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Original poster

hysteroscopy. can I ask for Ga? really scared..

91 replies

MegGriffin · 27/05/2014 20:19

I need one because am getting occasional bleeding between periods. I don't tolerate smears etc very well and wondered if I ask will I be able to have a ga? does anyone have any advice or experience please? The hospital blurb says it is their preferred way to do as outpatient.

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kazzawazzawoo · 28/05/2014 18:54

I never find a smear painful at all, but as I mentioned having a coil fitted was sheer hell on earth.

mummytowillow · 28/05/2014 19:03

I had one without because I specifically didn't want GA as I have a fear.

I had a local into the cervix and it was mildly uncomfortable. Had mild cramping afterwards but it was really nothing to worry about.

Good luck

Original poster

MegGriffin · 28/05/2014 19:35

Kazza have you been given any instructions about before you go?

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Original poster

MegGriffin · 28/05/2014 19:36

Mines on Saturday 21st June.

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Original poster

MegGriffin · 28/05/2014 19:37

Mummy, I wierdly dont mind pain after, just scared of pain during...

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kazzawazzawoo · 28/05/2014 19:42

No, no instructions. I have an appointment on 16th June to discuss it, don't know if they'll do it then though.

I have a fear of ga too, and I am sick afterwards.

Meglet · 28/05/2014 19:44

I had GA's for both my LLETZ treatments. They performed a hysteroscopy during the first one.

Usual procedure was for a local. But I wasn't great with smears at the time so my consultant agreed to give me the GA. He said something along the lines of it being better to have me calm and not flinching so he could get on with it.

IIRC I was only out for 30 mins or so. Very easy recovery and just took it easy for a couple of days.

Original poster

MegGriffin · 28/05/2014 19:45

Good luck on the 16th Kazza. They enclosed a leaflet about hysteroscopy and says hysterosvopy clinic so I am in no doubt mine will be done on the day.

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Meglet · 28/05/2014 19:47

Yes, pain after was preferable to pain during the procedure. There was no way on earth I was going to be awake while they burnt off some cells on my cervix . No way.

Original poster

MegGriffin · 28/05/2014 19:48

I think because they have told me to report for it with no discussion makes me think it will be with a loca, in and out, next please.... I am reassured by the positive comments on herevabout good experiences, thank you.

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NotAllItsCrackedUpToBe · 28/05/2014 19:50

I had sedation and also some painkiller through a line in the back of my hand and although I could feel what was going on, the pain was minimal so I would recommend this route if it's offered. It was done as an outpatient procedure and after sleeping off the sedative for an hour or so I was fine to go home.

Apologies for slight hijack but could I ask everyone how long recovery took if they had any polyps removed? Prior to the hysteroscopy I was told to expect a few days of bleeding and some discomfort likened to period pain. They removed a large polyp and fitted a mirena ius during the procedure so suppose I should've expected recovery to take longer but 2 weeks later and I'm still bleeding all the time and sore after even light activity such as loading the dishwasher. How does this compare with everyone else's experiences?

To the OP: try not to worry, all the staff who dealt with me kept everything lighthearted, were warm and friendly and very re-assuring. I did not suffer at all during the procedure.

kazzawazzawoo · 29/05/2014 00:11

NotAll did you ask for the sedation before hand? Did you actually fall sleep during the procedure or just afterwards?

RuddyDuck · 29/05/2014 23:31

I have had 2 hysteroscopies in the last few months. Much less painfuul than a smear - as a pp said, probably because there is a chair with all the right angles, and the staff do hysteroscopies all the time. I took a nurofen before the first one but didn't bother before the second as there really wasn't any pain.

I wouldn't have a GA if I didnt need to - that involves time off work, and there are risks involved with any GA. I was back at work within an hour of my hysteroscopies.

LuluJakey1 · 29/05/2014 23:33

I had one under GA but had D and C at same time.

LackaDAISYcal · 29/05/2014 23:41

NotAll, I had some light bleeding after my first polyp removal and a bit of cramping, including some horrible stabby pains when I was leaving the clinic and I worried I wouldn't be able to drive myself home, but I hadn't taken any painkillers beforehand.

then lots of mild cramping for a few days after mirena insertion, but I took DH that time and had painkillers.

second polyp removal was less crampy, but again I was prepared with painkillers. Can't say about the bleeding as this fecker had been causing horrible bleeding and flooding for several months, so it was like the end of a mightily long period from hell! Needed pads for a couple of days afterwards., and mid cycle bleeding continued, but was much less.

NotAllItsCrackedUpToBe · 30/05/2014 01:36

Kazza: No, I didn't ask for the sedation, it was just how my hospital usually carries out the procedure. The anaesthetist told me just before administering the sedative that I may well drift off to sleep during the procedure. I didn't, and actually felt quite normal immediately afterwards but then fell asleep when I returned to my room to recover about 30 minutes afterwards.

I'm afraid of GA so was glad that it wasn't offered to me, but really don't think it's needed based on my experience.

NotAllItsCrackedUpToBe · 30/05/2014 01:39

Daisy: thank you, your circumstances sound similar to mine so it's good to know it sorted out the major bleeds for you.

Megan46 · 30/05/2014 12:29

I've registered here today after lurking for ages just so I could post on this thread. I had this procedure yesterday under GA and it was fine and I feel practically normal today, just a little tired and very slight spotting bleeding. I was offered spinal anaesthetic or general and opted for general. You obviously have to decide before you go because of no food/drink for at least 12 hours before if you are having GA.

A few weeks ago the consultant tried to perform the procedure with no anaesthetic and although it honestly wasn't in the least painful - and interesting to watch on the screen- she couldn't get the camera into my womb - sometimes a problem with post menopausal women, So they re booked me for yesterday with a GA. Had it done about 2pm , one polyp removed. A friend came and collected me about 4. Slept well no problems and have just been for a 3 mile walk with my dog .

kazzawazzawoo · 30/05/2014 12:33

Very interesting to hear everyone's different experiences. I have been putting this off for over a year because I'm so scared, but a lot of people here are saying it wasn't that bad.

MonterayJack · 30/05/2014 18:14

I had one without any anaesthetic also for mid-cycle bleeding/bleeding after sex. They found two polyps and removed them at the same time.

I wasn't offered any choice, the leaflet just said they prefer to do it without GA or local (I suspect because it's quick and cheaper that way!).

I was dreading it because I have a tilted back cervix that goes off to one side and smears can be agony. It was a lot less traumatic than some of the poking about I've endured by nurses trying to locate my cervix and take samples.

The doctor said if I found it painful or I couldn't cope she would stop and I could make an appointment to have it done under GA but generally it was fine. She kept stopping to check I was ok and a nurse was at my head-end talking to distract me (though I didn't need it really). The worst sensation was when they were removing the polyps and it felt like a very nasty period cramp but didn't last long.

The procedure was a heck of a lot less grim then I'd feared and if I had to had one again, I'd not be worried.

Original poster

MegGriffin · 31/05/2014 14:36

Monteray thank you, that's really reassuring. I'm sure that these gynae types are not sadists and would not want to do procedures if they KNEW it would be awful so at the moment I have my brave head on and will turn up positive etc...(watch this space for changes in frame of mind ).

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Original poster

MegGriffin · 31/05/2014 14:39

thanks Megan, that is also reassuring to hear [smile and i'm glad you are recovering really quickly after your procedure.

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friendlymum67 · 31/05/2014 15:32

Following this with interest as I am booked for a hysterosopy on the 12th June under GA. I too am terrified!!

I would prefer not to have it under GA but my consultant advised me to! Her reasons being that the cameras used in out patients aren't as good as those used in theatre!!

I absolutely hate the idea of being asleep, as much as I hate the thought of the procedure!! Would rather be awake than not knowing what's going on .......

notamonkeysuncle · 31/05/2014 15:44

I had one last year and was given the choice. I went for GA as im a bit of a wimp with pain.
I was in and out of theatre in 20mins and asleep for around 40mins.
In total I was in hospital for 3 hours.

Original poster

MegGriffin · 31/05/2014 17:29

I find it strange that different places offer different services. If they offered me a ga I would bite their hand off but they don't....

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