Colonoscopy Pain

I'm so glad I found your post. I had a colonoscopy with sedation this morning and it was excruitiatingly painful. I was wide awake throughout and in so much pain that I had to be given two doses of Pethadine, not that it made much difference. When it was over at last, I felt shocked and traumatised by the ordeal. The consultant seemed to think I'd made a fuss about nothing, though the nurses who looked after me were much more sympathetic and understanding. Ironically, ten minutes after the colonoscopy finished, the sedation seemed to kick in and I fell into a dazed stupor for the best part of an hour. Never again! If I ever have to have one of these barbaric procedures again I will insist on a general anaesthetic and pay for it if I have to. As far as I'm concerned, all the websites I read which said that colonoscopies are not painful are simply telling lies. Be warned anyone else facing one!

I had a colonoscopy last weekend...went privately at the cost of £1800 because was told the sedation on NHS is not significant enough to stop any discomfort. So I was lulled into a rather smug state of mind thinking I was going to sail through the procedure. Oh no! Completely traumatised, the sedation didnot work and the pain was excruciating. I was in tears and was made to feel like I was over reacting. God forbid if I have to have another one. 

Please check beforehand what pain relief you are given and how much because it can prevent a lot of heart ache.

I had my colonoscopy yesterday was my second time as had one about 20 years ago which was no problem. However yesterday was the worst pain I've ever experienced and no matter how hard I sucked the gas and air it made no difference to pain I was feeling. They were telling me to pass wind but the pain was right up at my diaphragm so I couldn't.

It's an experience I'm not likely to forget in a hurry 

Hi, I am so sorry you had a bad experience. The pain is quite unacceptable when you think of the pain relief that is on offer and I agree with you that this is something I will not rush in to quickly any time soon. Colon cancer is common in my family and it worries me that should I have any symptoms and am told that I need another colonoscopy that I would shy away from another procedure. It was so painful! 

Hi, I am so sorry you had a bad experience. The pain is quite unacceptable when you think of the pain relief that is on offer and I agree with you that this is something I will not rush in to quickly any time soon. Colon cancer is common in my family and it worries me that should I have any symptoms and am told that I need another colonoscopy that I would shy away from another procedure. It was so painful!