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Colonoscopy extremely painful

ChristianJR
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I had a colonoscopy yesterday and had 2 large polyps removed from my colon, I opted for gas and air pain relief and found that this did very little to ease the pain, my bowel was extremely sensitive and inflamed and every movement of the camera was extremely painful. I have to go back in 30 days for another and I was wondering if the intravenous sedation option would be a better choice as I am extremely worried about going through it again. The procedure took 2 hours to complete and the whole time I was in extreme pain. I have a good pain threshold usually and I have experienced and coped with many painful things in my life, this procedure was by far the worst pain I have ever experienced depite being told that it is usually a relatively pain free experience. Why was my colonoscopy so painful?? I am also still worried because despite having polyps removed I am still finding that I can't complete bowel movements, I have a feeling that I can't swallow and I have a creamy brownish coating on my tongue and lumps at the back of my tongue that have been there for about 4 years now and will not go away despite changing my eating habits and quitting smoking. I have also lost alot of weight, feel nauseated all the time and am extremely fatigued I am also extremely gassy all of the time, What is going on?? I plan to speak to my GP tomorrow and see if there is anything else they can do, I have many symptoms of an underlying health condition and I really want answers so I can start living a normal life again. 

  • Hi ChristianJR,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the colonoscopy. People's experiences with this can differ - it  may be worth you searching the forum (using the button in the blue bar above) for any similar discussions on here to see if you can read about others' experiences, particularly anyone who has used the sedation option.

    In terms of the symptoms, it's only your GP who can advise on this so hopefully you have been able to speak to them now. I hope you're able to get some answers on all this soon.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Christian, 

    I had two large polyps removed during a colonoscopy last year. I went for the sedation and I'd definitely recommend it. Other than some bloating and uncomfortable moments due to the gas they use, I didn't feel a thing. 

    I had the same problem of not being able to complete a bowel movement following the colonoscopy. I took some laxatives for a week or so and it slowly improved. It was called Laxido and it was available on prescription. 

    Talking it over with your GP sounds like a good plan. Hopefully they can give you some good advice!

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    Hello Christian Jr, from many posts on this forum you will find that you are not alone in how painful it can be despite reassurance from medical staff.  I had two and when they told me I needed a third one, I refused to have it unless it was pain free, they then sent me an appointment for a scan which was done with a needle in my arm, dye injected and scanned as it went round, what a relief to have no pain, no horrible emptying of your bowel which as we all know when you're having bowel problems to begin with makes it worse.  So yes talk to your GP and explain how scared you are.  I can't help with the other issues you have but hope you have a better time when you have to go back.  Best wishes, Carol 

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