Colonoscopy FEAR

Hi all.  I'm 43 and my last colonoscopy was over 17 yrs ago.  I was told to come back in 6 months and then have one done once/yr due to family history of colon cancer and (~7) polyps that were removed at that time.  
Problem is the colonoscopy was a nightmare.  
They gave me medicine to sedate me that did not work!  I remember it all, I could smell/feel the burning and talk could talk clearly too them  ...I told them it hurt so very bad, and that I felt like they were killing me.  I begged the Dr. to stop and screamed ohh no...not again as they burnt the next one out.  He did not reply.  I finally got enough strength up to take the thingy off my finger and got turned around and gave him a bloody lip.  At that point he was upset (with me and his crew) and screamed for them to give me more med's that I was going to rupture myself.  (They had my husband in .. in which works in the medical field and he confirmed that I was very much still with it in the manor I was speaking)  That was the last thing I remembered then.  I'm scared to death to have another one done.  I bled heavy for about a week afterwards.

~7 years ago I went back to the doctors with issues of chest pains, lightheadedness, abdominal pains and breathing issues and first started med's and regular doctor visits mainly due to very high BP issues and an anterior infarction. issue, plus just being plain tired.

In the past year I've been checked out for just about everything.  Found out I have some cysts in my uterus/ovaries, cysts in my breast, nodules in my thyroid and calcification threw out my body pretty much.  All within normal limits though more the less.  Quick history now...I have hypothyroidism, heart issues, edema, copd, and diabetes.  
Complaints now........swollen stomach, back pain, lower abdominal pains, poor absorption (vit and mineral issues), body spasms/pains, gassy, belching, chest pains,lightheadedness, no heat or cold tolerance and tired easy.

Problem is I fear I may need a colonoscopy again.  No visible blood in bowls (before there was alot), but having issues (as listed above).   Bowls have changed to soft BM movements and if firmer, they are thin like a steak knife and realllly stink bad.  I know TMI.  I only have one Dr. in this area that does the colonoscopies in my area.  I explained that the twilite mixture they gave me done nothing.  They told me to deal with it and just do it. ....that it works well for everyone.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr.  I told them it did not for me.  Dr.s and friends seem to think it's colon issues.

Sorry so long.  Was wondering if others have dealt with this and if there is any other test to check out the colon other than a colonoscopy.  Too chicken I guess to go threw that type of pain again.  OUCHY!  Also very tired of test at this point.  :-/

Thanks in advance.
  

[Jaybay]

I absolutely agree that you must see a different doctor, even if you have to travel.  There is zero excuse for what happened to you.  None.  Since it sounds like you really do need to be scoped again, tell the doctor you want your husband in the room from start to finish.  He will be there as your advocate and since he's in the medical field it shouldn't be a problem.  Make it a condition of having the procedure done.  Don't ask the doctor - tell him.

My first colonoscopy was the same as yours.  I remember every last thing and only wish I had the nerve to knock the jerk out but I was too busy howling at the time.  Can't say as I'd recommend an air contrast barium enema as a better alternative either.  Not only is it humiliating, but when the doc starts stamping on the air gun it's just as painful as a colonoscopy without benefit of anesthesia.  No way in h-e-double-toothpicks I'll ever have one again no matter how much the doc wants it.

[patient915]

I'd say that if you can, you should find a different doctor that is willing to give you general anesthesia.  You may have to travel to do this, but that sounds like what you need.  Other tests that look at the colon are a sigmoidoscopy (but it doesn't look up as high so it is not as accurate) and a barium enema (but again, not as accurate).

[Jaybay]

I absolutely agree that you must see a different doctor, even if you have to travel.  There is zero excuse for what happened to you.  None.  Since it sounds like you really do need to be scoped again, tell the doctor you want your husband in the room from start to finish.  He will be there as your advocate and since he's in the medical field it shouldn't be a problem.  Make it a condition of having the procedure done.  Don't ask the doctor - tell him.

My first colonoscopy was the same as yours.  I remember every last thing and only wish I had the nerve to knock the jerk out but I was too busy howling at the time.  Can't say as I'd recommend an air contrast barium enema as a better alternative either.  Not only is it humiliating, but when the doc starts stamping on the air gun it's just as painful as a colonoscopy without benefit of anesthesia.  No way in h-e-double-toothpicks I'll ever have one again no matter how much the doc wants it.

[Me967]

What's up with this "best answer" thing?  Don't care for it.
  
Anyhow, Patient915...If I could have it done under general anesthesia I probably would have it done.  Doctors have been on me the three years.  I called last year to see if they could give me anything else and they said NO point blank that it can not be done that way.  Furthermore, they would not give me a different mixture than before.  Ticks me off.  From what I've read 1 out of 1000 people have this problem with the twilite mixture.  Problem is if I go threw anyone else....I have to pay for it all out of pocket.  

Jaybay, I agree with you.  I said I would never have it done again!  My problems don't seem extreme....just annoying.  I've read a lot on when to have one done (no bleeding and no pencil stick stool), though I have the other symptoms.   I've also read a lot of post on here and they all sound worse than mine.  So I question having it done for that reason too.  When I had it done 17 years ago I was bleeding bad (more bld than stool), so I had done it.  I guess I'll think it over for a month or so.  
Not sure which way I'm going to go yet.  Need to check into the general anesthesia more.

Anyhow,  Thank you both very much for the reply's.  (HUGS)

[pain666]

I WOULD SAY ONE CHANGE DOCTOR
also i had a horrible time with mine i am only 20 i had an upper endoscopy a few months before my Colonoscopy and i was awake the whole time the drugs they use i have some kind of immunity to so they had to have 3 nurses hold me down the whole time then for my Colonoscopy i told my nurse this time what had happen she said she would give me as much sedative as she could i was awake this time as well but only had a BIG problem when they went buy my ovaries (i have endometreosis) i screamed and begged them to stop and tried to claw my way off the table it hurt so much. the doctor had the nerve to say to my mom after that "it went well she had a little discomfort"

i would change doctors and talk to them ahead of time about how scared you are and how horrible your last experience was if they blow it of as nothing try another (and tell your nurse about it see if she will up the dose for you) good luck

[patient915]

I understand that they were unwilling to give you anything else that what you got the first time.  Doctors don't want to change something they are doing.  Sorry about that.  I don't know if this is possible but could you call your insurance company and explain the problem and see if they insure any other places that you could go.

[toohip]

They don't use the same drugs any more for colonoscopy.  They used to just give you stuff to relax but you were awake.  Now they use propaphol and it knocks you out and you sleep throught the whole thing.  I had it done the old way, and also the new way.  The propaphol is good - ask if they use that