flexible sigmoidoscopy Easy Peasy! From someone who was scared of even the paperwork!

I had the flexi sig done today after cancelling one back last October. I was really worried about having thisprocedure especially as sedation wasn't offered at this particular hospital I went to. I didn't bother with the laxatives they sent me and only did the mini enema which was fine, and as I didn't eat much for a whole day before only jelly and scrambled eggs and lots of water, I had read on various sites that a total clear out is only for the full on colonoscopy. I did find it painful when the doctor turned the very first corner, and he only went up 48cm because my colon was inflamed and I have small ulcers, probably why I felt a bit of pain as there was an underlying problem in the first place. I wasn't brave enough to look at the screen to start with and had my eyes closed, however after a few mins I decided too but was too late to see the 3 biopsies he had already taken which I hadn't felt, and as the tube was being drawn out I was pointing at the screen asking questions as to what was what, he was very good and did give a full run down of what he was doing etc and did describe what I was seeing on the screen...the bad news is that I have to have the full colonoscopy under sedation at another hospital because of the inflammation and ulcers...this will be in about a months time and I will have to do the complete laxative thing for that one. I did have a bit of cramping afterwards but that went after an hour and have been to the loo since and all is fine. The doctor thinks I may have mild Colitis.

So unless you have an underlying condition like I had this isn't painful just uncomfortable and in my case very uncomfortable on the first bend. However I had a steroid injection in my hip 4 weeks ago and that was excruciating pain when the stuff went in, 100 times worse than the flexi sig was today.

I'm so glad I had this done and didn't back out for the second time, its a life saver and I was in and out of the hospital within an hour, most of that was waiting around and a nice cuppa afterwards

I'll also just add that I didn't have another enema at the hospital just the routine blood pressure taken, and I didn't have that much wind afterwards just a bit of cramping.

I am waiting to have this done. I've been offered sedation, not decided yet whether or not to take them up on it. Anyway, from past experience of reading a Mirena forum I understand that people's experiences of pain can vary hugely so will not go in expecting the worst (my Mirena insertion was uncomfortable at most). I'll report back here though!