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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.

  • Offline in reply to Lisa3968

    Hi Lisa3968 - I hope it goes ok and you don't have to wait too long.

    The consultant i spoke to said the common reason to abandon a colonoscopy was a "technical difficulty" such as yours rather than distress over the procedure - as a reason for me having an attempt.  I am curious though, did you have to do all the prep and turn up for the appointment AND then be told they wouldn't proceed as they surely could have established the risk well in advance?

    Best of luck!

  • Offline in reply to PS5Guy

    Exactly -  they had it on my records about my haemophilia so it was overlooked and luckily I mentioned it then she went to check and said no cannot risk it so need to be admitted as day surgery 

    lisa 

  • Offline in reply to Lisa3968

    I had a Colonoscopy 2 days ago and still in much pain from the unsuccessful event. The bowl prep was taken on the dot and all done correctly, this is bad enough, but I do understand the need to empty the bowl.  The consultant could only go in a little way due to the bowl not being clear enough but the pain for just a short time and with extra sedation was almost unbearable.  I will never have this done to me again. In this day and age there needs to be a kinder way to investigate I am having a scan done and hope they can see what they want. If I am seriously ill then so be it. I am still in pain today and feel I've been treated on a production line with little compassion.

  • in reply to JuliaMac

    Hi JuliaMac, and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to learn that you had such a distressing time with your colonoscopy.

    Do let the team at the hospital know if you are still having a lot of pain as they may be able to advise you.

    I'm sure the scan will be a lot easier, if you need to talk things through with one of the nurses on the helpline, please feel free to give us a call. We are available Monday to Friday between 9-5 and the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040.

    I hope you can recover soon,

    Take care,

    Jemma

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