Hysteroscopy

[emmetgirl]

Anyone ever had a hysteroscopy? I'm having one in 2 weeks. Is it painful? They suggest I take some painkillers before I arrive 🫣

I've had an appointment letter today under the 2w rule for "either" a transvaginal ultrasound "or" a hysteroscopy. In the small print it says the ultrasound may include the taking of a biopsy. It just says to take some paracetamol beforehand.

I'm really REALLY anxious about this - not knowing what procedure I will definitely be having, and also the idea of anything being passed through my cervix while I am awake. I'm going to call them - but wondered if anyone had any advice?

My experience is you have an internal scan then if needs be you go straight and have a hystoscopy and to see the gynaecologist. I was terrified and very glad I didn't need one and was going over in my head what to say and how to insist on a GA. Sorry that's not more helpful.

I had one this week under sedation. I am still not exactly sure what that involves, but the important thing is that I felt no pain, nor was I tense due to embarrassment which I think definitely contributes to the pain of these procedures.

Apparently I had a conversation about holidays while I was under, so God knows what else I said and can't remember!

The good thing was it took far less time to recover than any GA I have had. I went in at 7.30am and was on my way home before midday. So I would recommend asking for sedation.

The consultant offered just a local though initially and said the procedure would be "uncomfortable ". I have been through so-called uncomfortable gynae procedures before without anaesthetic, and I wasn't having another one!

Bugger that. If they say the word hysteroscopy, insist on sedation or GA. Even if it means you have to rebook (unless it really is desperately urgent and even then, I would try to push for more than a local).

I had one back in Nov 2021 to remove my mirena coil (as it had dislodged) - personally, I had no pain relief at all and found it fine, wasn't painful, just slight discomfort and cramps for a few hours afterwards. However, I know for some, it can be really painful and people would prefer to have it done under GA... I hope it goes well! You have every right to however you want to do it!

I was told biopsy results usually take 2 weeks, but could take up to 4 at the moment - Addenbrookes, Cambridge.

I had the biopsy on 12 Jan, and got the results (letter from the gynae dept, via MyChart) on 31 Jan. Along with a follow up appt on 17 Jul a few mins later.

When I had the procedure the nurse specialist who carried it out made it VERY clear that I was in charge of the procedure, that if I wasn't comfortable going ahead then I could stop it at any point, that additional pain relief or GA was an option. And continued to reinforce this message and check I was okay with her proceeding throughout.

What's the difference between sedation and general anaesthetic? I thought they were synonymous?

Here you go:

rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2022-06/12-SedationExp2021web.pdf

@Mrsworried1 I didn't have a biopsy. They were querying thickened lining and possibly a polyp based on my u/s scan but didn't see anything at all at the hysteroscopy so no biopsy needed.

Having worked in histology many years ago (the lab that handles the biopsies) we used to advise to allow 3 weeks for the results to make their way through the system to you.

Hope all is OK when you get them.

I had a letter today for a ultrasound, transvaginal scan and hysteroscopy. I had the first two during pregnancy so know what to expect but there is no mention of taking pain killers before the hysteroscopy and if I hadn't read this thread I would have gone to the appointment assuming that it felt like a smear. So grateful that people have shared their experience.

I am in shock that my consultant at my initial appointment didn't bring up the question of sedation when she told me that next step was hysteroscopy.

@Cakeorchocolate i am
unsure what they did a biopsy of they said it was a d&c? They said on the ultrasound and then the hysteroscopy that they saw nothing. Im really worried x

I'm just going to add in my exp

I had a hysteroscopy + biopsy + mirena coil fitted on Monday. There was never any question from the hospital of doing it without anaesthetic - local or general both discussed. I chose general. The last time I had any kind of surgical procedure was 40+ years ago.

About a week before, I had a pre-op check: many questions, a blood test, an ECG, swabbed for MRSA. I did an LFT the day before.

On the day I had a slightly runny nose so the anaesthetist didn't want to give me a general anaesthetic so I ended up having a spinal. I was rather nervous about having the injections for this but he was very careful and it was fine. The spinal meant I genuinely didn't feel a thing from the waist down (and in a nice way felt quite disconnected and didn't care about what they were doing although they did talk me thru it). There was a moment in recovery where my heart rate dropped to 36 bpm and the nurse had to call the anaesthetist back but it was because I'd asked to be propped up (too soon) so I was laid down again and raised at intervals.

It was about two hours from getting into my gown to reaching day ward. Once I got moved into the day ward, it took another three hours to get feeling in my legs back and be able to walk again. Really odd sensations of heat (like a hot water bottle on me) and pins & needles moving; weird but not unpleasant.

Able to drive the next day and no problems since. Lower back a bit sore from the injections and my normal back aches have been a bit worse.

Every member of staff was fab - friendly, patient, reassuring, professional.

DisplayPurposesOnly was that UK?

I posted above about my experience, I had exactly the same procedure 3 weeks ago, didn't have any pre-apt checks (height and weight on the day).

I paid for my parking just under an hour after we'd taken the ticket driving into the car park, and was in the hospital itself for about 40 mins.

Have you previously had other procedures which meant they proceeded as they did with yours?
Mine were clear that options were available, and it was my choice, but they certainly didn't try to steer me towards anaesthetic.

I had this with no painkillers. It was so painful and I felt in shock for ages after the biopsy. I can’t believe they still do this and wasn’t expecting it at all when I went in for a scan. I mean even the dentist these days numbs your gum before an injection! It is barbaric in my opinion.

I had one done and a biopsy and when I asked my surgeon if I would be put to sleep for the procedure, he actually thought I was joking and said "why on earth wouldn't we put you to sleep?" And looked shocked when I told him there are places in the UK that don't. (I live in Oz).

@Chasingsquirrels , yes in the UK - north west England. Only previous surgeries were teeth taken out 40+ years ago. No children, never been pregnant.

Presume the pre-op was because a general anaesthetic was planned so obviously wouldn't apply to you. Guess the hospital are aware that women's reactions range from 'no problem' to 'traumatic' and err on the side of caution. I was aware of that range so was prepared to insist but, like I say, it was never questioned. I daresay I could have gone without anaesthetic if I'd asked.

From what I’ve heard from others that have had this, I think it can also be decided for medical reasons why a GA is offered. One friend who hasn’t had children automatically offered GA (they said that’s standard if you haven’t been through labour), another who struggles to have coils fitted, again GA. Normal, no issues with smears/two vaginal births - no mention of offer of GA or any other options for pain relief (apart from paracetamol).

That's interesting about births, I've had 2 children.

I was not given the option of anything other than GA.
I am pleased I was given one.
I wouldn’t have liked to just see how it was on the day then had to wait for a further appointment if it had been too painful to carry on.

It seemed like a much better idea to put me asleep for hysteroscopy, d&c and coil fitting. I think that would have been awful awake to have that.

I caught a glimpse of the notes on the computer when I was being discharged and it took 20 mins to do the procedure I wouldn’t have liked to have that much rummaging round and pain for that length of time.

I was in a lot of pain when I came round and needed quite a bit of IV morphine to settle the pains, I can’t imagine how
bad I would have found it.

it’s crazy how much it can vary pain wise, person to person.

With regards to the checks, I had blood pressure and ECG, height and weight, mrsa swabs, they didn’t get bloods as I had had them not too long ago at the doctors, I also had a consultation with anaesthetist, and a consultation with the consultant.

I went in at 12, and was gowned up at 4pm. They were really busy there was about 15 other people in the day unit.

I was in theatre around 5.15 (I remember looking at the clock as they were putting me to sleep) and I woke up at 6.15 ish? I was taken to ward later on, and was given tea and toast and I was discharged at 8pm. It was a long day!

I was very groggy from the anasthetic and drugs, I came home and went straight to bed. The rest of the week I felt dreadful, I had a sore throat, bad cramps, aching all over, felt a bit sick and just generally really tired.

X

I have had two, under GA.
I had laser removal of adhesions during both.

Not having GA wasn't even an option I was given, which I'm glad about tbh. Just having any form of internal examination was painful enough at the time.

My weight and blood pressure mean that GA is too risky. I'm having a polypectomy, d&c and coil fitted. Aside from the anxiety about what they might find (have had one CA125 and need to have it repeated a week after the procedure - I have cyst on my ovary) I am feeling sick at the thought of how it is going to be. The nurse who did my pre op was lovely and sang the praises of the anaesthetist but I am anxious.

My weight and blood pressure mean that GA is too risky... The nurse who did my pre op was lovely and sang the praises of the anaesthetist but I am anxious.

Presume you can have a different kind of anaesthetic then, since you are seeing an anesthetist. Do you know what the options are available to you are?

@DisplayPurposesOnly local, and an intravenous sedative. The nurse I saw on Thursday was so lovely and tried to get hold of her on the phone to reassure me but she couldn't find her. It just seems a huge thing to do - apparently the polyp is filling the whole uterus.

Hope everyone is well. Day 15 after my procedure and still bleeding quite bad and still no letter with results 😭 I think I’m going insane with worry x

I'm on day 13 after hysteroscopy and no sign of results either. Although my never ending period has stopped since hysteroscopy, I'm not sure why since they never managed to fit the coil but did take a biopsy. Not complaining though but I'm sure it will start again soon enough.