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 🫣

Typically I had stopped bleeding before the procedure. Coil fitted and now it’s been two weeks I’ve been bleeding! It’s so tiring and gone through so many pads! Hope results come soon- I don’t know what to expect from the letter? I am not sure of the possibilities xx

OK so an update. I had my hysteroscopy yesterday afternoon.
The staff were excellent and yes it was painful (gas and air was provided) but I got through it ok. I'm not in a hurry to repeat it. She took a sample from my uterus wall to biopsy (she said they always do this as a matter of routine) but said she saw nothing of any concern. It's looking like the bleeding might be hormonal rather than anything else but we'll know more after the results.
Having gone through it I can see how some women describe it as medieval torture.

Glad you got through it OK OP, and that the findings are looking good 👍🏻

Glad you got thru yours, OP. Im very glad i had anaesthesia for mine.

This thread has shown the large range of experiences, and hopefully will be useful for other women to know what to expect - and that expecting anaesthesia is not unreasonable!

Sounds brutal, can't believe this is allowed to happen.

Glad it’s over and done with for you. You must feel relieved xxx

I have been through this experience a few months ago and just reading this thread makes me anxious.
Mine was without any sedation and I had no idea what to expect from the procedure and I was certainly not going to google it. I was also not advised to take painkillers beforehand, and of course painkillers are only suggested for the period like pain following the procedure.
My consultant had to make three attempts to get a biopsy as she could not secure a large enough piece of my womb lining. So basically the procedure was attempted three times. I needed gas and air, although that did not seem to do anything. By the end of the failed second attempt she suggested returning another day, despite being in pain and distraught I told her I was not leaving to come back and go through this again and told her to 'grab a chunk'.
It appeared that she needed to use a larger 'grasper'!
It is barbaric and brutal procedure to have to go through whilst awake. I also cannot make any sense of the fact that the person carrying out this procedure on women without GA that are clearly distressed can actually perform it on a regular basis.

I've had 5 done, and the pain was the worst I've ever known.

Reassuring that it looked ok on the day. They said similar with mine, nothing could visually be seen but wait for the biopsy results. Postman’s just been again and nothing. Will be 3 weeks on Monday without hearing from them and I’m so worried xx

For those still waiting it is a really anxious time. My results took a lot longer and in the end I researched the consultants secretary and emailed her. The following day she rang me and said she had been given permission to give out my result over the phone.

How long did you wait? I know someone who had a skin biopsy for possible
skin cancer in December but just heard back yesterday! Xx

@IloveRickyGervaisAndHisTeeth I second that unfortunately as I've also had 4/5 done randomly at an appointment with no pre warning and with a tilted back womb it was horrendous pain I cried every time through it
Unfortunately with post menopausal bleeding yet again!! I've been referred again and am absolutely dreading going through it again..I hasten to add that on 2 out of those previous 4/5 occasions I had it done they didn't get enough tissue although they spent ages torturing my insides and then I had to go through it under a GA at a later date
Barbaric..was also snapped at one time by a nasty nurse who said you've had children so what are you crying for!!!!

Mine was a few years back, I had it with GA. Had to wait much longer of course. I had had 2 EMCS as my cervix didn't dilate properly and a ? Inverted? Uterus as well. The consultant didn't try and persuade me to do it awake. I don't know whether those had any bearing on him not pursuing the awake option more. All I really remember was they were mad keen to put in a mirena coil at the same time which I certainly didn't want doing.

well I still haven’t heard anything! It’s been 3.5 weeks. I phoned the hospital secretary and she took my number but didn’t say when she would be in touch. She said the result is there but no letters been written.X

Well I received my results on Friday at my appointment and it was good news. Simple hyperplasia was diagnosed with no sign of cancerous or precancerous cells. The consultant did admit to being surprised because she had thought it was cancerous when doing the biopsy (although she didn't directly let on at the time). Unfortunately they want to put the coil in to stop the hyperplasia regrowth and do a second biopsy. Otherwise they would want to do a biopsy every 6 months to check the regrowth.

I'm having a polypectomy and coil tomorrow. Still no results from the biopsy on the the 24th but I guess it might be too soon. The doc did say I would probably have the procedure before the results of the biopsy came back.

And breathe! I went to hospital yesterday. The anaesthetist was lovely and reassured me that the levels of local that they would use would be way in excess of the clinic and that if I indicated that it was too much she would stop the procedure straight away. However she said that the consultant (not the one I saw in clinic) might not want to use local anyway and that general or spinal were options she would be happy with.

The consultant said straight away that he would not do it with a local and asked if I would be happy with a spinal! So that was agreed. The most painful part of the day was the canula in the back of my hand for the drip! So in spite of three weeks of anxiety about how the process would feel it was completely pain free. They also put up a screen so I wasn't looking at the doc ferreting around inside me!

No results - the first consultant did say he didn't know if he had enough for a biopsy - but I can say, hand on heart, the hysteroscopy was painless.

Also, one of the reasons for not having a general was my BP 175/125. Yesterday they took my BP after I saw the consultant (knowing I wouldn't have loca) it was 120/75 and stayed that way all day!

I had a hysteroscopy, polypectomy and Mirena insertion done on Wednesday. Was told to expect a letter in 3-4 weeks and hoping I hear on time.

I was told "about three weeks". I'm telling myself that if I hear before that it will be bad news so I am hoping not to hear for a while!

I was told 1-3 weeks, nothing yet and I’m on week 4 from Monday. Glad your procedure wasn’t too bad @IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere ! xx

How are you finding the mirena? I had horrendous cramps for 2 weeks, and I’ve been bleeding for 4. Seems to be settling to spotting (fingers crossed!) but still a bit fed up with it. I didn’t get on with the progesterone pill, I bled for 7 months. I am hoping the mirena will be a game changer (as promised by gynae! 🙄) for my irregular bleeding problem! Xx

I'm just over 5 weeks in, and the last 4 or 5 days my bleeding has just about stopped.

@Mrsworried1 The bleeding is so slight it's barely there 24 hours on but the pain and cramps are uncomfortable but it's too soon to know really.

Anyone had any news yet? Can’t believe it’s been four weeks. Still bleeding 🙄

when I had a breast biopsy i had a letter to say it was benign in 7 days so I just feel this shocking having to wait this long. xx

Currently in waiting room at hospital 😬. Possible vaginal ultrasound... thats what my consultant put on the referral letter, but in the appointment letter it says it might be a hysteroscopy and to take "some simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen 30-60 mins ahead of the appointment". Er... given how late some clinics run, how do you time it?

I've taken cocodamol (I have it prescribed for another condition) and ibuprofen, and a propranolol... Still feel scared though. Am prepared to refuse a hysteroscopy though if I'm too scared.

Btw just met a very very friendly and lovely nurse so I'm feeling a tiny bit better...