OT: Question for Nurses Here

I had a colonoscopy done today as a routine screening because I turned 50.

I talked to 3 people at work and all 3 assured me I would be "out of it" and it would be no big deal.

I birthed 2 sons with natural childbirth and barely used my morphine pump when I had my RNY so I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.  I followed the bowel prep instructions to a "T" and had nothing but yellow liquid coming out his morning.

When they did the procedure, they wheeled me back to the room, asked me my name, DOB, procedure etc, put a shot of medication in my IV and immediately started the procedure.  No way was there time for the drugs to take effect.  I was wide awake the whole time and halfway through was squirming and moaning loudly from the excruciating pain in my abdomen.  The doc had them give me some more medication in my IV.  The pain barely subsided and I finally fell asleep at the very end when it was over.

Is this normal?  If not, who should I complain to so this doesn't happen to someone else?
 

OUCH!!!  I need to have one soon but keep putting it off....this doesn't help!!!!

 OMG Sarah....I am NO nurse....but getting one of those done scares me to death !!!!  I am 56 and have NOT had one yet.   UGH stories like this makes me not want one either.   Prayers going out for you sweetie.   I would call the hospital and complain......no I think I would PHYSICALLY go into the hospital and fill out complaint papers.   Maybe whoever administered the medication to knock you out didn't do it right.   I would also complain to the doctor who did the procedure !!!


Hugs and blessings !~~ Vivian

Vivian!  You need to have a colonoscopy done!  I can recommend some good doctors over at North Hills if you want.  Colon cancer is totally curable if found in its early stages. 

Kathy

HI Kathy,

UGH.....I think what I dread more than anything else is drinking that gunk that you have to drink.    That is the main reason that I haven't had one done yet.    Now I have done it....Pam will get on to me now.  LOL or even worse....Dr. Kim !!!!   I will think about it.   My  hubby  has to get off his strike first.   

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

sarah,

From what I have heard from my Mom and others, that is NOT a normal procedure to be aware and awake.  That is awful.

I would definitely explain what happened to the doctor or the clinic where it was done and ask why that was necessary. 

I'm not a nurse, but whoever was in charge of your anesthesia should be horsewhipped publicly.  You should have been out of it, and not felt or remembered a thing.
Sounds to me like they didn't have the dosing correct on the meds, or someone shorted you, and they should have waited until you were totally out of it to begin.
I'd start at whoever the administrator of the center where you had it done and chew my way up.

I would complain loud and clear to your doctor and also write to the hospital administration.  You should of been given enough IV sedation that you wouldn't feel or remember anything.  I had mine 3 years ago and remember nothing until I got to recovery.  I'm so sorry you had to go thru that.

DITTO what Rachel [bluesun] said!! I'd chew me some ass and hand it back to them. No way you should've felt ANYTHING!

Definitely not normal.  I had this done several years ago and again a couple of months ago.  My doc gives me medication in the IV and by the time I get to the procedure room I am drowsy.  Once there the lights are dim I am fully draped and once I am out he allows family that wants to witness the procedure into the room.  I remember being in the process of being draped and then waking up and it being over.  The only way I know the procedure took place is he provides me with pictures in living color.  He even waits a couple of days and calls me with results because he knows anything he told me after the procedure I would have promptly forgotten.  I would definitely complain to the patient relations person at the clinc.  You could complain to the doctor but since he did the procedure that would probably not do too much good.  If nothing else I would quickly change doctors.  There is no excuse for your being in pain for this procedure.