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Colonoscopy Horror Story
6 years ago I had a routine colonoscopy and it was the most upsetting medical procedure of my life. Even though it was done in a hospital under Demerol and Versed, I had excruciating pain, was thrashing about, totally awake, and in such agony that I was begging and screaming at the doctor to stop. Instead, he had me restrained in a Tyvek restraint jacket on the surgical table and I was held down while he proceded with the colonoscopy. It was traumatic beyond belief. Afterwards, he admitted to nothing and would only say my colonoscopy was "totally routine." I had violent flashbacks for weeks afterwards, and even had to get a bite plate due to damage I did to my jaw biting in agony from pain during the procedure. Though I tried, I got nohwere when I tried to go against him legally. I determined I would never have a colonoscopy again. I was severely traumatized by my doctor's actions during the procedure, and even more afterwards, when he denied what I said had happened (even though I had physical evidence). I was told that under these drugs "people imagine things." That re-traumatized me even more.
Now it turns out I have some rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids. Because of the bleeding, my primary care physician wants me to have another colonoscopy (the one 6 years ago showed no polpys or anything, though the previous doctor did admit my colon had many turns and was longer than the endoscope tube he used). Even after some sessions with a therapist, I still cannot submit to a colonoscopy again. Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that will help? I just can't do it.
Now it turns out I have some rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids. Because of the bleeding, my primary care physician wants me to have another colonoscopy (the one 6 years ago showed no polpys or anything, though the previous doctor did admit my colon had many turns and was longer than the endoscope tube he used). Even after some sessions with a therapist, I still cannot submit to a colonoscopy again. Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that will help? I just can't do it.
That is exactly the reason that I have never had, nor will ever have any form of invasive treatment. Most of the time they are totally unneccessary and do more harm than good. I will take my chances instead of having some medical "professional" messing up my insides.
You are not bullet-proof from CRC because you agreed to have a colonoscopy NOR is a colonoscopy the only step you can take to reduce your chance for CRC.
CRC can be fast-moving and it does NOT have to follow the polyp model. And colonoscopies have double-digit miss rates when all is perfect anyway.
So let's be careful about annointing a surgical procedure turned mass screening tool of healthy people as "vital".
Average lifetime risk is around 5%. A big chunk of that happens late in life (primarily ladies, making the one-size-fits-all screening guidelines wrong). You can lower this further by not smoking or drinking, watching processed meat consumption, taking aspirin and vitamin D-3, exercising vigorously and lowering body mass, etc. Those are "vital" because the benefits accrue to maladies not named CRC.
CRC can be fast-moving and it does NOT have to follow the polyp model. And colonoscopies have double-digit miss rates when all is perfect anyway.
So let's be careful about annointing a surgical procedure turned mass screening tool of healthy people as "vital".
Average lifetime risk is around 5%. A big chunk of that happens late in life (primarily ladies, making the one-size-fits-all screening guidelines wrong). You can lower this further by not smoking or drinking, watching processed meat consumption, taking aspirin and vitamin D-3, exercising vigorously and lowering body mass, etc. Those are "vital" because the benefits accrue to maladies not named CRC.
I had colonoscopy because of Fissure and bleeding. It was not painful at first ( they used pain killer through IV), but after the procedure, pain started. I could not control gas and it turns to anal and fecal incontinence. Doctors believe that it is from damage to anal sphincter muscles and nerves. Anyone have the same problems? Please help. I am 35 and it makes me scared and depressed.
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I had a colonoscopy 15 years ago. I had a bad reaction to cleanout preparation. Afterwards I had pain & couldn't eat without pain. Now, I have permanent pain & my life has been ruined. I'm on strong opioids, but still in pain. I would never have a colonoscopy. I'm sorry I didn't sue the doctor. I don't know what they did wrong. Has anyone else had this reaction? I've been to tons of doctors, tests, etc. before I was a normal healthy person. I had no idea such a thing could happen. My doctor says a nerve got damaged.
A vital procedure?
Let's take a look at that.
1. Some CRC does not follow polyp pathway and some is rapid onset. This procedure doesn't make your bulletproof.
2. Double digit miss rate very much influenced by quality of prep (and no 2 doctors agree on this... many gastros still not preaching split dose).
3. Incidence rate may sound low at 0.25% but this is a mass screen (even if surgery) so it's a big deal. You might not get a colostomy bag from CRC but from your colonoscopy.
4. Generic screening guidelines that ignore gender. Men are at much greater risk for CRC than women (35-40%) and contract it earlier. Women are generally at risk in their 70s (men in their 60s) so subtract 10 years from each and establish your guidelines. Nope, per norm, the ladies get duped and screwed.
5. Risk factors are not consistently used well in screening guidelines. Big difference between 1st degree relative with CRC at 50 and one who gets it at 70. So too much made of family history and not enough attention paid to age at diagnosis. Bigger problem is that risk mitigants ignored...exercise, not smoking, not obese, calcium / dairy consumption, aspirin consumption, vitamin d consumption can influence risk profile SIGNIFICANTLY. This isn't theoretical and rocket science but ASGE wants its billings.
It's way past time for fecal DNA (sDNA) but that diagnostic is being held to a standard never applied to colonoscopies.
Glad colonoscopies exist but they should never be a mass screen. Truly bizarre that they are.
Let's take a look at that.
1. Some CRC does not follow polyp pathway and some is rapid onset. This procedure doesn't make your bulletproof.
2. Double digit miss rate very much influenced by quality of prep (and no 2 doctors agree on this... many gastros still not preaching split dose).
3. Incidence rate may sound low at 0.25% but this is a mass screen (even if surgery) so it's a big deal. You might not get a colostomy bag from CRC but from your colonoscopy.
4. Generic screening guidelines that ignore gender. Men are at much greater risk for CRC than women (35-40%) and contract it earlier. Women are generally at risk in their 70s (men in their 60s) so subtract 10 years from each and establish your guidelines. Nope, per norm, the ladies get duped and screwed.
5. Risk factors are not consistently used well in screening guidelines. Big difference between 1st degree relative with CRC at 50 and one who gets it at 70. So too much made of family history and not enough attention paid to age at diagnosis. Bigger problem is that risk mitigants ignored...exercise, not smoking, not obese, calcium / dairy consumption, aspirin consumption, vitamin d consumption can influence risk profile SIGNIFICANTLY. This isn't theoretical and rocket science but ASGE wants its billings.
It's way past time for fecal DNA (sDNA) but that diagnostic is being held to a standard never applied to colonoscopies.
Glad colonoscopies exist but they should never be a mass screen. Truly bizarre that they are.
you are very lucky that it went so well, I had a traumatic experience and was left crying and in agony feeling very confused as to what had happened to me, i phoned the department the next day to see if what happened to me was normal as i felt so upset and that I was being overdramatic and a baby. I was screaming and writhing about in agony with a less than impressed dr shouting at me. Im glad to say that they deemed it as 'normal colonoscopy' although they couldnt complete the procedure they only got to the 'splenic flexure' so less than half way round?? but im happy not to question that and i'll take my chances. no symptoms since colonoscopy so im guessing the bowel prep flushed away a simple nasty infection. However had i read this forum prior to the procedure i would have felt scared but more prepared for the horror i was about to face as I could have questioned the meds etc - i was given a tump load of 'Versed' which couldnt have worked as the pain and feeling that i was a nuisance was overwheming. I will refuse to ever have another colonoscopy and would definitely pay Private if i had to for a virtual one instead. I wouldnt wish my experience of a colonoscopy on my worst enemy! a knowing colleague told me that the prep was the worst part and they lied to save me from worrying so i guess that was a good thing as if i had anxiety and sleepless nights before hand it would of tipped me over the edge!! Not knowing is sometimes a good thing as I would have been reluctant to have it done but then again I wish id had some clue to just how awful it was going to be, two sides to every coin i guess!
Am I ever glad I found this thread. I thought I was alone in what I experienced. It was horryfying. I don't even know for sure if I was properly sedated, because the nurse in the room with me knew my neighbor and asked me about her while I was supposed to be relaxing before the procedure. This neighbor had been causing us trouble for years, so it was no doubt the nurse happened to be a good friend of hers and was "paying me back".
The enitre procedure was RUSHED. The doctor came in and got started, then the pain came as he kept pumping me with air. I cried out in so much pain that I squeezed the nurse's hand. He could not get around my spleen, so he stopped after all of my agony. It was the worst experience of my life. If I ever have it done again, which I doubt, I will insist on proponol. I will insist on being OUT. Because I have every memory of the entire thing.
The enitre procedure was RUSHED. The doctor came in and got started, then the pain came as he kept pumping me with air. I cried out in so much pain that I squeezed the nurse's hand. He could not get around my spleen, so he stopped after all of my agony. It was the worst experience of my life. If I ever have it done again, which I doubt, I will insist on proponol. I will insist on being OUT. Because I have every memory of the entire thing.
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