Hysteroscopy experiences please?

[Summerscomin]

I had an internal ultrasound scan a few months ago as I was having irregular bleeding. Apparently they found what looks like "a small lump" in my endometrial lining and recommended a hysteroscopy- the appointment has come through and it's outpatient, no general anaesthetic offered.

I'm not sure whether to ask for a general or just give it a go and hope it's not unbearable?

On one hand, I suppose I'd have to wait longer for a general, they could refuse to do it under general, I could feel lousy from it (had general a few times as a child and been ok but not as an adult).

On the other hand, I have a tilted cervix and they usually have to delve about a bit to find it. I'm usually ok with smears but colposcopy/biopsy is another level and I nearly vomited last time. I did pass out for a short time with the biopsy. It was very uncomfortable.

Aware this is getting long now but want to add that I also had abnormal smears/CIN2 at the same time as all this (could've caused the bleeding?) and part of me wants to opt out of hysteroscopy completely. But worried that's foolish.

Any thoughts welcome!

Hi
I have had two with no anaesthetic at all. I had two very different experiences. The first was really ok. Not as traumatic as I imagined and there were a couple of moments of discomfort - nothing more. This was was quite quick and I wonder if that makes a difference? The second one was longer. He managed to displace my coil strings and he had a job to find them again. The discomfort wasn't greater but just prolonged.
I was shaky afterwards to be honest and sore for a couple of hours but went straight back to work.

Ask for general. The stuff women have to go through, it's brutal! I've read some awful experiences on here.

I had one and asked for a GA.
Had to wait a little longer but don't regret that decision one bit.

Having had a tube dye test to test FT patency (I can't remember the actual name), I found that painful enough.

Going for a small scratch in the back of your hand, mask over face for a few seconds and waking up in recovery seemingly moments later, compared to being awake and aware of the whole thing and the possible probable pain was an easy choice for me. I'd do it again if I needed to have the procedure again.

I wanted to be sure the procedure was carried out as thoroughly as necessary not to my pain limit.

(I'm also a former theatre practitioner and have seen quite a few hysteroscopies. I was sure of my decision before having to go through it myself because of this.)

I had one a few years ago under general anesthetic and I'm glad I chose that. I had some pain and discomfort for a few days after

I'd definitely ask for general

I had three last year under general anaesthetic, no one ever mentioned trying to do it without.

But I did have a massive fibroid removed so definitely needed it!

Mine was painless with local anaesthetic, which surprised me as I havent given birth or had a coil fitted. I was told that I could ask to stop at any point, and I'd then be booked in for a general anaesthetic. Everyone was very kind.

I had one, they told me it was like a smear.

It was not!!!

I knew I was in for it when they had assigned a nurse just for holding my hand and a fan for my face.

No anaesthetic no nothing.

The whole thing was awful but the worst part was that I was unprepared and thought it would be like a smear and was in no way expecting how invasive and long it would take.

I fainted after it too when the doctor decided to show me what they had removed!!!!

The whole thing was bad, but I know a few who had an anaesthetic and said it was fine. I also should have been told what the procedure involved, because I had to drive home afterwards as I had no idea it would be like that.

Sorry for my negative post, I’m usually an optimistic positive person but I would have liked to know the truth myself so that’s why I’m posting so you can make a decision.

All the very best.

I had one last year and it was very uncomfortable and I very nearly put my hand up to stop but they’d nearly finished so I went through with it. I would definitely phone and ask to be put on the list for a GA.

Fuck that! Demand a general anaesthetic.
I've had two, both under GA.

Men would never have to put up with this shit!

I have a GA to have my coil put in too

Ive had a biopsy with local anaesthetic and it was fine and a Hysterscopy with no anaesthetic, I have a tilted uterus and have no children, it was fine and I had period type pain after.

I’ve had two this year one using local anestestic which was actually ok as the guy doing it was very good however they couldn’t finish the procedure because it was too complex so I had to wait another 5 !! Months to have it done under GA, meaning it took 12months to get the whole procedure sorted was awful waiting that long so I wish I’d insisted on GA up front as it should have been quicker in long run.

My first one was very painful. My second, with gas & air, was so much better. The consultant & nurses were shocked I hadn’t been offered anything before. Gas & air is great! I ended up telling quite a few naughty jokes & we all had a real giggle!

I've had one under GA and there is no way I would consider having one without. I find smear tests very difficult and painful and needed gas and air just for vaginal exams whilst giving birth so there's no way I'd have had hysteroscopy without GA.

Thanks so much to you all for sharing your experiences, I've been mulling this over for a while- and searching Mumsnet threads!- but couldn't make a decision.

I have given birth but that wasn't without its complications due to my "shape"- narrow pelvis and tilted cervix= stuck baby- and my biopsy experiences haven't put me at ease, if anything, they've made me more anxious.

I had to be fanned and assigned a nurse last time just for that, to stop me passing out again.

Unfortunately gas & air did nothing for me during childbirth, other than perhaps help me to regulate my breathing. GP have said they won't prescribe any sort of relaxant for it either. If it were just an exploratory procedure I might feel more confident but if they see a lump, like they're expecting, in all likelihood they're going to whip it out there and then aren't they? Even the NHS letter describes it as 'severe period-like pain'..

I think I'll call and ask about a GA.

I have had one under GA - completely fine, and one under local. I am on the fence as to whether I would do so again under local. The consultant told me there was a long waiting list for it under GA, and I could ask them to stop at any point during the procedure with a local so I decided to give it a go. I got through it, but it was quite painful and intense. I also felt really shaky, because of the adrenaline I guess. The consultant said something like 10% of women are unable to tolerate a hysteroscopy under a local.

Look up the Campaign against Painful Hysteroscopy on Facebook or Twitter. They link to the RCOG guidance

www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/outpatient-hysteroscopy/

@Kingdomoffife thank you- I remember the shaky feeling from my biopsy but it intensified to passing out when they started tugging/cutting. I didn't realise it'd be like that either and had driven myself to the hospital, the drive home wasn't great!

Thanks, I read that earlier @RidingMyBike it's where it says endometrial biopsy is "severe period-like pain'" and it completely turned my stomach. If the lump is there, which they think it is, that's what they'll have to snip. Oh god I don't think I can do it.

Had one last year with no GA, I was so worried after reading horror stories but it was totally fine, for me it did feel just like a more intense smear. Had several growths removed from lining, whole procedure took about 30 minutes.

I am going to buck the trend here...
I had one a few months ago & beforehand I was quite annoyed that there was no mention of a GA or light sedation, but I was quite clear in my head that i wasn't going to put up with an excessive amount of pain or discomfort!
A nurse practitioner did mine & it was perfectly manageable. I took paracetamol & brufen before I went & I can honestly say it didn't bother me at all. The staff were lovely, they offered to let me watch it on the screen & showed me a small fibroid that I had. For me personally, I wouldn't hesitate to have this done again without anything (other than my pain relief I took at home).
To give you some context, I had a PV exam once by a male gynaecologist during my period & i had to stop him due to the pain. I also had a stretch & sweep when pregnant, done by a midwife & I was hanging off the bed in pain!
I would say to go with an open mind but discuss pain relief with the staff & explain you will give it a go but will have to stop them if it is painful or uncomfortable. Good luck.

I had one this year.

was told no anaesthetic would be offered but if I couldn’t manage they would stop and I would go back another time and have a GA.

the team doing it were nice BUT it was absolutely awful.

the pain was horrendous. I couldn’t speak and almost passed out.

i had a polyps removed and an endometrial biopsy. Even the bit wjere they opened my cervix was too much.

i made it clear that i was in a lot of pain.

the annoying part is my notes say ‘tolerated the procedure well’. Lies like that is why the literature falsely says its not that bad.

To add. The pain was awful but it was also incredibly traumatic. I was told I couldn’t move or the instruments might pierce and injure me so i had to just lie there while it was done to me and couldn’t even speak due to the pain.

If you have it done privately they automatically do it under general. I didn’t even realise it was an “option” without until I read a thread on here!

I’ve had five without anaesthetic and been fine, not as painful as you might imagine, but that’s something that seems to cry woman to woman. It’s less hassle than having to go for preop assessments and blood tests before having them done with a GA.