Had my first colonoscopy a week ago at 50 years old. Not a problem at all. The light sedation was the same type when I had my wisdom teeth out a few years ago. At some point in both procedures I recall briefly being in pain but its was only like remembering a dream. For the colonoscopy it was when the scope was going around a corner. I remember the doc pushing around on my belly to help the scope around the corner when I moaned out loud. But no big deal, one moment they're wheeling you into the room and then you wake up. The magnesium citrate prep wasn't bad either. It tastes like some really tart lemon-lime soda mixed with Alka-Seltzer. I had no problems drinking it other than feeling bloated from drinking a lot of fluids. They did find a large polyp that turned out to be benign. If you need one, do it, it's really nothing to get wound up about.

When my husband turned 65 and went on Medicare, he had his first colonoscopy. The "cleaning out" part wasn't fun for him but not awful and the procedure itself went very easily for him. They found a few polyps, removed them and biopsied them - all benign. They wanted him back in six months for another colonoscopy, just to make sure everything was OK. Second procedure, he was over anesthetized and was out of it for quite a long time. Then, six months later, they again did the procedure, just to "check". I told his doctor about the anesthesia problem, and this time they did it right, BUT - he has had blood in his bowels ever since. He just told me they called to schedule him for yet a fourth colonoscopy. I told my husband over my dead body.

I had my third colonoscopy since 1999, so I was not concerned. I was hooked up to an IV and blood pressure monitor. Then went in to the procedure room and was hooked up to oxygen. Then the scope was inserted and the pain was unbearable from the beginning. I begged to be put to sleep but to no avail. The doctor had a nurse hold me down and it was horrible. I was asleep for the first two. The doctor found a polyp and removed it and the pain was unbearable. The doctor here in Toronto is a good doctor but I have no idea why he would not sedate me. Maybe another doctor reading this can give an opinion. I have had five previous abdominal procedures including two C-sections, an appendectomy and a gall bladder operation.

I had a Colonoscopy a few hours ago. Fortunately, it turned out to be diverticulosis and nothing more severe. The prep is by far the least pleasant part of this process, given the amount of clear liquids and water needed to consume, numerous laxative-induced trips to the toilet, and a bit of hunger due to the lack of solid foods. The procedure was not painful at all. I was sedated enough that I could not recall anything past entering the OR. Before I knew it, I was in the recovery room waking up to a friendly staff of nurses. I would do it again without hesitation if needed.

I had my first colonoscopy 2 days ago. I chose to do it without sedation. The doctor wasn't happy, but we agreed that they would put in a port, and if I was in distress they would knock me out. There was some pain but I did some deep breathing and it passed quickly. Honestly, I've had gas pains worse than that. I'm glad I chose not to be sedated because I was in and out in 20 minutes, and was able to resume my normal activities immediately. The most difficult part was not being able to eat seeds or nuts for several days. I had to take Kleen-prep the night before. It tastes lousy, but it's not undrinkable. I had to take one gallon in total and it started acting in 45 minutes. You get the runs but not the urgent kind with the cramping, like you get after you've eaten something that disagreed with you. You know you need to go, so you walk (not run) to the washroom and get it done. Results were good, no polyps and I need to do it again in 5 years. Would rather not have to do it at all for obvious reasons, but it's worth it to know there's nothing untoward going on in there.

The prep was tolerable; just stay near a toilet. I was given Versed and Fentanyl but not enough of either. It was a miserable procedure and frightening because I was between awake and sedated. If I ever do this again which is unlikely, it will be under general anesthesia. I have since learned that if you have ever had problems with anesthesia working well enough, you need to have an anesthesiology consult prior.

Being well read upon what a colonoscopy is all about and the risks involve, I decided to go through with it. The laxatives cleaned me out well and I looked toward having the colonoscopy as a new adventure. The sedation knocked me out. Being free of colorectal cancer meant that I won. I'll repeat this race again.

I have regular colonoscopies, and I have had no problems with any of them. The first time especially, my bowel was very badly damaged, but I didn't experience any discomfort. I was given a sedative, which is not the same as a full anesthetic, but it still puts me out completely. The doctor always waits until I'm completely out before starting the procedure. Like a lot of people I always find the preparation the worst part. Drinking the electrolyte solution is not very pleasant, but it works quickly, and the less you eat during the day, the easier the "clean out" of the bowel will be. I was very scared going in the first time, but I'm glad I went because once I did it the first time, every time after that was easy. Most importantly, the test saved my life, so even if you're worried, remember that you're doing it for your own sake.