Painful colonoscopy

I am in my early 70's and in spite of arthritis, I manage to walk at least 2 miles a day and I eat healthily to keep as fit as I can for my age. I had a colonoscopy on Friday but also had one previously when I was in my mid 60's, however the 2 experiences are at opposite ends of the scale. During my first colonoscopy I experienced no more than mild pain and although I found the preparation disgusting, I was able to take it without incident. Last Thursday evening, I found the effect of the preparation just too severe and on a number of occasions I couldn't get to the toilet in time even though it's only a few feet from my bed. I found the toilet process and ongoing cleaning up of myself and the toilet for over 4 hours shattering and at 11pm I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep in my clothes. The next day in the theatre the doctor struggled for some time to find a suitable vein to insert the sedation cannula and the back of one hand is now one huge bruise and there are at least 6 puncture marks and bruises on the inside of my elbows. I don't think the sedation worked as I was fully aware of everything (whereas the last time I felt like I was floating). I felt pain from the start but gritted my teeth as I didn't want to make a fuss but the pain got worse until it was excruciating and I couldn't stop myself crying out. The doctor tried to carry on briefly but then said he was going to stop as he was hurting me too much. I'm now waiting for a CT colonography. At the time I was very upset and felt I'd let myself and the medical team down but thinking about it now I realise the pain I was feeling was intolerable. I would like to ask if this treatment is really suitable for people like me whose bodies are more frail through age and if we should be offered a CT scan instead of an invasive colonoscopy?

  • Hi and thanks for your post

    I'm sorry to hear you have had such a painful experience, so different to the last colonoscopy. Everyone does experience these tests in different ways and unfortunately, no two tests will necessarily be the same .

    People can find the procedure very uncomfortable and painful, with age not necessarily being the issue. CT scans do emit a small amount of radiation and so would not be used in this capacity if it can be helped.

    Hopefully, the CT colonography will not be as bad an experience, but do make sure that you mention that you had a bad time of it with the colonoscopy ,so everyone is aware that this is hard for you.

    Wishing you all the best

    Wanda

  • Hi sorry to hear you had a bad colonoscopy I'm 41 i had colonoscopy last year and it was very painful and although they got to the end of my colon. I also had gas and air and I had loops in my bowel. In August last year I had a EUA and BOTOX injection and depo medrone injection in my pelvic floor which did not work now this year I'm waiting for a two week referral to ct scan 

    and a referral to a gastroloist and BOTOX injection again and I also have bleeding from my bowel.

  • I had a ct colonoscopy last Christmas the bowel preps still awful but it's just a needle in your hand a feeling like you are going to pee yourself and it's all over. Definitely to recommended over the other route which l had about 6 years ago which wasn't so much painful as uncomfortable afterwards  as I was asleep during the procedure. I hope you have a better experience this time and they sort out any problems. 
    susie