Thank you for everyone’s posts on this thread. Again, I’m so sorry for all who’ve had awful experiences when going in for these procedures and not being given the right options for anaesthesia, listened to or even forced to continue against their will. It’s truly frightening and I’m grateful to everyone who shared their story.
I do have to say that in my case, I can’t fault the response regarding the NHS referrals and speed of appointments and the sense of urgency on investigating my post-menopausal bleeding – that has been phenomenal. My issues are with the minimising of the procedure and not providing information on choices I have.
So to update on this morning’s appointment – it’s massively long, but I wanted to get everything in.
In good news for me, the consultant had the scan results, explained what was found, said that all was normal, post-menopausal bleeding is reasonably common within 6-8 months of going on HRT, and no further investigations needed at this time. A big relief.
I thanked her and said that I was very pleased, and that I had hoped that would be the case after speaking to the sonographer myself.
I then asked if I HAD have needed a hysteroscopy, would I have been able to have a general anaesthetic? She said absolutely, they always talk through all anaesthesia options, offer GA for people who want it, and they even sometimes do smears under GA.
So I then said I wanted to share with her my experience of the process and get her opinion on it.
I described how I was called on Tuesday and asked to come in for an appointment, told to take painkillers ahead of the appointment, that consultant would put a camera into my uterus and take a sample of womb lining., and when I questioned no anaesthetic, the response was, ‘I know, the things we women have to put up with, eh!,
I described how when I phoned the next day for clarity on the procedure, I was told it was a simple process, only takes a few minutes, nothing to worry about, yet when I asked about GA I was told that was absolutely fine and definitely an option.
I told her how the information emailed said no GA was needed, although ‘2 out of 10 ladies might need a local anaesthetic’.
I said that I had canvassed women in my network, who had reported having a hysteroscopy, that some had little or no discomfort, whereas others had reported a scale of painful, to excruciating and unbearable.
She said yes, she would agree with that, and that's when she said that's why they offer GAs, and that's the reason they can also do GAs for smears as they can be so painful for some.
I said that had I listened to that first phone call, as I’m sure most people would, I’d have come in today having taken pain killers, expecting to have an invasive procedure with no anaesthesia, which she agreed would have been wrong.
Long story short – she said she was sorry that telephone staff had not been clear on this from the outset, their procedures needed looking at, she would raise it at a consultants meeting that is happening next week, and suggest a review.
She was great. I was listened to, and I feel some action may be taken.
I’m going to email PALS with this too, to 'get it on record' , along with copies of the paperwork so show that what the consultant thinks is happening, isn't, to formally strengthen the case.
So a good outcome for me, I feel glad I went in armed with knowledge acquired via links on this thread that I could deliver in an informed way.
I was listened to, and maybe my challenge will possibly make things a little bit easier for other women at that clinic in future.
Good luck to everyone going through similar.