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Original poster

Hysteroscopy under GA tomorrow

10 replies

Sunbeam79 · 19/01/2017 11:28

Im due in to have an investigative hysteroscopy tomorrow morning. Feeling really anxious about the general anaesthetic as well as the procedure and the outcome! Positive thoughts / advice etc would be much appreciated! Thank you x

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 19/01/2017 13:24

The procedure itself takes no time at all. I had mine done with nothing- just as if having a smear done. Personally I think a GA is overkill unless there are good reasons for it. Friends who've had a GA for it have been allowed home after 2 hours so am sure you will be fine. :)

Original poster

Sunbeam79 · 19/01/2017 13:32

Thank you I just hope they don't find anything nasty x

OP posts:

Gottagetmoving · 19/01/2017 13:45

I had a hysteroscopy a few years ago with no sedation. It was slightly uncomfortable but nowhere near as bad as I feared and was very quick. I much prefer not to have a GA.( I don't think they would have agreed to one anyway)
Are you sure its a GA and not just sedation? I didn't think they gave a GA for a short procedure?

tobee · 19/01/2017 14:52

I had a GA for a hysteroscopy and resection for a fibroid under GA. I asked but the surgeon wouldn't do it any other way. I was very nervous indeed about the whole thing and even had a prescription for Valium which I didn't use but could have taken safely apparently, up until I certain point. I have ongoing health anxiety and didn't get much sleep the night before. I was in early to the day surgery unit but didn't get taken through til early afternoon so had a looooong wait. I took an easy to read book with me for distraction. I told all the staff that I was very nervous and they were very understanding. The whole procedure itself was fine although I did wonder why I didn't run away. I had to wait until after Christmas for the result which was a bummer but the result was ok. In the end though I had a hysterectomy 6 months later because the resection didn't work. Having had the hysteroscopy in the recent past meant I wasn't nervous this time and I look back with fond memories of the whole experience now!!

Original poster

Sunbeam79 · 19/01/2017 17:25

Thanks for your input! Whilst I was given the option, I was advised by the consultant to have GA. Either way, I think it's the results I'm most worried about. Tobee, really glad to hear it all ended ok for you and you don't think about the experience as being horrific!

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 20/01/2017 08:24

I think having a GA is unnecessary unless they are removing a fibroid or something too. The reason a surgeon might say it's best is because it's best for THEM! They don't have to consider the patient who might be anxious, and they just get on with it. (A nurse said this!)
I had the choice and chose not to have a GA.

Crumbs1 · 20/01/2017 08:35

Pollyperky, that is grossly unfair. I don't know anyone that offers GAs for their own convenience. Some hysteroscopy are done under GA for perfectly acceptable medical reasons. There is a campaign at moment for all hospitals to offer GA for hysteroscopy being led by two MPs. Some women find it quite uncomfortable, particularly if there is treatment of polyps at same time. Some find it too uncomfortable if they have cervical stenosis. They can have a paracervical block but this isn't always the best option for particularly anxious women. Many sail through hysteroscopy with nothing, it's true but some don't. It's about meeting the needs of those women not making life easier for the gynaecologist.
GA will be fine absolute risk is very, very low - even for extremely frail elderly.

PollyPerky · 20/01/2017 09:19

What's unfair exactly? I'm reporting a conversation I had after mine with a nurse! That was her opinion. I (and my immediate family) have had several operations and procedures (privately) where the surgeons (who we chose ourselves) were very open about the reasons they'd prefer a GA in some instances. That included them being able to get on with the job and not worry too much about any anxiety the patient has. It's nothing to do with 'fairness'.
I had a closed cervix for my hysteroscopy and it took a long time- I had to be dilated. It was only the skill and patience of my dr that meant it was painless. I've heard of other women having it done on the NHS where the procedure was abandoned by their dr who didn't have the time to carry on. IMO women should have the choice. I did and chose no GA and am glad I didn't. I don't judge women who choose to have a GA and there may be times when it's necessary. I don't know what we're arguing about tbh- looks like you're picking a fight over nothing.

tobee · 20/01/2017 14:25

Anyway, arguementd aside, hope all went well, op! 🍰

conkerpods · 20/01/2017 15:11

My consultant said I had to have a GA for my hysteroscopy as they needed to have a good rummage and take a biopsy.
OP,mine was back in sept and it was fine,I had no pain after it and they gave me some nice drugs before putting me to sleep.
I had another hysteroscopy without GA last week and that was very painful (due to my condition that they discovered with the first hysteroscopy!).
Fingers crossed for you.

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