I have them quite regularly and I just wanted to reassure anyone who is due to have one. I think they've become easier over the years. I had a light sedation plus painkillers. I was awake for all of it and didn't feel any pain. I recovered very quickly and now feel absolutely fine (2 hours later). I didn't have to take the laxative til 4pm yesterday so I didn't have to waste a whole day, and the 'emptying ' was fine! It used to take me 24 hours to recover completely. Even the environment was lovely - the brand new endoscopy unit at St Thomas' Hospital.
If you're due to have one, good luck, you'll be fine!