I just had a colonoscopy yesterday and had the most traumatic experience.    The sedation did NOT work.  The pain was unbearable.  I have had 4 children without any pain relief except for gas and it was worse than that.   Dr was very unsympathetic and I was made feel that I was just a cry baby.  Begged them to stop before it was finished.   Never ever again. 

I don't think pre reading influences experience. I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago without any pain nor discomfort. Was given sedation and the next thing I knew I was in a recovery room. NOT the case yesterday... it took 3 attempts/sites over 2 arms to attach a canular. The medical team were really friendly and apologetic. I had no reason to consider pain given my last experience. The pain was excruciating, I thought I was going to stop breathing. In my stupor I attempted several times to stop them and eventually ended up with the colonoscopist grabbing my stomach and pulling me tightly again him. The nurse repeatedly saying 'keep calm, relax'. I am pleased I had it because I have been suffering from very severe pains and discomfort and was concerned about cancer, BUT would like to know if this should happen? Wishing you all well. 

Hi all,I had a colonoscopy 2 days ago and it was the most excruciating terrible experience of my life  I had an endoscopy which I tolerated better than I expected. Then !my god the worst hour of my life!  The doctor rammed and I mean rammed his finger into my rectum wow! Then he started with the camera it got more severe every second. I thought he was trying to rip my insides out. I started crying then I started begging pleading with him to stop Then I was screaming for him to take out the probe. They kept saying it was because my appendectomy and hysterectomy scars were all stuck and it was causing him to have to push his way through. There was no word of sympathy at all  I was supposed to be sedated I said supposed whatever they gave me did Not work or have any effect whatsoever. He said I had pockets of diverticulitis and a polyp which he removed. During the torture he kept saying if you don't let me carry on you will have to come back  There is No way on gods earth I would ever go through that. I truly believe anyone having the procedure should be Fast Asleep. My heart goes out to everyone of you who has had to be treat this appalling way  

I'm waiting on a two week urgent referral and can't ignore it given I've had all the symptoms of cancer from diarrhea to a positive fit test, some weight loss and discimformt in my left side. 

But reading this I'm hoping the sedation works.  I normally don't bother have any, child birth, root canal, stitches etc all done without pain relief but I'm goin g to ask for sedation now. 

Hi I am sorry about your bad experience . When I tell people about the terrible trauma and excruciating pain I suffered I don't think anyone of them can imagine the pain I suffered. I told the doctor it was inhuman and barbaric to put a human being through what I endured he just looked at me then walked out. Why do doctors think it us ok to have women screaming in agony and crying ? It is wrong so terribly wrong x

Hi there, even though it is now over 18 months since my colonoscopy, I still can remember the awful pain. I did complain but got nowhere and even spoke to doctor who did the procedure. At the time they said I had to come back in a year and have another one, but then COVID hit and they changed it to three years! They have said they will take every precaution next time to ensure I don't have the same agonising time. I am not convinced....

Hi i am sorry for what you suffered very similar to my experience. You tell people about your terrible time and they say oh poor you but unless you have had this experience no-one can even begin to know what you suffered  I will never ever go through that again as long as I live. Take care 

Hi Malf.

You're not alone. The pain with this procedure is sometimes so bad. I had to tell them to stop. They didn't complete the while procedure but I had to go back for a CT scan the following week. They didn't find cancer thankfully but diverticulitis, very painful spasms and gas, 

Currently having treatment for skin cancer. 

Take care.

I got told that the excruciating pain I was feeling when they first started and were near my uterus was because of a salpindectomy I had, it felt like I was being ripped inside out and after the procedure and up to now nearly a week after I started having vaginal bleeding which was quite scary as I am on the implant for birth control and as such havent had a period in years and now left with such pain in my uterus and weirdly inside my belly button where I have terrible scarring due to the keyhole procedure location becoming repeatedly infected! 
 

They gave me the tiniest amount of fentanyl despite seeing that I am on quite strong opioids on a daily basis already and have been for a long time due to a birth defect in my hips so the tiny amount they gave me did nothing at all (my post op pain after salpingdectomy was so bad they had to give me the sedation used for mentally agitated patients that knock them out immediately as morphine etc wasnt working) 

the Midazolam amount they gave me 2mg was less than I got when I has my wisdom tooth pulled, when they gave me that I was out for the count and then slept the entire day too whereas post colonscopy I struggled to sleep! 
only time I get any relief is in bed if I pull my knee's up to my chest! 
I worry that my fibro is stopping me from healing properly from all the biopsies and polyp removal! 
 

i think I will warn anyone who has to have one thaf potentially it could be bad, what I hate is there is no aftercare you dont know do you try to get hold of the place who did it, your gastroenterologist or your own GP. 
The paperwork they gave me doesnt help just says i'll feel uncomfortable for a day or two, not a week after, nothing on if it causes abnormal bleeding in women who arent due or meant to have a period and they only make reference of either constipation or diarrhoea not having both in the same day!!! 
 

if I get an inclusive or no diagnosis for all my issues from the consultant after this I may end up making a little doll of him! Lol