Hysteroscopy & biopsy - absolutely terrified.

[Lioney]

Basically my consultant at the NHS menopause clinic I attend, increased my Estradot to 150 but didn't change my Utrogestan. (100 daily & continously)

I took this dose for about 6 months.

Seen a different dr at the menopause clinic and they sent me for a scan.
Lining was 8.7mm and 'lumpy'. No bleeding or spotting.

Now they want me to have a hysteroscopy and biopsy.

Except I'm absolutely terrified of medical procedures.
Even a smear totally freaks me out. Until I went into premature menopause, I avoided doctors for years.

I know logically i should have the biopsy but I just can't cope with the anxiety its causing.

Its all I'm thinking about and I'm exhausted after knowing about this for only 5 days.
My so called 2 week path way appointment isn't until 12/8.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thankyou.

Ok, so you need to think about hypnotherapy and / or CBT. You can learn techniques to help.

At some point in your life you will need to address this phobia. Sooner rather than later!

You clearly don't understand.

I understand that professional support might help you because it's about talking to someone in real life. Why do you think that isn't 'understanding'?

I had three attempts to remove a tricky mirena last year before finally having it removed under GA. By far the most bearable/tolerable of the awake sessions was the hysteroscopy, the consultant surgeon who performed it was gentle and careful. It’s an odd experience, no doubt about it, but it wasn’t painful. The local anaesthetic to the cervix is very effective.

i had had a prior attempt to get it removed under ultrasound which had me screaming and unable to remain still. No idea why, think it was a mixture of technique and the probe sent something into spasm.

the GA for the eventual replacement was fine but I was out of action for a day or two from a parenting pov as I was just very tired and emotional.

Because your answer show that you are lucky enough to not understand what it actually feels like to experience a very severe phobia.
So severe that even though you know your long term health could possibly be compromised, you still are absolutely terrified of going through the procedure.

I will be contacting my GP and asking for any and all available treatments.

I've had two hysteroscopy procedures within the last 2 years. I'm very anxious health wise, due to a breast cancer diagnosis many years ago.

All I can say is, that the staff were lovely each time. Talked me through it all as i watched on the big screen!

Afterwards, I was offered a brew and a biscuit and was told to relax for half an hour afterwards. I then went to work and forgot all about it.

Hopefully you will have a good experience and the outcome will be positive. 🌺

Thanks.

Hope your fly recovered.

I'm sure it will be positive and I'm just over reacting.

@Lioney you will be okay, trust me 🙂🤞

While I don't pretend to understand your control issues here (is it that you fear being out of control or that someone else is in control not you?) a practical step might be to contact PALS at the hospital and explain your worries and that you cannot get the answers you need about the procedure. They might be able to help you get the info you want and perhaps find a way to support you as well.

I had to have a scan recently and could only just tolerate that. I have a titled womb and vaginal atrophy so when the gynaecologist tried to insert the speculum to do the biopsy it was a no-go.

No one was more surprised than me. I didn't have any pain relief during child birth and have always considered myself to have a high pain threshold.

I've never had any problems with smear tests before - uncomfortable but ok - but this was on a different level apparently due to the VA.

There was no way for a local anaesthetic to be administered either so the biopsy was abandoned and it will need to be done under GA.

No one knows whether you'll be one of the women who can't tolerate the procedure so if you're the type of person to be put off by a procedure not going to plan I'd go straight for a GA.

I don't think it's a box ticking exercise - the NHS is on it's knees, they won't be booking you in for a procedure if they don't think you need one.

And who cares what people think of you fall apart? You're never going to see them again.

Thanks.

I made a list earlier and contacting PALs is on it.
I've booked myself in with a hypnotherapist.
I will do an Econsult as well with the GP.

Thanks.

I'm postmenopausal and have Vaginal Atrophy and a retroverted womb.

I was ok at the scan but the Vaginal Atrophy symptoms were awful afterwards for 5/6 days, probably due to the lubricant they used.

I meant its a tick box exercise as I started to question the consultants prescribing and suddenly they wanted me to have a scan etc. The cut off for investigation is 8mm so I just feel its not necessary.

I care about failing apart.
I would find it incredibly distressing to get upset in front of strangers. I know that's not logical. Its how I have always been.

@Lioney PM'd you

I get it that you don't feel comfortable falling apart in front of others but this is your health.

My womb lining was 4.5mm and the gynaecologist wanted to do a biopsy. You're being advised to have a biopsy for a reason.
Please don't justify it away.

If you're worried about falling apart go straight for the GA and take away that anxiety.

Please don't put your concerns about how you'll react above the need for a procedure that could save your life.

@Lioney I'm just checking in on you to see how you are? 💐

@TToothiepegg

Thankyou.

I did an econsult to my GP this morning asking for medication to get me through this.

I had a phone appointment with a hypnotherapist and I'm going to see her on Wednesday.

I kept myself busy with the dc and tried to keep my thoughts in check.

I appreciate you checking on me.
Very kind of you.
Thanks.
💐

Well done @Lioney that all sounds very positive.

How did you get on @Lioney ? I hope you were able to get it done and it was a good result.

@DaniO2

I didn't have the hysteroscopy or biopsy in the end.

@Lioney Ah okay. I hope the lining has gone back to normal and the HRT adjusted and working the way it shoud now.

I stopped HRT after I had a scan at the Rapid Access Clinic, the lining had reduced to 6.7mm.

I declined the follow up appointments.

Unfortunately the whole experience leftvme so anxious and I'm still on antidepressants and betablockers 6 months later.

Oh you poor thing. Medical anxiety is absolutely brutal. And so much body stuff seems to start acting up when you get to peri/menopause time.

Don't worry I had last week and was fine next day. I had general anaesthetic and only cramps when woke up and they gave me meds for that. Really felt great after it so no need to worry at all. But I would not have it done without ga.