no escape from pain and exhaustion after colonoscopy

[XDjames]

this IBS -and I begin to doubt it’s just that- has been sliding. Two hospital stays in August-elective for minor op and ct scan, then A&E due to faecal impaction and urinary retention as a result, then last Sunday colonoscopy to investigate thickening of colon seen in scan. On the report I noticed that the diagram of my guts didn’t show my right hemicolectomy but taled about inability to get through a flexure I should not have. Three days after (and a day after eating some beef-anniversary dinner) it’s been nonstop pain to varying levels that no meds can get close to touching and very hard to sleep, either minimal sleep without help or longer sleep with horrid head if I take something. Talking to consultant on Tuesday but I am losing the will to exist.

Anyone experience colonoscopy complications?

[SarahJNB]

Sorry to hear about what you’re suffering. And yes I had severe response to colonoscopy preparation- causing blockage and emergency admission to hospital 3 weeks ago. I also had a scan showing a thickening of colon. Surgeon wanted to do emergency surgery and leave me with a stoma - a permanent stoma and all that entails. When pain relief kicked in we decided no to surgery that night but leave it to morning. I was admitted to ward. Overnight I started having diarrhoea and sent messages to surgeon to talk to me before anything else done. After refusing to go to operating theatre surgical team came up to me and we agreed they’d first try to get a camera through and see what causing blockage. I’m sure they thought it was a tumour. But we agreed they would try and pass camera through and if no tumour and could get through they would not operate. That is indeed what happened. So effectively I had a partial colonoscopy. And I can agree with you about the pain throughout this being absolutely terrible including in aftermath of the partial colonoscopy. It’s just so traumatic for the bowels

Now I’m home. I’m really better. No more pain - took about 9 days - more energy etc. but doctors still say I have a stricture which may be permanent. I’m currently on a low fibre diet to ease any stress on the intestines. But I plan to reintroduce fibre slowly in a eeek or so and see how it goes.

Good luck to you

[SarahJNB in reply to SarahJNB]

PS my IBS diagnosis was wrong. Now diagnosed with diverticulosis.

[XDjames in reply to SarahJNB]

Thanks. They keep telling me 'IBS' all the time. Too bad, we can't fix it' move along. I needed a private consultant to bypass the standard GP not (re-)referring route. He's my only option to escape from this hell.

[xjrs]

So sorry to hear that.

The complication from the colonoscopy for me was the fact they couldn't complete it due to a long loopy colon and it would have been too risky to continue, so I had to have a CT virtual colonoscopy instead.

Have you tried any electrically heated pads? When I used to get terrible night time pain at a specific time early hours, I'd go to bed wearing a heated back pad (where I experienced the pain) and I'd put it on as soon as the pain started. The timer would be for 90mins, then I'd put it on again. It did help with the pain. The company I got it from doesn't seem to do the velcro type ones that you can wear anymore, but hopefully there will be others that you can fix to yourself at the point where you feel the pain e.g. with the pad at the front and velcro strapped to the back.

Hope you get to the bottom of all of this . Take care.

[XDjames in reply to xjrs]

Thanks xjrs, no I haven't tried those, I did have a go with a hot water bottle. If you can describe stuff like form factor, how it operates/charges/attaches I might be able to find something equivalent. But, yes good idea, that might get me past the pain before sleep bit and solve a big problem, certainly worth a try as little else seems to work.

Part of my problem is a short colon from 40 years ago. There is suspicion (at least with me) if the join of small and large colon is somehow causing problems. I did have a CT scan which led to the colonoscopy (no 5, no. 3 at the same place but first time with a high-grade specialist nurse). It does make me wonder, as imaging tech is fast progressing, for how long will we actually need the invasive stuff, other than for biopsies and polyps. NHS is rather medieval in some aspects, even CT is (heavily) glorified X-ray. Any medics who are out there please correct me!

[xjrs in reply to XDjames]

The one I used plugged into the mains so I had to use an extension lead. It was from this company, but they don't have the wearable ones anymore:

homefrontproducts.co.uk/ele...

This is like the one I have now:

amazon.co.uk/Relief-Electri...

If your pain is at the front maybe you could wear it back to front. The one above allows you to have it on for 6 hours.

Here are some others (search term: heated pad with velcro):

amazon.co.uk/s?k=heated+pad...

I think I preferred the mains driven ones, so you know they'll be reliable and not run out of charge - just need to check for safety features.

[XDjames in reply to xjrs]

thanks! -I just ordered one on Amazon, should be able to try tonight.

[xjrs in reply to XDjames]

Interesting to hear if it helps. Good luck. Also just noticed it is OK for the abdomen.

[Jayjayvee]

I have a colonoscopy e very two years since I was 50. I'm 74 now. My kidney objected last time ( I lost one to cancer) and I passed brown pee for 24 hours. I did read that colonoscopies are often stopped once you reach 75 because it can cause more problems than it solves. I get pre cancerous polyps but I know they can take 10 years to grow and change. I hadn't heard about Amitryptiline causing dementia. I've been on it for about 8 years for skin sensitivity.