Large Intestine Was Too Swollen To Finish Colonoscopy

[ravenwoodglass]

I am so disappointed and so angry. I had my endo and colonoscopy done today. They used sedatives and versed. I was quite awake when the procedure started and got to hear my doc saying more versed over and over. I remember quite a bit of pain but then the versed fortunatlely kicked. He had to end up stopping the procedure because of the discomfort of it because my intestines were so swollen that he couldn't get the scope very far in. I was barely cognizant when they stated the endo and only remember them spraying my throat.

He did take biopsies with the endo although since I have been gluten-free for almost 5 years they better be normal. He also found an ulcer.

He wants me to go into the hospital to redo the colonoscopy under general anesthia. I really, really don't want to do that prep again. The drink was fine, not pleasent but get throughable but the double dose of laxitive made for an all night painful and restless experience. I almost forgot how bad it was before I was diagnosed.

All this and still no real answers to the bleeding or the mass, if that is what it is.

Thanks for letting me vent and has anyone else had to have them stop a colonoscopy because they couldn't be inserted far enough or is this a case of lucky me?

[Lisa]

Oh gosh...I am so sorry that it was so unpleasant for you. Especially after we all told you that is was a breeze. Take the rest of the day and get a good nap.

Hope you find some answers soon.

Lisa

[jerseyangel]

I'm so sorry about what happened. You poor thing, you went through all that for almost nothing.

Try and get some rest now--I can only imagine how crummy you feel!

And my apologies for making it sound so simple--I guess "we're all different" applies to this type of thing, too

[DingoGirl]

Gosh, that is awful. But just a couple of things - - I was under full sedation for my endo and colonoscopy....and not in a hospital but a facility where they do these procedures all the time. Wonder why they didn't do this for you?

Also - - double laxative? Not here - -- drank a small container of Fleet's Phosophosoda, twice, late afternoon and then before bed, mixed in some juice and accompanied by a large glass of water. At 7 a.m. - - - well, it came out like a fire hydrant. I've never heard of the laxative usage before - -

If he DOES have to try it again, can you ask for the phosphosoda? and full sedation is MUCH better, in my opinion......

really curious though, that it was too swollen.....hope he can figure that out soon. Keep us posted. I would be extremely annoyed myself.....

[dlp252]

Egads, that sounds horrific!!! I'm so sorry!

[ravenwoodglass]

They did the procedure in an outpatient surgical facility. I talked to hubby a few minutes ago cause I thought he would remember more than I did. He said the doctor said I had multiple ulcers in my stomach and he did take some biopsies of the duodenum. DH said the doc said that in addition to the swelling that doc said I have a lot of adhesions, that was actully why they couldn't take the scope any farther. Looks like I may have some laproscopic surgery in my future. Well I am off to bed. For those of you that said everything was pretty easy, please don't feel bad about that. I have actually heard some horror stories that would make your blood curdle about some folks experience. Compared to them this was not so bad. I just wish I had some answers. At the follow up I am going to ask if an MRI might be possible rather than another colonoscopy, but if I need intestinal surgery at least if they go with the colonoscopy it might be able to be done at the same time.

[chrissy]

is there anything in particular they suspect and are looking for? my sister has ulcerative cholitis and just recently i heard her mention something about her colon becoming swollen sometimes because of it. she has bleeding from it, too. just thought i would mention it------

[JNBunnie1]

Oh, raven, you poor thing that's awful. I had one done to test for damage and Celiac a few years ago (I hadnt been sick long enough for the Celiac to be pos and I'm certainly not trying again!) But they gav me Versed and Fentanyl, I was awake as well. These drugs are called 'twilight sedation' and quite rarely will they use true 'general anesthesia' for a procedure in which nothing is being cut. People usually only think they've had general anesthesia because they can't remember what happened, these are designed to be amnesiac drugs. You and I seem to be part of the lucky few that don't get the amnesia effect. It's really unpleasant to be awake while someone's sticking a tube up your butt, and it must have been much more painful for you.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I have decided I will definately not be undergoing any kind of procedure again any time soon, read for years and years. I wanted to find out what is causing the GI bleeds with glutenings or the one time I have had food poisoning since diagnosis and if it is related to the fact that 'my intestines are in the wrong place'. I have decided it is just not that important unless the bleeds come without being ill or the 'big lumpy' feeling starts to get painful. I will go for the followup, if for no other reason than to tell this doctor what I think of him lying to me about being under anesthesia when he did the procedure. I still feel pretty 'beat up' today and some minor bruising is making me wonder if I was strapped or held down for the endo. My visible bruises take a day or two to show up and it doesn't really matter anyway.

I guess all I can do is go back to my 'stay away from all processed foods' mind set and whenever I want that Cheeto or Dorito, or that jelly bean, nut or rice crisp that have a 'made in a facility blah, blah' note I will think of yesterday.

If I can't trust doctors or mainstream food at least I know I can trust myself as long as I wash that meat, canaloupe, bean or banana before I eat it.

[Rachel--24]

Thanks for letting me vent and has anyone else had to have them stop a colonoscopy because they couldn't be inserted far enough or is this a case of lucky me?

My colonoscopy was "incomplete" because the scope couldnt be inserted all the way. The Dr. didnt say anything about swelling....he said it was due to a sharp turn in my intestines which the scope couldnt get past.

I had posted (last year) asking others if this had ever happened to them....I got a few responses that it had....so I didnt worry. I never went back to try again...it wasnt too much fun the first time around and the Dr. said everything had looked good as far as he could see and it was up to me if I wanted to repeat it....which I didnt.

What happened with your exam may have been different since the Dr. saw swelling. If the Dr. had wanted me to come back and repeat or if he felt it was important....then I would have done it. It sounds like you've already made up your mind about not getting it done...I would just be worried if it were something serious though...especially with the bleeding.

The prep was the worst part for me too but I dont regret having had it done.

[debmidge]

My colonoscopy was "incomplete" because the scope couldnt be inserted all the way. The Dr. didnt say anything about swelling....he said it was due to a sharp turn in my intestines which the scope couldnt get past.

I was wondering what the GI does if the intestine has adhesions which make the intestine have sharp turns and go in other directions.....

[ravenwoodglass]

I was wondering what the GI does if the intestine has adhesions which make the intestine have sharp turns and go in other directions.....

If needed they do laproscopic surgery and cut the adhesions, which are scar tissue, in order to free the organ that is effected. They usually do this if the adhesions are causing a stricture like forming around the bowel and narrowing it or if the adhesions are 'linking' organs that should not be linked, and I'm sure there are other reasons. Unfortunately they usually grow back, sometimes worse than they were before the initial freeup.