Colonoscopy Horror Story

[parakeets]

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.

[yiyayiya]

As I have said before they would be in court so fast for false imprisonment and battery and if that didn't work I would kill him.

[IFart]

Damn, that sounds horrible.  Law suit time.  I hate to advocate that but there is no reason for that type of treatment.  

[yiyayiya]

That wouldn't happen with me.

Firstly I have never had nor will have any form of invasie procedure.

2ndly - if I did -  When I say no it is NO!!!!!!!!!!  If they ignore it they will be in court for assault and unlawful imprisonment as well as being in front of the MEDICAL Council.  If that fails they would be Dead.  I am the only one who says what goes on with my body.  Not some prick medical professional who thinks he is god.

[n85082]

Pearl is correct..if patients are dumb enough to sighn a blanket sedation consent then they have no recourse..they will give you amnestic drugs such as Versed and they don't give a damn if you are screaming or writhing in pain; you won't be able to resist and they will get you out the door in a Versed-induced stupor..the fun (and the nightmares, PTSD, memory loss) start when you get home..why would you expect them to care about your mental state, hostility and PTSD?  after all, you signed a sedation consent that allowed thme to give you Versed.  Too bad that you didn't do your homework and write on the consent: "I'm not consenting to Versed"

[Pearl89]

It's been four years since my colonoscopy, and I still have anxiety and anger when I think about it. It was truly the worst experience of my life. I "woke up" mid-procedure to the worst pain imaginable (20 on a pain scale of 1-10) , and although I clearly remember thrashing around, I don't know if I was screaming or not -  I could not see or hear anything.  No memory of anyone trying to reassure or encourage me. I, too, wondered if perhaps all patients in pain are ignored since they don't expect us to remember.  It also bothers me that those of us who have had bad experiences are told to keep quiet or we'll scare others.  Our experiences are every bit as valid as those who have good experiences, and patients should be told the TRUTH...which is, a colonoscopy with Versed can indeed be  terribly painful !.

[Blondiesturn]

I hav had 9+ colonoscopies, all hav gone well until my last one 2 days ago. The medication they gave me were Fentanyl for pain and Versed so you don't remember what happened to you during the procedure. This time they didn't give me enough of either. I experienced the most brutal treatment and excruciating pain of my life! The dr began inserting the scope and when it came to a corner of my bowels I couldn't handle the imense pain. I said stop stop! I was crying but he just continued, that's when the nurse grabbed my arm and pinned me to the bed and told me you can't be moving around! Agony is an understatement, not only from the scope but now for my arm. I now have bruises all over my upper arm from her fingers digging into me while pinning me down. Thisus also the first time that my insides still feel badly bruised and it hurts to sit down from the upwards pressure.
Now I am having nightmares and wake up sweating with tears on my pillow!
I now know what really happens during a colonoscopy and I may never go through it again even though I should because of my Crohn's.
I believe I have been assaulted but hospital believes it was all on my head from the drugs...