On a scale of 1-10, how bad is a colonoscopy without anesthia?

I've isted with colonoscopies, and seen them use everything from an intravenous anethesia, to sedation, to nothing at all. I think most folks do best with slight sedation, because the procedure is uncomfortable at best and there are often cramps. Most usually folks opt for the sedation, and they sort of drift in and out, but they do respond when spoken to- they aren't out of it by any means. I certainly think it's something worth speaking to the doctor about, to see what he thinks and how he feels about doing it with no anesthesia, if that's really how you want to handle it. They will still start an IV, as a precaution in case something goes wrong and they need to do surgery. Although it doesn't happen often, there is the risk that the bowel will be punctured or simply tear in a weak spot. And that of course means surgery, right then. Since the iv is already in place, if you do decide at some point that you really would like a little something, they can always provide it. At least that's how it's done in our hospital- can't speak for the ones in Florida. Most folks who have it done are out the door in about 3 hours, moving slowly but moving. The procedure itself only takes about 40-45 minutes, but of course with sedation you have to hang around until you do the usual- go to the bathroom, have a drink and get back on your feet. Most folks are also starving by that point, since you will have been on a more or less liquid diet for about 3 days before, and take a laxative the day before- your system is pretty empty and your stomach is wondering if you had your teeth pulled. Some folks get crampy for a few hours afterwards, big surprise there, huh? But it's nothing they need pain medications for, and if you have a good tolerance it shouldn't be a problem for you either. If you were just having a sigmoidoscopy, I'd say sedation wouldn't even have to be a consideration, but the colonoscopy is just a tad more invasive- going the full length of the large intestine covers quite a bit of distance. There are a lot of sedatives they can use, Demerol being one that comes to mind, that perhaps might make things more tolerable for you. But just discuss your options with the doctor, because that's who you have to trust no matter which way you choose to go.