Q: Maybe you can help me. I had a colonoscopy about a year ago and haven’t been the same since. The doctor put too much air in me. I returned to the hospital for five more hours after the procedure with pain from my lower left side up to the back of my neck. They took a test and X-rays of my main organs. I was given morphine and sent home.
In the last year and a half I had five heart tests, stress test and physical therapy. I’m on Metoprolol 50 mg once a day because my doctor says I am not getting enough oxygen to my heart. I’ve always been a very healthy person; never get headaches and maybe have had five colds my whole life. I’m physically strong for 72 years young and always take good care of myself.
Please tell me if all that air could damage my insides and is it permanent. I am not overweight, the nurse told me I did better on my stress test than some young men do and the physical therapist says I was the fifth person to his office after a colonoscopy. There has to be something to it.
A: And indeed there is. But first for those individuals who may not have undergone the procedure, I will clarify what you have been through. A colonoscopy is a test that allows a physician to view the inner lining of the rectum and colon to help identify cancerous lesions, polyps, tumors, abnormal growths, bleeding and inflammation. If anything appears suspicious, the physician may choose to take a tissue sample for biopsy or surgically remove any abnormal growths. A colonoscope, the instrument used, is between 48 and 72 inches long and has a small camera attached that will provide the information he or she is looking for. Air is inserted through the colonoscope which will provide a better view and suction may be used in addition to remove feces or fluids.
Prior to the procedure, the individual will be required to cleanse the colon, a process that takes between one and two days depending on the type of preparation recommended. This may include enemas, laxatives and a liquid diet only for about two days. For many individuals, they find the preparation much more trying than the actual procedure. An IV will be started and medication will be given to help the patient relax and reduce pain. There may be a feeling of pressure, cramping and abdominal bloating that should resolve with the help of medication and the simple passing of gas.
Virtual colonoscopy is a technique used by some physicians which utilizes CT scanning. Preparation is essentially the same, the tube used is inserted into the anus and air is injected into the colon. While this procedure is used in some instances, it has its limitations. It does not allow for removal of any polyps that may be found, cannot differentiate between normal and abnormal lesions, and may not identify premalignant lesions or polyps less than 5 mm in size. Further, virtual colonoscopy has the disadvantage of radiation, while still another option, MRI virtual colonoscopy, is radiation-free.
Complications of colonoscopy are rare and occur in less than 5% of cases when performed by trained physicians, however they are a reality and can be debilitating. They may be the result of minor bleeding, perforation or a tear through the wall of the colon, vein irritation where the IV was inserted, rectal bleed, and the persistent feeling of fullness and pain such as you are experiencing. Some individuals continue to have constant bouts of diarrhea unrelated to dietary intake and other reasons.
You should not experience any symptoms – whether from left sided abdominal pain or that which to your physicians appears to be cardiac related — at this late stage. Return to the surgeon that performed your colonoscopy. Demand answers. Then proceed on to a top notch gastroenterologist or surgeon that specializes in colonoscopy who will likely order stool testing, perhaps a CT scan or other testing and who may have some ideas as to how you can begin to lead a normal life.
