Nice one, so glad you had a good experience.

There's a long-running thread on here about people's experiences of this. Like you, I'm lucky enough to be OK without sedation but when it goes wrong it is definitely required, especially if diverticulitis is discovered! 

Good luck

Dave

Hi Shaw above reassured me....have an appointment to-morrow and have mixed advice re sedation though think would prefer gas and air......the further post however from Dave worrying I know I have diverticular disease from previous endoscopy.....what to do

Hi I hope you don't mind me commenting on your post. 

My mum has been referred for a colonoscopy due to being anemic caused by rectal bleeding, weight loss, pain in back and stomach, nausea, feeling full all the time etc. 

The referral got sent 3 and half weeks ago and the GP said it would be a quick referal because of all her symptoms. However we still haven't heard anything and her symptoms are getting worse. How long did you have to wait for your appointment? Should my mum ring the GP again? I understand the waiting list on the NHS is long but she's feeling very poorly. 

Sorry if this isn't the place to ask. I just wanted to ask someone that would know Thanks. 

Hi,

Never hesitate about chasing up appointments, you have a right to be seen within certain timescales. 

The NHS is often seen as a faceless organisation but it is run by human beings who will do their best if you explain how long you've been waiting and the stress the wait is calling. I always start telephone calls to busy appointments clerks with "I wonder if you could help me?". Nine times out of ten they react more positively to this than starting with a complaint. 

That said, if charm doesn't work try a different approach. Sometimes your GP will chase it up for you.

Best wishes

Dave

I had a colonoscopy yesterday without sedation, as I had to drive myself home, and was not offered gas & air. Overall I'm glad I went without it. That's not to say there weren't some uncomfortable moments throughout, but they lasted 10-20 seconds at most and I'm glad I was completely aware throughout (even with that I feel there are vital bits of information I maybe missed!). I know it won't be for everybody as it was not completely painless, but I believe with it being my first procedure of this kind the majority of the discomfort was the disconcerting feeling of having a camera squiggling around inside you!

I (68 year old man) had a colonoscopy this week and was unsure whether to have sedation or go for Entonox, I was loathe to have sedation as I had things I wanted to do that evening and early the next day both of which involved driving.  I visited this website and researched the web and came to the conclusion that the colonoscopy is a realtively painless proceedure but to expect some discomfort.  I elected for Entonox and was very pleasantly surprised: not at all painful and only a little discomfort, maybe I was lucky and or the endoscopist was particularly skillful, whichever I personally felt that I had made the right choice and am surprised that Entonox is not the default with sedation an option.  For me drinking the preps the day before was the worst bit!