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Post op Colonoscopy pain

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 6/12/2016 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I am nearing age sixty and have only had 2 colonoscopies. The first was back in the 80's when they did them while you were awake. Afterwards I had severe cramps for several hours. I swore I would never do that again. Then about three years ago they told me they did them different...it would be OK and they talked me into it. Same thing. I feel like I have swallowed broken glass after a colonoscopy. And the excruciating pain goes on for hours. They try to expel as much of the gas as they can get out but I guess that is the cause...or so they say. I told them the only way I would ever do one again is if they would knock me out for a few hours afterwards. Of course they say they can't do that.....has this happened to anyone else out there? Thanks


6-13-16. See update to this post in replies below - thanks

Post Edited (Mary in IA) : 6/13/2016 5:00:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/12/2016 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary, are you saying you have this type of pain 3 years later? If this was 3 yrs ago no, it would not be gas. Makes me wonder if this is something to do with a nerve somehow. I have had more scopes than I can count & will have more in the future because I hae both crohns disease & ulcerative colitis. Both diseases require routine scopes. I have always had light sedation & never remembered a thing when I woke up & certainly no pain afterwards. Mary, you may want to pose your question in the crohns disease forum to see if any of those folks have ever experienced anything like this.

Something you may want to consider is finding yourself a good internist, They tend to look at the body as a whole. When there is a problem they work to find & see what it will take to correct it.

Keep us posted.
Posted 6/13/2016 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had a scope done in December and he had hours of gas pains, they might not have de gassed you. You need to ask or request the de gas afterwards or they will not do it...so very sorry your in such pain.
However, if it comes up clean then there is other testing you can do at home that require you to send in a stool sample...even the head of health in the USA did not get a colonscopy done...its not as safe as they say...But I've heard horror stories of colonscopy and I will put it off until it is safer...
Posted 6/13/2016 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy 10 years ago when I was 66 and it went very well. I was told that it was good for 10 years. I read an article a few months ago that a colonoscopy is not recommended after age 75. I'm now age 76 and I don't plan on having another one.
Posted 6/13/2016 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I am confused in reading this post by the original poster . . .

Are you still experiencing pain as though "swallowing shards of glass" two years post colonoscopy? Or are you describing discomfort of limited duration that dissipated after the procedure but that you are wanting to discuss in case you need to undergo the procedure again?

If you have had "clear" colonoscopy studies, you may not be called upon to have another for 10 years or longer.

As with any invasive test, there are risks associated with a colonoscopy. Some people do not do well with the twilight anesthesia. There is the very real risk of a perforation, especially if you have a condition with long-standing inflammation of the intestinal lining (ex. ulcerative colitis or Chron's disease).

If you have a family history of colon cancer or Lynch syndrome, the colonoscopy remains the best procedure to detect high-grade cellular dysplasia and polyps.

There is a "pill swallow" study enables a visualization of the inside of the intestinal tract. You swallow a capsule with an encapsulated small camera. Images from the camera are transmitted to a laptop for viewing by a radiologist. The images are not as clear as that of a colonoscopy but it is a valid alternative.

And remember, you always have the right to decline a test/procedure that may be recommended to you.
- Karen -
Posted 6/13/2016 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your responses to post colonoscopy pain topic. Sorry I was confusing everyone. I will try to describe this again😊. When I have a colonoscopy they cannot seem to get the gas back out. They tried sucking it out and a bunch of other things. Nothing worked. It took 12 - 15 hours for the excruciating pain to subside with my last colonoscopy. The pain eventually went away but it was just about unbearable until it did. For that reason I will never have one again. I guess there was confusion how I originally posted this. I am not in pain for this three years later. Sorry for being unclear. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had this experience.
Posted 6/14/2016 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary,
I've had this too- had to have a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy a year ago because they were trying to diagnose my chronic pain/stomach and bowel issues and make sure it was "just" IBS. I had the worst pain for two days afterward- and it was all for nothing- they could hardly see anything because the prep didn't work for me. At the time I thought the pain was just to do with the pressure they had put on my system and the related anxiety- but looking back it must've been the gas.
Not sure what can be done apart from declining to do this kind of testing again. As Chartreux said, stool samples are a good alternative.
Posted 6/14/2016 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have multiple endoscopies a year-fun fun fun. I also have had many abdominal surgeries. The left over gas can sometimes be more painful that the surgery itself. When inpatient, as soon as it's remotely possible, they have you up and moving. Often times that gas/pressure will become trapped up at your left shoulder-no clue why. Anyway, as much movement as possible is the only way to lose the pressure. After some of my surgeries, it took about a week.

The Smart Pill is an option, but insurance might fight it. It's used for those areas that can't really by seen by an upper or lower endoscopy. It's a pretty easy test-once you swallow it you carry what looks like a battery pack with you. After 24hrs you return the pack and usually have the results in a couple of weeks. The pill can also be used to study how long it takes stuff to move through your system. I know I had other tests completed with confusing results, so the pill was the next step. I also had to travel a bit to have it done as my local gi did not offer this test.

If you have a history of colon cancer in your family, or have had polyps removed, unfortunately a colonoscopy is probably the best test.
Posted 6/16/2016 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!!!
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