Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: roisen on September 29, 2014, 07:02:48 PM
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Today I went for a hysteroscopy and fully expected a speculum to be used. I was anxious. I'm very nervous of these things and my husband came with me. The female doctor said she would take a biopsy and that speculums aren't used. I couldn't understand how she would see my cervix. She probed about for about ten minutes, hitting my cervix and saying she was finding a way into the uterus. I jumped several times as she hit the cervix. The nurse and her kept asking me 'Shall we stop' over and over and I was saying 'no carry on' until in the end I got so sore that she stopped as she couldn't find her way in. Is this how they are usually done? Seems everyone mentions the speculum when talking about it. I'm now to have it under a general which I'm not happy about. Feeling very anxious. Anyone had this under general? Would like mind put at rest. Also I'm having brown discharge before periods which is why they are doing this. Should I be anxious about the general? thanks so much in advance. I'm becoming a stupid wreck...
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Sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience roisen.
When I had a hysteroscopy it was done with just a small amount of local anaesthetic and was absolutely pain free and in fact very interesting watching it on a tv monitor. I refused to have a general purely because I don't like them unless absolutely necessary. However, from your description of events, perhaps it would be less stressful and less painful to have a general.
Good luck.
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I've never heard of it being done without a speculum before - that seems absolutely crazy! NHS mentions speculum http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysteroscopy/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Did you have a speculum Melbury?
Taz x
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Sorry: if a professional asked if they should stop a procedure it would ring alarm bells. A light GA should be OK, hopefully the investigation won't take as long as today's episode!
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Thanks Taz, yes I read that too so was a bit taken aback. She didn't offer anything in terms of helping the pain. I thought maybe I was overreacting. Nice to hear it isn't me. xx
I've never heard of it being done without a speculum before - that seems absolutely crazy! NHS mentions speculum http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysteroscopy/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Did you have a speculum Melbury?
Taz x
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Yes, she seemed very keen to stop. It was almost like she didn't want to do it. They were all saying 'Shall we stop' only I and my husband were saying 'Let's get it over with.'
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I had it done under a GA, just felt sore for a day after.
It's not that bad, no pain after.
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Thanks so much for the responses. It really helps.
It doesn't help that I am such a worrier and panic so much. I'm convinced it is something serious.
x
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Sorry: if a professional asked if they should stop a procedure it would ring alarm bells. A light GA should be OK, hopefully the investigation won't take as long as today's episode!
Thanks CLKD. I rather think she was more nervous than me. She seemed very keen to stop the whole thing. It upset me quite a bit but then I am easily stressed it seems.
x
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Sorry you had hard time. I had mine done while I was awake, but she numbed my cervix and used a speculum.
She had a good look round and tried to remove a polyp, but couldn't. She sort of blamed me saying I wouldn't let go. I think she meant I wasn't relaxed enough - who would be? She stopped without trying too hard, I also felt like she didn't want to do it.
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So what do you do next about this?
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I had one under general anesthetic. You dont say how old you are but when I was approaching the meno I had brown discharge almost constantly. This is why this forum is so good as it can help to ease our anxieties - hope this helps
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So sorry to hear about your bad experience. I had a hysteroscopy without GA which included biopsies being taken and several polyps removed. I can honestly say it was only mildly uncomfortable, the consultant explained what he was going to do and the nurses were very reassuring. He definitely used a speculum and then inserted a thin probe with what I assume was a camera as I could see what was happening on an overhead camera.I had no pain afterwards and just very slight bleeding for about a day. It really does seem that our NHS is a bit of a post code lottery when it comes to the treatment we receive. I would be getting back to my GP if I had had your experience and asking what should have happened and why it didn't and seeking some reassurance about what the procedure will entail next time.
Thorntrees
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Hi roisen
I too am so sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience and I am horrified to hear this! These important procedures should only be carried out by experienced and confident practitioners (I realise they need to start somewhere...).
My experience was as thorntrees - I went on my own, no GA, no local anaesthetic, legs in stirrups, medical instruments - including camera - inserted, quick look around, biopsy taken, all done. Only a mild pinching at one point and very mild discomfort afterwards - and no bleeding either. if he found polyps (which he didn't) I had given permission for them to be removed at the same time. I just got down and drove straight home (25 miles) no problem
I did take the recommended painkillers one hour before the procedure - 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol so that must have alleviated any worse pain.
This should be every woman's experience - I was totally relaxed, the consultant was calm and confident and I can't praise the hospital enough for my (NHS) treatment.
I agree I would follow this up. I can't believe it would take 10 minutes to find the cervix - it literally went straight in when they did mine. They used a screen/to scan or something at the same time so it was TV guided.
Good luck at your next appointment. Is there any way you can have it done by someone else and not have a GA if you would rather not (I felt as you did re GA)?
Hurdity x
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I had one under general anesthetic. You dont say how old you are but when I was approaching the meno I had brown discharge almost constantly. This is why this forum is so good as it can help to ease our anxieties - hope this helps
Hi Gilaray, Thanks so much for responding. I'm 61. I was on Femosten 2/10 for ten years and everything was fine. I did start noticing the brown staining about a year ago. It usually happens about five days before the period and the period follows on. The brown staining has been heavy enough for a pad. I then asked (wish I hadn't) to change to something that would encourage my body to be period free. I was 60 after all. I went onto Evoril patches and just spotted throughout the whole month. This prompted my first ultrasound. I was told the womb looked healthy aside from some fibroids (cluster) But because I had a womb lining measuring 9mm I had to have another one. This showed the lining reduced to 7mm. I was then asked if there had been any bleeding between periods and I said no as there hadn't been then. A few months later I was scheduled for another scan which again showed 7mm lining and fibroids. I mentioned the staining and was sent for the Hysteroscopy. It's interesting to hear you had the brown staining too. Feel less alone. Sorry for the rambling post. My head is a muddle with it all now. My gynacologist said she was referring me because it was prudent. The woman doing the hysteroscopy said 7mm womb lining was not unusual but they need to check for nasty things because of the brown staining. I felt let down yesterday as she didn't seem to know where to go with her instruments. Thanks so much for responding xxxx
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Hi roisen
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I agree I would follow this up. I can't believe it would take 10 minutes to find the cervix - it literally went straight in when they did mine. They used a screen/to scan or something at the same time so it was TV guided.
Good luck at your next appointment. Is there any way you can have it done by someone else and not have a GA if you would rather not (I felt as you did re GA)?
Hi Hurdity,
I find these posts so helpful and everyone is so nice. She kept saying she was trying to find a way in (surely there is only one way) but because I jumped every time she hit the cervix she chose to stop. Her attitude was if you jump when I hit the cervix it's no good. I honestly thought it would go straight in. Was prepared for a bit of pain but didn't think it would be so difficult. Maybe I was nervous but I read many women are but it still gets done. I'm to have it under GA now. Very fed up xxx
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Sorry you had hard time. I had mine done while I was awake, but she numbed my cervix and used a speculum.
She had a good look round and tried to remove a polyp, but couldn't. She sort of blamed me saying I wouldn't let go. I think she meant I wasn't relaxed enough - who would be? She stopped without trying too hard, I also felt like she didn't want to do it.
Ah Toffeecushion, the woman doing mine said it didn't matter whether I was relaxed or not!!!
Odd.
xx
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Good luck at your next appointment. Is there any way you can have it done by someone else and not have a GA if you would rather not (I felt as you did re GA)?
Don't think I could face it again. :-) She's put me off for life.
x
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Roisen, I had a hysteroscopy under a general yesterday. Absolutely no post op discomfort. I had a horrible experience years ago which kicked off a blood pressure phobia which took over my life so I was very ante having a GA cos of the monitoring involved. However, I made sure all the staff know beforehand how nervous I was and I have to say they were amazing with me and the staff nurse couldn't apologise enough for the horrid experience I'd had years ago so I'm sure if you make everyone aware of what you've been through, it will all be so much better next time. I'm not a fan of being knocked out but I knew it was for the best and today I'm at home thinking my horrific periods and anemia may well be a thing of the past now. Have the GA, I promise you with my health anxieties if I can get through it you can too xxx
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Hi Sophie, I was wondering how you got on. I saw your posts and knew it was yesterday. Thank you so much for taking the time to message me. I'm so grateful. I'm so glad it went well for you. I will re read your posts to remind me of your symptoms. I remember the anemia. I hope everything gets sorted for you. I will certainly mention what happened and let them know I am anxious. I've just heard from my doctor who had a call from them as my thyroid test came back wobbly. Seems I have been on too high a dose of thyroxin. This may explain why I am a bit shaky. I'm so pleased to hear I'm not the only anxious one. I was made to feel very stupid and I kept apologising and feel annoyed with myself for doing so now as she was incompetent I think. Thanks so much and hope you get the result you want. I should get a date soon. Lynda xx
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Hi
I don't necessarily think the doctor is incompetent if she was unable to complete the hysteroscopy. Some doctors will be more experienced or adept than others, so you could ask about their work experience or ask to see the more senior doctor.
The doctor and nurse should keep asking if you want to continue if you find it very uncomfortable, because they can only do it with your consent.
I had my first hysterocopy without anaesthetic or speculum - just the camera probe, which is all that's needed. I was told I would get a dull ache, which I did, but the doctor did not tell me about the sharp, stinging pains. A speculum or local anaesthetic would not have helped because most of the pains were after the camera was already inside. They felt like nerve pains and only lasted a few seconds each, but they brought tears to my eyes! By the time the doctor and nurses noticed, the procedure was nearly finished, and I got over it quickly. I was not being brave, I just knew the procedure would not last much longer.
The second hysteroscopy was with a GA because the polyp would have been too difficult and painful to remove without anaesthetic. I was totally nervous of the anaesthetic, but relieved when it was all over without incident, and the morphine made me feel so good!
I think the idea and anticipation of it is worse than the reality. Not having it done would also cause a lot of worry.
I don't think it's as bad as root canal work, if that helps.
Good luck, and bring someone with you who can help you relax, if you have the opportunity.
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Keep me updated. In a nutshell very heavy and very frequent periods. My asthma has been bad too so I've been very breathless and exhausted and generally feeling 20 years older than I am! Hoping for good things ahead. Glad I had the GA, at least I have no knowledge of what happened. Just woke up wearing enormous disposable knickers with a huge pad inside!! Ask me anything you ŵant and if they are professionals they will look after you however anxious and reticent you are xx