When I turned 50, I knew it was time for my first colonoscopy—a milestone most of us face as part of routine preventative care. What I didn’t expect was just how difficult and painful the experience would be. In fact, my traumatic colonoscopy experience left me shaken and searching for answers, which is why I’m sharing what I wish I knew before undergoing the procedure.
If you’re preparing for your first colonoscopy or supporting someone who is, I hope my story helps you feel informed and empowered.
I wasn’t nervous. I had taken my husband for his a few years earlier, and it went smoothly. I knew the prep would be unpleasant, but I expected the actual procedure to be quick and uneventful.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t my experience.
A Note About Me
Before I share the details, I want to be clear: I have a high pain threshold. I had both of my children naturally, without drugs or an epidural. I don’t complain easily. So when I say this colonoscopy was traumatic, I mean it.
The Dreaded Colonoscopy Prep
Let’s talk about the part most people hate—the prep. I was prescribed Moviprep, and drinking it was nauseating. I could barely keep it down. Within an hour, the bathroom trips began. It felt like I’d given myself the worst stomach flu imaginable.
By 3:30 a.m., I had to drink more. More toilet runs. More chills. By the time we left for the hospital at 7:30 a.m., I was completely wiped out and five pounds lighter. (Definitely not a recommended weight loss strategy!)
Ready to Get It Over With—Or So I Thought
At the hospital, everything seemed routine. The staff was kind, my doctor explained everything, and I was tucked under warm blankets with an IV in place. I expected a little nap and to wake up with everything done.
But that’s not what happened.
The Colonoscopy Itself: A Traumatizing Experience
Once the IV sedation took effect, I expected to drift off peacefully. Instead, I found myself trapped in a nightmare of pain. I remember screaming in my mind, “It hurts! Stop! Please stop!” I couldn’t move or wake up, but I was very aware of the pain.
I heard someone ask, “Do you want us to stop?” and I somehow managed to say, “Wait a minute, wait a minute.” I didn’t want to go through all of that prep again. I didn’t want to come back another day.
The pain was intense—on the level of childbirth. Eventually, I must have passed out or the sedation kicked in deeper, because I don’t remember the rest.
The Diagnosis: A Tortuous Colon
After the procedure, in a haze, I was told I have a tortuous colon—which means my colon has extra twists and turns, making the procedure much more difficult and painful.
The doctor recommended general anesthesia for future colonoscopies due to the level of discomfort I experienced.
Emotional and Physical Recovery
Physically, I felt off for several days. Emotionally, I was shaken. I couldn’t believe what I had just gone through. So I did what many of us do—I turned to Google.
What I found was both shocking and comforting. I wasn’t alone. Forums and message boards were full of stories just like mine—people who had experienced extreme pain during colonoscopies, often due to anatomical differences like mine.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing my story not to scare you away from colonoscopies, but to offer honest insight into an experience that is rarely talked about.
I absolutely believe in preventative care. Colonoscopies save lives, and I’m grateful to have a clean bill of health for the next ten years. But I do think patients deserve full transparency—especially when there’s a chance for unusual pain or complications.
If I had known my anatomy might make this more difficult, I would have had a different conversation with my doctor beforehand. And I would have opted for general anesthesia from the start.
Be Your Own Health Advocate
If you’re over 50, please don’t skip your colonoscopy. But do advocate for yourself:
- Ask your doctor about the risks of pain, especially if you’ve had painful procedures in the past.
- Tell them if you have a low tolerance for sedation or suspect issues like a tortuous colon.
- Request general anesthesia if needed. You have the right to ask for comfort and care.
Final Thoughts From a Coach Who Cares
As a personal trainer and health coach with over 30 years of experience, I’m passionate about helping adults over 50 live stronger, healthier lives.
This experience reminded me that even strong people need support. And that sometimes, we learn the hard way so we can share and protect others.
You’ll find regular updates from me on Instagram where I share practical fitness, healthy aging tips, and real-life experiences—just like this one.
If this post helped you feel seen or informed, I’d love it if you subscribed to the blog. Let’s navigate healthy aging together—honestly and openly.
Stay strong!
So sorry to read about your experience and glad I could offer my story to help you and others that don't have a positive experience with colonoscopy. At the very least, a tortuous colon diagnosis has been made and helpful for future treatment. Be well and Stay Healthy.
My experience was almost exactly like yours. I went into the OR thinking the same thing, nice nap wake up all good. I had an EGD and colonoscopy, first the IV went into my vein and the Dr. Looked at me and aaid you are still awake I’m like yeah(nodding) as the mouth guard was in. I guess they hit me with more meds and proceeded the EGD I was gagging and almost thought I was going to vomit.., finally done and they moved onto colonoscopy. I started screaming in pain as they moved up to the left side of my colon. The RN was pushing on my stomach as hard as they do to get your placenta out, any mom will know how that feels. They did ask if they should continue and like you I said yes I wanted to know why I had diarrhea for two months. After the procedure obviously I went to recovery but I didn’t need it as I was awake the entire time. Diagnosed with a tortuous colon the dr. said they were quite aggressive in getting the scope around one turn. Fast forward I was extremely bloated the same afternoon and for almost 6 days post. I did go to the hospital the next two days, to be told my colon was not happy with what went on and I probably had gas. I took Ovol for almost a week and no real expelling of gas. I believe I was swollen due to my colon being aggravated so much. I missed a week of work and still cannot wrap my head around missing an entire week for a simple procedure! I too was disappointed that I wasn’t made aware that I could have such severe pain and bloating after the procedure. I realize every patient is different but still it IS a possibility. Thank you for sharing your story. At least I know I wasn’t going crazy and I wasn’t the only one.
Hi BB and sorry to hear about your experience. I am glad you are seeing a therapist and hope this brings about the healing you need. My suggestion is that you speak with your physician about other preventative options/screening in the future. Take good care and Stay Healthy!
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Darla and everyone else. I just had a very similar experience this week. I was semi-sedated, but came out of the procedure in extreme pain. My stomach and insides have hurt for days. I called the endoscopy office three times before they admitted that I had a curved colon and small abdomen and that it was very hard to navigate and that my body was manipulated. I was on versed and still feel like I know what happened, but can't articulate it. I've been crying, depressed, angry, and feeling violated since. I am taking Xanax for the first time in my life and seeing a therapist next week. Wishing all of us mental and physical healing.
Sorry to hear about your colonoscopy experience. I do understand what you are going through. You're not alone. Reading forums was helpful for me to get through the PTSD from the event. I recommend diving into those and sharing your experience as you've done here. When you are in a position of no control of what's happening it feels scary and dreamlike. It may also be helpful to speak to your physician or seek professional counseling. Coming to terms with having a tortuous colon also provided relief. I will be able to be in control of future procedure protocols. Take one day at a time and glad you have taken time off. Again, you're not alone and feel supported in that you will be OK. Be well and Stay Healthy ~ Darla
I just had mine on Monday and it was the worse expierence of my life and I am still crying a few days later.
I went in informed and a trooper as I have had my surgery so in the past. I also told them that I have a high tolerance to pain medication and that it would take a lot to knock me out. No worries they said you will be taken care of.
I had to have a Scope and Colonoscopy and they did the scope first…okay not so bad…it was gaggy but not painful.
They had given me 100mg of fentenly and 5 Versed and even though it was uncomfortable I remained awake and still a trooper.
It was the colonoscopy that changed the game….they went in and I was crying and screaming for them to stop, I also know it wasn't possible but I was awake…the nurse was told to give me 50 fentynol and 2 Versed and that didn't work at all I was completely awake…doc tells her to give me Benadrryl and I said why I am not having an allergy attach….
I was last patient of the day and I think they hurried me….I was shelled out wide awake and after 10 minutes the doctor came out and spoke to me.
I too have a tortours bowel and he said it was extremely difficult with all the loops…well he didn't have to tell me I felt it all..like someone with a metal prod ripping at my insides.
I was given a juice and then as fast as I was out I was asked if I was ready to go…what should I say so I said is my family waiting for me…they told me they were in the waiting room…they were not there…
I am now suffering spurts of crying that I can't understand…I am crying as I write this. I feel like it's post tramatic stress and I have taken the week off work…I tried to go to work two days later and broken down bawling so my boss drove me home…I feel alone but reading your experience has helped me a bit
Sorry to hear about your horrible experience and I understand how it could instill fear to not pursue further testing. It sounds like you may also have a tortuous colon which would require specialized testing procedures. I plan to put in the research and have several discussions with docors before going through this again. Take good care and Stay Healthy!
I also feel betrayed and lied to. I am 65 yo, and was tortured with a sigmoidoscopy some 15 years ago by a VERY CALLOUS MD. A sig. Is much less than a colonoscopy, and the attending nurse told me I should have been sedated. ……… thank you for being an advocate, nurse. I sense the MD had some big tuition bills due for kids in private college, and a squirming, tortured patient wasn't going to stop his jamming of that scope up my very twisty colon. So, whenever I have a physical, I always decline and always have a flashback to that torture. I guess that's like PTSD. And my pain tolerance is high. NEVER AGAIN!!
I am so sorry to hear about your negative colonoscopy experience. I, too, had a bad experience that I was not expecting, and ended up traumatized for months. It would have helped if the doctor & staff had shown even the slightest bit of compassion, or returned my call when I just wanted an explanation. I feel betrayed and trust is gone.
thanks for your feedback Linda. Since the procedure I received my official report and it did come back as patient tolerated procedure poorly, and I have been diagnosed with a long tortuous colon. This is a rare genetic condition that I am now aware of and can proceed with alternative avenues in the future, to include as you mentioned a better anesthesia for my body. Take good care and Stay Healthy
You had the wrong type of anesthesia. Next time you should find a physician who administers Propofol for colonoscopies. I have had it AND professionally administered it as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and this would NOT have happened.