To feel so frustrated with the hospital

[Thewholeshackshimmy]

First of all, I do appreciate how much the NHS is near breaking point since the pandemic but......
I have gynae issues (very heavy periods, and am very anaemic as a result). I had a quick 10 minute telephone consultation with a gynaecologist last July. A few weeks later an ultrasound scan which showed a possible adenomyosis, thickening of the uterus lining and polyps.
I was placed in a waiting list for a hysteroscopy and biopsy with a possible mirena insertion.
Due to Covid I waited and waited. I chased it up several times only to be told that the waiting list was very long and they could give me no indication when my procedure would take place.
Eventually the appointment came through. It is today. The appointment letter came through a month ago.
As the consultation in July 20 was so long ago and very rushed, I now have a few questions regarding the procedure and treatment plan. Since the letter came through in August, I have tried calling the secretary (who never answers her phone) have left voice mail messages which never get returned. I have sent endless emails with my questions in the hope someone can answer me. No reply has been received.
Eventually I contacted PALS and miraculously the secretary emailed me the same day (last Wednesday) asking me to email her the questions and she will put them through to the gynaecologist (it turns out it’s going to be a different gynaecologist to the guy I had the consultation with).
So come last Friday, still no contact. I ring her number only for a recorded message to say she doesn’t work on Fridays. Grrrr!
I then ring the hospital and ask switchboard to put me through to any gynae secretary. Ended up talking to a lovely secretary who was so helpful, he put me through to the manager. She came back to me and said someone will call me at 9am today to discuss the questions that I have.
It’s now coming up to my appointment time and I haven’t heard a thing and all the telephone numbers that I have just ring. I’ve emailed but no reply.
I am just so bloody frustrated. It making me feel like I am a slab of meat going on a conveyor belt. Don’t talk to us, we’ll just open you open, rummage inside and don’t ask us anything!
AIBU to just want to speak to a human being? I’m nervous and apprehensive and just need to speak to a person who can answer my questions.

Go private

You will have to give written consent when you get there. It isnt ideal, but you can ask questions and you arent forced to consent.

Rhinothunder it’s £3500 for a hysteroscopy privately Inhave already enquired. I can not afford that sadly.

I have had a hysteroscopy, colposcopy, laparoscopy, Mirena insertion and endometriosis removal. I also have adenomyosis, an 8mm endometrial lining and fibriods. I also work in health research. So I ma happy to try answer your questions but obviously I am not a gynae x

*fibroids

endofthelinefinally I know but it is far from ideal as I wanted time to pursue the info so I can make an informed choice. I can’t do that minutes before the procedure and if I cancel I will have to wait probably another year.

SafeMove oh thank you! Do you mind if I PM you?

Ask your questions before the procedure today. You'll be told of the risks anyway because you will have to sign a consent form. They will be able to go through it all with you before you go in. I get an endoscopy every 2 years and they still go through it all with me even though I know the drill. It's standard.

Happy to answer your PM x

romdowa the procedure is in 3 hours! It’s not the hysteroscopy so much as this will be my third, I have other questions which ideally should have been answered way before today so I can make some informed choices, but that’s been taken away from me due to their lack of communication.

I have the same issue, except everything is clear, bung a mirena in, blame thyroid problems and weight, send me on my way, problems not resolved, noone seems to care, I've given up.

Good luck with everything OP

I’ve had two. Read all sorts of horrors beforehand and was extremely apprehensive. Both were perfectly manageable, a little discomfort but no more than that. Polyps were removed without pain relief and I didn’t feel those at all. Staff were excellent, nurse sat and chatted to me whilst the gynaecologist carried out the procedure. Everything was explained very clearly throughout. Was sat down for 15 minutes and given a drink afterwards, drive home and suffered no ill effects either time.

If I had to go again, I’d take some paracetamol half an hour before procedure.

LemonFantaGin it’s horrible, I could cry with the frustration.
MrsSkylerWhite tbh, I am not overly concerned about the hysteroscopy as this will be my third. I am more concerned about the mirena insertion and have questions about that clashing with a couple of pre existing health issues. I just wish they could have answered them way before the day of the procedure as it gives me very little time to make a decision.
When the gynaecologist phoned me last year for the initial consultation he left me no time to answer questions just told me what he was going to do and that was that!