AIBU - GA for Hysteroscopy and Biopsy

[CountryGirl189]

Hi all,

I’m only 28, never had children, however we were going to start trying soon and I’ve been tracking my ovulation.

I’ve noticed over the past few months that on the odd occasion, I have slightly brown discharge during ovulation.

Anyway, I mentioned this to my doctor and he sent me immediately for an urgent scan where they found my lining was 14mm (I was four days before my expected period and they classed this as the upper limit), increased vascularity, a bulky uterus and an uneven lining. The radiographer put it down to either a polyp or cancer. (I personally think it’s Adenomyosis based on my research and other symptoms).

SO, as if I wasn’t freaked out enough already, my GP called me immediately afterwards to say that I need an urgent referral to Gynae. I received the letter through and it’s to be a Hysteroscopy and Biopsy.

However, I am absolutely terrified, so much so that I’ve been having non-stop panic attacks, almost had a fainting episode the other night and have been constantly shaking, unable to eat properly.

This probably sounds really dramatic, but I have a deep fear of medical situ’s and it takes me a lot to even go and have a smear, which I do make sure I do! Once I had to go to the Dr for swabs and nearly passed out from her going waaaay too much near my cervix!

So, a long story later, my question is: AIBU to ask the consultant for GA for the procedure? (I’ve tried calling and calling his secretary for advice, to no avail - she never answers or returns my messages!) and secondly, how do I ask for it?

The latter half probably sounds daft, however part of my horrendous anxiety is coming from having to ask and stand my ground for it - I hate confrontation!

P.S. I completely understand I’ll have to wait longer for a GA and that’s fine by me!l and I don’t really have much anxiety around GA, which I know probably sounds weird, but as long as I don’t know what’s going on during the procedure, I’m all good!

I'm having another hystroscopy and biopsy in 2 weeks, last time the dcotor did a cervical block then the hystroscopy and biopsy.
Lots of deep breathing and it was all fine. My cervix is as tight as a trap door apparently, never had a vag delivery, so it's too tight to do it all without a cervical block before dilating.

I’ve had two. The first was quick and painless and over with quickly - in about 10 minutes. The second took over an hour with the consultant having a good old moan that she was having problems “getting in there” due to my high BMI. I was virtually upside down, clinging onto the sides of the chair and crying with the pain. I was sick afterwards. I won’t do it again without a GA.

Thanks for your reply Cherry Tree!

I have seen that group actually and find it horrendous that so many women have been dismissed. And do you know what, I managed to download the NHS IVF Fees sheet for my local hospital and guess what - if men need a testicular biopsy, it’s AUTOMATICALLY done under GA!

What a load of b*llocks - literally!

Absolutely have a GA
My gynae insists on it for me, and does my coil at same time

My friend recently had hysteroscopy with nothing and thought she was going to die

I'm sick of women being forced to undergo hideous procedures with no significant pain relief

@CountryGirl189 The same thing is happening to me right now. If you’re being referred under the “Urgent” (2 week) pathway, which it appears you are as your appointment is on Monday, then you’ll also be under the “Urgent” GA clinic ie days/weeks not months. Tell the consultant you have a history of fainting/nearly fainting during gynae investigations. That’s usually enough to suggest a GA in its own right, as fainting “on the table” means they have to trigger their resus procedures and that’s a right pain for the hospital. I went for my appointment last week, I told the consultant that I pass out during smears (cervical shock plus orthostatic intolerance) and he referred me for a GA straight away-I didn’t even take my knickers off. My pre-op consultation is next week but I’m not sure if everyone has to have one of those; due to various reasons I’m a bit complicated to put under. Good luck and try not to worry too much. ❤️

@JennieTheZebra - thank you so much for your response!

I really hope it’s as easy for me as it’s been for you! I just remember having a cervical swab at the drs a couple of years ago and the room went all funny, my legs started shaking uncontrollably and it felt like she was stabbing my cervix 😰 but I kept quiet because I just wanted the results!

Not to mention, I’ll be on my period on Monday and they’re absolutely horrendous as they are!

The things we go through for being women! If you don’t mind me asking, which part of the UK are you in?

Thank you so much again 🥰

I’m in Southampton. My experience was that I was having some pelvic pain which the doctor at the sexual health clinic thought was due to the copper coil, so she took that out and referred me for a pelvic scan to make sure. I had the scan 6 weeks later and all hell broke loose: 16mm, vascular, uneven, cystic and so I was 2 week pathwayed to Gynae. I’m only 31 and no kids… My real worry (other than it being cancer of course) is that if they find any unusual changes they’ll have to do regular hysteroscopes to monitor. That’s a lot of GAs 😢 and might be worth thinking about. Anyway, I really hope that it works out for you-but, generally, any hint of fainting and they GA. Fainting in a hospital setting means oxygen and monitoring so they try to avoid it if at all possible.

@JennieTheZebra oh god this is my exact situation!

Seems like a lot of people have this kind of thing come up on an U/S too after I’ve spoken to them 😩

Cancer is a huge worry, but I can’t stop thinking about not being able to have children - it makes me feel sick to my stomach! But I’m trying to not get ahead of myself, as hard as it is - your mind races!

I hope all goes well for you too and hopefully our uterus’s just like being a bit weird! I’ll let you know how it goes on Monday 🤞🏻

Thank you so so much!

OP, please try not to worry too much (easier said than done!). My womb thickening turned out to be a large fibroid.

Just going to reply back for anyone who’s going through the same thing:

Had my procedure under GA yesterday and all went well - no polyps, nothing! She said the whole uterus was in perfect shape! Which is such a relief!

Now I just need to get over the GA - didn’t realise quite how much it’d knock me sideways!

I'm glad it went well CountryGirl.
Mine went horribly. First two were fine, then the last one was so painful I ended up with gas and air, which did nothing for me at all.
Then to add insult to injury I just got a letter saying they have to redo it all as the samples were no good
I'm going to ask for a GA time, I can't imagine going through that pain again.

Ask for a GA