Yesterday I has my 2nd colonoscopy, my first being about 25 years ago which from memory felt painless, back then I was never even offered sedation. This time I opted to have entonox again, every phone call I had I was offered sedation but I refused each time, this was probably the worst mistake I could have made.

I like to think I have a relatively good pain threshold but that procedure caused excruciating pain, nearly unbearable, I could barely breath due to the pain whilst going around some of the bends of my intestine. They did however pause the procedure because of the pain to lay me on my back which then started to ease, thankfully a couple of minutes later they were at the end of my bowel and the retraction was pain-free.

The rest of the day I just had mild cramps but that soon eased after passing wind.

When going to sleep on the night I was met with the memory of pain from earlier in the day causing a really bad nights sleep, in my experience I've found the procedure quite traumatic and wish I'd have accepted the sedation.

I'm glad to read that most people have a relatively pain free experience, I certainly wish I had the same.

I would like to add however that the nurses and specialist were amazing.