I need to have colonoscopy for the first time.

.

They said I can have sedation or gas and air but I don't want to have either,I had an endoscopy without sedation so thinking it can't be worse than that unless it's painful,are they painful?

I have nothing when I have mine. It is uncomfortable but bearable for me.

Just to add that it is worse than an endoscopy because it lasts longer and they pump your bowel full of air to get a good look. Also when going "round the bends" that can be a bit painful as well.

I can understand not wanting sedation but why not gas and air?

Thanks for your replies,I had gas and air when having my son and it made me sick and I don't like being out of control in front of people might be my social anxiety or maybe I'm just a control freak lol

You can just have a tiny bit of gas and air - I did that once.

I guess it depends on your pain threshold as well and how well you cope under these sort of circumstances.

I have quite a high pain threshold and I just go onto auto pilot in those situations to just get it over and done with I just wanted to know if it was supposed to be painful,I'm more worried about the embarrassment of it all than actually getting it done because of my anxiety.

Some may reply on here and tell you it was the most painful thing they ever went through - so everyone is different I guess.

Ok thanks.

I was nervous about having sedation too, because I thought I’d be out of control and forget everything; but for me it was nothing like that. I just felt relaxed and pain free- and I remember the whole thing perfectly. So pleased I had it because my gastroscopy I had without, and whilst it was bearable it was MUCH more uncomfortable. But everyone is different I’m sure... x