Anyone had a hysteroscopy in NHS Lothian?

[MaMelon]

I’ve been referred for one and want to know if I can request (demand actually) sedation? I have a severe needle phobia, some personal issues in my childhood that I won’t divulge here but you can probably guess, I’m prone to fainting, have a very low pain threshold, I’m on medication for horrendous anxiety, I find smears very uncomfortable and have to steel myself to put in a tampon (I use 2 or 3 only a month on my heaviest nights, I can’t tolerate more as they are very uncomfortable when they touch my cervix).

The thought of a having this procedure is terrifying. Not just a bit worrying, but absolutely terrifying - I haven’t been able to sleep since the appointment came through and I genuinely don’t think I’ll be able to tolerate it without sedation. I’ve had three children but refused all pain relief - ended up having a ventouse on gas and air such is my needle phobia.

Can anyone help?

I had one done at St John's in 2017, then they did an ablation while they were in there. I think they added the hysteroscopy to justify the sedation.

That’s where I’ve been referred to. How did you get the sedation?

They told me they were doing it. I just presumed as my friends had all had ablations done under sedation it was normal.

One thing I will say, I had to stand my bloody ground to get the ablation. They wanted to foist a bloody coil on me. I found the male registrars and a male consultant listened to me. It was the female staff who wanted things done their way and they seemed stunned when I didn't bow down to their demands.

That’s what I’m worried about. I work in the NHS and know full well that while most of my clinical colleagues are lovely there is a tendency to just expect patients to put up and shut up. Normally I stand my ground in a professional setting but I’ll be on the receiving end and am so worried my concerns will be dismissed and I won’t be able to get sedation.

They haven’t mentioned ablation - is that standard? Did you know you were having that in advance?

They wouldn’t do ablation without discussing it first as it basically eliminates your option of any further children. If you have sedation you’ll probably need to get over your needle phobia! I had mine done privately and there was never any discussion about options as they offer general anaesthetic as standard. Glad they did as I’ve read some horror stories since!

I can cope with a needle in my arm (just). Anywhere else - esp my cervix - absolutely no way. I have to take diazepam for an injection for the smallest filling at the dentist.

Where did you get yours done privately? I’d actually prefer to avoid a GA if I can - sedation seems like a reasonable alternative.

@MaMelon

That’s what I’m worried about. I work in the NHS and know full well that while most of my clinical colleagues are lovely there is a tendency to just expect patients to put up and shut up. Normally I stand my ground in a professional setting but I’ll be on the receiving end and am so worried my concerns will be dismissed and I won’t be able to get sedation.

They haven’t mentioned ablation - is that standard? Did you know you were having that in advance?

Yes the ablation was what I needed the most. Daily bleeding for over 8 months, skin peeling off, hair falling out, iron levels so low I was so ill.

I think as it's a 90 second procedure they needed to justify the sedation for it and chucked in a hysteroscopy.

Oh crikey Grovee - that sounds dreadful

I went to Spire at Murrayfield (because the NhS waiting list was so long and I was fortunate to have private medical cover from work). I’m not sure why they’d put a needle in your cervix though?? Are you thinking they’d use it for local anaesthetic?

Yes, I was thinking they’d use it for local - they think my symptoms might be caused by a polyp they picked up on a scan, so they’re talking of removing it. Without anaesthesia ffs.

I had a hysteroscopy in NHS Lothian - I had day surgery and a GA. It wasn't suggested that I could have this without a GA, don't know if it depends on what the hysteroscopy is being done for?

That’s interesting - they haven’t mentioned a GA at all. I’ve had some heavy periods and bleeding after sex on one occasion. I’m feeling a bit railroaded into it, it all feels very invasive. I’m 52 and going through the menopause so heavy periods are hardly unusual.

Mine was for a polyp. At the consultant appointment I am pretty sure they only ever mentioned a GA, which I wasn't keen on, but it was all fine.

Go and have a look at Hysterocopy Action on twitter. They have some good advice to support women who want sedation / GA for gynea procedures. Hopefully a bit of knowledge will get you what you need.
I had a general for mine 16 years ago, I dug my heels in and said they weren't doing it while I was conscious.

I’m not even having a Consultant appointment - my GP referred me because of my history of having a polyp (which the last scan showed had disappeared) and because I’d had the period from hell last month plus a tiny bit of bleeding one time after sex. Just got a letter in today to say my hysteroscopy appointment is on 3rd Aug - so I can’t figure out who I need to speak to about my options.

I’ll take another look at the Hysteroscopy Action Group - their website seemed quite English-centric do I wasn’t sure how much applied up here.

@MaMelon

I’m not even having a Consultant appointment - my GP referred me because of my history of having a polyp (which the last scan showed had disappeared) and because I’d had the period from hell last month plus a tiny bit of bleeding one time after sex. Just got a letter in today to say my hysteroscopy appointment is on 3rd Aug - so I can’t figure out who I need to speak to about my options.

I’ll take another look at the Hysteroscopy Action Group - their website seemed quite English-centric do I wasn’t sure how much applied up here.

I'd try calling Gynae to discuss or go back to the GP

Yes I think so - I just wanted to know if anyone else had managed to secure a GA or sedation for their hysteroscopy as I suspect they’ll stick to the party line which is no GA/sedation, our staff are specially trained, we’ll stop if it’s too painful etc.

If you were having a GA I’d expect you to have a pre-op appointment beforehand? They’ll need to tell you in advance as they won’t let you drive home or go home alone if you’ve had a GA or sedation.

Yes me too - which is why I’m pretty sure I’m not being offered it. I’m on holiday at the moment but battle will commence next week when I’m back. I get cramps just putting in a tampon, there’s no way I’ll be able to ‘tolerate’ this (and why should women have to tolerate such a thing?)