Hysteroscopy - scared of anaesthesia

[thecoconutcat]

After a recent miscarriage a uterine polyp was found in my womb. On Wednesday I am having a hysteroscopy and polypectomy. The surgeon assures me this is a very quick procedure. I have always had an irrational fear of general anaesthetic, probably as I have never had one. Has anyone got any words of reassurance/wisdom?! Thanks.

Nothing to worry about. I've had about 20 anaesthetics and they are literally like just going to sleep . The doctor will put a little needle in your arm.....and the next thing you know. you'll be waking up . There is nothing to worry about.

Have they told you that a GA is necessary? I have had a couple of comparable procedures recently that have only required some sedation. Really easy and no issues afterwards.

Thanks @ShippingNews - if it's such a short procedure do you have a breathing tube?

@endofthelinefinally he said that he only does it under GA....

GA usually means intubation and ventilation for invasive surgery. I am sure you won't need that for your procedure. As pp said, it will just be a little injection, off to sleep and you will be awake again in no time.

I've had two hysteroscopies, neither under GA. They were fine, uncomfortable but not awful. I didn't know at the time that GA was even a possibility and am very glad I didn't have a GA as I don't tolerate them very well. Can you ask for it to be done with sedation instead?

I had a GA 20 years ago and coming round was rough and it required an overnight stay for recovery, then I had one last week, I was up and about 20 mins after coming round and home the same day. It was super easy.

I work in theatres op. You will be absolutely fine it is quite literally like closing your eyes and opening them again and someone telling you it’s all finished. There’s always someome
available for a wee hand hold if you need it. It is very very rare these days for an anaesthetic not to be straight forward. X

Sorry, I should have clarified, I didn't have sedation or GA for mine and I was back at my desk within an hour of the first one.

I think you need to clarify exactly what he means. You will have to sign a consent form, so it is important that you know exactly what is happening.

So sorry for your loss, OP.

I've had 4 laparoscopy's (including hysteroscopy) for endo and 3 D&C's for miscarriages so 7 lots of GA in 9 years.

It's normal to be scared, I was petrified and sobbed to the anaesthetist for my first one and now I quite look forward to the floaty, deep sleep I know I'll get!

It feels like you're very relaxed for about 5 seconds and then all of a sudden you wake up in recovery! Super quick and easy.

Good luck x

I had the exact same procedure in May last year and I was absolutely terrified but the nurses are so lovely and reassuring - they are used to people being terrified! I was so scared I wouldn't wake up but it really is like having a nice sleep and waking up refreshed. I had to have the procedure again in August and this time they opted to do a spinal block and never ever will I have one of them again, I actually thought I was never going to get any feeling back in my legs. Given a choice I would have GA everytime! Lots of luck ❤️

I had one of these last week, as others said it was just like going to sleep, absolutely fine.

For people recommending sedation / no pain relief there is a long running thread somewhere here when the stories of the vast majority prove that GA is a very good option.

If that’s what your surgeon recommends OP, I’d trust their expertise.

I've had 2 hysteroscopies both with spinal anaesthesia as I too am worried about GA. You have to stay in longer post procedure and it's a bit undignified being dragged into position while it's being done.

I’ve had a hysteroscopy and polyps removed under GA. Honestly it was fantastic, I woke feeling like I’d had the best sleep ever.

A few months later I had a similar procedure under sedation and when I woke I burst into tears, I felt very shaken about and violated.

Give me a GA anytime in preference to sedation for anything gynaecological.

Thank you all so much for your replies 😘

I've done a lot of reading and like @1990s says, I've read a lot about GA being a good option that is often not offered due to cost on the NHS, rather than for patient benefit.

For those of you who have had GA for this procedure, is it just a quick injection? If so that scares me less than having to have a breathing tube, which I totally see as unnecessary for such a minor procedure. How long does it take to come round afterwards?

I will certainly make sure I am clear what I am consenting to prior to the procedure, but don't think I will be able to have this conversation until the day...so wanted to ask for advice and support.

I should also clarify that the consultant is only admitting me as a day case and so I assume it's not too bad

Mine was also a day case.

No breathing tube, just cannula, small injection, arm went heavy, asleep.

Woke up felt fine straight away. 3rd GA I’ve had in a couple of years, no problems with any of them.

Doctors are pretty cautious with GA. If there was any real risk and an alternative, they’d recommend the alternative.

I love a GA! I was really freaked out before my first one but I’ve had three in the last 4 years and all have been great.

Thank you @1990s that's so reassuring!!

Also loving all the stories of GA being a relaxing opportunity @Pollywoddles @Raineth 😂

Honestly you've all helped so much, thank you.

Anyone had this procedure then gone on to have a successful pregnancy? I'm 28 and the miscarriage was my first pregnancy 😔I'm assured it's just 'bad luck' though...but like to hear positive stories

I had a GA for my hysteroscopy. It was very quick. An hour or so and I felt fresh quite quickly. I had an injection.

They're fine. I've had several. I remember the nurse giving it to me and saying I might feel like I've had a few gin and tonics and I did start to feel like that. Quite pleasant really. Next thing I knew, I was waking up. Quite drowsy and a bit confused (like waking up from a long day time nap) but honestly, they're nothing to worry about. I'm a real scaredy cat but I don't fear them at all.

Ugh OP, I was absolutely TERRIFIED of my first adult GA - I'm severely emetophobic and hadn't had one since I was 12, and whilst I wasn't sick then I did feel it.

I'd hoped to get through adult life without ever needing another, but alas my gallbladder put paid to that when I was 45. I spent weeks dreading it and the poor anaesthetist on the day had to listen to my frantic insistance on being given nothing to make me nauseous - no anaesthetic gases, no morphine (I demanded iv only anaesthetic and paracetamol and said I didn't care about the pain), and maximum anti-emetics.

He was very kind and reassuring, and although I was frightened of losing control, actually going under is quite pleasant. Your eyes go a bit swimmy, then it's just lights out. No idea if I had a breathing tube for that but even if you do, you won't know anything about it other than a slightly scratchy throat afterwards.

When I woke after that surgery I did feel a bit iffy - but they been pulling everything around in my abdomen and they also gave me fentanyl as an alternative to morphine. Turns out I don't do so well on fentanyl, I felt very nauseated and couldn't move my limbs for 9 hours, everyone else was heading home and I was still flat out in bed!

However - I've had an orthopaedic surgery since then, under GA, and I told the anaesthetist the same as before but that I took hours to recover from fentanyl. They gave me alfentanyl instead, and I was right as rain - woke up after a lovely deep refreshing snooze and was trying out my crutches within 30 minutes of waking.

I've also had double endoscopies under propofol sedation, nothing to it. I've feared GA all my life and now I'm not bothered!

Good luck, you'll be absolutely fine.

I had a hysteroscopy under sedation last year as the previous under 'paracetamol only' ie no anaesthetic, was so frigging painful. Sedation was absolutely fine and they allowed me to control how much sedation I wanted. I then had to have a polypectomy which i requested be done under a GA and it was excellent. Prepped for a few minutes by the nurses then away you go into the best sleep you'll experience. Next minute i was in the recovery room. Not all hospitals offer sedation but all will perform GA for this procedure and if they huff n puff about it, saying its fine to go without as its just a little uncomfortable, well they are probably men and who should have a needle put down their dick!!

You will be in excellent hands by the anaesthetist's team but beforehand, when they come around the ward, do have a chat with them about your concerns and they'll soon put your mind at ease.

Yep, I had a hysteroscopy after 3 MCs to check for scar tissue from an ERPC because I hadn’t managed to get pregnant again in the two years after it.

I got pregnant again the next cycle after the hysteroscopy even though all they did was take a biopsy. I had another few MCs and then finally had a successful pregnancy.

I had one last year under GA and I am very glad I did as it took them nearly 30 minutes to get through my cervix (apparently I have weird anatomy!) I wouldn't have fancied going through that while awake