Private diagnostic hysteroscopy - will NHS pay if they find a problem?

[BayeauxT]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this:

I have had 2MMCs in the last year, and my periods since the first ERPC have been very light, so I am worried about Ashermans/uterine scarring (also had a manual extraction of placenta during birth of my DD, so worried that might have damaged something).

Does anyone know - if I have a diagnostic hysteroscopy done privately (at a cost of £1,200, er um), and they find there is a problem, could I go back to the NHS with the results and get them to remove the adhesions?

If not, I couldn't afford to have the second operation privately - so I may as well do nothing as I don't want to have another MMC just so I can be referred for further investigations on the NHS!

Thanks in advance!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Would ask whether a gynae has suggested you have a hysteroscopy or whether this is a type of op you were yourself thinking of.

If there are adhesions anyway these should be removed at the time of surgery; the last thing you really need is some sort of diagnostic procedure followed by yet more surgery as surgery can increase the risk of adhesion formation.

If you have not already done so I would have a long and detailed discussion with the gynae in question and perhaps seek a second opinion as well.

HTH

[helenlouisey]

Hi BayeauxT - I'm really sorry to hear you have suspected Asherman's. I was diagnosed with Asherman's earlier this year and have just been given the green light to conceive after an operation to remove the adhesions, followed by hormone treatment. Which consultant is doing your hyst privately? I would suggest you join the Asherman's Syndrome support group and also have a look at the AS Orgs website which is www.ashermans.org The support group there is fantastic and i got a lot of advise from the ladies on there, there really is a wealth of knowledge and help on there.

The key thing I was advised was don't let someone treat you who doesn't have extensive experience of treating Ashermans. Many ladies on that board ended up being in a worse position following treatment by a doctor who didn't have experience. There are very specific protocols (such as no use of lasers when treating AS) There are basically 2 Asherman's specialists in the UK, Mr Lower (only treats privately) and Mr Trew (private and NHS)

I completely agree with Attila that it would really be best to have a dignostic hyst plus treatment at the same time (and a lot cheaper in the long run if you do decide to opt for private treatment.)

Let me know if you need any more info

Good luck

[BayeauxT]

Thanks Attila/Helen - I haven't been referred to anyone, just taking it into my own hands as feel fobbed off by my GP who says "many women find their periods change after having children - perhaps your light periods are just a delayed reaction to having your daughter [five years ago]." Blood tests/hormones all normal...

It makes sense to have the diagnosis and op at the same time if they do discover Ashermans, but the consultant I saw didn't want to do that (probably seeing the £££) - she's just a local gynae but I live in the sticks miles from London... thanks for the ashermans link though, I'll take a look.

[CarolineWi]

Hi

Juat wondered which consultant you were looking at for the hysterscopy?

Kind regards