Advice ahead of hysteroscopy

[islander99]

I have been waiting for 18 months for a hysteroscopy to remove a mirena coil, which couldn't be removed at my doctors. I was chasing this yesterday and I now have an appointment tomorrow.

Can anyone who has been through this pass on any advice or tips to minimise the discomfort? I've been told to take painkillers beforehand 'if you wish.'

I had a hysteroscopy for a biopsy. My (male) consultant told me it was just like period pain. That’s being generous. I’d definitely recommend taking pain killers beforehand. I also found box breathing (in for four, hold for four, out for four, hold for four) helped distract me and stop me thinking too much about what was going on

Take all the painkillers beforehand. Get someone to drive you as you may feel woo. The nurses are lovely.

Mine was under General anaesthetic thankfully. My sister had a terrible hysteroscopy just using painkillers. They ended up bringing her gas and air and she said the pain was like giving birth with no pain relief

I've had one today. I would say take paracetamol before but they gave me an ibuprofen suppository (I did it myself 🤢) because they're better than tablets.
It was painful but it already feels a lot better. They've told me to take Buscopan and ibuprofen for 3 days for the cramps so get some of that in.

I am on the waiting list to have mine done under general. I’ve heard too many horror stories about it otherwise so I won’t have one without it. I do have a lot of complex health issues which make it more complicated though.

No idea on real advice but after I had mine, my mum bought me chips and a battered sausage from the chip shop and it made me feel loads better.

Some women manage them with just their own otc painkillers, others experience significant pain. Having had one not knowing what to expect, I would say the f it is too painful be ready to say "stop".
I don't want to scare you, but I do want to be honest.

I had one 2 weeks ago due to thickened endometrial lining caused by wrongly prescribed HRT (2 x oestrogen and no progesterone)

There were some complications including uncooperative and posterior facing cervix and needing a biopsy

They did inject local anaesthetic into my cervix partway through, but it was still very uncomfortable. I took cocodamol before then ibuprofen after but it didn't take touch it. Dry January had to do one and 2 large Chardonnays finally took the edge off.

Take the painkillers and ask for a local

You will possibly need bed rest for 24-48 hours depending how it goes what they do

On the good side - it's very interesting watching the camera at the start, they can confirm you are free from any big bad nasties on the day and if they do a biopsy, results are coming back within 2 weeks

All the best

Thank you so much everyone. You've reconfirmed what I was expecting, and I'm glad I don't have to wait, as I think that would make me worry more. I'll plan for painkillers and hopefully it will be over quickly.

@jackstini Thanks for your honesty. I've had enough pregnancy and birth related sagas to know to articulate my needs, but thank you for the reminder.

I had one a few weeks ago, read the horror stories and was worried beforehand so took a hefty dose of painkillers. It was uncomfortable but no worse than that for me. They said they would stop and give me analgesic if need be but it was ok.

How did you get on, OP? Hope it went well.