Decided to write of my experience to try and offer some help and hopefully reassurance to others.

I had my first colonoscopy today at 1.15pm. 

I started the first one litre of moviprep drink at 6pm the night before after not eating since 12pm. Id heard horror stories of how awful it was but in all honesty it wasn't as bad  as I'd imagined and I have a horrible gag reflex. 

Its like slightly salty water with an orange flavour. I cracked on and drank it within half an hour, I didn't want to drag it out for two hours plus I wanted it to work as quickly as possible so I wasn't up all night taking trips to the toilet. 

The worse part for me was towards the end when trying to get the last glass down. This was hard going as it became sickly. 

Anyway, drink done I started bowel movements within the hour. I think I had 16 in total, all watery. 

I managed to get some sleep and set my alarm for 5.45am the next morning to start the next litre of Moviprep. It wasn't easy doing this so early in the morning when all I needed and wanted was a nice cup of tea with milk. 

Again I finished this within thirty minutes. I'm glad I did as I was still going to the toilet half an hour before I had to leave for hospital. 

Top tip before moviprep, use flushable baby wipes and have some vaseline. 

Arriving at the hospital I had obs taken and got ready for the procedure . They give you a gown and some modesty paper pants - these are totally useless if you aren't  straight up and down. Mine ripped as soon as I pulled them up over my legs so pretty useless for me. They ended up as a mini skirt! 

I was taken down for the procedure and the doctor explained she was first going to do an examination with her finger - have to say this was a bit of a shock as she was really rough and probably worse than the camera being inserted.

I was given the sedation and apart from an initial 2 second woozy head it did absolutely nothing for me. It had no effect whatsoever. I did tell the nurse this.

Lay on my side i was able to watch everything on the screen in front of me. The only pain I got was when they were trying to get round a corner, and for me this really did hurt and I had to tell them to stop (I even have a high pain threshold). 

They gave me gas and air which again made no difference. 

For the most part it was fine if not just very rough and a  strange tugging feeling. It was just as they were going round the corners that really made me shout out. 

Wheeled back to ward and told to lie down. I got up after 5 minutes as I wanted to get dressed and didn't feel woozy or have any after effect from the sedation which the nurses thought was strange. 

I did see other patients being wheeled back in who were totally out of it.

I was in and out of hospital within an hour and thirty minutes.

At home now and I feel tired more than anything. I've had a two hour nap and something to eat. 

I do feel a bit sore around my lower stomach area, as though I have some cramping but that is to be expected. 

Would I have another colonoscopy - not anytime soon. For me it probably would have been fine if the sedation had worked but it didn't.