Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[HellsBells]

Hi all - I though this might be interesting for some. I paid for my mum to go private for a consultant with a top gynaecologist. She was sexually assaulted as a young woman and I wanted her with someone very experienced. She has to have a hysteroscopy and is having a GA for a short time while he works.

Interestingly, he says (off the record) it is a bit of a scandal that women are asked to submit to these without any anaesthesia and only minimal pain relief. His own sister had one on the NHS and says it was incredibly painful. She has had several other gynae procedures but this one is 'special'.

Before those who have had decent experiences pile on, it must be noted that it is AWFUL for many women and if an eminent consultant in his field (also works in the NHS) considers the protocol out of date it should be made clear. Obviously I am protecting his identity.

This is a national scandal and as with many women's health issues it is ignored until there is widespread suffering (mesh anyone?) As a former medical lawyer I will report these helpful bits of info to ensure that at least women are given a CHOICE. Those who are tough - fill your boots, but many women have a terrible time.

[CLKD]

I think that patients forget that we have the 'right' to decide whether to undergo a procedure/not.  Many are still in thrall of the medical profession.  Also it is often the case that patients are not offered a Nurse in the appt. when personal examinations take place.  It is useful to have a 2nd person present to ask questions of later.   As a medical secretary I was often asked to 'explain' what had been suggested 


Tnx for sharing. 

[Dotty]

Hi apologies if you already know about this, but there is a campaign against having a hysteroscopy without an anaesthetic.
https://www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk

[sheila99]

I think that patients forget that we have the 'right' to decide whether to undergo a procedure/not.


Tnx for sharing.

Often a certain amount of coercion though with the threat of withdrawal of hrt if doctor’s back isn't appropriately protected.

[HellsBells]

Hi apologies if you already know about this, but there is a campaign against having a hysteroscopy without an anaesthetic.
https://www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk

I didn't know this - thanks!

[Jules]

I can't find my post but after my MP contacted the relevant minister,  I did share the links she gave me to the draft protocol that was being peer reviewed. It has been debated in parliament.  It's a bit concerning that the consultant doesn't know what has been going on in 5he background. Makes me wonder whether the change in guidance will make any difference,  or even if all will read it. Thanks for sharing though as mine was agony, barbaric and I'm by no means soft.

[CLKD]

Jules - have U looked through your Profile to see which threads you have responded to?  It may take a while as pages do whizz through quite quickly.

Is this it?  Update regarding painful hysteroscopy
« on: April 19, 2024, 12:49:44 PM »

I wanted to let you know I've had a reply from my MP, I also  actually bumped into her so had a quick chat. She's offered to contact the minister involved for an update, raise a parliamentary question and also contact the local NHS Trust to find out how they're implementing the good practice guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.  When I checked my consent form that was hurriedly presented to me for signing, the statement about me understanding "I will/will not be given local anaesthesia " hadn't even been crossed out appropriately.  It wasn't even discussed. It's taken a few nights to stop having flashbacks to that experience.

[Jules]

Here it is https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,69691.msg947282.html#msg947282

[CLKD]

We makes a good Team we does 

[VioletAquarius]

Thanks for sharing this HellsBells.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.


I found my hysteroscopy to be very painful but the way the appointment was arranged meant that it would have been very difficult to stop the procedure.  My appointment letter said that I would have an ultrasound scan and if the womb lining needed to be investigated I would go into another room where a hysteroscopy would be performed. I thought this was a good idea as I would have a thorough investigation at one appointment. When I arrived I noticed other women in the waiting room were swallowing pain relief tablets and I soon found out why!

I recently spoke to a Consultant who told me that some numbing agent was supposed to be used but I don't think it was.

My impression was that women were rushed through the appointments as this was convenient and efficient for the hospital. Perhaps if women object to this system delays will become inevitable and the cost increase.

Take care ladies.

K.

[Jules]

Yes Kathleen. Hospitals used to be given financial incentives for doing them in outpatients. That's stopped now but there's definitely a cost factor. They get through them as quickly and therefore cheaply as possible. I did take pain relief and it didn't touch that pain. I was told that gas and air was available but once the procedure was underway,, it wasn't provided and as I was fainting I couldn't ask either. The attending nurse told me after that she wouldn't have it done like that. She has a GA!

[AKatieD]

I was not expecting the hysteroscopy to be as it was - info suggested a rest afterwards and back to work next day so no big deal I thought. I don't think I had or was offered anaesthetic as I did not know it was avilable or advisable.

The procedure was done in 2023 and involved something like the old wind up mechanical drills with the handle that turns to work the drill. The consultant was grinding away for some time, which was quite traumatic but not too painful.

It was only when I stood up to leave after, that I realised I could barely manage to walk back to my car. Took over a week to feel bearable again, which was a bit of a problem when I was supposed to be working.

Would not willingly go through that again. Child birth a doddle in comparison.

[Jules]

Yeh, I didn't faint in childbirth. My foreign friend was horrified when I described it. She said it sounded like victorian times

[HellsBells]

I meant to add....the consultant said that on the pain scale (out of 10) his sister said this procedure was a 10... She has had children, a colposcopy and another 'oscopy (can't remember which).

No wonder there is a national campaign. It's the mesh scandal all over again.