Hi. I had a colonoscopy a week ago and the pain was similar to period cramps, and slightly worse when they went round the bend in the colon, but all in all was pretty decent and didn't use the gas and air really, it must be individual or that particular nurse was talented! I am concerned for the results though having found 2 polyps

Hi, I had a failed colonoscopy yesterday! I am gutted about the whole thing. I have been waiting 12 months to find out what is wrong with me I have had an MRI which shows suspected Crohn’s disease and some narrowing so I was referred urgently but had to wait because of COVID. I think my pain threshold is pretty good Iv gave birth twice with no pain relief at all, but the pain I felt yesterday was shocking! 4 times in 4 different positions they tried and I just couldn’t tolerate it. What will happen now? The nurse said I should hear from my consultant but what are the next steps if I couldn’t tolerate the colonoscopy? Will they ask me to try again? 

Hi, I had a failed colonoscopy yesterday! I am gutted about the whole thing. I have been waiting 12 months to find out what is wrong with me I have had an MRI which shows suspected Crohn’s disease and some narrowing so I was referred urgently but had to wait because of COVID. I think my pain threshold is pretty good Iv gave birth twice with no pain relief at all, but the pain I felt yesterday was shocking! 4 times in 4 different positions they tried and I just couldn’t tolerate it. What will happen now? The nurse said I should hear from my consultant but what are the next steps if I couldn’t tolerate the colonoscopy? Will they ask me to try again? 

It's strange isn't it how it works differently for people. It depends what is making it painful, if it's a narrow colon then it would hurt next time too, if it's an agressive practitioner that's the issue,  you could request a different dr/nurse. My understanding is that you can have a Virtual colonoscopy but if anything needed removing then you'd have to have the real one again. I would definatley look into it! And i am on a huge waiting list for polyp removal, and covid pushing it back further. Really worrying!

So sorry that your on a waiting list, it must be a worrying time for you. It’s the fear of the unknown isn’t it. I hate not knowing what is wrong with me and I just want to get it sorted now, that’s why I am guttedabout not being able to fully go through the procedure. I never thought it would be painful. A few of my family members have it done and they have all said it was fine so I was never worried about it. I suppose Iv just got to wait for the consultant to get intouch now and see what happens next.