Hysteroscopy and biopsy - please reassure me, I'm terrified

[Ivebeeninlockdowntoolong]

I have this procedure coming up early next week, and it looks like a terrifying procedure. The information letter states that having a hysteroscopy with a general anaesthetic is the safest way ....

.... So potentially it's a procedure that could be so unpleasant that general anaesthetic may be used?

I've phoned up the hospital to ask if I can re-schedule the appointment to include a general, but wonder if anyone out there has had one of these and honestly can tell me how bad was it without GA?

Bumping.

Hi I’ve had a hysteroscopy. I’m not totally clear though - are you having one under local?

I've had that exact procedure (ie not "just" hysteroscopy) using local. If I need another I'll ask for a general. Most other countries use general as a matter of course. You wouldn't even be out for very long. See what the hospital says in terms of rescheduling and wait times. Presumably they have a target to get it done quick for you so maybe asking for a general won't delay it too much.

OP I haven't had this

But I do have a couple of strange experiences so just wanted to ask, have you had a pelvic ultrasound and are you happy with their explanation of why the procedure is needed?

I'm sorry to say, as a woman I find sometimes they assume the more invasive procedure should be option one when there may be an alternative.

I had a hysteroscopy to check unexplained bleeding, it was ok, it lasted about 10 minutes and they had a good look. However when offered the same procedure to carve out the problematic fibroid I opted for the general anaesthetic and I'm really glad I did, it took me a week or so to get over the fibroid removal and I can't imagine having that with just a local.

Take the GA and be happy, I would.

Hi Ostara

Funnily enough, they are going to give me the results of my coloscopy when I turn up for the hysteroscopy, but said I can ask the consultant there and then to refer me for one under GA (which will need a separate appointment to be made). So no, at this stage, I don't know why they are offering this, other than my Gynae consultant asked me to have a priority 2 week examination.

This was after I'd had a post-menopausal bleed which coincidentally happened 10 days after I'd had the AZ vaccine (read somewhere that this is a known thing). I'm having my 2nd AZ tomorrow so if I have another bleed then I'm confident that AZ could be the cause (unless the Dr really does find something nasty in my cervix).

I had one in March. I didn't have a GA. I took 2 co-codamol an hour before and had a local anaesthetic in my cervix. It was absolutely fine. I had a biopsy taken too.

To clarify I've not been offered either local or GA at this stage. Just instructed to take pain relief about an hour before the appointment. The letter says they may be able to offer gas & air (but not guaranteed).

The more I'm thinking about it (have had a bad experience of smears so I'm very nervous of gynae examinations) I'm minded to ask for a GA and rescheduling on the day.

I’ve read somewhere that this is a feminist issue and women are being denied the correct care as they should be done with a GA.

I had one without and would insist on a general anaesthetic next time.

I've had a Hysteroscopy recently by GA. what would you like to know?

I bled a bit, but it tailed off to clear pink liquid quite quickly. I believe they inflate your uterus with liquid for better visibility, it just drained away slowly.

It wasn't painful, but I believe my biopsy wasn't too invasive ie, wasn't deep into the womb wall.

My period came a couple of weeks after and was more unpleasant than normal, much more crampy.

The general anaesthetic was quite straightforward. I felt dizzy and a bit sick for about a week, my appetite was affected.

I had it done as a day case and was let home the same day.

@Ivebeeninlockdowntoolong

Hi Ostara

Funnily enough, they are going to give me the results of my coloscopy when I turn up for the hysteroscopy, but said I can ask the consultant there and then to refer me for one under GA (which will need a separate appointment to be made). So no, at this stage, I don't know why they are offering this, other than my Gynae consultant asked me to have a priority 2 week examination.

This was after I'd had a post-menopausal bleed which coincidentally happened 10 days after I'd had the AZ vaccine (read somewhere that this is a known thing). I'm having my 2nd AZ tomorrow so if I have another bleed then I'm confident that AZ could be the cause (unless the Dr really does find something nasty in my cervix).

So the whole thing is happening because of a bleed, you didn't have any pain?

I'd ask for a pelvic ultrasound to be done. I'd ask what they are looking for and what reason they have to be looking for it.

I wish I'd asked more questions the last time they asked me to have certain procedures.

You can't drive for a week after a general, apparently. It's universal for any procedure with a GA and automatically invalidates your insurance.

Someone else posted about this this morning and I linked to this website
www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk/due-to-have-a-hysteroscopy/
I would have a GA. I have had two, the first was with no pain relief and I found it very traumatic. Second was under GA.

Ok I get it now. I would say go for the general personally

Thanks Spring Sparrow - that is so, so helpful.

Forewarned is forearmed. I will go to my appt and insist on a GA - that's decided.

The NHS disagrees with you @Grizalda and says 48 hours www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/110811hdcugenanaes.pdf.

At my hospital they automatically do them under GA. I was worried about having a GA so asked for it to be done with an epidural which they did.

@Grizalda

You can't drive for a week after a general, apparently. It's universal for any procedure with a GA and automatically invalidates your insurance.

That is not true. Different insurance companies may have different rules, but the normal medical advice is that people should have a sensible adult with them the whole time for 24 hours and avoid operating machinery (including a car) or signing important documents for 48 hours.

OP, a lot of women do manage to get through their hysteroscopy with local and simple analgesia but it’s probably never going to be a particularly enjoyable procedure and, for all sorts of reasons, not all women do manage (which is the same as with all sorts of other investigations). There is only one way to find out. The procedure can always be stopped if it’s too painful. GA is generally safe, but not absolutely without risk and depending on your general health that is worth considering. It is also a procedure that can be done with spinal anaesthetic (which avoids GA, but is also not without risk). In addition to the responses here, rather than relying on the generic information leaflet you’ve got, it’s worth asking your surgeon how likely they think it is to be so-able (based on any examinations you’ve had already and how (un)comfortable they were, and what they’re expecting to see/do on the inside). Hope it all goes well. (DOI: anaesthetist)

I had one privately to remove a polyp without GA (or any pain relief as far as I remember) because that would have been more expensive and I couldn’t really afford it. I don’t want to frighten you because it varies a lot from person to person but for me it was quite traumatic. If I had the option I would absolutely request a general.

I have had two hysteroscopies both with no anaesthesia other than my cervix having a local. I was find with both of these procedures.
I am awaiting my third but it’s been delayed due to Covid (I’ve been waiting for 8 months!).

It's what my pre op nurse told me 🤷🏼‍♀️ and I feel it's probably sound advice too, as I know that I wouldn't have been fit to drive on day three, for sure.
I wouldn't even have walked the two minute distance to the corner shop. I still felt very woozy. I was still having the occasional dizzy spell on day 6.

Should have added that I had polyps removed at the same time.

I had one not under ga and although uncomfortable it was ok.

I'm glad I sought advice here and also looked at the linked website - there is an article there from BBC Woman's Hour where one woman describes her experience - no words can describe how dreadful it sounded (done without any pain relief other than her taking over-the-counter pain relief prior to coming in for the procedure).

She said words to the effect that if childbirth was rated on a pain scale of 10, this would have been 15 -20. It appears that the issue we have here is that there is a sliding scale of pain and perceived discomfort, from those women who have hardly any problems at all, to full on distressing agony and trauma. And all the shades in between.

The kicker is that no-one knows where they will fall on this line until the procedure is happening; there is no other way to find out! So why take the chance? The logical solution is that GA should be offered up front before the appointment is made and not the other way round.

As I said before, forewarned is now forearmed. I won't be taking pain relief before my appointment next week and I'm going to get the results from my coloscopy and to request the consultant reschedules the hysteroscopy with a GA.

@Greybeardy thank you for your thoughts on the options for pain relief, but I'm not afraid of GA so my mind is made up on that front.