"Colonoscopy was horrendous"

I am no stranger to unpleasant, upsetting, invasive etc. procedures, and I knew this was not going to be fun. The gastroscopy wasn't great but the colonscopy in October 12 was horrendous. Very painful and again this is an area I'm usually quite stoic about.

I don't think the drug worked for me as I understand its main benefit is amnesia so preventing you remembering, therefore resulting in no trauma.

Not! 'though I know that happens. What I found difficult is that the staff just seemed too blase about it; I suppose they figured I wouldn't remember so wth. That's how it seemed to me, anyhow. They were not particularly sympathetic and no one seemed to want to say a word to me in after care.

I've nursed myself so I do get the other side of the story but if someone had had this experience under my care I would have been very concerned for their distress.

I wonder how many staff in this unit have had a colonoscopy? ! I also feel they are over relying on that most people do not remember it. I feel they need to remember that some people DO remember and find it very difficult.

I kept apologizing too for making such a fuss and nobody really bothered to respond to that.

Fair enough they did give me Entenox too which helped a little and they did tell me in informed consent process that some people do find it very painful.

But overall I felt they could have demonstrated more sympathy.

I know it's tough for staff, I really do. I am the one who is usually defending NHS staff when people moan. But over a year later I still have upsetting memories of this.

Could do better and need to be reminded that some patients do not forget their experience!