Hi Sammy

I know the first two replies are reassuring and I don't wish to spoil that and I know that everyone's experiences are different, pain levels etc, but I would have liked to have known some honest truths about it before I had mine done. I have had two - the second one was great - they gave me the maximum sedation and I didn't feel anything. The first one however, was awful for me and that was also with sedation. The reason probably was that I was really anxious, also I had a tumour so it was painful going past that and round the corners and it seemed to last a long time. Now I know that may not be helpful to you, but my advice to anyone who has asked me is if you're anxious, ask for effective levels of sedation. You can also tell them during it if it is painful or too much for you and they can top you up with sedation. Maybe if I give you my unpleasant story, you will feel relieved that yours wasn't bad at all!! At the end of the day, what's most important is that you get the reassurance and results you are hoping for. All the best. Julie xx

Hi  I had a colonoscopy . And asked to be sedated. They gave me 2 mg midazolam and 50mcg fentanyl. Didn't feel any different . Nurse said its like a couple of glasses of wine , I laughed and said couldn't you give  me the equivalent of a cpl of bottles. Anyways I had it done and I have a high pain threshold . But it was very painful. They said it was twisted and I had a long colon with a long floppy sigmoid . They were very nice and the nurse was reassuring me and holding my hand. But I cried nurse asked me if I was ok and I said no. Maybe was more painful because of what they had said. But I wasn't offed anymore sedation and to be honest I don't think it would of helped. They had me on my side then back then side then back then back on my side..They removed a Polyp, had results back. All ok. On the letter it says routine check up every 5 years.well I won't be having another unless I can be put to sleep. Was more than just uncomfortable  for me..

Elaine ..

Elaine

I'm glad the end result was OK and sorry the procedure was so painful. I found drinking the 2 litres of Moviprep the absolutaly most awful part of the whole process. What did you have to drink and was it OK.

I know this is in reply to Elaine's post which is 4 years old but I have just had the same sedation levels of the same drugs in 2020. Like Elaine I have a high pain threshhold and these drugs had minimal effect on me. I could feel each stage of the procedure and it was painful. Towards the end when I was clinging onto the nurses hand she gave me Entonox to breath in but it wasn't helpful. I was fully aware of everything that was happening and was able to ask the consultant questions immediately afterwards. I was not the least bit drowsy and was up and dressed within 20 minutes of being back in the recovery room. Although I had been told I wouldn't remember any of the verbal feedback I was given, I not only remember it all but was able to ask sensible and pertinent questions. If I have to have this again, I will insist on higher levels of sedation.

After reading alll the comments about having a colonoscopy it's seems that people have such different experiences I had one today 17/12/2020 I was very apprehensive on arriving but everyone was lovely and reassuring explaining everything from start to finish I had sedation and gas and air  and pethidine but honestly after being in the treatment room and the having the sedation I can't remember anything until I was in the recovery room when I was woken up I strongly advise having the sedation if you have someone who can escort you home after the procedure you will be a little tired later but you can sleep it off  all in all I can't fault the hospital I attended and the staff were amazing - you made a very nervous patient into a relaxed one and the procedure was a breeze please don't worry if your going to have a colonoscopy every one and every experience is different ..........

So glad to hear it went well for you; everyone does have a different experience - some better than others. I hope all turns out well for you. I was given the all clear on gastroentestinal cancer a week after my colonoscopy and just felt huge relief. I'm not out of the woods yet but can deal with whatever comes. As there is a history of bowel cancer in my family, it was uppermost in my mind. I'd have another colonoscopy if needed but I would ask for increased sedation and it is now also recorded in my hopsital notes.

I hope when you get the results of yours all will be well.

Hi Scotsgirl. I am glad that all went well for you. My first colonoscopy was also a breeze, second one not as great.Third the same, Fourth one, apparently I have scarring due to surgery etc and it is making it more diificult for the tube to pass round. Hence sever pain. I would say that in general with no complications that it should be ok. I was quite proud of myself after the firt two. Hmm, The problem with all this is that evryone assumes you must be  delicate, or a bit of a whimp. This is certainly not the case. 

I am having my first ever Colonoscopy today and I am still nervous, I've had about 4 hours sleep, the bowel prep was gruelling as I had to drink two litres of the stuff in one evening as my appointment is at 10am. I was not suprisingly sick twice with it but it wasn't much and I got it all down!

Wish me luck for today, I am not looking forward to it. 

All the best,

Jem 

Of course you're not looking forward to it. That's perfectly normal!
The preparation is no fun either but is essential I'm afraid is necessary to get the best results from the examination so has to be done. I know you will have read through everyone's experiences and you will have seen how wildly they seem to vary but one thing that I think you can be sure of is the caring and sympathetic attention you will get from the staff. They will get you through it!
And one last piece of advice. Take the sedatives offered (no shame in doing that, I did!) and have someone there to bring you home.
Best of luck and please let us know how it goes.

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I don't wish to put anyone off having a colonoscopy as, at the end of the day, it could very well save your life and not everyone will experience what I have.

My experience:

I have had five colonoscopies done over the course of a few years, with each one more painful than the one before, despite painkillers and sedation. The prep ranged from Picolax (not unpleasant) and vile stuff I had to drink over a period of 2 hours, twice a day. The pain duriing each was excruciating and something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

After my first one I ended up with a small puncture in my bowel, which was soon taken care of.The next three were clear, no problem except for the excruciating pain. At my last one, again very painful, they discovered a large polyp at the top of my bowel, which they thought at first might be an early cancer and which unfortunately they couldn't remove via the scope. They will 'keep an eye on it' which will mean more colonoscopies in the future.

I will never have another one without anaesthesia. I don't consider myself a wimp in any way (I have had both my legs removed below the knee in the last two years, carried out under spinal anaesthetic, fully awake). My sister had an extremely painful procedure where they had to stop, it was so bad. They then rescheduled her for a colonography.and I'm wondering if this is freely available? No pain involved!

As many here have pointed out, we are all different. I wish only the best of luck to anyone facing this and hope for a painfree experience for you..To those who have had minimal to no pain, I'm very happy for you.

xxx

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I don't wish to put anyone off having a colonoscopy as, at the end of the day, it could very well save your life and not everyone will experience what I have.

My experience:

I have had five colonoscopies done over the course of a few years, with each one more painful than the one before, despite painkillers and sedation. The prep ranged from Picolax (not unpleasant) and vile stuff I had to drink over a period of 2 hours, twice a day. The pain duriing each was excruciating and something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

After my first one I ended up with a small puncture in my bowel, which was soon taken care of.The next three were clear, no problem except for the excruciating pain. At my last one, again very painful, they discovered a large polyp at the top of my bowel, which they thought at first might be an early cancer and which unfortunately they couldn't remove via the scope. They will 'keep an eye on it' which will mean more colonoscopies in the future.

I will never have another one without anaesthesia. I don't consider myself a wimp in any way (I have had both my legs removed below the knee in the last two years, carried out under spinal anaesthetic, fully awake). My sister had an extremely painful procedure where they had to stop, it was so bad. They then rescheduled her for a colonography.and I'm wondering if this is freely available? No pain involved!

As many here have pointed out, we are all different. I wish only the best of luck to anyone facing this and hope for a painfree experience for you..To those who have had minimal to no pain, I'm very happy for you.

xxx

Just had my colonoscopy today. The preparation is a bit of a drag with the laxative and fasting, but no huge deal and something we just have to do I suppose. I must admit that the actual examination was more uncomfortable than I had thought it would be. I was given a choice and went for gas and air to control the pain, but this was not strong enough for me - it was too uncomfortable. I think I was a slightly difficult case for them. Then they gave me sedative intravenously which really did the trick. From then on it was ok, I was still aware but it was much easier. I'm totally fine now, just a few hours after. My advice would be to go for the sedative which made a big difference to me.

All in all it wasn't too bad, and of course it is very much worth while. I wouldn't worry too much about it.