By now, many of you have read my blog post “Why Americans Have Lost Faith in Medicine.” If you haven’t, spoiler alert: I had a front-row seat to medical gaslighting, cover-ups, and a complete lack of accountability. But nothing prepared me for what I went through after what was supposed to be a routine colonoscopy. This is not just a rant—it’s a warning.
A Colonoscopy Gone Very, Very Wrong
It started like any other recommended screening. My doctor suggested a colonoscopy—standard protocol when you hit your mid-40s to early 50s. No big deal, right?
I was referred to Dr. David Wenzke at GastroHealth in Cincinnati, OH. The colonoscopy itself seemed uneventful at first. Did the prep. Showed up. Went under. Woke up groggy but alive. But within a few days, something felt very off.
At first, I chalked it up to post-procedure discomfort. But the symptoms escalated quickly: painful urination, inability to fully void my bladder, and eventually no urination at all. Then came the fever—low grade at first, then spiking over 101°F. That was the moment I looked at my wife and said, “We’re going to the emergency room. Now.”
Emergency Room Reality Check
At the ER, tests confirmed what I suspected: I had a severe urinary tract infection (UTI). But not just any UTI—this one was caused by Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a bacterium normally found in the colon. So how did it end up in my urinary tract? Great question. The nurse practitioner treating me kept circling back to that mystery. So did I.
I left the ER with a prescription for Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)—a heavy-duty antibiotic with heavy-duty risks. But more on that in a minute.
Seeking Accountability… and Getting Shut Down
I wanted answers. I deserved answers. So I went back to GastroHealth to ask how a colonoscopy—done on a healthy individual—could result in a dangerous internal infection. If E. faecalis is typically harmless in the colon, how did it get into my urinary tract?
That’s when the gaslighting began.
A smug medical assistant looked me in the eye and said, “In my 30 years, I’ve never seen anything like that happen from a colonoscopy.” But if you Google it (or ask ChatGPT), you’ll find tons of evidence showing that post-colonoscopy infections, while rare, absolutely do happen. Especially due to fluid contamination or improper sterilization of instruments. It’s not new. Not rare. It’s just inconvenient for them to admit.
When I pushed harder for an explanation, I was asked to leave the building. Not by the doctor—by a staffer who brought out what looked like a security guard. I was told to call the administrator, or email. That was it.
So I did what any angry, sick, and unheard person would do: I called my lawyer.
His response? “Unfortunately, this is a no-win case. You weren’t harmed in a way that’s legally ‘incapacitating.’” Translation: The medical system gets to dodge another bullet. And I get to suffer in silence.
From UTI to Prostatitis
Ten days of Cipro later, the UTI symptoms eased, but something still wasn’t right. I was still in pain. I could barely pee. Bowel movements were excruciating. I went to my Primary Care Physician, who suspected prostatitis—an inflammation of the prostate, often caused by bacteria.
Bloodwork confirmed it: I had full-blown prostatitis, likely caused by the original E. faecalis infection. And guess what? That meant another five weeks of Cipro.
Now if you don’t know about Ciprofloxacin, buckle up. It’s part of the fluoroquinolone family—a class of antibiotics so powerful, they come with black box warnings. Cipro can cause ruptured tendons, especially in the Achilles. So I was benched—no exercise, no physical activity—for six weeks. But I didn’t get back to normal even after that. I couldn’t work out for another month. That’s three months of zero physical activity for someone who relies on movement to stay healthy and sane.
To make matters worse, I developed joint pain in my hands, ankles, knees, neck, and hips that lingered long after the infection. I don’t take painkillers or NSAIDs, so for weeks, I couldn’t even sleep.
All of this—because of a colonoscopy.
The Medical Gaslighting of the Century
Let’s recap:
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I had no symptoms prior to my colonoscopy.
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Two weeks before the procedure, my PSA was under 1.9—a healthy number.
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Post-colonoscopy, it shot up to 13.5, due to the prostate inflammation.
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I experienced a UTI, then prostatitis, then was put on two rounds of Cipro.
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I couldn’t exercise or sleep for months due to pain and drug side effects.
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And when I asked the medical professionals responsible? I was shown the door.
Was the Colonoscopy Worth It?
Absolutely not.
I’m not saying never get one. I’m saying question whether it’s the only or best option for you.
There are less invasive ways to screen for colon cancer or other colon issues:
Alternatives to Colonoscopy
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Cologuard
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A non-invasive stool DNA test that checks for blood and abnormal DNA.
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Available via prescription, and done entirely at home.
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FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test)
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Detects hidden blood in the stool—a potential sign of cancer or polyps.
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CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
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Uses CT scans to get a 3D image of your colon. Less invasive, no sedation needed.
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Sigmoidoscopy
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Examines only the lower part of the colon, and usually doesn’t require full anesthesia or prep.
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Stats to Consider
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Cologuard has a 92% sensitivity rate for detecting colon cancer.
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The overall risk of complications from colonoscopies is about 1 in 1,000, but that risk increases dramatically with age and certain comorbidities.
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A study in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found that bacterial infections account for up to 25% of post-colonoscopy complications in some cases.
Better Prevention, Fewer Procedures
Instead of jumping to invasive procedures, how about we prioritize:
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Cutting back alcohol
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Eating fewer processed meats (yes, bacon too… I’ll cry with you)
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Upping cruciferous veggies (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts)
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Adding fermented foods to your daily routine (kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir)
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Stool testing every 1–3 years instead of a colonoscopy every decade
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us—and how we’re gaslit, dismissed, and harmed in the name of “routine care.” If you’ve had a similar experience or if you’re approaching the age where colonoscopies are being pushed hard, I urge you to do your research and demand options.
Because once you’re the one stuck in a pain-riddled body, unable to move, sleep, or trust your doctor… it’s already too late.
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Why Americans Have Lost Faith in Medicine
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