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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel traumatised?

181 replies

cattypussclaw · 06/05/2021 09:01

So yesterday I had a hysteroscopy. It was very very painful. I cried, I nearly threw up and I passed out at one point. They asked if I wanted them to stop but all I could think was that they'd only want to do this to me again and I couldn't face that. In fact, no medical person is carrying out any procedure on me again unless I am out cold.

I was told it would be particularly painful for me as I haven't given birth (one child, non-elective c-section) so my cervix is very tight. I asked why no anaesthetic and the gynaecologist's reply was "Because you're a woman, no man would tolerate this".

I'm usually OK with medical procedures. I'm in the "just get it over with" camp and have no problem with needles and - I thought - a pretty high pain threshold.

It was the most unpleasant and agonising experience of my life and I honestly feel a bit traumatised. AIBU to think that no woman should be expected to go through this? Or am I just a wuss as I haven't been through the pain of childbirth?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
MizzyFizz · 07/05/2021 21:07

That information leaflet!

Fucking paracetamol or ibuprofen!

The medical profession's solution to every pain experienced by women.

You're probably imagining it but pop two paracetamol just in case.

A bus ran over my head

Oh dear. I'm sure you think it hurts. Go home, take a couple of cheap paracetamol from Asda and you'll be ready to cook the tea in no time.

Nothing ever changes. It's so bloody depressing.

Women even have heart attacks that get ignored because their symptoms don't always match up with the male stereotypical ones. FFS

Original poster
cattypussclaw · 07/05/2021 21:43

I took both paracetamol and ibuprofen, just in case (no, I know you're not supposed to but I was taking a belt & braces approach). I find it hard to believe it made one iota of difference.

OP posts:
goodjoujou · 08/05/2021 07:36

That sounds terrible. I had one in Australia a few years ago and it was done under general anaesthetic. I don’t think I could have gone ahead otherwise. Sorry you had to go through this.

Putawaymewoolyhat · 09/05/2021 11:50

Ugh I’m just enraged for you op - and glad to see you’ve complained.
Women shouldn’t put up with this shit.

FixItUpChappie · 13/05/2021 06:46

I had an endometrial biopsy done last week and no word of a lie I can't think of anything in my adult life that has hurt more. It was shocking. I'm glad I wasn't expecting it because I would have been terrified and still needed to get it done. My cervix is apparently "unyielding" having had 2 c-sections and my uterus tilted. She had trouble getting what she needed so there were multiple attempts. There was a huge amount of blood. I started bawling crying about.....5 seconds in!

Then somehow we walk away thinking it must be some failure in our own strength and character that is the issue Hmm This tread has really made me think.

mainsfed · 13/05/2021 06:52

I asked why no anaesthetic and the gynaecologist's reply was "Because you're a woman, no man would tolerate this".

This should be grounds for a disciplinary / suspension. How fucking awful. Was it a man or woman? Not that either is acceptable.

Seasidemumma77 · 13/05/2021 06:56

I had a hysterscopy beginning of the year, no anesthetic was even discussed. Was excruciatingly painful and traumatic, only found out later that many hospitals only carry them out under anesthetic.

OhGiveUp · 13/05/2021 07:35

The way women are treated medically in this country makes me so bloody angry, particularly on the gynaecological side.
Even worse that the pandemic is used as a reason!
Pandemic or not, there is NO reason not to offer appropriate anaesthetic / pain relief when a procedure is being carried out, and there is never a good reason not to investigate medical symptoms thoroughly.
Bloody disgraceful.
Maybe MN as a social media platform which is predominantly used by women could launch a campaign for better medical treatment of women?

PumpkinWitch · 13/05/2021 08:17

What an absolutely awful experience. They should not be doing that without pain relief. I have had some absolutely awful experiences too with birth and treatment for birth injuries.

The government are having a consultation on women’s health. You can fill it in and tell them about this. My friend has shared this on Facebook and she has had a terrible time getting any help with endometriosis. Women’s pain is not taken seriously.

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence

plinkplinkfizzer · 13/05/2021 08:47

Write to your mp or msp get this raised in Parliament again .
We must not tolerate these barbaric practices on Women .😢

OhGiveUp · 13/05/2021 10:15

@PumpkinWitch I've just completed and sent it 👍

imsoinmyhead · 13/05/2021 10:49

The fact that fucking paracetamol is cheerily offered during these excruciating medical procedures (including childbirth) is quite frankly insulting.

How doctors and nurses, (who presumably entered the medical professional because they have an intrinsic desire to care for and help people) can willingly put patients through this makes my fucking blood boil.

Still, we're all supposed to fall over ourselves with gratitude for the NHS Hmm

FrozenCucumberPresse · 13/05/2021 12:11

@imsoinmyhead

The fact that fucking paracetamol is cheerily offered during these excruciating medical procedures (including childbirth) is quite frankly insulting.

How doctors and nurses, (who presumably entered the medical professional because they have an intrinsic desire to care for and help people) can willingly put patients through this makes my fucking blood boil.

Still, we're all supposed to fall over ourselves with gratitude for the NHS Hmm

I agree, it’s completely fucking insulting. I felt incredibly pressured to accept paracetamol during my horrible five day birth because they had an attitude of making you work your way up the ladder of pain relief, so if you didn’t accept or try paracetamol and a bath you weren’t allowed anything else. It’s abusive. Absolutely abusive. I think people who work in labour wards are numb to the reality of the pain you’re in because they see it every day.
user1471562482 · 17/09/2021 19:34

Holy hell I've had a hysteroscopy today. Can't believe I wasn't offered a local anaesthetic. I did ask for it and was told by the (oh what ducking surprise male) consultant that "you won't need it". I went in saying I,d had problems just having a coil put in and that I,ve a "difficult"cervix. Much swearing sweating and bawling my eyes out ensued. Finally offered gas and air which did the trick was produced. Why the bejaysus couldn't this have been offered first to save me that godawful experience?

Cryalot2 · 17/09/2021 19:53

Sorry you feel so bad op
I have had several over the years and while not pleasant I would sooner have it any day, to camera down throat or colonscope .
The last I forgot to remove my undies which caused a laugh. The hospital had the ceiling all pictures and I was told to look for something amiss. Nurse held hand and chatted.I suppose it depends on who does it and the hospital.

Gorl · 17/09/2021 19:57

That is absolutely awful, you shouldn’t have had to go through that. I’m so sorry.

MadKittenWoman · 17/09/2021 20:18

You are not a wuss. I had a stuck Mirena coil. It took two attempts at removal, one at the doctors' surgery and one at the local maternity hospital's gynae ward, both with me screaming the place down in agony before they agreed to do it under a general. Paracetamamol definitely doesn't cut it. I know a midwife who fainted getting her coil changed. I had natural childbirth without pain relief and it felt exactly the same.

Notaroadrunner · 17/09/2021 20:25

I've had 3. Never once was it suggested I have them without GA and I wouldn't have dared have it any other way. I read another thread recently regarding hysteroscopy without anaesthetic and I was horrified. I am so sorry you went through this @cattypussclaw Flowers

Peraltiago · 17/09/2021 20:27

I’m amazed you had it without anaesthetic - I insisted on it! No way am I having a n intrusive procedure without the proper pain relief. I also ended up having polyps removed, so am doubly relieved. I’m sorry you went through this.

Peraltiago · 17/09/2021 20:29

I was given medical grade codeine after I came out of the GA after as well. I’m so sorry for what you’ve experienced.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 17/09/2021 20:29

yanbu at all. I had one a couple of years ago, hadn't had kids either and passed out. I asked about sedation before hand but was told that it was a painless procedure and didn't need sedation.

There's absolutely no way I'm having it done again

Newhorizon21 · 18/09/2021 00:35

Complain to PALS, find out who the clinical lead for your gynaecologist is, complain to them too

I had one a couple of years ago & had to ask the gynaecologist to stop, I couldn't tolerate it. They booked me to have the procedure as a day case under anaesthetic, & changed my Mirena at the same time. When it's time for my next Mirena change I'm requesting for it to be done as a day case under anesthetic too. I've had enough of putting up with extreme pain because it's convenient for the healthcare team

theThreeofWeevils · 18/09/2021 01:09

Conducting these procedures without effective analgæsia is nothing less than institutionalised sadism.
Flowers for those who have been subjected to it.

ImNotDancing · 18/09/2021 01:29

Omg. I have one of these booked in next month and I’m supposed to be going away the day after!! Think I’ll be rescheduling that appointment! Am child free and cried during my smear because it hurt so bad (while the nurse called me a good girl which I hate!)

AMCoffeePMWine · 18/09/2021 01:43

I’m in the US, and was given diazepam and then told to take ibuprofen right afterwards. It took the edge off a lot, I’d say.

The only thing was I couldn’t drive myself home afterwards (obviously, I was out of it), and was useless for the rest of the day (I enjoyed feeling hazy on the couch though, it was better than a spa day).

We should be given an option. For me, a general would be unnecessary, but maybe others might need it.