Hysteroscopy - what were you told?

[comfortablyfrumpy]

I'm booked in to have a hysteroscopy. I've been told by the gynaecologist to take paracetamol beforehand - it also says that in my referral letter. There was no mention of anything else.

However, I've seen threads on here where people have had them under GA.

I'm now wondering if I'm missing something? Is it normal to be told to take paracetamol and is realistically going to be much more painful than paracetamol-level?

I had a regular biopsy without a camera a few months ago. It hurt but was bearable. Would the gynae be basing the paracetamol advice on how painful I found the first biopsy?

I think it's standard advice, I had it when I had mine (and had a biopsy at the same time). I think the pain varies depending on your tolerance and the skill of the gynae - some people seem to just find it a little uncomfortable and others find it really painful. There was gas and air available when I had mine, which was helpful.

I think the NHS default is not to offer GA. I had mine done privately and was just told it would be under GA as a day case so i never thought to question if there was the option to do it without (although it nearly got to that point when they were refusing to let me go home without another adult!). I only realised this wasn't the norm everywhere when I read about people's experiences on these forums!

You will find as many experiences as there are posters! :)
And a huge variation.

I had this done privately. I felt reasonably 'relaxed' about it as he is a great dr. I was given the choice of what to do and chose 'nothing'. The idea was to use a local if I needed it or reschedule for a GA.

Like you I'd had a biopsy on its own some time beforehand.

I found it almost painless (in my 50s but on HRT) and not much different to the biopsy.
It did take a while and he did have to use dilating tools so it took 30mins rather than around 10.

I think the skill of the dr counts for a lot.

The 'taking some painkillers before' is standard advice, not for each individual.

Thank you everyone - very helpful.

I will down my paracetamol and hope for the best

My advice would be to try just paracetamol but be prepared to call a stop to it if the pain is too much. I experienced extreme pain but soldiered on as I stupidly thought that that must be normal. I'd have a GA if I needed one again.

I had an unexpected one at the end of last year. I didn’t take any painkillers before. It was uncomfortable but bearable. Do ask for a GA though if it is too much - sometimes I think women are just expected to put up with the discomfort of gynae procedures. You’ll be grand!

Thank you.

I don't want to have to rebook - took long enough to get this appointment. But if it is unbearable I will say so.

I stopped mine, it was excruciating. I’d taken naproxen.

I had one a couple of months ago. Was given a leaflet beforehand explaining the procedure, suggesting I take some painkillers beforehand but also outlining other options, such as requesting gas and air or a local anaesthetic during the procedure, or arranging for it to be done under GA instead.
Personally, I'd put up with quite a lot before a GA was the more appealing prospect, so I took some ibuprofen and hoped for the best.
I found it painful, but not unbearable by any means. I was having a cervical polyp removed, so the doctor was having to move move instruments around in my cervical canal.... not very comfortable, but pain was localised and stopped instantly when the doctor stopped (I did feel some mild cramping at times, but found that pressing down on my abdomen relieved this).
Overall the experience was actually a very positive one (not least because I was absolutely delighted to be rid of the polyp). The doctor carrying out the procedure was honest about what it might be like, very clear that I could stop things at any point, informative, good humoured and inspired total confidence. I was able to watch the screen and ask questions about what was being done and what they were finding as they occurred to me. She paused frequently to check how I was doing and at one point my grimaces led her to announce it was time for a local... which I refused, because honestly, grimaces notwithstanding, it was fine and certainly not bad enough that a needle in the cervix felt like a good option.
Afterwards I was put in a reclining chair in a side room and given a cup of tea, which was nice, but didn't feel necessary... though I know these things are individual and the woman the other side of the curtain was obviously in a lot of pain. Drove myself home, went out to lunch, and got on with my day with nothing more than very mild discomfort.
Overall, was very glad to be 'present', and would not have wanted a GA.

I was offered a light sedative and gas if I wanted, some chose neither, just a local- meant I could drive myself there and go straight to work.

Thank you everyone :) I'm going with the paracetamol and keeping fingers crossed !

Had one this afternoon. Took a diclofenic suppository beforehand . Had these for a prolapse operation in the summer and found it left over. Maybe ask the doctor to prescribe one or two for you ?
Think it would have been a lot more uncomfortable without taking it. Now lying in bed reading mumsnet.

I’ve had two under GA.

I had one recently and was told to take 2 ibuprofen an hour before my appointment. I was also told, just before I was seen, that if I found it painful, to say so and that they’d stop and rebook me for a GA. I was absolutely fine and didn’t feel anything other than a bit of cramping afterwards. I had a polyp removed and a biopsy. I was also told afterwards that it varies lots from person to person as to how uncomfortable it was and I was just one of the lucky ones. Good luck. You may well be absolutely fine with just the paracetamol 🤞

I had paracetamol. I took a hot water bottle which my husband kept warm in the car while he was waiting. Drove home hugging it and spent the evening doing the same.
Tbh it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. And I'm told my doc was one of the rougher ones. The nurses were lovely and held my hand and chatted. I chat when I get nervous!

Had 2 under LA and when I joked that I'd rather have had a GA as it fg hurt, the surgeon said, oh yes you can request that! I had my 3rd under GA.

For all procedures I had no painkiller advice so hadn't taken anything & they didn't numb the area anywhere so it hurt like hell for me, hence the GA for the 3rd.

I took paracetamol before the procedure (with polyp removal) but then accepted the gas and Air when offered it. If nothing else then the breathing in the tube provided a bit of a distraction. I won't lie, it was painful, but the pain only lasted a couple of seconds then the rest of it was no worse than period pain (obviously very subjective depending on how painful your periods are though!)
If I had to do it again I would be fine without a GA, it was bearable.

Thank you folks. I knock back the paracetamol and will report back :)

How did it go @comfortablyfrumpy might need one too and am a big wimp about the pain.

I'd also like to know! One of these in probably in my future and I can't take NSAID/painkillers...

@Bayleaf25

How did it go *@comfortablyfrumpy* might need one too and am a big wimp about the pain.

Not had it yet - will report back when I do!

@BobbinThreadbare123

I'd also like to know! One of these in probably in my future and I can't take NSAID/painkillers...

I had one and a biopsy, it was mildly uncomfortable and I wouldn’t say it hurt at all. I did take two paracetamol before, it’s not always horrendous and I’d certainly have wasted a surgery slot if I’d needed a GA. Try it, you can always stop it if it’s too much.