Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: sueregional on May 31, 2017, 05:18:26 PM
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Hello ladies ! I have been on HRT for about 7 months and had bleeding on and off during this time. My GP has referred me to Gynacologist who wants to do a Hyteroscopy which sounds pretty scary.
Has anyone had this done and if so is it painful ? I have read it can be done under GA, which suggests it could be jolly painful !
Many thanks
Sue
x
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I am sure someone will be along soon to reaassure you, I had one years ago, together with a cyst removal and a D&C, it was under sedation, so it was painfree, but I know that there are ladies who have had it with minimal sedation and just pain killers and others who have had a GA, I think, it depends very much on your Dr and of course, your pain threshold. I was wondering why they do not offer the same sedation for a hysteroscopy that they do for a colonscopy, as in conscious sedation, so one is not totally anaesthetised, just nice and relaxed and pain free.... :-\ if you are anxious, you need to mention this to your Dr, so that they can treat you accordingly, I belive it is very quick though, so that is at least some good news!
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Hi Sue
It is scary I know, I went through it last year.
I think the vast majority of women have no problem with this procedure at all, and take OTC painkillers an hour beforehand. However, some women do experience a problem. Were you told that an anaesthetic would be administered? If not they usually suggest a couple of OTC pain meds an hour before.
What I would say is, if you find things too difficult, tell them to stop. They can't continue if you're unable to cope. They will then organise the procedure with a GA. It is usually very quick and just slightly uncomfortable so you'll probably be fine. BUT we are all different, with varying medical histories. If you want them to stop at any point just tell them to do so. I had to have a GA because of cervical scarring.
Good luck, I'm sure all will be fine: it's good to get a thorough MOT on occasions! x
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Thank you ladies ! I have just noticed the spelling on my post, shows my anxiety levels are high ! Anyway seen a consultant today and she will do the procedure under GA which is a huge relief. Thank you for taking the time out to reply xxx
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I would feel great relief, too, Sue!
Hope all goes well, and let us know how you get on, won't you! xx
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Good luck with the procedure sueregional, I'm sure all will go well. Mine with a GA was quick and easy. x
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Hi sueregional
Just to reassure you also - the reason for GA I think is personal preference as some women are more squeamish or perhaps have problems with cervix/severe VA etc. It certainly does not imply it is more painful!!! I had one 4 years ago and I had no anaesthetic whatsoever - and in fact went somewhere other than suggested as the first place (a smaller local hospital) would only do it under GA which I have never had! It is just a very minor procedure after all and takes only a few minutes so over and done with very quickly. Drove straight home afterwards. As Cassie said - my instructions were to take 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol an hour beforehand and that was it - no sedation. I was interested to be able to see the procedure and the camera, and the pictures of the inside of my uterus as they were doing it. There was no pain at all - not even after pain.
I mention this to put your mind at rest - but if you would prefer not to know about it - then a GA sounds just the job, although obviously you have to have a recovery period afterwards.
Sometimes I think the names given to procedures make them sound scarier than they need to be - hysteroscopy sounds like hysterectomy - but it just means putting a "scope" into your womb - it's a very thin tube with camera on the end! With mine I signed a thing to say if they found a polyp they could remove it at same time but since I was awake i could have just said yes there and then. As it was, they only found a small fibroid so all was well.
Hopefully it will be the same for you - ie all will be well - but do let us know anyway :)
Hurdity x
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Here's a previous thread Sue, that will again show that every woman's experience will differ. Have a read. x
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31844.15.html
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Ah thank you so much for taking time out to reassure me ladies ! You are so right Hurdity it is personal preferences and the fear of the unknown can cause huge anxiety !
Had hoped being on HRT would solve so many issues and whilst it has, i.e hot flushes etc it may have caused other problems but at least now I feel I am getting somewhere.
Sue
xx