colonoscopy perforation risk

[Flowerytimes]

I saw my PCP and told him there was rectal bleeding and he immediately said I need a colonoscopy. However, the last time I had one I almost got a perforation. The doctor had to stop the procedure. That was a year ago. During the procedure I felt a burning, searing pain which was not normal so I know it was dangerous. Needless to say I am in a dilemma. I want to get this checked out and at the same time I am quite scared of risking another possible perforation. This is due to the fact that my colon is extremely angulated.

Has anyone had a negative experience with a colonoscopy or have a difficult colon? Thank you for replies.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Interesting. This may be the first for this topic. How did you know last time you "almost had a perforation?"

Do you have either one of these?

Tortuous colon: A colon that has an excessive amount of sharp bends

Redundant colon: A colon that has an excessive amount of loops

I see this as a part of solutions for a difficult colonoscopy. For tight angulations or diverticulosis, downsizing to a pediatric or ultrathin colonoscope, an enteroscope, or a gastroscope may be more suitable.

I've even seen some data on a capsule endoscopy pill you swallow to take pics of the entire GI tract. There are some pros and cons with that. But maybe an option?

Please keep us up to speed as you find out and end up doing.

Thank you ... Tom

[Flowerytimes1 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Hi Tom.

I have a tortuous/ angulated colon. The doctor stopped the procedure because he risked perforation he said. Also I felt something stretching like I’ve never felt before. He did use a pediatric scope.

I am scared to do another colonoscopy and have a consultation with a gastroenterologist but not til June, to discuss my situation and next steps. Needless to say I am worried.

[Flowerytimes1 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

I guess my question is what do I do if they can not do a colonoscopy on me and I have a polyp?

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Flowerytimes1]

tony11173 has a good point. You need a way to discover if you do have a polyp. Perhaps a CT colonography is a way to identify if there is a polyp in question that needs to be delt with. If there is, perhaps surgery would be needed to remove it. I'm functioning pretty well with 1/2 the colon I started out with.

I was also thinking if surgery were an option, perhaps removing some of the colon so you don't have a tortuous/ angulated colon any longer for the future? Just thinking out loud there🤔. It is good you have another meeting with your gastro and you should get some goo answers. You definitely have the questions ready to go. I would think you are not the first one in this situation and there are solutions to get you answers and do the screening / surveillance you need done.

[tony11173]

I had virtual CT colonography and then colonoscopy. But of course CT doesn't obtain biopsy. Have you considered asking your Dr about weighing up risks against benefits of procedures / identifying problems, in light of your experience?.

[Flowerytimes1]

thank you both. I have a consultation set with the gastroenterologist I was referred to whom I have never met before, I have all my question on paper ready to go. As he’s the expert I will listen to his recommendations,like as you suggested, do I start with a virtual CT or even a pillcam, or can this doctor handle my kind of situation with a colonoscopy itself straight off.

I have to say, that, in the general public awareness campaign, they act like a colonoscopy is a nothing procedure, and the prep is the worst part. But in fact, the colonoscopy does have a serious risk of perforation, and a good percentage of them are incomplete like mine, for various reasons. Just saying!