AIBU to feel traumatised?

[cattypussclaw]

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?

You poor thing! I didn't realise they did these without a GA. I had one 2 years ago and I asked my consultant if I could have it done without a GA simply as I get so anxious about them and she told me no it would be far too painful.

Wincing for you. Sounds bloody awful. Thank you at least for the warning/heads-up. My pain threshold is low and I find that kind of invasion triggering. I had a 'sweep' when due to give birth that I have never quite got over. I am sending you hugs OP and I am sorry this happened to you

@cattypussclaw - I’m so, so sorry this happened to you. When you write your complaint(s) please make sure that you state that this procedure was not done with your “INFORMED CONSENT”. A) The pain level had been minimised and B) Anaesthesthetic option was not offered.
This is a legal frame of reference that will definitely help you.
Everyone providing ANY kind of medical care - from moving a patient, giving medication, touching them - ANYTHING…. But most especially, performing surgery…. must ensure that the patient has provided INFORMED consent. This also means that they are OBLIGED to inform the patient of all of the options available (including anaesthesia/pain relief & side effects & complications, etc.) I honestly think that you have been failed in this area. Also, that doctor was a heartless bastard.
You poor thing!!!

I found cervical sweeps horribly painful. I was writhing around on the examination bed crying out in pain and had to do breathing exercises to get through it. This was with my second baby. I gave birth to the first, vaginally, and there were complications and I ended up needing forceps. So apparently it wasn't supposed to hurt very much the second time around.

I think maybe some people just have a more sensitive cervix than others? I also cried in agony when having a coil put in. Again, it was meant to be a simple and slightly uncomfortable procedure. I would never have one again due to the horrible pain.

I’m so glad you’ve complained. I think watching a patient in serious pain and knowing you’ve offered no pain relief should be a recordable mark on a doctors record.

YANBU, I was shaking and crying for hours after mine. It’s the whole womens pain isn’t real and we are all hysterical bullshit. I’ve had an ectopic which was excruciating and this scared me more.