just wondering whether there is an option for sedation for colposcopy and further treatment?

[Sullabylullaby]

I'm being referred and have received a leaflet. I'm a little concerned that you don't get sedation for a biopsy if that ends up happening? I've had this procedure in Ireland before and the consultant said he always offers sedation. England seems a little barbaric to be honest. Intrude into your nether regions, then cut a piece off if necessary all while you have a local bloody anaesthetic which sounds painful to start with?
I'll end up crying and that doesn't seem right?

Surely they can be more humane?

Eek read that wrong, I held a friends hand during colcoscopy and it was literally seconds. The worst part it putting the speculum in I think. It all depends how sensitive you are.

My friend did have discomfort but as it was so quick they didn't give her anything.

You could maybe go to your GP and ask for something to relax you as you're anxious.

Sorry for the mix up.

ShovingLeopard if she is so anxious (which I can understand) perhaps she should pick up the phone and speak to the professionals that can give her an answer, rather than berating the NHS.
The aggressive tone in her post does nothing to endear me I’m afraid.

And yes, you can demand a general.

My DP is terrified of needles so refused to have his gums injected at the dentist so he could have some fillings. So they sedated him.

I hear you OP. I've never had a smear as I will only have one under general or sedation.

Pop off back to Ireland and pay for it then hmm

It'd be free for OP in Ireland.

Zazlezza of course she should ask the professionals. However, nobody would have been available to answer her questions at the weekend. It's reasonable for her to ask on here for personal experiences to see if it is possible, rather than stew on it - with rising anxiety - until she can speak to someone. Let's face it, if she is going to see her GP about it, that could easily be a wait of a fortnight or more. For somebody with an anxiety problem that would be way to long a wait.

I do get that people feel defensive of the NHS, and don't like to see it criticised, especially by outsiders. I felt a little of that myself, even though I have recently been subject to one of its failings!

I had a colposcopy and biopsy done privately and they didn't do it with sedation. It didn't hurt at all.

The reason you've not been offered sedation is because it's not necessary. If you ask nicely they may offer it to you if you really feel it's necessary.

It will be necessary for some patients, wills.

No one is doing anything for free.

Its not crystal clear but my impression is the op lives/pays here.

Kerry - not all healthcare is free in the ROI, many health care services are charged for. I admittedly don't know if this procedure would be or if OP is talking about NI.

OP sounds terrified, it's just coming out as a bit aggressive. Cut her some slack, none of us knows what might underlie her fear.

OP, good luck for the procedure. Do ask in advance about sedation and explain your concerns. If you're thinking a mild sedative rather than general anaesthetic your GP could prescribe a decent dose of valium.

And for those jumping up and down about the NHS being free - it isn't. It's free at point of service but we still pay for it through tax and national insurance.

I've had 3, and was knocked out under sedation all 3 times, I'm a nightmare when it comes to medical stuff so they just knock me out without even asking half the time

I've had 3 colposcopies with biopsies taken.
Yes I find it painful but really, it's over in 5 minutes. The pain isn't as bad as other types of pain I get (chronic daily migraine)
I was never offered sedation but i'd rather just get out of there afterwards tbh! I do take 2 painkillers before the procedure though to try and take the edge off.
OP it isn't barbaric in the UK, it's just the fastest and safest way. More likely to have a reaction to a sedation or GA rather than any issues with taking a biopsy.

Kerry - not all healthcare is free in the ROI, many health care services are charged for. I admittedly don't know if this procedure would be or if OP is talking about NI

Thanks for schooling me about my own country
This would be free for an Irish person in Ireland. Most things are actually. If you don't know how the system works, why comment?

Sorry kerry - I had my Irish uncle complaining the other day about having to pay for a hospital stay so that was in my head. I should have researched more.

There is a bed charge for overnight stays in hospital (75€ p/n max 10 nights), but its free for many on the med card, covered by insurance if you have that and most other people don't pay it anyway and its rarely chased for.

I was sedated for mine

I didnt ask it just happened...the sedation i mean

Seems people are getting confused between colposcopy’s (vaginal/cervix) and colonoscopy’s (rectum/colon) Very different in experience, sedation is not needed for colposcopy.

OP I had a colposcopy a few weeks ago. They took three biopsies. It was barely worse than a smear. It was a bit longer, and it was uncomfortable, but not painful and I certainly didn’t need any sedation or additional pain relief. The biopsy taking felt scratchy not cutty (for want of better words) I felt a bit light headed but it was fine. I was told I may have some discharge or spotting but didn’t. I had some discomfort for the day, not unexpected, but compared to say - inserting my coil - it was nothing.

Do you suffer with anxiety? I can assure you you really don’t need to worry.

Kerry - yeah he paid for his

I didn’t have a local anaesthetic or anything (I did for coil insertion, thank goodness)

paper

Yep sorry completely confused !!

I'm not getting confused. While the majority will be fine without sedation, some will need it. Some women need it just for a smear.

With the NHS it can also depend on whether it's a morning or afternoon appointment. Not the same thing, but my mum has had the procedure done twice where they put the camera down your throat. The first time they refused to sedate her because it was about 4pm and they didn't want to hang around.

The second time she asked for a morning appointment but as often happens with the NHS, the appointment was postponed to an afternoon slot a few weeks later. So she couldn't have sedation again.

She said it was very unpleasant both times, especially when they snipped a bit off. Not her nether regions but still not nice.

I would have thought it was in the medics' interests for you to be sedated if needsbe as you'll lie there quietly and it will be easier for them to do the procedure efficiently.

Apologies for not returning sooner but I haven't logged on.

I don't suffer from anxiety but I am accustomed to a certain standard of care in medical settings. This is not the only time I have found the NHS sub-standard and having significant experience unfortunately, I stand by that statement. If you haven't experienced a different standard of care, then you have nothing to compare to so probably are grateful as it is drummed into you daily. As has been mentioned, the NHS is not 'free'.

I do find smears painful and for my last colposcopy I was sedated - not a general anaesthetic - sedation, as mentioned in my OP. The consultant advised me that he found it was better, safer, less painful and stressful for all parties concerned.

For those of you prattling on about colonoscopies - you're talking through your arses.

For those of you telling me to sod off to Ireland and pay for it - it's free (paid for by taxes much like the NHS - albeit less focused on financial efficiencies). I live in the UK however and have been referred over here.

If you didn't experience pain, I'm happy to hear it.

Thank you to the few who have defended me, shared their experiences and corrected some serious misassumptions. The information leaflet contained nothing in relation to sedation - even for biopsy, which is why I asked the question. That is what seems barbaric to me.

Ask your husband/partner whether he would consent to an injection into his scrotum in order to have a 'wee pinch' of a sample off the top of his dick? Tell me the answer.

Based on the actual advice received (limited though it may be), I will discuss with the department when I receive the appointment. I haven't received it yet.

It's uncomfortable, not painful but if you find smears painful you'll need to ask for pain relief, if you don't then there's really no need

It can be very painful. I don't find smears painful but find colonoscopies excruciating. The scope can cause spasms. I've watched a lot too (HCP) some patients are fine, others are in agony. The biopsies don't hurt though as there are no nerve endings in the lining of the bowel wall. They just feel like a pinch/tug.