Hello malf,

I am so sorry you had such a negative experience and that the sedation didn't work for you. Your story very much reminded me of that of [@GrahamBas]‍ which you can read here. You are not alone, although this sadly seems to happen only to a minority of people. I hope Graham will pop by and share his story with you - he ended up having a CT colonoscopy so it might be worth asking your doctor whether this might be an option for you or if there is anything else they can suggest.

Feel free to give our nurses a call to talk this through with them. You can ring them on this free number 0808 800 4040 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (though their helpline is closed today 10/10)

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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 the same thing done a few years ago and I thought I was having a heart attack (I have Angina) and made them take the Colonoscopy thing out. Sadly I might have to have another Colonoscopy as I had a Virtual Colonoscopy on the 26th of June, I have not heard anything yet, obviously, but am terrified of having another.

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?

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?