Unbearable!

I went for a colonoscopy yesterday as I had suspected bowel cancer. I sometimes take pride in the fact that I have quite a high pain tolerance but that colonoscopy sent me into a full on panic attack. The pain was indescribable and when I asked him to stop as I couldn't get my breathe, he continue to shove that tube in and pumping air in until the nurse stepped in and asked him to wait. I felt so embarrassed and a bit ashamed of myself for shouting out like that but it was like I had no control over it. Today I am still in quite a bit of discomfort and am seriously thinking of making a complaint. I think the way I described to my Sister was that it was like getting violated by  shire horse!!  

  • I have cancer.  I've had biopsies carried out along with various other tests.  There's two ways of looking at it.... Be in some discomfort but it's over with and the doctor has had the chance to have a good look at what needs investigated, or you call a halt, wait on another appt, wait longer on a diagnosis.  The air causes distension so will obviously stretch nerves and tissues but it means the doctor has a good field of vision.  I know I'd rather put up with the discomfort temporarily than things get missed or wait longer to know what's going on.  No doctor wants to cause pain but more importantly no doctor wants to leave anything to chance either.

  • I think "some discomfort" is an understatement. I get what you're saying but with a procedure like that,  which is so invasive anyway, I think a bit more care and compassion should've been taken. I am in remission from cancer and have had many procedures but nothing like that ever.