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I had a virtual colonoscopy a few weeks ago. The prep ...

Sent to Health Experts April 23 2006 at 9:54 AM
   

I had a virtual colonoscopy a few weeks ago. The prep was awful, and I was in the bathroom all day. I think I went over 25 times and my anal area was quite sore. The tech was very rough and initially inserted the probe and cuff and hit my prostate. Ouch!

Then, when she told me to relax, the cuff slipped out when I was on my stomach. She tried to reinsert it but couldn't get a good angle and hit my inner anal tissue several times before getting the right angle. It was brutal!

I had intense internal pain for two days, and saw a doctor for an exam. She said I had an external hemorrhoid, probably caused by the procedure.

The doctor at the scaning center is claiming that I MUST of had the hemorrhoid already and the procedure could have irritated it but not caused it. I've looked online and I've seen some references to undue manipulation or pressure on the rectum or anus as a possible cause for a hemorrhoid.

Where can I find out about this? I'm sick of this doctor blaming me for the problem.

 

Optional Information:
Male , Age: 55

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
April 23 2006 at 10:03 AM (9 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Unfortunately, this is similar to "What came first? The Chicken or the egg?"

Having worked in the colonoscopy lab for a number of years I have had several patients complain of hemorrhoids after a procedure as the prep is certainly harsh and irriating to say the least.

As the tech was a bit rough and combined with the prep and constant running to the bathroom, this is the ideal scenario for a hemorrhoid to occur.

The causes of hemorrhoids include genetic predisposition (weak rectal vein walls and/or valves), straining during bowel movements, and too much pressure on the rectal veins due to poor posture (it is well known that hemorrhoids are very rare in nations where people squat to deffecate) or muscle tone. Constipation, chronic diarrhea, poor bathroom habits (sitting for unusually long periods of time [e.g. reading on the toilet] or excessive cleaning attempts), pregnancy, postponing bowel movements, and fiber-deprived diet can also contribute.

I have to say it was a combination of both the procedure and the prep, leaning toward the roughness of the tech as a definite contributing factor.   Unfortunately, this is also a no win situation. The physician will undoubtedly say that you were predisposed.

Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
Reply
April 23 2006 at 10:17 AM (13 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deborah's Post: Thanks for responding. Will I get any others on this site? I'm not sure how ti works.

This doctor has argued that we could not find any articles or studies to support my view. Are there other sources I could look up?

Thanks!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 23 2006 at 10:26 AM (9 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
You could search hemorrhoids and read what there is to say. Basically, if there is already a weakening of the vein, then the trauma of the insertion of the instrument compounded by the prep would invariably increase the chances a hemorrhoid would occur.


I would venture to say that articles related to the treatment of the hemorrhoid to relieve any pain would prove easier to find than if the procedure itself was the primary cause.

Are you considering suing this physician? The reason I ask is because a lawyer would have to hire a medical expert to provide evidence. You could always make a consult for an opinion to a colorectal surgeon and see what his or her opinio is.



Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
Reply
April 23 2006 at 10:50 AM (24 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deborah's Post: He initially said he might cover the treatment costs beyond what my insurance coverage. As I have a high deductable policy (42,500) because I'm rarely sick, he now refuses to cover the costs of only $270.00 or so. He has claimed that they COULD NOT have caused the problem and that I MUST have had the hemorrhoid already, even if I didn't know it and they never asked or did any kind of exam.

I think he's a jerk. Both he and his tech have said I had weak muscles (silly), hemorrhoids already, that I am old enought to have them, etc., always trying to avoid responsibility.

Tha fact that you have seen this is not a surprise to me.

Most of the onine stuuu has the old standards of hemorrhoid causes, like the ones you listed.

I guess I need a colo person. Any on this site?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 23 2006 at 11:03 AM (13 minutes and 45 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I have seen it, I can not count on how many times a patient has called to say "Wow! what did you guys do to me? I have a bad case of hemorrhoids"

I am also willing to bet that another doctor may give you the same info-- "oh, you probably were predisposed to it and the procedure exacerbated it" If you go for a second opinion, go out of town. Most doctors will not give an opinion on a procedure performed by another local doctor.

SOme babies develope hemorrhoids as a result of constipation. Doctors have various opinions on how they occur.

I can not think of any other websites.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them.htm



1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
Reply
April 23 2006 at 11:12 AM (8 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deborah's Post: Thanks for the info. I know this is probably more time than you plan to spend for the fee. I wish the site explained more about the fees and who I can talk to, etc.

Because you've seen this problem before, Can I reach you again sometime?

Steve
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 23 2006 at 11:18 AM (5 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Sure not a problem, I am glad to help. Just click on my name in the question and you can mail me.

This is just one of those things that no doctor will stick his neck out to admit.

Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
Reply
May 1 2006 at 5:43 AM (7 days and 18 hours later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
Although Deborah was helpful, I wanted to know if there were other medical people that could add their insight, especially any Doctors or Gastroenterologists that might be on your site.

Steve
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 1 2006 at 5:53 AM (10 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

chech the personal message I sent you.

A thrombosis such as you describe I have read is usually related to a SPECIFIC EVENT, eg, physical exertion, straining with constipation, a bout of diarrhea etc. These are acute, painful events. Pain results from rapid distension of innervated skin by the clot and surrounding edema.

Deann



Edited by deannsimmons on May 1 2006 at 6:00 AM
Reply
May 1 2006 at 6:24 AM (31 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deann Simmons's Post: thanks. I agree that this came immediately after the prep and procedure, most of which was painful. Do you know of any literature, studies, or cause-and-effect I can quote? That's really what I need. This Dr. is posting against me, continuing to argue that they didn't cause the problem.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 1 2006 at 7:31 AM (1 hour and 7 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

I wiil look.

Deann

Reply
May 1 2006 at 8:09 AM (37 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deann Simmons's Post: Thanks again but my procedure was a virtual one--there is no sedation for that. The problem came from inserting the probe, and doing it several times to find the right angle, after the rather tissue irritating prep. I would really lkie to hear from a gastroenterologist who might know more. What I really need is someone in that field.

Thanks!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 1 2006 at 8:15 AM (6 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids
Reply
May 1 2006 at 8:19 AM (3 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deann Simmons's Post: I was already aware fo that site. It didn't have any relevant info to my situation.

Thanks!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 2 2006 at 7:24 AM (23 hours and 5 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
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May 2 2006 at 9:19 AM (1 hour and 55 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
Any Gastroenterologists or people experienced with virtual colonoscopy on this site who can answer my question?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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