"Colonoscopy pain management"

My first colonoscopy was at St Andrews Memorial Hospital in 1998. I don't know what sedation (if any) was given, but the experience was dreadful with extreme pain, and I lost consciousness.

I was revived and found a fan blowing cool air over me. I can't remember if the procedure was completed or not. I heard one of the nurses mention anaphylactic shock. 

I have had several colonoscopies in the last 20 years including, I think, two at the Victoria. One of these was also very unpleasant, so before the next one I contacted the colonoscopy department saying I wanted more sedation. It went well. 

I'm not sure if I have the sequence right or not, but for subsequent colonoscopies I asked if they could be done at the new St Andrews Community Hospital. This was allowed. I saw on the appointment letter that the operation would be done by the same surgeon as in 1998, so I wrote to them saying I needed more sedation. I was given three sedatives including Midazolam. The doctor said this was a bit more than is usually given but I was happy with that. I felt the scope go in and woke up in the recovery ward. I was delighted. The tea and buttered toast were like a special treat. Of the two nurses who were from the Victoria one was lovely and friendly, the other was obviously bored, but I didn't care as all had gone well including removal of some polyps.

I am due for another colonoscopy very soon (at my own request) (Sept 2018) and hope I can get such good treatment again from a surgeon or gastroenterologist with a lot of experience.