Toni,
I am going to suggest that you talk to a gastroenterologist about your problems. This is their field. Then I ask them to do a colonoscopy UNDER ANESTHESIA. That can be done. All of my are done that way.
If the GI doesn't want to do it, find one who will. I changed from a pretty hard-hearted guy to another one who says, "We will do it anyway you want it done."
Things have changed a lot in the past few years in terms of what tests are available and how to do them more comfortably. I've never had much pain with barium enema, but others do. My first colonoscopies were very hard, now I go to sleep, have them done, and wake up and go home.
Love,
Kate
-- Kate Murphy katemm@mindspring.com