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Women's health

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Original poster

Hysteroscopy - scared of anaesthesia

47 replies

thecoconutcat · 25/03/2023 15:28

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.

OP posts:

elm26 · 25/03/2023 16:55

I had a cannula in the hand for the anaesthetic each time.

I'm 29 & 31 weeks pregnant after miscarriages, never lose hope. X

Original poster

thecoconutcat · 25/03/2023 17:26

Thank you all - so, so helpful. Thank you for sharing your stories and advice, I feel much more at ease. So pleased for your happy news @elm26 and @Pollywoddles <3

OP posts:

DaveMinion · 25/03/2023 17:44

In the hospital I work in, all ga hysteroscopies have a breathing tube but trust me you won't know about it. They can be a 5 min thing with setup taking longer or a bit longer due to anatomical differences.

FictionalCharacter · 25/03/2023 18:47

I’m glad you feel reassured! I had hysteroscopy and biopsy without anaesthetic or sedation, years ago, and it was painful and traumatic. I’m glad they’re offering GA these days.
Yes I did later have a successful pregnancy. Good luck!

Mrsworried1 · 25/03/2023 22:43

I had one in January, under GA. Was absolutely fine, pain afterwards but they give you the good pain relief when you wake up if you need it! I was allowed to go home about 1.5 hours later. I was groggy for a few days but nothing major xx

KG1244 · 10/04/2023 10:33

Hi all. Sorry to jump on this post. I’m due to have a Polypectomy and they have suggested I just go down the paracetamol route as they use a special device called TruClear. Has anyone done this before? The consultant said it just feels like bad period but after reading this thread, I’m not sure if I should push for GA.

GoinSouth · 10/04/2023 19:08

@KG1244 I had a polypectomy last year under GA. In the consultant's room when she was advising the results of my hysteroscopy and that a polyp had been found, she invited me to 'just hop on the bed and we'll do the polypectomy now if you like!' No thanks and requested GA. Paracetamol for hysteroscopy did not work for me and had to have another under sedation, so no way was I having an impromptu polypectomy! Date was booked, pre-med done, was in an out in no time and home same afternoon. Would always request GA. I appreciate all women have different pain thresholds - mine is low and I'd rather be out when they're fiddling down there.

Good luck with whatever you decide OP.

Original poster

thecoconutcat · 10/04/2023 21:30

@KG1244 As I've now had the procedure (under GA as mentioned in the original post) I would push for GA. I consider myself to have a good pain threshold but my (male, if it matters) surgeon was absolutely clear that polypectomy is a procedure that should be done under GA. He also said that the NHS tries to advise it only needs paracetamol due to funding issues, as opposed to what is best for the woman. Best of luck speaking to your doctor and let us know if you have any more questions.

OP posts:

KG1244 · 10/04/2023 22:20

@thecoconutcat @GoinSouth Thanks both. I actually had a Polypectomy last year and it looks like either a new one has appeared or the original has regrown. That was done under GA and found it absolutely fine. The consultant I spoke to this time said that it’s better to avoid a GA and go down the local/paracetamol route but the pain varies from person to person. I’m really in two minds.

Respberrypachouli · 10/04/2023 22:24

I had general for D&C - I was so scared! But honestly, not that bad. I didn’t even notice falling asleep or waking up.

GoinSouth · 11/04/2023 17:43

@KG1244 was your consultant male? The guy that performed my first hysteroscopy (with just paracetamol) was male and frankly I thought he was terrible. He insisted he 'push through', talking about me to his staff as if I wasn't there. I was crying out for him to stop, almost passing out due to the pain, at which point they stopped the procedure. The follow-up was carried out via sedation and I was able to have as much of the drug pumped into me for my comfort and that was brilliant (not all hospital do this however). The polypectomy - I swear to God, when I told the consultant that I wanted it under GA, I heard her sigh and mutter something about resources.

At the end of the day, women must do what is comfortable for their bodies. There are many, many women who only experience a little discomfort like period pain but a small percentage who unfortunately suffer a little more. I'm in my 50s, don't have kids, so much tighter down there which didn't help me!

Totally normal to be nervous about having a GA but one hopes we're in excellent hands and it's a great sleep! Back in recovery ward before you know it having a cuppa!

KG1244 · 11/04/2023 18:10

@GoinSouth No, they were female. She said it’s safer and better to avoid the GA. I was thinking as a medium going down the sedation route. I really don’t know how good my pain threshold is to be honest and it’s difficult to know when you don’t know how painful you will find it. Do you remember how long you were in pain for when the did the procedure? She said it’s about 1-2 minutes.

KG1244 · 11/04/2023 18:12

@GoinSouth forgot to add, she said they would use truclear for the Polypectomy. Is that what you had? Or I think there is another one called myosure…

GoinSouth · 11/04/2023 21:10

@KG1244 sorry, I don't recall what method they used. Ask the hospital if they offer sedation, it really was lovely!! I was due for GA for the second hysteroscopy but they changed it to sedation - absolutely fine by me!

Yes, it is difficult to guage pain. I had a hysterosalpinogram (HSG) many years ago and was told, 'take a paracetamol'. Now that was bad period pain so I thought a hysteroscopy would be similar and I could manage it. But I'm obviously a complete wuss. But because I have a tight cervix it made the procedure more difficult, longer than normal and more anxiety-forming. I can't say how long the pain lasted because of these issues, but it's a routine procedure for most women, many of whom experience no more than period-type pain. I would ask for sedation and see what they say. For me personally however, I would never have the procedure again unless it was under GA. I would rather not have to go under but.. I don't want to go through that experience again.

KG1244 · 11/04/2023 21:37

@GoinSouth good idea, I will ask. Were you effectively asleep or did you know what was going on? I’ve also had an HSG and found it pretty ok so it’s very difficult to know.

Ivebeenframed · 11/04/2023 22:48

I had an investigative hysteroscopy two weeks back and I found it very painful. I too was told to take paracetamol before the procedure. A fibroid was found so now I have to have that removed Thankfully that'll be under GA.

Looking forward to the best sleep ever 😊

GoinSouth · 12/04/2023 09:44

@KG1244 under sedation? The drugs are started before you go in but I was initially aware of who and what was going on as I had to communicate to the nurse standing next to me when I wanted more sedation. It was a very pleasant drowsy feeling and I can honestly say there was hardly any pain but I did ask for a lot of the happy stuff to be pumped into me!

Speak with them about sedation, see if they offer it.

Hbh17 · 12/04/2023 09:45

Anaesthesia is just the most fabulous thing imaginable - like the best sleep of your life! I would seriously have a GA every week if I could. I genuinely don't understand what is scary about it.

KG1244 · 12/04/2023 09:49

@GoinSouth thank you! I will

KG1244 · 12/04/2023 09:50

@Hbh17 I think just the thought of it really freaks me out. I know you’re in very safe hands but it’s just a very weird thing.

FernaFrey · 11/01/2024 15:56

I just had a hysteroscopy under general. I was a day patient and the procedure was around 30 mins.

They were so kind, the anaesthetis was chatting away, put the needle in the back of my hand which was a tiny scratch but didn't hurt.

I then got a nice mask of oxygen which felt GREAT!

Then he said ok, here comes the good stuff it may feel a little cold.... then off to sleep I went.

I woke up all relaxed... honestly it amazed me. Please don't be scared xx

KG1244 · 11/01/2024 20:25

@FernaFrey thank you. It was fine ❤️ It’s just the thought of it! Hope you’re all ok xx

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