Colonoscopy :: Inaccurate Information And How The Sedation Can Make It Worse


Feb 24, 2014

I had a colonoscopy with sedation (midazolam and fentanyl) in Chorley Hospital a few days ago and I still feel as if I had a PTSD. I read the information sheet and expected to be relaxed after sedation, with maybe some discomfort. When I was injected with the drugs (midazolam and fentanyl), I suddenly felt very anxious. I tried to seek reassurance, but the physician was talking to somebody else, busy preparing for gastroscopy. I think it could have helped if somebody asked me how I was at that point. I also had some trouble speaking – I think I was able to speak, but I could not hear myself so it made me feel very strange. Later on I read that difficulty speaking is a side-effect of midazolam. I felt quite intense pain during colonoscopy and the kind student nurse was talking me through it. I recovered well, I think, but I remember the whole procedure (so the amnesia that the leaflet talks about obviously doesn’t happen in every case). Next day I was very irritable and anxious and sick later on.

My main grievance is about lack of information beforehand concerning pain and the nasty side effects of the sedation. The leaflet mentions that you might feel ‘discomfort’. Of course you will feel discomfort – you will have a camera up your bum, what are supposed to feel? There is no ‘may’ about it. However, there is a difference between ‘discomfort’ and ‘pain’ and these words should not be used interchangeably. The leaflet and what you are told by the medical staff makes you believe that you will be drowsy and relaxed while medication works, and then back to normal after. I got quite a shock when I had the anxiety attack after the drug was injected and realized how vulnerable and helpless I was. I was also very unpleasantly surprised at how awful I felt the next day. Had I known this could happen I would have opted for entonox. Unless something changes dramatically in the way they perform colonoscopies, there is no way I’m having another one any time soon.

I would not like to discourage those for whom colonoscopy could be beneficial from having it. However traumatic it is, it is preferable to dying from cancer. However, I think that medical staff are not well trained in empathy (only student nurses seem to have it) and you have to be very assertive with them in order to receive honest information. If you are unlucky enough not to experience post-colonoscopy amnesia, the feeling of being at the mercy of medical people who are inflicting pain on you can be disturbing. It might be preferable to experience the pain whilst being alert and able to speak, and thus having some degree of control.

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Gastroscopy And Colonoscopy With Sedation PLEASE DON'T WORRY

I thought I'd let you know about my experience of a gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation yesterday. I found this web site two days before my procedure and found it really useful.

I was told that I would have to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago and I've been so so worried about it ever since. I have a phobia about being sick so the thought of someone sticking a camera down my throat filled me with dread :shock: ....all that retching HELP!

Anyway I got to the hospital and after a short wait a really friendly nurse called me through to an assessment room. She asked me all the usual health questions. I explained to her that I was so anxious and was really worried about the retching and being sick. She explained that there might be some retching as this is the natural protection process to stop you choking.

The nurse said what might help is the anaesthetic throat spray. She also said that the camera had a little suction tube on it so if there was any fluid in your stomach they could suck it away. I asked if they could give me enough sedation to make me sleep, she said that they are only allowed to use so much, but I would be nice and relaxed and may fall asleep.

I was then asked to change into one of those groovy hospital gowns. The Doctor then came to speak to me and went through the consent form. I told him my fears, he was very sympathetic. He then asked me to walk to the endoscopy room. The doctor asked me if I wanted the throat spray, I said yes please! He told me that the spray may make me feel that there was a lump in my throat but I would still be able to breath and swallow normally. He then put a cannula in my arm and tried to put my mind at rest, he then asked me to lie on my left side. The nurse said she had to put a little sponge in my nose, this gave me oxygen. Also she had to put a tube in my mouth this was a type of mouth guard. The Doctor said that he would now be giving the sedation.

I felt myself relax, the next thing I knew the gastroscopy bit was over and they were nearly finished with the colonoscopy bit, with one of the nurses holding my hand. That was quite interesting as I could watch the screen (if I wanted), there was just one slight bit of discomfort, then I was taken back the to recovery area. The nurses said that I had tolerated both procedures really well. I was so relieved that I could not remember any of the gastroscopy...not even one retch :D ! The nurses then brought me tea and biscuits and shortly after was allowed to go home. I just wished I hadn't worried so much, so I hope you don't either!

I would like to thank the Endoscopy staff at DCH for looking after me so well.

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