I was due to have a colonoscopy yesterday. (Weds). Tuesday evening I took the Movei-Prep as per instructions (disgusting). The instructions claimed going to the loo should stop about 11.0pm. Obviously I couldn't wait but it didn't stop & didn't until lunchtime on Wednesday. I cannot begin to say how ill I felt - I was in & out of bed all night & barely slept.It finally stopped about 12.30 lunchtime by which point I was absolutely beside myself. I live alone & I was so hungry but barely able to make myself something to eat.

I rang the hospital at 8.00 am (appt was at 10.00am) & told them what had happened. I was told "oh that does happen sometimes". No-one had even mentioned that possibility so I was totally unprepared. Procedure, obviously, was cancelled. I was also told there is a better product new to the market which doesn't have that effect. Why do we not get that?

I spent yesterday feeling absolutely dreadful & have absolutely nothing to show for it & now I have no idea what to do. There is NO WAY I am going through that again or even risking going through it. I weigh 6.5 stone & had unexplained weight loss - part of the reason for the colonoscopy. I must have lost even more weight + feeling dreadful

I HATE being negative about the NHS because I believe in it & believe that overwhelmingly it does a fantastic job BUT if you are given Movie-Prep just be aware this is a possible side effect.

Hi So sorry to hear about your ordeal l have had several colonoscopys over the last 25 years and sorry to say it always hurts neither sedation or GS helps, l also have to have follow up CT Colongrams

If it helps you at all my last procedure was on Wednesday 24th July 2019 & again l’ve got to have a follow up colongram. At least l have found out this time that my colon loops &  because the Dr persisted in trying to get passed the loop with the camera once again l had terrific pain.What l can’t understand is why on earth haven’t any of the previous Dr’s read my notes from my numorous other investigations l

have what is called Splenic Flexure syndrome which is similar to lBS which I’ve had for a long time. l know this won’t help you but maybe if your pain is caused by your colon looping it might explain why. Best regards Jill

Hi Having read about the traumatic aborted colonoscophy I felt so relieved I wasn't the only one. I thought it was me being a baby. 

I had movicoll yesterday the first one was OK carried out instructions to the letter. Second one I was violently ill and vomited the whole lot back up. I have never felt so ill. Plus the violence of it all there was no time to get to the loo etc. I had a rotten night. 

Next morning my appointment was for 8.30am thankfully but I was still needing the loo and I felt sick. Despite me not having the second Movicoll the procedure went ahead. 

Sedated I was given 50mg Pethidine and 4mg Midazolam plus oxygen through my nose. I was so scared but I drifted off until the next thing I know I was screaming. The Endoscopist said we will try again I just kept saying stop stop it hurts. I was never offered the gas and air although it was upon admission. I guess it wouldn't have made any difference. 

Next thing I know he is saying "have to abort will refer for CT colon scan" . No explanation nothing. In all according to my discharge notes the whole thing took 15mins to the descending colon with biopsies taken. 

I just wish I had been better informed about the movicoll and what to expect. I also think it would be so beneficial if we were given the option to have a general.

Now I am scared stiff about having to do it all over again with the CT scan. 

Reading other people's comments on unsuccessful colonoscopies has mad me realise I am not alone.

I have no symptoms or problems with bowel or stomach or anything at all but was advised it may be a good idea to have a colonoscopy as a neice had late stage bowel/liver cancer and died just over a year aged just 45.  Her father (my brother) had non cancerous polyps removed 4 years ago.  No other relatives suffering or suffered any bowel related or cancer illnesses as far as we know.

Blood family members were advised to have the test to see if any genetic link. I thought this a great idea as a chance to be screened. Today I attended my appointment.

Moviprep taken as instructed and it took me a lot longer than the one hour recommended to each litre of it down as it was awful. The first glassful sipped through a straw was bearable but trying to get through a whole litre was very hard work and I felt sickly but no vomitting..  Having to do it all again in the morning was not good for me trying to sleep the night before and more so because my loose bowels made themselves known during the night when I was sleeping and getting to the bathroom in time was not always possible.

Full clear out was done though and I went to the Endoscopy unit for my testing.  The nurse who went through my paperwork with me could not read the doc's scribbled writing very well and thought I was there for a "Crohns" condition.  I said no there is no Crohns condition and she then admitted she could not read the writing very well.  I asked could she please check with the doc what he had written but she ignored me.

I was prepped and given my gown etc and eventually led to the room for the testing.  Doc had his back to me and did not even turn and say hello.  Simple things make all the difference.The nurse with me was rather friendlier.  Doc asked me some questions and then began. I was given the gas and air device which I had requested. Doc started the journey with his tube and at first it was ok and while I felt it moving and turning a little it was fine.  Then the first sharp pain. I yelped. He continued and ok until he did the next turn. I yelped again because it hurt like hell. I am not a wimp but it hurt enough for me to yelp.... just a very quick one second yelp.  He said if I continued to shout the hospital down (a huge exaggeration) he would have to stop.  I said it was a split second reaction to a sharp pain but no sympathy from him. A little more further turning of the tube and once again I yelped. I had intended to get through the complete exam in silence with the gas and air but it was not to be.

He stopped and said he would not proceed further. Said my bowel was very sensitive to being stretched and he had only completed a very small section.Also said  he would recommend a scan instead then he added "they are very expensive"   Yes I know they are but was he expecting to fill me with guilt or something? 

He may be a fantastic surgeon but his bedside manner needs an overhaul. I am now in two minds whether to pursue this at all.

Having just read Harriet experience as well as others it seems to me the medical profession should reconsider the preparation and procedures for colonoscopy. 

I had my virtual ct colonoscopy two days ago. I was very anxious given my previous nightmare with the colonoscopy. I called the radiography department and spoke to a wonderful nurse. She sympathised and assured me that the prep and scan is nothing like a colonoscopy.

I therefore took the Gastrografin and completed the low fibre diet. The Gastrografin was taken 8pm 50mls added to 250mls of water with squash added basically a large glass. It tasted of aniseed. Fine. Went to bed wearing large pad and towels laid on floor to bathroom just incase!! My experience with movicoll taught me a lot!! Next morning work up nothing had happened!! During the day things did start but I had time to get to the bathroom and importantly I felt assured and in control so to speak. Repeated the regime again at 8pm and everything started during the night but no frantic dashes to the bathroom.

My scan was in the afternoon. A lovely nurse met me and we went through the procedure. She explained everything and understood about the awful experience of the colonoscopy. She said I wasn't alone and stated a good few patients have said the same. 

The radiographer talked to me too and gave me plenty of reassurances. I was taken to the scanner and was made comfortable. I opted to have  Buscopan. The tube put into the back passage is very small and isn't inserted very far. I was told about every step. The air is the most uncomfortable and for me it was like having very bad period pains What would it have been like if I hadn't had Buscopan? However I gritted my teeth knowing the scans take just 10  mins each at most.

Afterwards I was given a welcome cup of tea and biscuits and I felt so good that I had survived that experience. The colonoscopy has scarred me for life!! Go and have it done. 

To all of you out there I would say including you Harriet don't worry about having the scan and prep it's not a patch on the colonoscopy. 

Hi everyone

OP here. I did get my CT scan and everything was fine. I also had a colposcopy which was fine (painful but nothing like the colonoscopy and the staff were so much nicer). A nurse held my hand the entire time.

I’m sorry to read so many of you also had unpleasant experiences, a lot of which do seem to correlate to poor bedside manner on behalf of the surgeons and nursing staff, and the pain medication failing to take effect. I wonder why this is, as other procedures I’ve had certainly have not been anything like this. I think a lot of it has to do with their conveyor belt type system and holding you in a cell with no communication methods for hours. This would make anyone anxious. Not allowing patients to see their partners or family members when they’ve been held there for hours seems unnecessary when you have your own room to wait in that they could remain in with you out of anyone’s way.

I will say the CT scan was amazing - granted it was carried out by NHS staff at a private hospital but the whole experience was just totally different. I had a small amount of discomfort when my stomach was pumped with air but it was bearable and all over fairly quickly. The cannula was inserted painlessly this time, and I was talked through the procedure properly and felt completely at ease.

Since the colonoscopy I have had my first baby and had a maternity appt at the same hospital. I had to walk past the building where I had the colonoscopy to get to my appointment and I felt dreadful. Thought I was going to pass out *shudder*. Hopefully I will never need one again! I hope all of you are doing well now and your results were favourable.

For some reason I could not sign in again under HarrietK so had to re-register and I am now HarrietJ :confused:

Thank you so much for your replies and specially to Krissie and Elly for explaining their ct scan experiences which have helped me enormously.

I will go ahead and have the ct scan when I am called for as I would like to know if I am fine or have anything to worry about. The doc yesterday said if any polyps showed up on the ct results (no reason they should as far as I know) then I would have to go back and have them removed via another colonoscopy route but I would be given a full anaesthetic.  He said it in such a cold offhand way and while I appreciate he probably did several colonoscopies in a day I do think he could have been a little nicer to me.  I did not feel like a person lying there, just an a***hole. Hope that does not offend anyone but that is honestly how I felt.

I will also say I feel a small sense of shame too as there are so many people going through sheer hell with diagnosis and treatments etc and there I am moaning about some pain when I have nothing wrong with me as far as I am aware.

I will be back here to update after my ct scan.

So pleased Harriet J that you have decided to go ahead with the ct scan. I hope you won't have to wait too long.

I also felt a whimp and ashamed of creating a fuss but I also feel the staff at the endoscopy clinic had no empathy or understanding. I wasn't spoken to much or given information as to why I reacted the way I did. This goes a long way into how we respond and as my nurse at radiology said "your scarred for life". I have had three children naturally, survived breast cancer and various operations so I know how to cope with pain. 

I am relieved to know if further investigation is required a full anaesthetic will be given for the colonoscopy. My radiologist suggested to me that there are alternatives so to make sure I asked if I had to have further tests. 

Good luck with it all, hope all will be well and put that experience behind you. None of us are wimps..... Just normal with different reactions and responses to what is scary and invasive. 

Hi i had probs with colonoscopy my bowle was to loopy they gave me gas and air just a out everything they say its iot painful but mine was in the end i had a barium enama which althoe ubcomfortabe it was ok 

I too had a traumatic experience yesterday. I was give sedation and painkiller, which I can honestly say did nothing.  I have FIbromyalgia so experience very severe pain every day.  I was told that there could be a problem as I had a hysterectomy some twenty years previously, but hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.  How wrong they were,  I was almost screaming in agony and they had me in all different positions before they decided they couldn’t continue. I was informed I had some adhesions and would need a CT scan.  I was also told that if they thought it was necessary, I might have to return for a colonoscopy with a General anaesthetic with double the dose of the MoviPrep.  Having had it on Tuesday, I was constantly running to the toilet for over 7 hours, I cannot imagine what double the dosage would do.

The appointment for the CT scan came this morning for next week with more purging liquid for the day beforehand, and informed me I would be given pain relief for the pain of the air being inserted. I had a sigmoidoscopy some years again and the pain of the air being inserted was through the roof and I had to beg them to stop. I am very concerned that the same thing will happen again.  I’m dreading next week.