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colonoscopy very painful and distressing

cazwaz
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I had a colonoscopy yesterday by Nurse Practitioners. It was extremely painful and the sedation I was given woefully inadequate. I have no complaint about the competence of the practitioners nor indeed the care I received but in this day and age nobody should have to suffer high levels of pain during an invasive investigation as colonoscopy is. I was completely awake and alert throughout and had, apparently the maximum sedation dose permitted. It was no way enough. 

I had a colonoscopy 10 years ago. It was done under deep sedation by a colo rectal surgeon. I had no pain and was asleep throughout. 

This clearly needs to be addressed. I am guessing that nurses are not allowed to administer more than a certain amount of sedation/analgesia as there is no anaethetist present to intubate etc. I was told that deep sedation is a risk as,if the patient is unconscious, they are unable to cooperate/expressdiscomfort and that increases the risk of perforation etc.

This is not fair on the patient. I had 5 polyps removed which means I will be recalled next year for a further colonoscopy. I will refuse this unless I can be assured of adequate sedation.

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    Hi cazwaz, it's not pleasant to suffer so horribly but it seems to be an ongoing discussion on this forum.  Some sail through it, others like you and me don't and its traumatic.  The last one I had was enough for me so I refused the next one, then I received an appointment for a scan instead.  So much better, intravenous needle, dye injection and scan, all painless.  So when you are advised to go again tell them that you'll not go through the painful procedure without help.  Unfortunately we all seem to have to strongly voice our opinions to not suffer in this way.  So my heart goes out to you as you've been traumatised and should not go through it again.  I've had bowel and polyp problems and have just done the bowel cancer screening at home test, if it needs further investigation I will not have an internal colonoscopy again, ever!  Get well soon,  Carol x

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry that your experience of having a colonoscopy www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../colonoscopy  was so painful and distressing.  

    It looks like you are on a screening programme for bowel cancer so having a colonoscopy is important for you to look for polyps and signs of cancer. 

    While for many people having the colonoscopy is at worse uncomfortable for a number of people they can find it painful and possibly distressing. Sedation with oral medication can be given before the procedure. Sometimes intravenous sedatives can be used, but you would need to check if this was available to you. This could make some people very sleepy while the procedure is carried out. Breathing in Gas and Air can help in combination with sedation if it is needed. I am not sure if it possible for any adult to have this done under a general anaesthetic, which would need to take place in a hospital operating theatre with an anaesthetist. 

    The CT Colonography https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bowel-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests/ct-colonography that Dor06 mentions is sometimes an alternative to having the colonoscopy for some people, but might not be a appropriate scan for you. This is because you have a history of bowel polyps and this procedure cannot take them away so you may still need to have a colonoscopy. However, do ask your team about it.

    Before your next colonoscopy is due talk with the team that will carry this out, remind them what happened and ask what can be done to help you have one with less pain and distress. 

    You may have already done this but do try mind over matter. Take music or something to listen to that can keep your mind away from what is happening. Also try to take slower, deeper breaths to help. Being as relaxed as you can ensures the test can be done more easily and quicker. 

    I hope this has been of some help and that you will be okay.

    Take care

    Caroline

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    I had a colonoscopy today...or rather a partial one. I was shocked at how painful it was. I couldn't tolerate it. I was given 50 mg of something, then 25 but it was useless. Also gas and air was useless,  it was impossible. I was surprised how rough it was. I had one several years ago and it wasn't bad. I remember it being conducted very gently.and feeling much more sedated. A..Bloody hell. It was torture. #Traumatised WTH is going on? Is this some kind of concentrtion camp experiment? Who's running the NHS these days, for pity's sake?

  • Offline in reply to otterblessing

    Hi and thanks for posting

    I'm sorry you had such a painful experience with having a colonoscopy this time around.

    Usually, once sedation is given, it does take effect and the whole process becomes a bit more bearable. Everyone does experience things differently and to a certain degree, it also may sometimes be down to the person doing the procedure, although I'm sure that due care and caution is always taken. 

    Sedation works best when given before the procedure and before the scope is introduced. As you had one before, it's possible that being very tense may have aggravated things, but to be honest, it's not really possible to say why this time it felt so much more painful.

    If you do need another one, it may be helpful to also ask for a tablet to take on the day of the procedure as well as the sedation at the clinic. Do tell the clinic of your experience so that if you need a repeat, they will be aware of how painful it was for you.

    I hope things have settled down a bit for you and you are recovering from the experience

    All the best

    Wanda

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    Hi Caz

    I had a colonoscopy last Monday 22nd May 2023. Having been told by all nurses et c that although an unpleasant procedure it would not be painful. I opted for sedation and had entinox, it was the most awful, painful 45mins I've ever endured. I agree with you that this should not be happening. How I got through it was sheer fear that I would have to return to have the procedure should I shout Stop!

    No-one should have a procedure that is so painful, that shouting out in pain did not have any effect on the staff to give more sedation or stop.

    I won't ever have another one without being sedated fully.

    Sue

  • in reply to Redcoat

    Hello Redcoat and thank you for your post.

    You have replied to someone that posted some time ago, so you may not get a reply from them.

    I am sorry to hear about your experience of having a colonoscopy. We know that this can be an uncomfortable or painful procedure for some people.  However, they are still the best type of investigation to use when the inside of the bowel needs to be looked at.  Therefore, if you are ever in a position where you need to have one again do talk to the team before you have it done and remind them of your experience and ask what can be done to help you have it.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

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