Hysteroscopy I am terrified.

[Thriving30]

Hi all it is my first time posting here.
I am hoping you lovely ladies can help me.
I am so worried.
I have a hysteroscopy booked and it is being done under general anaesthetic.
I am not worried about the GA, the thought is a bit scary but tbh I am not at all concerned about that, and can cope with the thought of being 'put under'.
I am really worried about the pain I may have afterwards. I think it may be irrational. I am so fearful. I know I can expect a bit of pain, which is described as period like in the hospital leaflet, but I am so so so so so scared that it will be like the pain I had when I had my miscarriage. They force open the cervix don't they?
I think I am still dealing with unresolved trauma. Since my MC I have not talked about it, blocked it out.
Please has anyone had this procedure before under GA and can give me a bit of an idea of what type of pain to expect. I would really appreciate honesty.

I had one with some numbing cream and it was fine, the nurses were all so lovely. They did the procedure and took biopsies, removed my copper coil, replaced with a mirena, had a good look round. Was all finished in 10 mins. Not pleasant but certainly not painful - similar to the pressure of the speculum during a smear but more awkward.
Afterwards I just felt like lying down and resting for a while, no pain, just felt a bit like I'd been 'handled' and needed a rest.

I had one under a GA and couldn't walk for a week with pain BUT I had a septum in my uterus which needed to be lasered away so that may have been the cause of the pain, I'm not sure. But the important thing is that it wore off and I survived. Pain passes. I don't regret having it done and it was completely worth it.

@NowWhattt

This was circa 2007, I think.. I had developed very heavy periods which was why I was seeing a consultant.

I didn't need or want birth control and wasn't having any more children but all he did was try and push me to have the Mirena Coil.

I pointed out to him the huge Mirena Coil poster on his wall in his consulting room, his own, note pad and other office accessories all sponsored by Mirena coil and asked him how much he was being paid to push/promote it?

He didn't like that one little bit and tried to intimidate me but I was having none of that and said I would be putting it in writing that I absolutely did not want it and he was not to ask again.

However, on the day of my hysteroscopy he again tried to persuade me and I accused him of trying to bully me, in front of the nurses and the anaesthetist who all seemed scared of him and the nurses scarpered when I mentioned him bullying me.

I didn't want a Mirena coil as I absolutely didn't need one!

I had one without GA. No real pain during or after for me, just light cramping. I didn't know you could have a GA for it! Is that a new thing maybe? Mine was 16 years ago.

I saw a consultant yesterday (on a Sunday!) and will be having a hysteroscopy within a couple of weeks (post-menopausal bleeding - will possibly/hopefully then have a hysterectomy). I was asked a couple of times if I want a Mirena fitted, but I don't. I had one for years until it was removed about four years ago.

I wasn't offered a GA for the hysteroscopy - when I asked about any anaesthetic, he said I would have an injection in my cervix I'm also secretly hoping for a blast of gas and air if it's available..!
Twice, the consultant showed me the size of the hysteroscope and kept emphasizing how narrow it is, implying it'll just pop in easily

My daughter had a hysteroscopy about a year ago under GA and was absolutely fine afterwards. She was told she had to have someone (me) to go home and stay with her, and was irritated when she came round as she was fine and didn't think it was necessary (we went to her flat and had lovely food and watched Netflix though, so it was all good!) I was wondering if the reason she was offered a GA and I wasn't was maybe because she hasn't given birth and I have? Though I guess it's also quicker under LA (different hospitals, too)... and my BMI is higher than hers

The leaflet I was given said to take painkillers 1-2 hours before the procedure. I'm working on the principle that any pain won't last long, and won't be as bad as a colonoscopy (I get all the good stuff!) or last as long as childbirth.

Hope it goes well, OP. I'm sure it'll be better than you are anticipating.

I'm having biopsies taken, too.

I had a hysteroscopy to remove a polyp, which I was sedated for (I was given the choice between sedation and GA). I don't remember a thing about the procedure, the sedation worked very well! The pain afterwards was similar to a period - I went back to work the next day and just took it very easy / sat down most of the time. Paracetamol was all I needed to manage the pain (mainly cramping and just feeling very tender). I'd just say take it very easy and slow for about a week afterwards; be gentle in your movement, you'll be absolutely fine, the pain afterwards is really nothing to worry about :)

I had one under GA and has no pain after and was able to leave hospital an hour later once they were ok that I was no longer under the GA

I’ve had two in the last 12 months, not really much pain with the second one, the pain with the first one was related to whatever they did with my legs during the procedure. It was day surgery for both, back home in my own bed early evening & took it easy for the next few days, which I am lucky to be able to do, stayed home and rested. I have other health issues that need to be addressed when I undergo surgical procedures etc. but the actual hysteroscopy and D&C was straightforward. Good luck!

Both were done under GA. I recovered well from it both times.

Mine was done under general anaesthetic as well as a laparoscopy at the same time AND I was due on my period that day. I woke up and had mild period pains that didn't last long at all. I too was absolutely petrified for the pain but it honestly was fine. ♥️♥️

I had a botched attempt at one with just a local, which completely traumatised me, then one under GA, which was fine, no after pain.
We're all different, some tolerate it well (before my menopause and prolapse I had birthed two big babies, had a Mirena with no local, smears were fine) and others can't.

Hi ladies!! Just wanted to post an update.
I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who responded and were completely honest describing how the procedure was for you under local/GA and the pain you experienced afterwards, it really helped prepare me for what to expect. I am pleased to say I had the hysteroscopy today with a polypectomy and just have mild period pain afterwards! No horrible miscarriage/cervix/contraction pain like I was worried I would have at all. The staff were all so lovely and reassuring as well which made the whole experience so much easier.
The consultant did try to persuade me to have it done under local/mild sedation but I politely asked for the GA which he said was fine.
I hope this reassures other people who are reading this and may be as frightened as I was.💖

So pleased that you had a positive experience, OP! Make sure you take it easy and you'll have an easy and smooth recovery :)

Does anyone know if you are not offered a GA can you insist on one? My last smear was agony so I dread to think what a hysteroscopy would be like., I really don’t think I could cope without a GA.

@PhilMitchellsleatherbomber Yes I think so. I think the main reason they suggested GA with me was because of my trauma from my miscarriage but also I did tell them I struggled with the speculum examination when I attended A&E after my miscarriage bc it was just so painful. I've always had the smallest speculum with smear tests as well for this reason. So I think they're really understanding.
Unfortunately with this procedure I do get the gist that if they can get away offering someone under local they will, for cost cutting reasons. And the mixed responses on this thread just proves that some people can tolerate it just fine and for others it's absolute agony.. I think it depends on a few factors, each cervix is different as they say.

Really glad you had a positive experience! You can relax now.

Our NHS staff are totally amazing

Yes I believe so. I wasn’t offered a GA initially when I needed a hysteroscopy, but when I asked the consultant he agreed that I could have one.

I’ve also come across this on a forum (the highlighting isn’t mine) so definitely worth requesting one if it’s your preference

@Thriving30 thank you, my cervix is tilted so smears have always been uncomfortable but now I’m post menopause they are really painful, does not surprise me that they will try to not give women pain relief, I know I wouldn’t be able to go ahead with the procedure if they don’t offer me sedation or a GA. @Tommythetortoise thank you that’s really helpful and I will use that when my appointment comes through, I think it’s awful women are not offered pain relief as standard, on the NHS website it just says it may be helpful to take ibuprofen beforehand, I know I will need more than that.