Hysteroscopy with local anaethetic

[SoOverItNow]

I've just noticed the thread below re with GA. I've had a read, but I've not been offered this on NHS. Just given an appointment for day surgery with no anaesthetic. Thus is because for interim bleeding and previous ovarian cyst which was removed. I now have a new smaller one. Oh joy.

Can anyone share reassuring experiences of this procedure because although I have had laparoscopy, iui X 3, IVF, 2 c sections, what feels like a Million internal examinations I feel v anxious about this procedure. Why am I so nervous?

They said my womb lining is too thick so they want to investigate. They may have to remove polyps if found.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Hi soOveritnow., I have had this procedure done twice in the las year without anaesthetic. I will admit to being terrified the first time. However it was really fine. I was most nervous about them passing the camera through my cervix but I can honestly say they got it through without me even knowing. They flush warm water into your womb, that felt strange but not painful. They took a few samples to test, I too have a thickened womb lining. There was a tiny pinch as they took those. Afterwards you get tea and biscuits. I had a bit of cramping for the rest of the day, but nothing much at all. Happy to answer any other questions.

[GahBuggerit]

as pp i was terrified bt honestly it was fine, even got to see my womb on the screen

worst bit was when they take the scope out, severe cramping. take sone feminax ultra about half an hour before if you can to help with the pains. i didnt feel up to going in work after but i guess i could if i had no choice. am surprised they offer it under general tbh, imo the pain doesnt warrznt it but of course people are different

[GahBuggerit]

mine was for bleeding too, was fibroids

[Mysillydog]

I had one done before an endometrial ablation under local by a nurse consultant. They used a special gynae chair which helped me get into a good position for my cervix to be viewed. I could watch the procedure on a screen but actually I was too nervous to. It felt similar to a smear and a bit easier than a coil insertion. The nurse told me that I might feel a pinch during the lining being sampled. I waited for the pinch and then was told it was over and I could get dressed.

It was much easier than I had anticipated, and I regretted not having a good look at my insides on the screen. I would take some ibuprofen because for a few hours afterwards you may get period pain type cramps. I can't take ibuprofen and I was fine, so this is not essential.

[RockNRollNerd]

You'll have seen my post on the other thread, I had no anaesthetic, and like Mysillydog it was before an endometrial ablation. I don't remember any pain when they took the samples. I watched on the basis you very rarely get to see your insides so why wouldn't you!

[SoOverItNow]

Thank you all so much.

I've been told to take some paracetamol an hour before my appointment. I am ok with smears so it's reassuring to hear it will be similar. If it's fibroids or polyps I was told they may do the treatment at the same time. What is endometrial ablation like? Is this what they do if lining is too thick?

I will be reading these posts to help me stay calm about it all.

[RockNRollNerd]

Endometrial ablation is what they can do if you have v painful/heavy periods and are done with having kids. It's basically a life-changing miracle procedure in my view! I had mine done under GA (my consultant won't do them under local/sedation) and they basically zap away most of your womb lining (hence you can't have any more kids and have to be v careful not to get pregnant as you wouldn't be able to sustain the pregnancy). Some people have no periods after it, I still have them but they are very light and pain free - a total revelation having worked my way through every bloody option since a teenager to sort the damn things out.

[PollyPerky]

Just another experience for you OP.
I had this with no GA. It was privately so was offered local injection, GA or nothing. Went with nothing on the agreement local if got painful. It was fine. Took a while to get right thru to the other side but wasn't painful at all. Try not to worry.

[SoOverItNow]

Thanks Polly that's reassuring to hear. When you say " right through to the other side" is that when they go through cervix? How long did it take?

[PollyPerky]

I hope we can reassure you! Can I send you a PM on this rather than put all of my experience here for the world to read? It was ok, but I can tell you more about it off forum.

[SoOverItNow]

Thanks for the message Polly. Very helpful

Rock roll that sounds brilliant. My periods can be painful and are very heavy. I have to use mooncup and pads! Maybe they'll offer me that?

My sister heard about my treatment and told me she had it done, and "it was agony". 🙄 Yeah. Thanks for that!

[SoOverItNow]

Rocknroll

[RockNRollNerd]

- am mostly just Rock, don't feel you have to use my full name.

If you're done having kids then do ask about the endometrial ablation - I can't praise it highly enough. I was (TMI alert) filling a mooncup every hour or so and had got to the stage where I couldn't control the pain and was having to try to arrange work travel around when I was due. My lovely consultant agreed that having done pill, minipill, mefanamic acide, tranexamic acid, mirena, stop being a teenager/grow out of it, wait til after you've had kids etc I had exhausted every single option and was therefore an ideal candidate. I'm now like some irritating person in a tampax advert, I slip a couple of the mini/light ones in my handbag and skip happily out for the day .

[NortyBut]

Hi, just to add another one for your collection . I had a hysteroscopy this afternoon. Started off without local anaesthetic as the consultant knew from a scan a few months ago I had one polyp to remove which was taken out without pain. Unfortunately a few more were spotted so I agreed to have the local anaesthetic to allow them all to be removed. I was reassured that the procedure could be stopped at any time if the discomfort was too much and I'd go back at a later date for a general anaesthetic instead. After the local was given it was still quite uncomfortable to be honest but all the polyps were removed. I had taken Ibuprofen and Paracetamol beforehand which probably helped as well. Four hours later I've got mildish period-type cramps and a bit of light bleeding but at least it's over!

[SoOverItNow]

That sound great Rock. I'm done having kids so I'm definitely asking about it. I want to be an annoying Tampax ad lady too 😁

Well done Norty. You're on the other side and all sorted.👍

I can't wait to join you. Hiw are you feeling today?

Do you mind answering a few questions about the Hysteroscopy?

Was the local quick?
Did you feel really numb?
How long did the polp removal take?

Thanks 😀

[NortyBut]

Much better today thanks, So! Still bleeding a little but it's expected, cramps mostly gone.
In answer to your questions - the local was pretty quick but there was the initial really sharp 'sting' inside, similar to a dentist injection and then I couldn't feel much tbh although there was pressure from the warm water going in . The procedure to take out all the polyps took about five - ten minutes I think - the nurse was trying her best to chat to take my mind off things . They were really good at watching for facial expressions and would ask if I was ok every now and then. I also watched a bit on the screen but it got a bit much after the initial 'oooo look at that!' reaction!
It'll take a couple of weeks for the results of the biopsies to come but it's really rare for anything nasty apparently.

[SoOverItNow]

Thanks. That's helpful Norty. Glad to hear you're feeling much better today.

Fingers crossed the results come back clear and it all settles down for you now.

Did they say you could work the following day? Do you need to avoid exercise afterwards?

[NortyBut]

Thanks So .
As with all procedures it depends how you feel - I would have been fine going back to work the next day but as it happened I had it done on a Friday and have the weekend off. In the information leaflet it says some go straight back to work the same day but I don't think I'd have wanted to.
Not sure about exercise - you'd need to ask your doctor I think as it would depend what sort of exercise you're planning! I presume swimming would be out due to the risk of infection and you're advised not to use tampons as well.

[SoOverItNow]

Just rereading your experiences before my Hysteroscopy tomorrow.

All very reassuring so thanks to you all.

Not long now until it will be over with. Thank God!

[SoOverItNow]

It is over 😀

Thanks to the info you stated I was calm, it didn't really hurt except at biopsy time and was quick. I saw my womb on the screen. The nurse was lovely. No need for any anaesthetic at all. I have fad more stressful smear tests ( inept new dr)

Thank you everyone.

[SoOverItNow]

Info you shared

[NortyBut]

I'm very glad it went alright for you .
It did take a week or so for things to settle down for me but all ok now!

[DooWhop]

I had hysteroscooy plus biopsies and mirena swapped last time without even a local and the biopsies were uncomfortable but lasted seconds. I was fine. We are all different though.

[DooWhop]

Oh sorry just seen update! Glad it wet well

[RockNRollNerd]

Glad it went well - did you ask about the ablation option?