Hysteroscopy on Monday and worried

[Ewock]

I don't really know what I want from this thread. But I have adenomyosis which is slowly getting worse, its taken over 10 years to get to the point of being referred to the gynaecologist and then a year for the appointment to happen. Joys of women's health.

I have horrendous periods with the amount of blood and the painful cramps and lower back pain. At times its enough to make me vomit with the pain, luckily this doesn't happen every month.

I've tried the pill but it didn't make any difference, I take tranaxemic and mefanemic acid (sorry about the spellings) and have been for years.

So to get to the point I've had a scan, again, 3 weeks ago and have been booked in for a hysteroscopy Monday morning. I guess I'm worried about the procedure and the after effects.

The next move would be an ablation and then hysterectomy.

Has anyone been through this? Any advice?
Thanks

I’ve had 2 Hysteroscopies and had no problem at all other than a tiny bit of cramping (like period pains) afterwards. I took 2 ibuprofen an hour before my appointment and didn’t find it painful at all. The consultant said before hand, that if I did find it painful, she’d stop and we could discuss having it done under a GA. People’s experiences with it seem to vary so I’d say try not to worry and see how you go. I’d have another without any qualms.

I was surprised at how easy the hysteroscopy was. It really was nothing to worry about. The sample they took hurt in the moment, but not unbearable, and had gone by the time I’d put my knickers back on. I’d stopped bleeding by the time I got home, and had no cramping.

I had to have two and honestly it is ok. Like pp said, take a couple of painkillers an hour before and all you feel is cramping. It’s unpleasant but it doesn’t hurt. You’ll have someone holding your hand and I was back at work the next day after having a few rather large polyps removed. You’ll be fine! Good luck.

Mine was okay too, obviously not pleasant, but uncomfortable rather than painful.

No advice sorry but I am have one done in two weeks and really nervous so would be interested in how you find it.

Good luck, definitely take painkillers before hand

Thanks all you've helped put my mind at rest. I guess it's the unknown that was bothering me, so it's good to hear from people who have had the procedure.

It's odd to read this post - I also have one tomorrow morning with a view to having an ablation later!

I am a bit nervous too so it's good to read these replies.

Hope it goes well for both of us tomorrow

Good luck - you’ll both be fine!

Experiences of hysteroscopies vary a LOT as PP says. From various threads on here hysteroscopies without pain relief seem to run the full spectrum of 'a bit sore' to 'screaming in agony'.

I had one in February and was automatically offered GA as part of the planning. In the end I actually had a spinal anaesthetic so, obviously, I didn't feel a thing. (I had a biopsy and mirena coil fitted at the same time.)

Ablation destroys the womb lining so may not address the adenomyosis problem as this is sited within the muscles of the womb. I would have a long and detailed discussion about ablation with your consultant before at all agreeing to this. You do not want any more surgery than is absolutely necessary.

I believe ablation is offered in clinic without any type of anaesthetic now, so you might want to think how you do that if it’s mentioned. I certainly wouldn’t entertain it without GA.

This is a good point, as the consultant I saw was pushing for me to have this. Hut he also said I could have it at the same time as the hysteroscopy.
When the hospital called me to book it in I mentioned that and she said they don't do that as they want to take a biopsy and get that back before they would move to an ablation.
But as you say it won't really deal with the issue.

Good grief the thought if that without anaesthetic is awful!

Ablation should not be offered without GA end of. My hips were pulled and pushed about no end during this surgery and they did hurt a bit post op.

I dont want to be a bringer of doom; but some (I think its 30%) women benefit for local or general anesthetics for hysteroscopies, especially if biopsies are being taken

I am one of those

I read around a third of women really struggle with having a hysterscope so it just depends on whether you're one of the unlucky ones I guess.

I was an unlucky and it was pretty awful, they couldn't actually get passed the cervix and I threw up and nearly passed out with the pain.

The lady who went in before me walked out saying it was absolutely fine 🤷‍♀️

I guess it's a matter of keeping calm, hoping for the best and if its not good saying to them.

I’ve had two. First to remove a polyp and replace mirena coil. Took ibuprofen and it was uncomfortable but ok. Second one was to remove another polyp, biopsy and a ‘complicated’ coil removal and I’ll be honest and say it was bloody awful. I think a lot of it depends on what you are having done at the time and what your gynaecological state is. I have a huge fibroid, enlarged uterus and other issues.

Hopefully yours will be okay OP, but don’t hesitate to let them know if it is overly painful. There are no rewards for being stoic in these situations.

I had one a couple of weeks ago. Was manageable and, as others have said, it felt like period cramps. I wasn’t told to take a pain killer before but think that would’ve really helped. I had a polyp removed, and some biopsies, but it only lasted about 10 minutes. So, uncomfortable, but sore, but ok. Good luck.

I had gas and air for my hysteroscopy. I wouldn't have tolerated it without.

Thanks everyone, I shall definitely say something if it becomes too much. I'm feeling much better about it all.

Hi all thanks for all the advice and info. It went well. I choose to have local antisemitic which I'm glad I did as she had probs with the speculum. I felt fine till I stood up then felt light headed and nauseous. But they gave me a cuppa and some ginger biscuits and after sitting for 10mins I was OK.

Bit uncomfortable now but have rhe day to chill so I'm going to watch some cheesy TV.
Altogether nowhere near as unpleasant as I thought it would be.

Thanks for coming back and updating OP glad it wasn't too traumatic

I was surprised how little it hurt. More a pinching feel with the local aneasthetic. But the nurses etc were lovely and really kind.

@Ewock sorry hope you don't mind me asking could you drive afterwards?