I haven't had one, but went with my significant other when he got his first one. The entire waiting room was full of people all there for the same thing, so there was a bit of a sense of cameraderie!
He was given a sedative which knocked him out so completely and so quickly that when he came to after they had done it, he didn't even realise he'd been out. He came out of the room acting goofy and cute, I drove him home & he slept much of the day, and said it didn't hurt afterwards.

The worst part was that I had to take so many things to empty out the tube, and couldn't eat, and I was pretty weak! Combine that w/ the aftereffects of the twilight sleep, and I was pretty woggly. Not bad--didn't hurt, etc. (I've never taken illegal drugs, so I don't know for sure, but I thought of it as sort of a pleasantly disorienting legal drug trip; wouldn't do it again intentionally, but it was interesting, LOL!)

1. Go on a liquid diet the day BEFORE your "Prep" day. I ate breakfast then didn't have any solids until after the procedure. I think it help me not have cramping. This was suggested by my doctor since I was really concerned about the Prep.

2. Ask your doctor about the types of Preps available. I had a choice of two. One had the laxative and the stuff to drink, the other didn't. You end up with the same amount to drink in about the same time but one is harsher than another.

3. Ask if you can add Crystal Light to the drink. I added the one that advertises it helps Hydration. I think it helps with the loss of electrolytes.

4. Drink the drink through a straw if you can't stand the taste. Mine was kinda salty tasting but the flavor wasn't bad.

5. Chew gum between drinking. Helps with the aftertaste.

6. Eat popscicles (I could only have banana or orange, not red or purple, or green.) Same with the jello.

The actual procedure wasn't uncomfortable afterwards. I was home within 2 hours from the time I had to check in till I was released. I went to excerise class the next day.

Our new internist suggested a surgeon who's already on our "doc list". He has an anesthesiologist present in the room. So in the next few months I'll be going there. I do envy all those who fell asleep and woke up when it was all over. I wish I had no memory of the whole thing.

I've had it done twice. The worst part for me was drinking that stuff that empties you (2 bottles!) and when they insert the IV.

Both times that I had it done, I also had a camera down my throat to check the inside of my stomach, etc.

I was nervous the first time. My dad, who had it done, told me that it only hurts when they go around the corner of your intestine with the camera (2-3 corners). I watched the procedure on the television with the doctor and nurse (both times). They gave me a nice little "cocktail" beforehand. The nurse said it was a little relaxer, a little pain killer, and something else.

The camera down the throat didn't hurt either. They spray stuff to "freeze" your throat. The last time, they took a biopsy of my esophagus.

The last time I had a colonoscopy, it felt like my abdomen was gonna burst because of all the gas they have to insert in you for the camera. Then there's a lot of farting! LOL I think that it hurt more this time cuz by the time he finished with the throat thing, my "cocktail" was losing its strength towards the middle of the colonoscopy.

When my husband had it done the first time, they didn't give him anything!! The nurse said, you're a big boy. You can take it! Can you imagine?? He came home and couldn't walk! I was so upset. The second time he had it, I was there to insist on a "cocktail". This time, it went better.