Medical Re-traumatized From Colonoscopy

[mrsmegan]

Hi.

I needed to have a screening colonoscopy done - as I have a high risk of polyps/cancer. I had it done yesterday. I was very upfront with the nurses/doctor about my PTSD and concerns - I did not want to wake up at all during the procedure.

I was woken up about 10 seconds too soon - and felt them pulling out the tube and was immediately pummeled memories and flashbacks. Had I not been still feeling the effects of the sedative, I would have probably had a full-blown panic attack.

I am really struggling with feeling re-traumatized by the experience. I did see my T this morning - and was very validating (and equally frustrated) that it would be traumatizing as this is an invasive procedure....

Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Heather]

Sorry that happened @mrsmegan

I had colonoscopy and endoscopy together. I didn't wake up til it was all over.

I can imagine how distressing it would be to wake up while they're pulling the scopes out.

Your feelings are completely understandable.

 

[mrsmegan]

Thanks @Heather I don't know why, but it just really helps to have other people validate my feelings. I still just feel so concerned with knowing my feelings are "okay"

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

Wow, Now I am concerned because my doctor is pushing me to get one done. I guess I am going to have to do the same thing and make sure they don't wake me up.

I am so sorry this happened to you. They really should teach PTSD sensitivity in medical school.

 

[Heather]

Absolutely! @mrsmegan. Your feelings are definitely valid.

Hugs

 

[mrsmegan]

@recoveringfromptsd it really is an important test, and from that perspective I understand why it was necessary. I just wish my advocating for myself would have been taken and handled with extra care :(

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I am sorry that they were careless. I have a similar concern already with a mammogram I have to get to check out a lump I found on my right breast.

 

[Powder]

This is a perfectly normal response to an invasive medical procedure. I hate the feeling when the speculum is being taken out in a vaginal exam, probably because it is a trigger to body memories. I haven't had a panic, but I really don't like even typing this, so yeah.

Of course it's something to work though.

I don't know why you woke up so soon. Usually, there is a while before you wake up. If you were dehydrated, your body could have pulled the IV sedative in really fast and then they may have failed to notice that and put a new one on during, thinking they'd be done and it wouldn't run out? I'm not sure, but unless you have used/abused drugs or take a lot of Rx meds, and your body is very tolerant, it doesn't make sense you woke up.

In other words, PTSD doesn't make people wake up during sedation as a general rule, I don't think. Does it? Maybe I am ignorant of it. I take a long time to wake up.

 

[mrsmegan]

@Muse I'm really confused about your reply. I never claimed that it was my PTSD that caused me to wake up...

They were using a pretty light sedative, not general anesthesia, and I believe that they have a bit more control over it. When I did wake up, they did talk to me, saying it's over now, so they knew I was awake and didn't seem surprised or anything.

 

[Powder]

Yeah, I was wondering why you woke up at that point. How much control do the medical staff have over that?

 

[MoriMermaid]

Hi.

I needed to have a screening colonoscopy done - as I have a high risk of polyps/cancer. I had it...

I didn't think anyone had something like this happen to them. I was getting a colonoscopy done, and I wasn't sedated fully when they did the test. I remember feeling pain in my left pelvic area (where they found a polyp) and then I was out. During that pain, I felt it and wanted to scream that I was awake, but it was like I was paralyzed. Don't really like doctors or going to get medical tests, but I get them done anyway when needed. I'm sorry something like this happened to you.

 

[Powder]

This makes me not want to trust medical procedures. There are risks involved, and then there's the pain risk, too.