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Original poster

Can’t go after hysteroscopy unless someone collects me?

31 replies

jevoudrais · 05/08/2025 17:04

Posting for traffic, sorry!

I am down to have a hysteroscopy under ‘light anaesthetic’. The admissions team have said someone has to collect me else they won’t let me go home. It’s proving super challenging to find anyone that could collect me. It’s about two hours away on the train (two trains in fairness).

Has anyone got any experience to know whether I’d likely be ok on the train or not if I can find someone to come and meet me and see me onto the train?

And if I can’t find anyone, will they really not let me go?

I am a single parent and have a limited support network.

OP posts:
WhosTheBeerThief · 05/08/2025 17:07

Van you ask to be allowed to stay in the waiting area for a few hours before you set off to make sure there is no lasting effects?

Surely there must be alternatives, not everyone has someone.

MummytoE · 05/08/2025 17:12

Can't the hospital arrange transport for you maybe? There must be alternative options for people in your position. Plus, although not advisable, you could just do what you want, they can't keep you prisoner . Hope you get it sorted x

DartmoorWanderer · 05/08/2025 17:13

It’s this or you need to book a taxi - I had a GA last week and they’re strict on the rules

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Women's health
MadamNoo · 05/08/2025 17:18

I’ve had two hysteroscopys. The first time I drove myself home, they didn’t try to keep me. The second time I got someone to collect me as I had been surprised how wobbly I felt the first time. I wouldn’t have felt like taking two trains, can you get a cab maybe? People have different accounts of how it affects them, but it’s not a very nice procedure, sorry that you need one.

Enrichetta · 05/08/2025 17:20

I had this problem after a colonoscopy. The clinic would not allow me to leave in a taxi either.

After the procedure I told them my husband would be collecting me but that he was running late. Sat in the waiting area for an hour or so, then went to the loo and quietly slipped away.

I felt fine and had no problem driving home. YMMV, but I'd think you'd be fine going by train, especially if you wait a couple of hours.

Original poster
jevoudrais · 05/08/2025 17:20

The two trains home is to get out of central London. I could get a cab to the station which is 50 mins by cab and then get the train which is still about 90 mins. Not sure that makes a massive difference?

I had a hysteroscopy before with no anaesthetic. But I think they are taking a biopsy which is why I’m guessing they have said light anaesthetic?

OP posts:
whoateallthecookies · 05/08/2025 17:21

Even after a procedure under sedation, DH had to be collected by a responsible adult; he was escorted to meet me. A taxi would not have been acceptable - even less so when he had a general anaesthetic (you didn't if yours would be general or local). I would think that patient transport would have been the alternative, but he needed an adult with him for 24 hours after the GA.

Original poster
jevoudrais · 05/08/2025 17:21

Enrichetta · 05/08/2025 17:20

I had this problem after a colonoscopy. The clinic would not allow me to leave in a taxi either.

After the procedure I told them my husband would be collecting me but that he was running late. Sat in the waiting area for an hour or so, then went to the loo and quietly slipped away.

I felt fine and had no problem driving home. YMMV, but I'd think you'd be fine going by train, especially if you wait a couple of hours.

Oh this is really useful! Thank you.

I have got someone who can stay at mine when I get back, but they will have to collect my reception aged child from school and look after her, so they can’t come and get me. It’s the getting home that’s the problem.

OP posts:
Snorlaxo · 05/08/2025 17:22

My hospital let me drive home each time (I’ve had 3) and I had local anaesthetic each time. Are you having a general? I was told that a general would mean an overnight stay just in case.

Greybeardy · 05/08/2025 17:23

This is completely standard - if there’s no one who can help you then you will need to stay in or have the procedure on a different day. It’s not an uncommon scenario. The rules aren’t just due to the anaesthetic (it won’t be a ‘light’ anaesthetic - it will be the same depth of anaesthesia that everyone has, but the cumulative dose won’t be high because it’s usually quick) - there are potential surgical complications to think about too - if you start bleeding between train stations that could be really unleasant). (Doi: anaesthetist)

Abra1t · 05/08/2025 17:24

I have had five hysteroscopies without any sedation or anaesthetic and it was fine. One of them, I drove myself to because it was Covid. IT was nice having my husband waiting for me in the car, though.

My interior geography seemed to mean I didn't find it as bad as some women do, though. And I know other people haven't liked the no-sedation hysteroscopy.

DartmoorWanderer · 05/08/2025 17:24

Greybeardy · 05/08/2025 17:23

This is completely standard - if there’s no one who can help you then you will need to stay in or have the procedure on a different day. It’s not an uncommon scenario. The rules aren’t just due to the anaesthetic (it won’t be a ‘light’ anaesthetic - it will be the same depth of anaesthesia that everyone has, but the cumulative dose won’t be high because it’s usually quick) - there are potential surgical complications to think about too - if you start bleeding between train stations that could be really unleasant). (Doi: anaesthetist)

I think by light anaesthesia they mean conscious sedation?

Greybeardy · 05/08/2025 17:30

DartmoorWanderer · 05/08/2025 17:24

I think by light anaesthesia they mean conscious sedation?

Show quote history

It’s not that common to do hysteroscopies with sedation - wide awake or unconscious are usually the safer options. It can be done with spinal anaesthetic too, but again, same discharge rules… (and it’s be the same for sedation even if that is what they mean). The length of travel and the mode of travel are really important in OP’s case.

NancyJoan · 05/08/2025 17:33

I would speak to the hospital transport people, and if they can't help, contact PALS. There must be a lot of people who can have someone at home minding their children, but no-one who can pick them up. Esp from a central London hospital.

jamontoast2 · 05/08/2025 17:53

@Greybeardy its now very normal to offer conscious sedation (midaz and fent) at several London hospitals for hysteroscopy. It’s part of a new push to keep it as an outpatient procedure but with increased patient acceptability. Similar to how they do most endoscopies without an anaesthetist present.

@jevoudrais you can decline the sedation and take yourself home. Or have the sedation and they’ll need to admit you for the night for you to go home the next day. That’s quite common too. If you’ve tolerated it before without sedation I think you’ll probably be fine. I’ve had biopsies taken with and without sedation and whilst it can be uncomfortable it’s a brief short sharp pain that you can grit your teeth through and then it’s done. Most women find the passage of the camera through the cervix the most uncomfortable part of the procedure and you’ve managed that before. You can always discuss pre procedure exactly what they plan to do, how painful it will be, and make your decision from there. But I would strongly advise against doing any driving after any form of sedation - you risk losing your license.

Upsetbetty · 05/08/2025 18:01

Those of you who decided to drive after sedation won’t have been covered by your insurance if you had been in an accident. That’s a big risk to take!

@jevoudrais as you are getting the train I think you should be ok if you wait a good 3-4 hours

DartmoorWanderer · 05/08/2025 18:12

jamontoast2 · 05/08/2025 17:53

@Greybeardy its now very normal to offer conscious sedation (midaz and fent) at several London hospitals for hysteroscopy. It’s part of a new push to keep it as an outpatient procedure but with increased patient acceptability. Similar to how they do most endoscopies without an anaesthetist present.

@jevoudrais you can decline the sedation and take yourself home. Or have the sedation and they’ll need to admit you for the night for you to go home the next day. That’s quite common too. If you’ve tolerated it before without sedation I think you’ll probably be fine. I’ve had biopsies taken with and without sedation and whilst it can be uncomfortable it’s a brief short sharp pain that you can grit your teeth through and then it’s done. Most women find the passage of the camera through the cervix the most uncomfortable part of the procedure and you’ve managed that before. You can always discuss pre procedure exactly what they plan to do, how painful it will be, and make your decision from there. But I would strongly advise against doing any driving after any form of sedation - you risk losing your license.

conscious sedation is also just being pushed more in general I think. My dad’s had quite a few procedures in the last year that 6 years ago were all done under general, but this time are being done under conscious sedation! It’s always sold to him as being like a “light anaesthetic” - basically he’ll go home and have a good nap and then be right as rain. He loves it! It must save costs.

largeprintagathachristie · 05/08/2025 18:14

I had a hysteroscopy under anaesthetic recently and worked around that rule.

They don’t let you leave until you can be up and about, and have eaten and drunk something - best hospital sandwich and instant coffee, ever! . By that you’re fine for everything except driving.

I told my partner to carry on with a job he had on that day - he’s freelance and work can be scarce. He would have been hanging around for hours. The nurse called him to pick me up but I had already texted that he wasn’t needed. I fibbed that he was waiting in the carpark and took two buses home - was actually nice to get some fresh air and see the world go by at that point after hours on the ward. Realise I did have that public transport option.

i have no family in the UK and have had long periods of being single - not everyone has someone that can pick them up from stuff like this.

Soontobe60 · 05/08/2025 18:14

I had ‘light sedation’ when I had a tooth extraction - no way would I have been able to make my own way home, I was absolutely hammered! However, I once had a hysteroscopy with no sedation - it was excruciatingly painful for about 1 minute and shook me up, but I was able to drive home after a cup of tea.

RentalWoesNotFun · 05/08/2025 18:19

Dont say youre getting picked up and pretend to wait for a partner and then sneak out. People would worry about you. And if a fire happened firemen/women could risk their life for you.

slowraindrop · 05/08/2025 18:35

I had several ivf retrievals under conscious sedation. I got a taxi home with DH after the first one. I felt fine, and for subsequent retrievals we both caught the train home together. For a couple, he had to leave earlier and I self-discharged and caught the train by myself. I was always fine. I even went straight to a house viewing after one of them, and ended up buying the house. No regrets 😆

However, I probably did the right thing getting a taxi with DH after the first one.

JockTamsonsBairns · 05/08/2025 18:55

I have this procedure booked for next week. On this occasion, I have DH who can drive me home.

However, I can think of several periods in my adult life when I wouldn't have had anybody at all - so they would have had to let me leave.

Lifelover16 · 05/08/2025 18:59

It’s not just the anaesthetic that’s the risk though. As @Greybeardy said, you could have post op bleed on the bus/train/in taxi. Cannula sites can sometimes bleed heavily too. You could feel faint/dizzy and fall - I personally know someone who did this, hit head on kerb and broke her nose and front teeth.

You are not given this advice for no reason. Contact PALS/ hospital transport or enquire if there are any volunteer hospital drivers in your area.

MiddleAgedDread · 05/08/2025 19:08

I had the same issue, I was planning to get a taxi and tell them a white lie that someone would be round after work to stay with me but they still threatened to keep me in overnight! In the end my mum travelled half way up the country to stay with me, I absolutely fine, we got the bus home and went to the supermarket on the way!

Ashley911 · 05/08/2025 19:14

Tell them fine you will just stay there for ever. They will not do the procedure without you arranging someone to collect you