should i refuse a flex sig without anesthesia?

i have enrolled in a drug trial.  they give two flex sigs...both without anesthesia.  i have had two hemmie surgeries and two fissure surgeries.  i think it is infinitely insensitive that a drug company in the business of making butt medications wouldnt spring for flex sigs with anesthesia.

what is your opinion?

it is part of the trial.  they give you blood work, a tb test, a chest xray and these 2 flex sigs in different weeks of the trial.  the drug is a tnf blocker like remicade only they are testing it

sub Q instead of IV infusion. 

Flex-sigs are usually done w/o anesthesia. Ask if they can give you a shot of Demerol about half an hour before the procedure. Chances are that they don't want to specialize the routine for any one patient because, since it's a drug trial, they want to control all possible variables. Do remind them, though, that you've had prior "events" in that part of your colon. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 generic Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

     I've had several flex sigs and never  had anesthesia with any of them.  Although during the last one my blood pressure shot up to over 200.  But then again, I am an older person who has had high blood pressure for about ten years now.  I think it was the anxiety.  Make sure you are not allergic to Demerol.  I noticed that someone posted ask for a shot of Demerol before the procedure.  They gave me Demerol ten years ago during my very first colonoscopy while I was hospitalized.  My BP shot up to 210/110.  Doc said I am allergic to Demerol.  Well, heck, I never knew that because I never had Demerol before.  Maybe try Xanax or something like that before the procedure.  It really isn't anything to get too upset over.  It is just a bit uncomfortable, not painful.

I've had 3 flex sigs, no pain killers, nothing. They were horrendous, BUT i was flaring. The discomfort was not in the rectum but in the air pressure they pump into you. STRONGLY recommend the Xanax route, and you can most certainly ask if you can get some demerol. Your insurance will most definitely not cover the anesthesia if it's not part of the protocol, as they never want to have anything to do with drug trials.

I've done several flex sigs without drugs-it's certainly not pleasant but it is totally bearable if you prep right. Totally agree the air after is the worst! In a sick way, I actually like watching the screen with my doctor to see what's going on in there.

I have flex sigs all the time, no prep and no drugs. It's all about personal comfort though since you have different problems which makes you concerned.

All I know is I would never do a flex sig. again without some type of anesthesia or pain meds. My one and only was way too painful.

I had many flex sigs when I participated in a drug study and never had anesthesia. I would not want the added risk anyway for what is really a simple procedure. Just ask them to " try to be as quick as possible, please!" And reschedule if you're having a bad day. Maybe they can use a topical numbing agent around your weary b-hole.

Oh, and I remember I was not to use an enema or fleet, they wanted to view things as normal, poo and all.

Since the prep is about the same for a colonoscopy, I'd much rather have a colonoscopy with meds rather than a sig without the meds. It was very painful for me; I've had two surgeries on my fallopian tubes which caused scar tissue to build in that area, so it was hard for them to get in and manuever the scope. It's all up to personal choice and what level of pain you can take. I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance....but I sure had one heck of a lot of pain with the sig but pretty much for the reason I stated above.

I dont think they should give anesthesia for such a simple procedure. Actually i thought they always keep people awake for a flex sig until i read a few posts on here. By the time they knock you out they would be waking you again its so quick.

Had countless felxible sig's. Not comfy at all, mostly bec. of all the air. thankfully, its passable when its over.

It def. hurts much more if youre flaring! it was crazy pain. My first Colonoscopy and flexible sig i was in bad shape, a shot of valium in the arm barely did anything, i was furious at the dr. that i felt EVERYTHING. Mainly, bec. i expected to not feel anything and it HURT. ALOT.

but I just took it like a lady:)

I'm told that women tolerate pain much better than men.....

the next time around i was bolder and spoke up and said, while it was nice to experience a little valium it was not enough and it hurt. He was shocked to hear me say it, he thought It was peaches and cream. so i asked him if he ever had a colonoscopy:) he's over 60 at least, so he mustve had one. anyway, he said,"youre my best patient, you never said a word about it, i didnt know." I guess it doesnt pay to be so macho about it...

youll probably feel better about it when it moves into remission.

I had one full awake last week, it was uncomfortable, but not painful! I just wanted it to be over.