I  had a colonoscopy today, had to be aborted after 5 mins. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced, I've given birth twice had a hysterectomy and biopsies taken from my womb through a hysteroscopy with no pain relief and none of those were as bad as a colonoscopy. Your not warned about how severe the pain is. I had gas and air and it was useless. I'm absolutely traumatised by the whole ordeal and would not wish it upon anyone. I was referred urgently with suspicion of cancer. I now have a anxious wait for scans, I was offered a waking sedation and the nurse said I would still be awake and able to feel everything which is ridiculous. Why the hell aren't they putting people to sleep for such a barbaric procedure. I feel totally violated and lied to about the severity of pain.