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.

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....

I've had a ct colonoscopy and apart from the preparations it was ok just a needle in your hand and a feeling of peeing yourself half way through fortunately you don't. The rest is just a scan if l needed another l would be quiet happy. I hope you have this next time 

susie

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 

Well said. 
I have experienced two colonoscopy's to date and the pain was excruciating when the area of my bowel with 
severe diverticular disease was reached

I had gas n air offered. 
 

I was very concerned for a young woman with learning disabilities  in the next room who was going through this procedure. The poor lady was screaming and clearly didn't understand what was happening.   

Patients with learning disabilities should always be offered an anesthetist led colonoscopy so that full sedation can be provided.

Unfortunately, most hospitals are quite limited in how many anesthetist led colonoscopies they can offer. My local hospital were proud that they can now offer 1 list a week. If your colonoscopies have been too painful for you to endure, you should be asking for this next time.

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

Hi, 

I just had a colonoscopy this morning and they said it wasn't painful but may feel uncomfortable, well........ I am not joking it was the worst pain I have ever experienced! Due to everyone pretending the pain isn't that bad and that the laxatives are the worst part, I only had gas and air...... well i generally thought I was dieing!!!! The nurses and lady actually doing it were actually really nice. But, afterwards i was a bit embarrassed about how much fuss I made throughout and they had to stop early due to how much pain I was in and they couldn't get around some corners! So I googled why it hurts more in some than others and some people have colons with a lot more corners and turns, and aparently mine is like this. It says online that certain types of turns and corners can cause severe pain when the camera is going around. Really, I do think that people should be put to sleep for this procedure, it was horrific. 

Hi, 

I just had a colonoscopy this morning and they said it wasn't painful but may feel uncomfortable, well........ I am not joking it was the worst pain I have ever experienced! Due to everyone pretending the pain isn't that bad and that the laxatives are the worst part, I only had gas and air...... well i generally thought I was dieing!!!! The nurses and lady actually doing it were actually really nice. But, afterwards i was a bit embarrassed about how much fuss I made throughout and they had to stop early due to how much pain I was in and they couldn't get around some corners! So I googled why it hurts more in some than others and some people have colons with a lot more corners and turns, and aparently mine is like this. It says online that certain types of turns and corners can cause severe pain when the camera is going around. Really, I do think that people should be put to sleep for this procedure, it was horrific. 

I have just had a colonoscopy and it was extremely painful. I had gas and air which didn't seem to do anything and I couldn't even use this when the pain became that bad as I couldn't move. The prep, plenvu was also horrendous and was so difficult to drink. I was drinking the second dosage slower then the first one but I still vomited it all back up and was so worried they wouldn't be able to do the procedure. They were able to do some of it but I couldn't have it all done as it became too painful. Don't know why they always say procedures are just "uncomfortable" when they actually cause excruitating pain.  It's the day after my colonoscopy and my stomach is really painful and swollen. 

I had a colonoscopy 3 nights ago. The pain in my stomach was unbelievable, Its left me shocked how bad it was, im told I was making a lot of noise, they had to stop the procedure. The pain was low down in my abdomen at the front, lower part of my stomach. Was it the pumping in of air that did it, as I don't believe my *** h actually felt that bad! Quite traumatised by it, now I'm to have a CT scan, if something is spotted, im back in for another colonoscopy! (Oh lord!) Can I opt for full knock out anaesthetic??

So basically it didn't work at all, they only made it to the first bend! I read that typically with pain relief colonoscopies are quite 'do-able' so to speak! So why didn't it work for me?? Total waste of time the 3days prep beforehand.

I totally feel your pain! I was ok with the drinking part and the prep, was purely the procedure for me and im devastated it didn't work, and am massively bloated still 3days later!

Gas & air didn't do much for me either! Fentanyl was ok, but think I needed more.