I had a very painful flexible Sigmoidoscopy yesterday . I was offered gas and air no help at all . 5 years ago I had a colonoscopy with sedation not a problem . I had to stop the Sigmoidoscopy as I could not stand the pain after 10 mins . Never again unless I can have sedation . I now have to back to see the surgeon as it was not completed . Has anyone had this problem , and what happened next . NHS
I had a very painful sigmoidoscopy about 15 yrs ago. No sedation as it was not seen as needed. I am in the US. After it was done and the doctor left the room, the attending nurse that I definitely should have been sedated.
It was done just for screening at age 50. I will never go back for another or for a colonoscopy as I don't trust what doctors say. Luckily, I have no family history of such cancers, and none of the risk factors. I'll take my chances. And if anyone tells me I should, then I will just respond that they "should" also have a very active lifestyle, maintain a proper weight, ate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, to reduce his risk as well.
I did have a negative Cologuard some 2 yrs ago, though, and that is very accurate (even colonoscopies have a "miss" rate of 12-19% of polyps according to NIH studies).
I can empathize (and sympathize as I have been through the same!!) with the pain. Of course, the doctors say it may be just a bit "uncomfortable."
Some defend the doctors by saying that it is OK to lie to just get patients in regardless, but what about those like me who basically now TOTALLY mistrust what doctors say without my own research.
Hi there. I had a very painful sigmoidoscopy 2 yrs ago and like you, I had to tell the doctor to stop after about 5 mins as the pain was excruciating. i thought I would be ok after giving birth to my kids over the years. I was told that sedation was not needed as it was a minor procedure. Anyway the test being incomplete, the hospital then sent me an appointment for a colonoscopy which I obviously called and cancelled. I am now just going to take my chances, never again will I go back for either a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy unless they start doing the procedure by putting patients out completely. I do sympathise with you though as at the back of your mind there is still the niggling little worry that something might be amiss but at least I am still here 2 yrs later, so fingers crossed. Hope things go OK for you
Bonjour Catgirlshirt. Je suis désolé que vous ayez ressenti cette douleur terrible, qui arrive à la plupart des personnes ayant subi une sigmoidoscopie flexible. J’ai eu une sédation, et franchement, cela n’a fait aucune différence sur la douleur, et même si j’ai crié pour que l’infirmière arrête, elle ne l’a pas fait. C’était un cauchemar, et si j’étais à votre place, je demanderais une coloscopie, qui n’implique pas l’introduction de sondes dans le rectum. C’est une bonne alternative, mais elle ne peut pas retirer de polypes si cela est nécessaire. J’ai également été informé par une amie infirmière spécialiste en endoscopie que si vous rencontrez des problèmes, ils peuvent vous sédater suffisamment pour que vous ne soyez pas conscient de la procédure – demandez à votre médecin ou à votre spécialiste. Cela peut dépendre de votre lieu de résidence.
Hi thanks for your reply, sounds like u had a nasty experience like me . I live in derbyshire , not sure what I am going to have gone waiting now for letter from my surgeon . Don't think I could go through that again unless I was knocked out .
Hi there again, I too live in Derbyshire and when I had mine 2 yrs ago I had it done at Queens Hospital in Burton on Trent. As I said in my previous message there is no way I will go back for either a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy unless they knock me out. I will just take my chances
I had a flexible sig yesterday. I was petrified for days before, worrying about it. I worried about the home enema - would I mess that up etc., plus, the blurb that came with the appointment indicated that some people might experience some 'discomfort' during the procedure, and that Entinox (Gas and Air) could be made available upon request. Since I had a hysteroscopy (scope inside the uterus) carried out a year ago at another hospital (Oldham Royal) that left me traumatised - no sedation or gas offered whilst they hoovered out several polyps - I would go for the Sig determined to have the Entinox. After all, Entinox alone had seen me through two natural births in the past - surely it would help with the Sig?
Firstly, the home enema. I managed to administer OK. It was awkward but not difficult. It took about half an hour before I felt the need to use the toilet. And I went three times in quick succession. A bit of a shock to the system (palpitations and seat) but my bowels were certainly emptied.
Now on to the hospital, the staff at Rochdale Infirmary were great. Very understanding. I was instructed to start using the Entinox as soon as I got on the table and they didn't start the procedure until I was pretty high on the Gas. I found the initial rectal digital exam to be totally painless, as was the first part of the procedure. But within minutes the 'discomfort' outlined in the blurb (and the pre-procedural chat with staff) turned into something I would describe as severe discomfort i.e. pain. Even though I was sucking in the Gas and panting, my toes were curling and I was gripping the sheets. It felt like the worst, sudden stomach upset ever. God awful cramps and nausea. I broke into a sweat and cried out several times. To their credit the team were very reassuring, soothing and on hand - encouraging me to breathe more Gas etc and I allowed them to continue. Seems the pain is caused by the air they use to inflate the areas and kinks in the bowel as they move the scope along it, but it felt really horrible and painful
It's a relief at the end when they tell you the scope is on the way out - although the turning of the scope back on itself to look around the rectum was another white-knuckle moment I'd prefer not to experience again.
I was so relieved to hear that nothing untoward was found. I would encourage my friends to have it done when they are offered it. And to opt for the Gas... lots of it. As much as they can inhale, both before and during the procedure/ordeal.
I read this site last night, before having a flexible sigmoidoscopy today. I have to say the accounts given by different contributors made me very anxious indeed. I respect. that this procedure may be very uncomfortable or even painful for some people, depending upon the sedation and pain control available and other factors – for example the experience of the person performing the procedure.
I just wanted to share that my experience at the endoscopy unit at the Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield was a very positive one. I explained to the nurse and doctor looking after me that I was very anxious about the procedure and I asked for the maximum sedation and pain relief to be administered before the procedure began. They were fine about agreeing to my request and the whole procedure took place very quickly with no discomfort or pain whatsoever.
My main suggestion to others, who are anxious or frightened, would be to explain this to staff at the outset and to ask for sedation and pain relief as I did. I was feeling very vulnerable because I was on a suspected cancer pathway and I cannot thank the staff at the Hallamshire Hospital enough for their kindness and professionalism.
I do hope this helps others who are worried.