It has taken me a couple of weeks to prepare this highly scientific post about piles banding (haemorrhoid ligation, for those who prefer to use proper terms) because I wasn’t quite sure how to approach it.
Thank you for sharing this. I had a colonoscopy last year. Several people who’d had it said it wasn’t at all painful & they hadn’t had sedation. And I REALLY wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. So, no sedation. First two seconds, I marvelled at how pink and clean it was up there. Then the sadist with the camera met a bend and rammed the camera round it. I watched my blood pressure go from normal to 50/20, as I gasped out “I’d like sedation now, please…” my veins are notoriously difficult to get a venflon into. This nurse was an absolute expert, it took her less than a second as blessed relief washed over me. I was semi conscious for the next ten minutes, i could feel the pushing and shoving going on, but was very detached. I managed to walk out after 15 minutes sitting down.
If anyone tells you a colonoscopy is painless, this statement isn’t true. And all the people who’d told me it was, said oh, I had an injection, but I wasn’t sedated …🙄
Nobody,ever, is going up there unless I’m unconscious. I still haven’t seen more than the first 3” in my bowel. I’ve sort of lost that interest. I have diverticulosis, I now work on keeping it from becoming diverticulitis. So far, so good.
I could’ve written this, except I didn’t have banding I had the full hemorrhoidectomy shabang. And then found out they left my ‘skin tag’. Literally the reason I went to the dr. It’s big, it definitely ‘fills up’ during a flare up and makes me feel really crap. When I spoke to the consultant after the surgery (and could actually move again without crying) SHE said she’d cut others away that covered almost the full circumference so obviously couldn’t continue to the skin tag and compete the full circle without my arsehole dropping out. Whaaaa?!
So like you I said goodbye to friends I didn’t know I had, and had an agonising (emergency csec and forceps deliveries a walk in the park by comparison) few weeks for nothing. It was ten years ago but the memory is still fresh. Also no pain relief!
My banding 15 years ago under GA was horrific. First time I went to the loo at home I screamed like I did giving birth to a 10lb 9oz baby (which is what GAVE me the piles!). Husband was so scared by screaming he got my close friend to go into loo and hold my hand. Had to tell neighbour not to worry about screaming. I was a nurse and still couldn't manage pain. GP not helpful. Went back to work too soon after 10 days still bleeding. Became anaemic. Took 8 months to recover. Subsequently became a palliative care nurse. Well done for sharing Ruth!
I am so sorry that you've had to go through this. A colorectal surgeon told me to not go through something similar due to how painful it would be and because it wasn't guaranteed to actually resolve the problem. He was a private surgeon so could have advised me to go ahead and charged me huge amounts of money.
This is known misogynistic behaviour by men and women in the NHS where women are pressured or ignored regarding their pain management. This is a good summary of the state of play:
Also it’s worthwhile reading the Women and Equalities Committee recommendations that have not been implemented (link in the KF piece). But, you know, they do keep on printing those brochures!
Would you consider making a formal complaint to the Practice Manager? You have documented your experience so well.
Why on earth didn’t your surgeon deal with the skin tag whilst he was in the neighbourhood? It’s like pothole repairers who ignore a foot-deep new arrival right next to them just because it hasn’t been marked with spray paint at the recce visit two weeks ago! 🤦🏻♀️
I apologise for my unseemly, constant laughter at your expense, Ruth. But heavens, only you coud make such a dire experience hilarious. Does the NHS deliberately torture people? There is no way you would not get sedation in a public hospital, here as I can attest after umpteen colonoscopies. (Australia)
Dear god can you find yourself some humane care please!
Thank you for sharing this. I had a colonoscopy last year. Several people who’d had it said it wasn’t at all painful & they hadn’t had sedation. And I REALLY wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. So, no sedation. First two seconds, I marvelled at how pink and clean it was up there. Then the sadist with the camera met a bend and rammed the camera round it. I watched my blood pressure go from normal to 50/20, as I gasped out “I’d like sedation now, please…” my veins are notoriously difficult to get a venflon into. This nurse was an absolute expert, it took her less than a second as blessed relief washed over me. I was semi conscious for the next ten minutes, i could feel the pushing and shoving going on, but was very detached. I managed to walk out after 15 minutes sitting down.
If anyone tells you a colonoscopy is painless, this statement isn’t true. And all the people who’d told me it was, said oh, I had an injection, but I wasn’t sedated …🙄
Nobody,ever, is going up there unless I’m unconscious. I still haven’t seen more than the first 3” in my bowel. I’ve sort of lost that interest. I have diverticulosis, I now work on keeping it from becoming diverticulitis. So far, so good.
I vote for a new pamphlet with the headline “ give birth to a massive cactus”
I could’ve written this, except I didn’t have banding I had the full hemorrhoidectomy shabang. And then found out they left my ‘skin tag’. Literally the reason I went to the dr. It’s big, it definitely ‘fills up’ during a flare up and makes me feel really crap. When I spoke to the consultant after the surgery (and could actually move again without crying) SHE said she’d cut others away that covered almost the full circumference so obviously couldn’t continue to the skin tag and compete the full circle without my arsehole dropping out. Whaaaa?!
So like you I said goodbye to friends I didn’t know I had, and had an agonising (emergency csec and forceps deliveries a walk in the park by comparison) few weeks for nothing. It was ten years ago but the memory is still fresh. Also no pain relief!
And thank you for sharing and posting! Hopefully you’ll prevent needless pain for other women xx
Why couldn’t the surgeon have removed the skin tag as well? Very odd.
My banding 15 years ago under GA was horrific. First time I went to the loo at home I screamed like I did giving birth to a 10lb 9oz baby (which is what GAVE me the piles!). Husband was so scared by screaming he got my close friend to go into loo and hold my hand. Had to tell neighbour not to worry about screaming. I was a nurse and still couldn't manage pain. GP not helpful. Went back to work too soon after 10 days still bleeding. Became anaemic. Took 8 months to recover. Subsequently became a palliative care nurse. Well done for sharing Ruth!
I am so sorry that you've had to go through this. A colorectal surgeon told me to not go through something similar due to how painful it would be and because it wasn't guaranteed to actually resolve the problem. He was a private surgeon so could have advised me to go ahead and charged me huge amounts of money.
This is known misogynistic behaviour by men and women in the NHS where women are pressured or ignored regarding their pain management. This is a good summary of the state of play:
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/feminism-fight-against-medical-misogyny
Also it’s worthwhile reading the Women and Equalities Committee recommendations that have not been implemented (link in the KF piece). But, you know, they do keep on printing those brochures!
Would you consider making a formal complaint to the Practice Manager? You have documented your experience so well.
Crying reading this. Massive props for talking about it but the end with the skin tag? Floored. What a twist. A real Gone Girl moment.
I feel that you and Napoleon would have some really good chats- his doctors used LEECHES on his. Your treatment sounds worse!
Why on earth didn’t your surgeon deal with the skin tag whilst he was in the neighbourhood? It’s like pothole repairers who ignore a foot-deep new arrival right next to them just because it hasn’t been marked with spray paint at the recce visit two weeks ago! 🤦🏻♀️
I apologise for my unseemly, constant laughter at your expense, Ruth. But heavens, only you coud make such a dire experience hilarious. Does the NHS deliberately torture people? There is no way you would not get sedation in a public hospital, here as I can attest after umpteen colonoscopies. (Australia)
Omg, what about the pain you must have felt when you needed a poo, afterwards 😱
A true public service - thank you! Will share with those in need immediately 🙏 (also - I’m laughing and wincing in equal measure. It’s quite a gurn)
This was an hilarous read and I will definitely never EVER contemplate any such procedure!
Thank you so much! I've been considering having my piles dealt with, and now I'm definitely not going to bother. Very helpful post