I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago with just sedation and it was extremely painful, I never want that pain again, so the next one I have will be under general anaethetic. My pain threshold is quite high, but the pain of thios colonoscopy was worse than childbirth. Every one is different and it depends on their condition, I have had ulcerative colitis for 20 years and my colon is not in great shape, which would account for the pain during the procedure. For some people just having sedation may be ok.
Further to this post,I had the colonoscopy done in late October 2015,I had general anaesthetic(put out completely),and I must say it was such a improvement on the last one I had done with just sedation which was so painful.The great thing about having general anaesthetic is that you know when you wake up it will be all over with no pain at all. The recovery was fine and having someone collect you from the hospital is not such a big deal. I am so glad I had it done under general. I also was told by the consultant the reason my first colonoscopy was so painful. I had a full hystorectomy to treat ovarian cancer, and part of that surgery removed part of the bowel. He said that with this sort of surgery, the bowel will generally be replaced at an awkward angle for colonoscopy and endoscopy, which may explain why some people have little pain and some have a lot during colonocopy. You have a right to ask for general anaesthetic and I beleive it is wel worth any very small risks involved.
My Question is if colonoscopy is so uncomfortable why is it used compared to capsule colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy ? Surely a less invasive and painless procedures
Actually, for most people it isn't uncomfortable. It's quick, painless and gives immediate results. This means that a good endoscopy service can see 2-3 people per hour, give them the results they need immediately, and either send them on their way reassured, or quickly refer them for more treatment. This is all makes it a cost effective way of diagnosing lower bowel problems.
Unfortunately, as with any medical procedure there will be some people who have a bad time, and inevitably they're the ones we hear most about. The large number of people who have uneventful colonoscopies are normally silent afterwards.
I agree with Telemando - I've lost count of the number of endoscopies I've had and only once has it been any worse than unpleasant. My first one was 30 years ago and the tubes then were far thicker than they are these days.
I know some people have terrible experiences, but thankfully most people don't.
I was in total agony with the two colonoscopy procedures I had. The pain, despite the maximum
dosage of relaxant or whatever it it is they give you, was unreal. I think it is sadistic that people who experience chronic pain aren’t put “out” if need be. I asked my doctor if I could be put out for a third one he thought I needed. My nurse friends said it was my right to be put out if I requested it, but the subject was dropped after that, and I still haven’t had the colonoscopy for investigative measures.
i feel very angry about this, and although some people “hardly feel a thing” others feel l8ke they could scream. Unfair.
First time posting and wanted to give honest opinion of my experience. 46 year old, 16 stone, male, Highlands of Scotland. Got referred for colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and had procedure yesterday. Appointment was booked for 13.45 on Monday. I got the leaflets about the low fibre dietary requirements and to be honest didn't eat much at all over the weekend:- 8 slices white toast on Saturday and on Sunday I just had one of that bowls of ready made mash and a couple of chunks of chicken for lunch and then a couple of slices white toast at dinner time. Guidelines from my hospital said that as it was pm appointment I should take all my klean-prep on the morning of the procedure. Started taking at 0745 and managed the 4 litres in 16 mugfuls at about 15minute intervals. I starting going to the loo after about 6 mugs. I went to the loo 13 times before leaving house to go to hospital. I was pretty much passing clear liquid after the 4th trip to the loo but my booklet said try and take all the klean-prep if you can so I continued to end. I found it to have a vanilla taste with a metallic after taste and I did struggle a wee bit with the last few mugs. Although going to the loo a lot I did not have any of the stomach cramps you get with diarrhoea. Got to the hospital and taken for pre procedure checks (temp, heart rate, blood pressure) then got the cannula put in arm for the sedative (I asked if I would be the "odd man out" if I was taking the sedative and the male nurse said that just about everyone takes it). Nurse asked if Ihad managed all the laxative, I said I had, he said well done a lot of people don't manage but that it is better to finish it if you can as it makes the procedure easier. Then taken through to changing room and given modesty pants and dressing gown. Whilst in the final waiting area before going for procedure I went to the toilet twice more and passed some clear fluid. Then taken into the room for the procedure - 1 lady in charge of the endospcope and 1 male nurse and 1 female nurse with me. They gave me the sedative, asked me to lie on my left side and then started the procedure at 15.22. The procedure took about 20mins. A couple of times they asked to roll onto to my back to help get the tube round corners and then roll back onto my side - I reckon I moved position about 5 times and the procedure finished with me lying on my left side. At the times when the tube was going round corners they pumped air into me and a couple of times I felt a bit of discomfort but not any great pain at any time. Throughout the procedure I was chatting with the staff - they were telling me what they were actually doing and we also spoke about work, tv shows, plans for dinner etc. during the procedure they took tissue samples for biopsy - could see this happening on the monitors but couldnt feel anything. Have to say that I did not feel any embarrasment or nervousness in front of the staff and they were all very nice about the whole thing. After the procedure I was wheeled through to "recovery room" and given cup of tea and a couple of biscuits. I had taken some wet wipes and some pocket tissues with me so I gave myself a quck clean before putting my boxer shorts and jeans back on. I then got picked up by the wife as wasn't allowed to drive due to taking the sedative. Having not eaten much over the weekend and then having the laxatives I was starving so I had chinese takeaway for dinner. This is just the honest story of my experience and I fully understand that some people will have a worse time than me but I can honestly say that in my experience yesterday neither the laxative nor the procedure were too bad and I would hate to think that people missed out on any early detection etc through fear of having colonoscopy.
