Has anyone had a hysteroscopy without general anaesthetic?

[Lilxa89]

Has anyone had a hysteroscopy without GA?
Was put on 2 week pathway after having lost pf issues for months and then ultrasound showed what looked like a polyp. (Mum and sister both had same issues and ended up with hysterectomy in 30s) i wasn't offered sedation etc just told to take pain relief before arriving. Am due this today and have read horror stories so now my anxiety is through the roof and head goes into over drive worrying about what if I pass out, what if I get an infection etc etc ahhh

My experience is that it was no worse than a smear test. I drove myself and went back to work afterwards.

But it seems there is such a vast array of reactions, asking this question seems almost pointless!

I just wanted to add my tuppence

Hope it goes okay.

I've had 2.

The first I forgot about the painkillers beforehand. Had the scope, good look around, biopsy and mirena insertion. Was a little bit "ouchy" and a bit achy afterwards. Nothing major.

The second I did take the painkillers before, was just the scope and much quicker. Much the same as the first, but was on my own and drove home after which I wouldn't have wanted to do after the first.

My friend insisted on a GA for this. I've had one, they offered me gas and air as I said I was a bit nervous. It was fine. Still hurt slightly though. No idea why women aren't routinely offered some sort of sedation for this. It makes me cross that women have to "put up' with the pain just because we're women. These are invasive procedures. I do think the whole spectrum of this is changing for the better though. Good luck.

I have had a hysteroscopy under local anesthetic (I had anaesthetic injected into the cervix) and found it painful but manageable. There was also gas and air offered.

I took 2 paracetamol and 2 Ibuprofen 1 hour before my appointment as advised. The diagnostic part they did without any anaesthetic which was like moderate period pain. Then they injected anaesthetic for the operative part of the hysteroscopy and it was extremely effective as I felt almost nothing.

It was fairly painful later in the day once the local anaesthetic wore off but I rested and took more over the counter pain meds.

The doctor told me several times to please let her know if it was too painful and she would stop immediately and I could come back to have it under GA instead.

It's very hard to know how you will find it as it seems extremely variable in terms of the level of pain different women experience. Personally I would recommend giving it a go without GA so you can hopefully have it completed sooner.

Is it an investigative one or are they hoping to remove the polyp there and then.

My investigative one didnt hurt at all. I have had 2 vaginal births

But everyone has a different experience.

Ask them for local anaesthetic in your cervix OP. I'm booked in to have a hysteroscopy next week - they offered me a choice of local, gas and air or GA. I'm going with local, plus over the counter pain meds an hour before. No way I would consider it without local

Yes i did it was horrific, i saw on another thread about it someone had it done under GA , im not sure if it was done under private healthcare or not, because GA wasn't an option where In my hospital.

Just want to add mine was 25 years ago maybe options have changed, i would have taken Gas and air but that wasn't offered either.

I had a spinal anesthetic which doesn't help you.

Like a PP ive read so many variable stories (from barely felt it to excruciating). I dont know if theres a common denominator (eg, having given birth) (i havent).

If you're worried, just have a conversation with them beforehand to make it clear that you will tell them to stop if it's too much for you.

I had a spinal. I didn’t want a GA due to mouth issues and not wanting a tube in my mouth. It was fine. Quick injection in my back and felt nothing from the waist down, much like having an epidural during childbirth but they don’t leave the needle in. Wears off after a few hours. Definitely recommend. I don’t know why they don’t offer this more as an alternative to a GA.

I had one without GA or sedation they weren’t even offered. I found it just a bit uncomfortable no worse than a smear.
11 years ago now so I don’t remember if I took pain relief.
also had scraping of fibroids embedded into the lining at the same time then mirena coil fitted.

I had one in April. It was uncomfortable. Slightly worse than a smear mainly because it lasted longer. It was fine though. It was nowhere near unbearable for me although I realise everyone is different. I drove home afterwards.

I hope it goes well for you today.

I had one drug free. If I had another I’d take any drug I could get my hands on, plus gas and air but I’d stop
at GA. Would rather stay awake despite it being painful for me.

I went in to have one but I felt apprehensive and asked for a GA and was offered it under GA for the next day.

I had one without and it was fine, they offered gas and air which relaxes you. I took painkillers and hour before. No problems.

I’ve had 2, one with a polyp removal and it was fine. Forgot to take painkillers the second time. Never offered gas and air. Drove myself home both times.

I had one with prescription painkillers and would not have another one without a GA.

I find the initial investigative one no problem at all. It’s a slightly bigger scope for polyp removal though, just by a few mms, and I was surprised I didn’t cope and went back and had it under GA. (They tried to tell me some women find that one easier!)

Recently had another one, biopsy and coil fitting, got through it with gas and air but it wasn’t nice. Didn’t really want the coil at all but had been pressured into it over time and wish I hadn’t given in.

I had one for the same reason- I was really anxious about it as I’d read lots of conflicting experiences too so I took painkillers beforehand and when I went in the room I was very clear that if it was too painful I would ask them to stop.

Honestly I did find it very painful but I wanted to get it over and done with rather than wait for a GA so with the support of a very lovely nurse holding my hand and talking me though it I managed- a couple of times the doctor did ask me if I wanted to stop though.

I’d suggest be very clear with them and if it’s too painful speak up. Hope all goes well.

I had one recently and honestly it was absolutely fine. Didn’t hurt at all.
I also had a biopsy- that bit hurt!
I drove home after.
you’ll be fine!

I was concerned it would be awful but it was fine. I was offered gas n air and constantly asked how was doing etc , but I didn’t need it.

i had local anaesthetic in my cervix when I had a polyp removed and that was a bit sharp with the needle. Definitely the most painful bit.

I drive there and back. I think I felt more I’d been through an ‘experience’ and just needed to take care of myself. It’s quite odd and obviously pretty invasive. Afterward I had a coffee and cake in the hospital.

The staff were lovely

I have them regularly thanks to cancer, and I’ve had it without GA once. It wasn’t my favourite but it’s like a more painful smear test.

good luck.

Sorry forgot to add - I wasn’t concerned about the outcome of the hysteroscopy. I was pretty sure it was t cancer but rather bleeding due to unbalanced HRT. If I was very anxious about that it may have been worse I suppose just due to fear and the impact on the body.

It was the same scenario for me OP. Hope it is okay for you today.

Good luck op.

I drove myself to my appointment not even knowing I would be having a hysteroscopy and biopsies taken. It was no worse than a smear and I drove back to work afterwards.

I really hope you're on the same end of the spectrum as me.

Where I live they are only offered with GA. I've never known anyone who tried to do it with gas and air or no pain relief. I had slight pain after the procedure but that was all.