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! 

I also had a colonoscopy recently and feel traumatised by the whole experience. I decided to use G&A but no relief, the pain was unbelievable and unexpected, I only realised how bad it was when the nurse told me to stop screaming I felt like I was overreacting but boy it was really bad... even two days after I am still shaky and exhausted like I’ve been in an accident. Next time I’m going to be asleep for the whole procedure. I wonder why it affects some of us like this and others seem to feel little or no pain?

I also had a colonoscopy recently and feel traumatised by the whole experience. I decided to use G&A but no relief, the pain was unbelievable and unexpected, I only realised how bad it was when the nurse told me to stop screaming I felt like I was overreacting but boy it was really bad... even two days after I am still shaky and exhausted like I’ve been in an accident. Next time I’m going to be asleep for the whole procedure. I wonder why it affects some of us like this and others seem to feel little or no pain?

All I can say to all the posts above is ditto. I had my colonoscopy on 9th December and am still traumatized. As they found six polyps, I have to have another one in a year. What I want to know is can we have it done under general anaesthetic? I can't find anything saying it is possible?

I can now genuinely sympathise with you all. This afternoon, I had my first colonoscopy. I'd read in various reviews that the prep really is the worst part. OH NO SIR-EEEE. First I was given fentanyl which did nothing. Then they topped me up with midazolam, as I was complaining of pain. It was the most uncomfortable sort of pain I've ever felt, and honestly felt like they just shoved the colonoscope up there to get it done quickly! Tears were running down my face, it hurt so much. 

Why are they not more honest with people? It was like torture, and although it's not the nicest of procedures anyway, people deserve more honesty and respect. 

Imagine going through that, and then getting some bad results?! Luckily mine were OK apart from a couple of biopsies taken, but imagine what a bad day that could be for someone!! Shocking.

Does anyone else think it might be down to pot luck as to whether you get a 'good' person doing your procedure...some rougher than others? 

It would be great to get an accurate percentage of people who suffer extreme pain down to those who have no pain. All literature says there maybe some discomfort - I think the word they should use there is TORTURE. But can anyone advise if you can have it done under general anesthesia? Especially after such an agonizing first time? I suppose I would accept that first timers should be offered the normal pain relief,etc. But if you have had such an appalling experience, then you should be allowed to have a general anesthestic with any future ones. I am not going to let this rest, will write to hospital and copy in local CQC. I have also discovered that colonoscopies are done under general anesthesia as a norm in a Australia.. Animals would not be allowed to suffer such pain.

Hi all.

i don't like hearing about others pain but I glad it's not just me. I opted for gas and air and was told it's uncomfortable but not painful. 

I was in a lot of pain throughout the procedure and blowing out as opposed to breathing in the gas and air was more effective.

I do feel a lot like yourselves that the doctors and nurses seem to think you're over reacting and too embarrassed to pass air. I've given birth so passing air didn't bother me and despite passing air it's still so painful.

i hope we are in the minority. X

I had a colonoscopy on Friday and it was the most traumatic, painful experience I’ve ever had. Honestly, it was horrendous. The pain on my left side was just unimaginable even with maximum sedation, maximum painkillers and gas & air - nothing touched the pain at all. Prior to the colonoscopy I had to endure a gastroscopy which I don’t remember anything of and it was completely painless - obviously the sedation did work at first but as soon as he colonoscopy started it was so painful that the sedation just stopped working. Honestly it was excruciating. The doctor was forced to stop the procedure as my heart rate was sky high and it was deemed to dangerous to continue. I have to go back again in 2 weeks to do it all over again but this time under general anaesthetic so yes you can have this done on the NHS if it’s too painful!! 

Hi RaeMc, thanks for this information, it's a great relief to hear that. I am waiting for a reply from hospital about my request for GA. What area of country do you live?

I have had this procedure twice. With gas and air it was appalling. I sobbed the whole time and was almost breaking the nurses fingers. The procedure was done lying on my side. From what I remember, the 2nd time I had sedation and was more facing front leaning backwards. I watched the whole procedure on the screen and it was no more than discomfort that time

Hi Andrea, I am really sorry you suffered as much as all the contributors to this blog. I think it is absolutely appalling that this procedure is actually happening in the NHS. Especially, after reading all these posts. I am going to do my upmost to get this procedure changed.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!! I live in Kent

Hi I don't really know how this chat works but can I just ask what people's symptoms were of bowel cancer ? I'm waiting for an appointment for a colonoscopy which will be within the next 2 weeks. I'm so scared. I'm 29 and have a 2 year old I always over worry at the best of times. I'm so stressed. Xxx