I'm surprised and shocked by the number of people here that had problems with colonoscopies. Mine was fine, no pain worth mentioning, just a bit of disconfort. And it was all so quick, just around 15 to 20 minutes. Done in September.

I was very relaxed about it, had not read anything negative, only read the information sent by hospital, so maybe that helped me feel relaxed. I had a choice of gaz only or intervenous sedation and I chose gaz because I wanted to be alert and see the procedure on the screen. They gave me Buscopan by injection to relax my bowels.

I wonder if some of the NHS consultants are not very experienced or trained properly to preform colonoscopies... and thus the problems encountered by so many patients on this thread. The difficulty in recruiting qualified staff are making the NHS employ people that are not fully trained, I've read many trainee doctors are routinely left in charge of patients on their own... Sad times for a country that is one of the richest in the world.

My advice to anyone reading this and dreading to have a colonoscopy is: don't worry, it should be pain free. Ask your hospital if the consultant is qualified and experienced to do colonoscopies. Ask this in writing and demand a reply in writing too. If they refuse to put it in writing... go elsewhare. You have the right to choose where you want to be treated.

It would be great to get an accurate percentage of people who suffer extreme pain down to those who have no pain. All literature says there maybe some discomfort - I think the word they should use there is TORTURE. But can anyone advise if you can have it done under general anesthesia? Especially after such an agonizing first time? I suppose I would accept that first timers should be offered the normal pain relief,etc. But if you have had such an appalling experience, then you should be allowed to have a general anesthestic with any future ones. I am not going to let this rest, will write to hospital and copy in local CQC. I have also discovered that colonoscopies are done under general anesthesia as a norm in a Australia.. Animals would not be allowed to suffer such pain.

Hi Sophie

Sorry I can't remember.....I had a cannula in my hand and was given the drug 2 mins before my procedure. I ft it was too soon before the colonoscopy and should have had a little time to work.

Sti think about my colonoscopy, two & half months ago, and never again without full sedation

How are you feeling now?

Hi all.

i don't like hearing about others pain but I glad it's not just me. I opted for gas and air and was told it's uncomfortable but not painful. 

I was in a lot of pain throughout the procedure and blowing out as opposed to breathing in the gas and air was more effective.

I do feel a lot like yourselves that the doctors and nurses seem to think you're over reacting and too embarrassed to pass air. I've given birth so passing air didn't bother me and despite passing air it's still so painful.

i hope we are in the minority. X

I had a colonoscopy on Friday and it was the most traumatic, painful experience I’ve ever had. Honestly, it was horrendous. The pain on my left side was just unimaginable even with maximum sedation, maximum painkillers and gas & air - nothing touched the pain at all. Prior to the colonoscopy I had to endure a gastroscopy which I don’t remember anything of and it was completely painless - obviously the sedation did work at first but as soon as he colonoscopy started it was so painful that the sedation just stopped working. Honestly it was excruciating. The doctor was forced to stop the procedure as my heart rate was sky high and it was deemed to dangerous to continue. I have to go back again in 2 weeks to do it all over again but this time under general anaesthetic so yes you can have this done on the NHS if it’s too painful!! 

Hi RaeMc, thanks for this information, it's a great relief to hear that. I am waiting for a reply from hospital about my request for GA. What area of country do you live?

I have had this procedure twice. With gas and air it was appalling. I sobbed the whole time and was almost breaking the nurses fingers. The procedure was done lying on my side. From what I remember, the 2nd time I had sedation and was more facing front leaning backwards. I watched the whole procedure on the screen and it was no more than discomfort that time

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!! I live in Kent

Hi I don't really know how this chat works but can I just ask what people's symptoms were of bowel cancer ? I'm waiting for an appointment for a colonoscopy which will be within the next 2 weeks. I'm so scared. I'm 29 and have a 2 year old I always over worry at the best of times. I'm so stressed. Xxx