[AccyMad]

I have had this procedure done three times & the throat one once, in terms of inserting the camera I would agree with Margaret that the one down the throat is worse than the other way. However, the other three were all completely different experiences - the first was just a short exploratory one & done without any sedation but I was fine afterwards. However when I was called back for the full colonoscopy the nursing staff recommended sedation as I had been very nervous the first time & they thought it would help me to relax. They were right, I trotted in confident that I would be 'out of it' during the procedure - how wrong I was, I was given sedation but it was what they called twilight sedation. It was like being in a nightmare, I was in pain for much of the time but could not communicate this to the nurses. The pain afterwards was awful too & lasted for over a week, I went to my own GP who said it was only to be expected after the procedure due to things having been 'disturbed', gave me painkillers & told me to rest. I then rang the endoscopy unit for advice, they said I should not have had that level of pain afterwards so if you're in any doubt Restless I'd give the hospital a ring.
When they called me back for the procedure to be done again, I was terrified it would be the same but on this occasion I opted for gas & air which was much better for me as I felt more in control of what was happening & I could tell them if I was in pain. I even managed to watch it on the screen that time & was absolutely fine afterwards - at least once I'd come down from the gas & air.