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[SaraC2773]

Hi

So after a very long 3 months I finally have an update on my PMB which happened in December.

Some of you may recall I initially went via BUPA and ended up with Spire where I had an ultrasound which picked up a lining of 4.5 and was recommended a hysteroscopy.

Nearly 3 months later and still not having a slot booked with the consultant privately,  I went back to my own GP who referred via the 2 week route.  I had an ultrasound last week which the consultant said was reassuring with a lining of 4.4 and then yesterday I went for a hysteroscopy.

Before I go onto this part,  I just want to be clear that I'm not doing this to scare anyone but I don't want anyone to go into this procedure as ignorant as I was.

When I was referred by Spire they said they'd do it under a GA and I said I'd be fine to do it under a local as I'd given birth normally,  wasn't squeamish and have had several cervial biopsies and procedures,  all without pain in the past.  As I didn't have it at Spire in the end,  the NHS leaflet just states to take pain relief an hour before and states the majority of woman tolerate the procedure well ( I am sure they do) However,  for me not the case!

I drove myself to the hospital alone as it didn't say I needed anyone and off I went for the procedure.  After about 5 minutes,  I started to feel really sick and unwell.  Cue them flattening the bed and putting a fan on me whilst I can't work out if I'm going to throw up,  have an unplanned bowel movement or pass out.  Eventually,  I start to feel better and they continue with the procedure. However,  I have to say for me it was on a par with labour,  it was so painful.  I ended up being retained at the hopsital for 2 hours after, the procedure,   15 minute obs and they refused to let me drive home,  so I had to call my brother to come and meet me and drive me home in my car. I then continued to have agonising cramps which are still there today,  although they have lessened.

Now as I say the majority of this woman do not have this problem and I was somewhat shocked at my extreme reaction but this is the point I wanted to share.  The nurse asked me if I had painful periods when I was having them,  which I did,  she then asked if they made me nauseous which again they did and on occasion I would actually vomit.  I also vomitted all through my labour and had to be given several anti sickness injections. She then said "yes we normally find that women who have or had painful periods do struggle with this procedure and it tends to recreate the same symptoms for them.  If ever you need this again we would recommend a GA."

So as I say not intending to scare and I have read this forums and seen women have this procedure without  and are absolutely fine but I just wanted to say if you have or had painful periods,  it is worth bearing in mind, that you may want to ask for more than just pain relief an hour before.

I am pleased I got through it as I think I would have felt even worse going through that and not completing it.  The end result is two small polyps removed and sent for biopsy but lining quite thin,  so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed everything is ok.

As I say I just wanted to share as I wish they put a bit more on the leaflet so I perhaps could have been a bit more prepared.  I honestly,  thought it would be a breeze.

[CLKD]

Most of us would opt for a GA.  Of course it's cheaper and quicker for the NHS to preform these procedures without!

I'm sorry that you had to go through this unpleasant experience.   

[AKatieD]

I was shocked at how hard it was to walk out of the hospital back to my car.

 I had not found the procedure too painful, although having someone grinding at you with what looked like one of those old fashioned, mechanical, wind up whisks (with the handle on the side) was not fun! The after effects were much much worse.

As you said after 4 kids with no anaesthetic, I was not prepared.

It also took me a good 2 weeks to recover, which was not the next day that I was advised and so returned to work then

[Northerngirl]

Hi Sarac2773,
Really sorry to hear you had to go through this....hope you're feeling better today.
I've had 2 hysteroscopies and as  I've said before that the first one was horrifically painful and I too think I've got a good pain threshold. So last year when I had to have another I chose to have  a general anaesthetic (mainly on the advice of the ladies on MM) I had to wait several weeks for this as obviously needs an anaesthetist . I'm so glad I did it this way and if needed would choose this way again.
Regarding what the nurse said to you re period pains - I was lucky to never have period pains at all (suffering through the post menopause phase though now😂) but  still I suffered first time....like you say we are all different.
So I too just wanted to say l agree with you that ladies need to be aware of all the different eventualities regarding this procedure.  Some suffer, some don't  but all options regarding pain relief etc should be explained.
Take it easy for a few days 

[SaraC2773]

Thank you all 

So strange isn't it,  the lady before me breezed out like she'd just been in for a cuppa and a chat and even the nurse said,  "oh the lady before you sailed through it".  I do have a tilted womb and a rectocele,  so don't know if that played a part but yes I would certainly think twice before doing it again on local.

Fortunately,  the pain eased off yesterday and the bleeding appears to have stopped but still feel like I've been hit by a bus, still good excuse to make hubby get the hoover out this weekend! 

[CLKD]

 

[che]

Thank you all 

So strange isn't it,  the lady before me breezed out like she'd just been in for a cuppa and a chat and even the nurse said,  "oh the lady before you sailed through it".  I do have a tilted womb and a rectocele,  so don't know if that played a part but yes I would certainly think twice before doing it again on local.

Fortunately,  the pain eased off yesterday and the bleeding appears to have stopped but still feel like I've been hit by a bus, still good excuse to make hubby get the hoover out this weekend! 


glad ur on the mend, i wrote on my feedback if i had another i would ask for GA.

[GraceM]

I have had 3 under GA.  Then a few months ago I was referred to a different assessment clinic and like you, received a leaflet mentioning taking pain relief before the appointment.  I went in thinking I'd just have an ultrasound which I was ok with.  However, I was 'gently' coerced into agreeing to a hysteroscopy and biopsy, if necessary, by 3 medical staff.  After the internal ultrasound it was decided by them that I needed the hysteroscopy.  I allowed it but it was horrendous.  Once she had managed to get into the uterus I was getting really uncomfortable and they were distracting me by talking about my kids, telling me I was doing really well etc.  I was so relieved when she took the hysteroscope out.  But then she said she'd do a biopsy and assured me it would be easier than the hysteroscopy, so I foolishly agreed.  It wasn't easier and I was at the point of fainting when one of the nurses told her to stop.  The 3 of them then left the curtained area so I could get dressed.  I was shaking at this stage and so, so annoyed with myself for being talked into having it done.  Never again!!  If I ever hear of anyone being sent for a hysteroscopy I will recommend waiting for GA.

[SaraC2773]

Thank you all so much.

I feel much better now listening to others experiences.  I think the fact that they say most people tolerate it well,  made me feel a bit of a wuss but good to hear that not everyone sails through it,  obviously, not good for those of us that don't but at least we're not alone and forwarned if we need to have one in the future.

[CLKD]

GraceM - that is abuse!  I would B writing to the Dept explaining what you have told us and asking what the reasoning was behind their co-ircion? [sp].  Obviously none of them had undergone the procedure?  How do U feel n ow?

[GraceM]

GraceM - that is abuse!  I would B writing to the Dept explaining what you have told us and asking what the reasoning was behind their co-ircion? [sp].  Obviously none of them had undergone the procedure?  How do U feel n ow?

It was a case of being told that many women find it manageable and like SaraC2773 I felt like a wuss if I said no, hence my description of gentle coersion. 
It was invasive and traumatic.   I haven't had reason to go back to my gp who referred me since.  But next time I'm in I will be letting her know about my experience and to please let all women know what they are in for if they go to this clinic.  I think they play it down, because if they told women what the experience is really like, no woman would agree to it.  I guarantee none of my family or friends will ever agree to it after me telling them about it.

I believe there has been a petition to have the procedure stopped in UK, without anaesthetic.  Not sure if it ever came to anything.