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'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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

The pain colonoscopy can cause seems to be a very well kept secret! The word discomfort and being advised to take paracetamol beforehand is a joke. I too had a completely traumatic and PAINFUL colonoscopy some years ago. Some of us obviously have bowels which are trickier to navigate. The procedure was made so much worse by the brutal and unsympathetic attitude of the consultant and nurses. I really should have made an official complaint but was so very relieved it was over and nothing had been found that I didn't. When my father had this done privately 25 or so years ago he was given a general anaesthetic; some form of local or general anaesthesia really should be an option. It literally was torture, and a sedative and gas and air do nothing. 

Im shocked and saddened to read about the experiences of painful colonoscopies. I had mine on the 7th November and although the results were not good I couldn't have hoped for a greater bunch of nurses. I opted for sedation and was automatically given pain relief through the cannula. I was covered up felt no pain. At one point going round the bend I felt something but no pain, the nurse stopped and asked would it be ok to continue. Everything was explained to and I the sister has kept in touch with me most days and ensured that scans and appointments had been made. If there was good news she was on the phone telling me. I will be sorry to leave this amazing team when I get handed over to the hospital on Thursday. 

I have read that a lot of proceedures are now being given without pain relief and sedation to save money. All I can say is if you are worried or anxious please let them know.