I had my procedure on 15th November. I had previously had a colonoscopy about 15 years ago on the NHS and it was absolutely fine so I went in calmly expecting the same. I was a private patient this time. From the second the procedure started I was in agony! The only way I can describe it was like a Lego brick being pushed through my body. I'm no drama queen but I honestly felt like I could die. After a minute or so when they realised how much pain I was in and I think they thought I was going to pass out they rolled me onto my back. That didn't help much - and the sedation definitely hadn't worked - I can remember every second of pain. Being on my back meant that the nurse had to press on my tummy to help the camera move - I'm sure you can imagine how that felt! They eventually gave me another dose of pain relief - I had a cannula in. That helped a little but I was already traumatised by what had happened and I was in bits. I believe they didn't wait long enough for the sedative or pain relief to kick in from the start. Thankfully my results were clear but I'm never having another colonoscopy!  5 days later it's still very much on my mind which is why I felt the need to do some research to see if I was really just being a wuss or not! So while I have the utmost sympathy for everyone here who has experienced the same thing I was glad to find this thread and prove what happened was real. I've got my follow up in a couple of weeks and I will be raising this with the consultant. I actually think they thought it was the sedative that was making me so vocal! Thank you all for sharing your stories and good luck going forward. 

The pain colonoscopy can cause seems to be a very well kept secret! The word discomfort and being advised to take paracetamol beforehand is a joke. I too had a completely traumatic and PAINFUL colonoscopy some years ago. Some of us obviously have bowels which are trickier to navigate. The procedure was made so much worse by the brutal and unsympathetic attitude of the consultant and nurses. I really should have made an official complaint but was so very relieved it was over and nothing had been found that I didn't. When my father had this done privately 25 or so years ago he was given a general anaesthetic; some form of local or general anaesthesia really should be an option. It literally was torture, and a sedative and gas and air do nothing. 

Im shocked and saddened to read about the experiences of painful colonoscopies. I had mine on the 7th November and although the results were not good I couldn't have hoped for a greater bunch of nurses. I opted for sedation and was automatically given pain relief through the cannula. I was covered up felt no pain. At one point going round the bend I felt something but no pain, the nurse stopped and asked would it be ok to continue. Everything was explained to and I the sister has kept in touch with me most days and ensured that scans and appointments had been made. If there was good news she was on the phone telling me. I will be sorry to leave this amazing team when I get handed over to the hospital on Thursday. 

I have read that a lot of proceedures are now being given without pain relief and sedation to save money. All I can say is if you are worried or anxious please let them know. 

I had a colonoscopy today and it hurt so much I was shouting out. They persuaded me not to have sedation and I wish I had. 
I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago and it was uncomfortable but nothing like this. 
I don't understand why there was so

much pain as the NHS and others describe it as a pain free process that might be uncomfortable. 

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same time under general anesthetic. I waited all day to be seen, I had given permission to deal with any issues. When I finally went into surgery and explained I'd given that permission the only team member there aggressively started to say we haven't got ti.. he was clearly about to say time. The same hospital missed my friends cancer and the same hospital has left me waiting for 2 years for gynecology its no wonder they are measured as inadequate! A lot of my issues could be linked but in England we do not treat the body as a whole and have to wait for appointments for each department who then do not communicate with each other. 

On a positive big cheer for the adult day centre that I attended today fabulous staff explanations and treatment.

I'm so sorry so many others have gone through such horrendous pain, though I am glad to see I'm not alone. I had my first colonoscopy today and it was awful. The prep was so unpleasant, I had picolax and the taste was fine and not too mich liquid which I was thankful about but they were SO effective, I went to the toilet easily over 25 times! I was so glad when I woke up this morning as it was almost time for the procedure then it would all be over and I could eat. I'd read online that it wasn't painful and my dad (who has ulcerative colitis) said it wasn't too bad for him so I felt confident that the worst was over. I was mostly nervous as I had been fast tracked due to abdominal pain and positive FIT test and the big C had been mentioned by my doctor. I'm a 25 year old female, very healthy and athletic, vegan so I knew the odds were good but still worried nonetheless. So I got to the hospital, got seen by the nurse straightaway who checked my details, asked questions, placed cannula in my hand and gave me a hospital gown/dignity shorts to change into privately. Got taken to a waiting area and waited around 15 minutes before another nurse got me and took me to the procedure room. She asked how I was, I was super nervous but tried to keep it light by joking about how hungry I was! (Though I was starving as I hadn't eaten in around 40 hours at this point). They got me on the bed and covered with a blanket then the doctor introduced himself, along with the other nurse. He explained what he would be doing and was very friendly. They got me on my side then administered the sedation. It started really stinging as it went in which I told them but they assured me that was normal and they begun the procedure immediately. The pain was so excruciating I was screaming and crying. They immediately swapped the oxygen mask for the nasal cannula and gave me the gas and air which didn't help at all. I was in agony, it felt like I was being cut at from the inside out. The doctor got a bit cross with me and said he could stop but I would have to come back another day and get it done under general anaesthetic but that could be months away. He also explained he was almost at the end of the colon then he would come back out. I kept crying and saying I was so sorry and for him to continue. They they changed my position onto my back which did help but my legs were shaking and I was still sobbing. The nurses were so so lovely, they were holding my hands, stroking my hair and wiping away my tears. At some points I was able to chat but I was so high on sedative which looking back I am so embarrassed about! I was asking if anyone is going on holiday soon (I'm cabin crew so clearly thinking about work!), telling them my insides look so disgusting and that I'm proud of the work they do but I could never do it, constantly saying I'm sorry and who knows what else! They were really laughing sometimes. Though I was still in a lot of pain most of the time and found it excruciating, they were encouraging me to pass wind and I was telling them I couldn't, which seems like a lot of people struggle with. Luckily no signs of cancer, no polyps, no colitis and no crohns. Just some 2nd degree internal hemorrhoids which I was assured would get better on their own. I was then taken into the recovery room for around 45 mins, my blood pressure had dipped during the procedure so only once it was normal did they let me get dressed and go to my fiancé who was waiting. Just thankful I was somehow able to get through it because I don't think I could or would do it ever again willingly. I'm so sorry so many others have had horrific pain, it really should be done under general anaesthetic like in the US and other countries!

Thay want me to have a colonoscopy next week, i said only if you knock me out.he said thay could not.i cannot do this again the time before i black out,only to awake in worst pain than child birth.i am still traumatised  by it,everything you read says its uncomfortable, thay must be mad,thay should all have it done to them,then thay would know how we feel.glad to be able to tell someone.

Torture is the right word,i have had 2 children,gallstones pain,3 opps,this was by far the most painfull,i pasted out,and awoken to the pain, i could not stop them as was not with it,im about to go for another one,but i cannot do it,i keep crying remembering how bad it was.

Im with you all the way,i about to have another one,i keep crying remembering the old one.i no i will not let them,its like putting your hand in a door way,slamming the door on it,then asking you to do it again.you would not do this to a animal.