Evening all. 
 

I'm a 38 year old male and had a lower left side abdo pain coupled with inconsistent bowel habits. Went back and forth and eventually saw a consultant who said let's rule everything out or in and sent me for a non urgent colonoscopy. 
 

For the record, I have a huge needle phobia and generally against medical procedures if I can avoid them! So to say I was apprehensive is an understatement. I read lots of experiences, both positive and negative and of course, despite being so grateful for the positives, I remembered the negatives! So I remained very anxious about it and wished I could be put to sleep!

My appt was scheduled for 0930 arrival. I fasted all day yesterday and started moviprep at 1400 with the first litre. I mixed it up and stuck it into a sports bottle to help me monitor the 250ml every 15/30 mins. I had another bottle with squash in to take the edge off the taste and I found this worked well! All worked as we expect, and then I did the second lot at about 2200. Eventually got to sleep at 0100 and Woke at 0630 getting as much clear fluids in before the two hour cut off. 
 

Got to the hospital and checked in nervously. Once called through I explained everything I was feeling to the nurse and she was brill as you'd expect. Went through to have gowns and beautiful shorts donned and a canular inserted into my hand/wrist. I had stated I wanted maximum sedation and gas and air available. Then waited in a room with a few others also waiting to be called into the room. 
 

Once called in I met the team of three nurses, one of which would be doing the procedure and the other two looking out for me. I explained my worries and they showed me onto the bed and pointed out the screens and explained everything to me. Then administered the sedation and got on with the task at hand. The sedation obviously worked as it's abit of a blur, I know there was an uncomfortable part as they negotiated the corners but with gas and air it was no problem and over in seconds and before I knew it they were at the end of the colon and ready to draw back through. I watched this and asked questions and watched the biopsies being done (no signs of the C nor polyps so they took tissue to check for signs of inflammation etc). Then near the end she explained she needed to flip the camera to be able to look "out" and so advised some gas and air but again, uncomfortable yes but no issue at all. Then, all done. Wheeled back to recovery for tea and biscuits and they called my wife to come and collect me. Got changed after 30 minutes, had my results all explained to me and handed my information sheet and I was out by 1230. 
 

I wouldn't think twice about having this done again, I would definitely personally opt for sedation though. But others there didn't and they all said it was fine. 
 

This forum helped me so I hope I can pay it forward abit if anyone is searching for some experiences to help settle any nerves or gain an idea of how the procedure is done. 
 

Best wishes to all. 
 

J