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?

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? 

Helen, do you mind if I ask what medication you were given? (I had mine this afternoon, and comparing notes is proving to be therapeutic!)x

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 Sophie

Sorry I can't remember.....I had a cannula in my hand and was given the drug 2 mins before my procedure. I ft it was too soon before the colonoscopy and should have had a little time to work.

Sti think about my colonoscopy, two & half months ago, and never again without full sedation

How are you feeling now?

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

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 15 years ago... It was unbearable and had to be terminated... I have a decent pain threshold and it was unbearable.  I am now incredibly worried as I was casually told they found several polyps but did not schedule any follow up or gave me any impression that it was anything to worry about.  I was in my late 20s at the time and that I had IBS.  I now regularly experience various symptoms including regular mild blood loss but more recently, repeatedly I have gone over a week with no bowel movement (and when I do it is always underwhelming), fatigue, incredible pain, then uncontrollable diarrhea with now very heavy blood loss... I have also noticed that I cannot gain weight ( although I can bloat ) even with  little or no excercise, if anything I am eating the same, exercising less and losing mass..... Is this anxiety or am I right to be worried... Any sensible thoughts appreciated

I had my first colonoscopy on Friday - it was indeed torture and had to be aborted - felt like surgical knives being pushed inside me. I screamed the theatre down in pain. I will never have it again despite double dose of sedative. Picolax prep also horrendous vomiting sweating and nearly passing out. 3 days later still have abdominal pain which I'm not sure whether I need to get checked out or not - no bleeding though. Is that normal ?

I had my first colonoscopy 3 weeks ago, I was sedated and sailed through it - happy days! I was told I needed another one to continue the colonoscopy as I had 5 poylps obstructing the rest of the way so they would be removed and the colonoscopy finished.  I went into the 2nd procedure yesterday relaxed (if completely drained and wobbly from the laxatives!), but it couldn't have been a different experience!  I screamed and screamed throughout the whole thing, they had to double the sedation, (which still didn't help with the pain) and I have been left woozy and wobbly and very traumatised!  Afterwards they needed the bed, because they were doing so many others that day, so they forced me awake and my husband had to take me back to the car in a wheelchair!  The two experiences were like chalk and cheese.  I have to have another one, I imagine this is to check that the poylps have healed (although I haven't been told anything), and then another procedure on large, bleeding haemerhoids, so 2020 is an awful year for me (on top of the Covid situation).

I had a second colonoscopy yesterday after a 3 year break. The first procedure was extremely painful so this time I asked them if they would strengthen the pain relief. This second procedure was equally, if not more painful than the first. It was near to the point that I was going to ask them to stop entirely. I really don't know how I got through it. Someone else on this chat likened it to torture. I couldn't agree more!

When I was in recovery, I asked the staff if I had to have another colonoscopy could I have it under general anaesthetic. They told me no, as the risks outweighed the benefits. They also told me that the strength of the sedative dose they administered was 'average'.

I may be an exception as the surgeon noticed that I had an hiatus hernia and he said that would make the procedure more difficult (read painful).

My dilemma is to say no more colonoscopies but on both occasions they have removed several polyps.

What to do?

Public Health England guidelines on colonoscopy are clear on this:

"A small minority of patients may require intravenous propofol as deep sedation for colonoscopy and all centres should make a reasonable effort to provide this for appropriate patients. In cases where this is not possible then these colonoscopies can be performed by a BCSP accredited colonoscopist on a symptomatic or theatre list. Alternatively, the patient may be transferred to another screening centre offering this service."

Propofol is safe and is sedation of choice in many countries.

My colonoscopy was done at a hospital in Scotland last week.  I was given fentanyl that much I can remember.  I was also administered buscopan to help relax the colon I think.  I wont say it was without discomfort but for me it was all bearable.  I had to change position throughout the procedure and at one point the nurse had to press down on my lower abdomen to assist the Consultant.  That was the worst bit but as I say, more painkiller etc was given

I'm so glad I read these comments. Had colonoscopy today with no sedation and it was so painful and traumatic. Had 2 previously with no sedation and they were uncomfortable but bearable. The person doing the procedure kept saying oh this scope is not right and after was telling the nurse when I press up it's going down and vice versa. Was this a contributing factor to the pain level? He was saying relax don't put your hand on your stomach it makes it worse! Discovered 6 polyps and now have to go back for an hour long removal procedure, which obviously I will now take the sedation. But reading these comments will the sedation be adequate? To top it all on the report given to me after it stated comfort score: mild! Really it was excruciating and I have a high pain tolerance, had 2 babies with no pain relief! Is it down to the person performing the procedure as I said 2 colonoscopy before and no pain like today. I'm now very worried for the polyp removal but what choice do we have? I've already been through breast cancer surgery and that was a breeze in comparison 

WOW - all I can say, is that you are well stronger than me x

I had my first colonoscopy today. I feel completely shocked . I had just gas and air and even though everyone says it's not painful or just discomfort , I was in excruciating agony, I nearly passed out it was so bad and tears were falling done face abs I was grip bed and it felt like a complete nightmare . I am not someone who makes a fuss or is a coward and I usually put up with pain and feel I am a strong person .. but this was hell. I didn't make them stop but I was nearly beyond coping. It was horrific. They had got almost to the top of my colon I knew so I didnt want them to stop but as the doctor kept push and twist the  scope and didn't stop , she was obviously keen to get rid of a loop or get it thru the final segment but it was absolutely appalling pain that shouldn't be gone through unless unavoidable.  I am more than surprised there are some who feel little or no pain. 
I felt the opposite. 
This should be on strong sedation or general anaesthesia and stroner pain relief . 
I feel like I will have nightmares about this and will remember the traumatic experience. 
 

I would go through it again of course if I had to, but I would demand more pain relief and sooner . 
 

Good luck all !

I had my procedure on 15th November. I had previously had a colonoscopy about 15 years ago on the NHS and it was absolutely fine so I went in calmly expecting the same. I was a private patient this time. From the second the procedure started I was in agony! The only way I can describe it was like a Lego brick being pushed through my body. I'm no drama queen but I honestly felt like I could die. After a minute or so when they realised how much pain I was in and I think they thought I was going to pass out they rolled me onto my back. That didn't help much - and the sedation definitely hadn't worked - I can remember every second of pain. Being on my back meant that the nurse had to press on my tummy to help the camera move - I'm sure you can imagine how that felt! They eventually gave me another dose of pain relief - I had a cannula in. That helped a little but I was already traumatised by what had happened and I was in bits. I believe they didn't wait long enough for the sedative or pain relief to kick in from the start. Thankfully my results were clear but I'm never having another colonoscopy!  5 days later it's still very much on my mind which is why I felt the need to do some research to see if I was really just being a wuss or not! So while I have the utmost sympathy for everyone here who has experienced the same thing I was glad to find this thread and prove what happened was real. I've got my follow up in a couple of weeks and I will be raising this with the consultant. I actually think they thought it was the sedative that was making me so vocal! Thank you all for sharing your stories and good luck going forward.