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

My dh had driven me, but yep after a sit for 10-15mins I would have been fine to drive. And I only sat as I'd gone a bit light headed so they wanted me to have a drink and some biscuits before I left.

One thing I did do was have a pad on already, they provide some but I prefer the ones I usually use.

I cycled to mine, Dh had to collect me (and my bike) and I wasn't able to get out of bed for some days

That's awful for you. It really does seem to be so different for everyone. I've spent most of rhe day relaxing in bed as it's the most comfy position. But I can move around.

Glad it went well for you and thanks for letting us know.

You should be fine to drive. I also was faint and nauseous afterwards, and my blood pressure dropped, but I stayed lying down, with my feet raised, and it came up again after about half an hour. The nurses were lovely. Having a pad is a good idea as there is a bit of bleeding. The hospital one was like a brick!

I was severely injured during a hysteroscopy intended to remove a large polyp. I was lied to, misled, and coerced by the gynaecologists as I had asked for it to be done under general anaesthetic (GA) and was mocked as if this is something ludicrous. They told me GA is far too high risk for something so minor and quick and that there is no way GA would be on offer. What they did is literally unlawful. This was at the UCLH.

The consequence of this is that I've been in chronic unmanageable abdominal pain and constant heavy daily bleeding for over 16 months - my life has been in hijack and I can barely function, I've lost my health and fitness and gained weight, my mental health has been just horrific, I nearly haven't made it. I'm on multiple medications to try and stop bleeding and ease pain, none of which are actually achieving that. I can barely walk. I had a one hour 45 minute surgery to try and correct some of that at a different hospital as the original one simply refused to treat me and went into a cover up.

I'm having a full hysterectomy and other surgeries for the complex issues arisen, next week.

The reason I'm relating this story is because I had no fear of hysteroscopy - I've had a lot of gynae investigations and am used to my cervix being opened up. I believed what I was being told but it was completely untrue.

When it comes to the right to be correctly informed by medics and have the right treatment for the right issue, then any woman is entitled to hysteroscopy under GA at all times. Also everyone must have a chaperone standing by ready to call halt to the procedure if it becomes unbearable or painful.

There is more information on websites such as The Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy.

What you went through sounds horrendous @JFT. I’m very lucky that my experiences have been much better. From the point of view of chaperones, when I’ve had my hysteroscopies there have always been 3 staff present, one of whom has been there just to chat to me and reassure me. I just presumed that was the norm?

There were about 6 when they did mine and more came in when I started screaming for them to stop

I had asked for it to be done under general anaesthetic (GA) and was mocked as if this is something ludicrous. They told me GA is far too high risk for something so minor and quick and that there is no way GA would be on offer

It's crazy how differently this is approached. There was never any question of not having sime kind of anaesthetic with mine. Local was suggested, I rejected that and so we agreed general anaesthetic. No quibbling, no reluctance.

It got changed on the day to spinal anaesthetic because the anaesthetist was concerned by my slightly runny nose (which I think is rhinitis, in hindsight). I was nervous of the spinal anaesthetic as it's not something I'd ever considered but it was fine. The anaesthetist and consultant checked in with me at every stage of the process to make sure I was OK. I'm sorry you didn't have that experience.

I'm so sorry you experienced and are experiencing that. Women's health is shocking and you should not have to battle to get the support/treatment you want. I wish you all the best and really hope things start to ease for you soon.

I had one for post menopausal bleeding.gynaecologist was an older gentleman. He was lovely, kind, re-assuring. He said I might get some cramping when he touched the uterus wall and took biopsies, some bleeding afterwards. I had none of this. I drove home afterwards,50 miles. I had moved while waiting for the appointment.

Hi all just coming back as I had my follow up appointment on Friday. I saw a different consultant who was fantastic. He really listened to me and he said it wasn't ok for women to have to change their lives due to their periods.
He advised against an ablation, as a pp said, it wouldn't tackle the ademoyosis and in fact could make the pain and bleeding a lot worse.
We have agreed that it is likely I will need a hysterectomy, however due to issues this will be a tricky procedure. So based on advice I have decided to have the coil fitted and have an appt in 6 months to discuss. He has given me his number in case I need to discuss more or have any issues. But I'm happy to go for the least invasive option 1st and see if it works before we go for a hysterectomy.
I felt for once I wasn't being pushed in a certain direction and all my concerns were listened to.
I'm still very nervous about having the coil but will see what happens.
He also gave me advice for taking the mefanemic acid, that I should start a day or two before my period and take it for the whole.period. I've been on it for over 15 years and not one Dr has ever said that. I've always been told.to take it for 4 days only!