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Post by samiam on Dec 8, 2011 16:06:52 GMT -5
Hope everyone is having a nice week!
I wanted to get some thoughts about something that happened...I had a colonoscopy yesterday and had a horrible experience! The doctor put me in what they call "twilight sedation" where I am awake, but supposed to not remember anything about the procedure. Well, I "woke up" in the middle of it in horrific pain, and am so sore today. I was in so much pain in fact, when my husband came back to see me after the procedure, he noticed that my pillow had a giant wet spot from crying. My period started on top of everything this morning, and the doctor mentioned that was probably why I was in so much pain, being that the endo is probably all on the outside of my colon and everything was super tender because of my period. The test did not show that any of the endo had penetrated the bowel wall, so that's great news, but it hurt SO BAD! My question is, for those of you who have had colonoscopies and endo, did you have pain during and after?? Thankfully, the GI I went to is not my normal doctor. For my surgery that is scheduled in a few weeks, I will be using a general surgeon for any bowel/bladder issues and my regular gyn for the rest. The general surgeon referred me to get a colonoscopy done, as he does not do it himself. I am wondering if this guy I went to was just abnormally rough, or if it is normal to have that kinda intense pain during a colonoscopy for an endo patient. Any thoughts??
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Post by omaklackey on Dec 8, 2011 17:41:57 GMT -5
I also woke up during mine! Apparently its common However pain after wards is not supposed to be common and you should call your PCP if your GI isn't available. I don't want to freak you out but I had a very good friend who had a bad outcome from a colonoscopy that had punctured and they didn't know until it had gone septic. So any pain should be considered serious just in case and your GI/PCP should be informed. If it gets real bad, or there is any blood in the bm's then a trip to the ER may be necessary!
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Post by samiam on Dec 8, 2011 19:42:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I just spoke with the nurse though and she said my soreness was completely normal, but if anything like rectal bleeding or severe pain occurs to let them know immediately. She said the soreness comes from air being put into the colon during the procedure. Although, I won't ignore it if it gets too bad. I have another doctors appointment in a few days, so I'll ask about it then too.
But, she did say that sometimes patients do experience pain during colonoscopy, although it's not very common. She said the meds that they give for colonoscopy do not prevent pain, they just are supposed to make you calm and sedate you somewhat. She said in hindsight, they probably should have just had an anesthesiologist come in and put me to sleep, since I was already having abdominal pain. So for anyone who suspects bowel endo and your doctor tells you to get a colonoscopy, please research sedation techniques prior and talk to your doctor about full sedation as opposed to partial. It will hopefully save you a lot of pain! I wish I had known in advance.
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Post by 1234 on Dec 8, 2011 20:00:49 GMT -5
I actually was put fully under for my colonoscopy, because of all of my bowel/intestinal endo. The doc said it would be too painful otherwise. I was really sore afterwards for a few days, even so.
I hope you feel better soon.
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Post by semicolon on Dec 8, 2011 21:17:16 GMT -5
They couldn't get through since I had a stricture, but I think they gave me more meds (as they were calling in everyone from the office to look at my crazy colon) because I was out of it for a long time afterward! I had a barium enema (never, ever do this) the next day so I don't know which made me feel sore.
I'm sure your cycle had a huge part of it, what terrible timing! I hope you are feeling better quickly. Watch your temp, like Omak said, in case they nicked anything (that is pretty rare though).
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Post by samiam on Dec 8, 2011 22:16:05 GMT -5
Yeah, I wish someone at that office had the forethought to put me under completely. My surgery is in 2 weeks and I am SO ready to find out what's going on. Tonight I have been running a bit of a low grade temp, around 99. But I do that at night sometimes anyway. It hurts somewhat to bend over to the right side when standing up. I'll keep a close eye on it tonight and if my temp goes up or it hurts worse, I'll call the doctor tomorrow. I know this may be TMI lol, but how long did it take you guys to go to the bathroom after your colonoscopy?
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Post by thegleam on Dec 9, 2011 17:33:53 GMT -5
I was awake for the entire procedure. No pain during or after. I was told before the procedure that if I felt pain at any time just ask for more pain medicine.
The scary part is the are some US health companies not paying for anesthetic since they don't think it's necessary.
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Post by painttheseconds on Dec 9, 2011 19:00:44 GMT -5
I was sort of in and out during my colonoscopy back in April, but I do remember feeling pain right after the surgery. Anesthesia does weird things to me. I always end up crying when I come out of it. I felt a lot of pain after my colonoscopy, but it subsided in a few days. I'm sorry you had to go through that and I hope you feel better.
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Post by samiam on Dec 11, 2011 0:55:19 GMT -5
Thanks so much . I am feeling much better today, and the pain has subsided. Anesthesia does weird things to me too...it sort of makes me panicky or something, especially the day after I get home. The day of, I'm just stupid! lol The nurse said that it's not very common, but it does happen to some people, the anxiety after I mean. Maybe we're 2 of the folks it happens to, painttheseconds.
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bambi
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by bambi on Dec 11, 2011 3:23:39 GMT -5
I had a colonoscopy in May this year, and i woke up halfway through as well. They had to restrain me as i was screaming and throwing myself around begging them to stop. I was in such a state the nurse nearly started crying but there was nothing they could do, as they had already given me more than enough sedatives as i was allowed. When i was wheeled out of the operating room, my mum said i was a terrible mess. I still remember the feeling like there was a sword stuffed up inside of me stabbing in my chest. The doctor carried on until he was finished, which was not a fun idea at ALL! But they did also say that it would have been due to Endo growing all over the outside of my colon. He said he had never experienced it before though. And i've never heard about it from anyone else.
My Lap is in 4 days and im having haunting visions of that night again. I know its not going to happen but i keep thinking they won't put me to sleep properly and i will be awake through the whole op. It's so silly but after this experience i just can't shake it. Thankfully my doc has given me some anti-anxiety meds in the mean time. PHEW!
I totally feel your pain. But i didn't have any discomfort the next day, and they also told me that if there was to go to the Emergency room immediately so take care of yourself.
Hope your ok now =)
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Post by painttheseconds on Dec 11, 2011 11:31:39 GMT -5
Anesthesia makes me really panicky to samiam. That's one of the reasons I asked for anti anxiety meds before my lap and that made a huge difference. I asked for anxiety meds again before my colonoscopy and they just looked at me like I was seeking out drugs. It was a frustrating day. I'm just glad you made it through and are feeling better!
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Post by samiam on Dec 11, 2011 16:38:34 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I think I will tell the doctor about anxiety I experienced. Maybe he will give me something to help calm me before hand too. I was feeling better, or so I thought. The stomach pains are all gone, but now my BP is through the roof! I don't know if it's side effects from the drugs or just pure anxiety.
I keep trying to forget the whole thing, but I am remembering everything about the procedure, and feel like crying everytime I do. The day after I was making dinner and all the sudden I had this flood of emotion, and started remembering everything about the procedure. It was terrifying! Each day it is getting better though. Bambi, I totally understand what you mean about not being able to shake that uneasy feeling.
Just so you all know...I don't know what sedative/s you all were given during your colonoscopy, but I have been doing some research on what I was given. I was told after that I was given Versed/demerol, more than 1 shot from what I understand, due to the fact I was in so much pain. I've been given demerol before, and never had any problems. But, according to the reading I've been doing on Versed, it can cause all sorts of anxiety, and other emotional type side effects, for weeks afterword sometimes. It's supposed to make you "forget" and I had no idea beforehand that's what they were going to use. I'm sorta ticked honestly that they didn't tell me about the drug ahead of time. There are other ones they could use. Versed does not work well at all for some come to find out. Some people do great with it, but others can have really horrible experiences. I am going to specifically ask the doctor to give me something else for my lap.
Bambi, best wishes on your upcoming surgery!! Hope all goes well, we can commiserate with one another!! Fingers crossed all will go well for the both of us! ;D
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