I came here because I had such a great experience I felt it right to share for people who may be, as I was, terrified prior to having it.

The prep was hideous.Really hideous.For me far worse than the actual procedure! The laxative is vile i wont go into it....just like drinking salt, chemicals and a hideous Fruit Punch taste. 

My appointment was 09.45am. Went like this:

1. Lovely nurse put cannula in but was hard work as i was so dehydrated even though Id drunk litres of water afterwards. Finally got the blood flowing. This was for sedation. "Do you want sedation or just gas and air". "I had gas and air having the kids ...32 years ago but im claustrophobic and the mask made me sick". "No longer a mask just a mouthpice you suck on when needed". So we decided id have gas and air and sedation if pain got too much.

2.Surgeon came in. Lovely man.  Chat about what he would be doing. I signed consent form and we walked together, me in my fab green backless shorts and green and  white backless gown. Tres chic.

3. We walk down hall to the Theatre...where i meet two lovely nurses, cheery Italian guy and 2 friendly girls....im 66..everyone younger than me is a girl.They made me feel completely relaxed. Im shown how to use the gas and air and off we go. Screen right in front so i can see everything.

4. The Procedure.....I only needed to use the gas once! As he was going round the first corner, but actually by the time id taken a mouthful the slight pain had gone. As i was awake he told me everything he was doing, when going round corners the nurse puts pressure onto tummy which really really helps. Just as the were near the end they found a teeny 3mm polyp and i watched them remove it.  Then he had finished!. 30 minutes and that was it. Im genuinely saying there was no pain...what there was was discomfort. Feels like stretching and just uncomfortable. I do think a) i have a high pain threshold...ive never been sedated apart from epidural with second child. Ive had gastroscopy without sedation. I just prefer tp have short term pain rather than after effects of sedation and b) RELAX RELAX RELAX.it must be painful if youre tense. Also i had a very friendly kind team and an exceptional Consultant who made me feel very safe. I was terrified prior to the procedure. But going in concentrated on the screen and tried to ignore the camera up my bottom.which you cant feel at all.

My colon was clear with 1 tiny polyp. I had not eaten anything but low fibre food for 4 days and 0 day before.  I guess that made it easier too. But please dont think im being blase...i had been terrified for weeks but the procedure genuinely was not as horrendous as id imagined and because i had no sedation i just had 20 minutes in recovery with a cup of tea and custard creams.

Try not to panic. Please.