painful
It's a relief at the end when they tell you the scope is on the way out - although the turning of the scope back on itself to look around the rectum was another white-knuckle moment I'd prefer not to experience again.
I was so relieved to hear that nothing untoward was found. I would encourage my friends to have it done when they are offered it. And to opt for the Gas... lots of it. As much as they can inhale, both before and during the procedure/ordeal.