Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Clovie on August 27, 2025, 11:42:49 AM
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Hello
Is this an option?
I have severe health anxiety.
I am being sent for a scan and as usual for me am jumping ten steps ahead.
Could I be scanned again after my period before I agree to invasive tests if my lining shows as thick?
I'm due to be scanned at a time just begore my 'period' you see.
Thanks
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I was so scared about hysteroscopy after reading horror stories on here, so I rang up the hospital when I got my appointment through and they were so kind. They explained that they don't have sedation but they did have penthrox which is like gas and air if you need it, and they will stop at any point if you want them to and you can then be booked for a general anaesthetic. It will probably be different at different hospitals but worth ringing them to chat about it if you do have to have it done.
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Don't overthink it at the moment as you haven't been referred for a hysteroscopy yet. If a hysteroscopy is suggested at your scan appointment, tell them you wish to have it done under anaesthetic.
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Thank you both. I really appreciate your replies. I try not to get ahead of myself but I can't help it.
I might be happy with IV sedation (I have that for tooth removal) would rather not have GA but absolutely cannot have it with just injected painkiller to the area. I need to be somewhat 'unaware'
Anyone else have any input please? Anyone had sedation? Thank you
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I had a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic.
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I’ve had several hysteroscopy procedures in the past. None of which have required a GA
( surely that just prolongs the procedure? )
They’ve taken approximately 20 minutes each time, minimal bleeding and no pain.
I’ve birthed two children vaginally , so don’t know if that makes any difference.
I appreciate all experiences are different though.
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Can you change the date of the scan? Just before your bleed is the worst possible time.
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Can you change the date of the scan? Just before your bleed is the worst possible time.
I don't know?!
is that an actual option? I can't imagine them just being able to fit me in within a few days at my beck and call, what with the waiting lists etc.
I really do not want to be scanned when I know my lining will be at it's thickest!
Plus to complicate matters, I've been told to increase Utrogestan to 200mg nightly, so that might throw a spanner in the works too.
I feel like I'm on a hiding to nothing :'( CAN I refuse to be scanned unless it is at the time I feel would give the most valid results? Maybe I will ask on a new thread... :-\
and thanks Dotty - I would rather NOT have GA if I could avoid it, however, it would be that rather than nothing
Nas - thanks , but I really would need to be 'out of it' such is my anxiety :-\
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I had my hysteroscopy with GA. I would not ever have one without because my VA has been too painful. I haven't had children & after the procedure the consultant told me the VA caused problems & she said it was exacerbated by not having given birth. The lady who did the TVS first advised me to ask for one & although the gynae I saw post scan said the hysteroscopy isn't a painful procedure (not always true) I just told him I would have it without GA. You can be firm & insist & refuse if they don't want you to have GA. After all, it's about money saving.
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I had my hysteroscopy with GA. I would not ever have one without because my VA has been too painful. I haven't had children & after the procedure the consultant told me the VA caused problems & she said it was exacerbated by not having given birth. The lady who did the TVS first advised me to ask for one & although the gynae I saw post scan said the hysteroscopy isn't a painful procedure (not always true) I just told him I would have it without GA. You can be firm & insist & refuse if they don't want you to have GA. After all, it's about money saving.
Thank you MrsMitch, I'm really glad you got the GA.
I 'd rather NOT be put to sleep if I can help it but I will rather than have one without sedation. I will indeed be firm. No way would I have one without sedation, or GA.
Do you know if there's such a thing as a 'light' GA or are they all the same? How long were you under for? :-\
Doesn't help that son is a final year medical student who had told us in passing some facts about GAs a few years ago, as an interesting conversation point, he thought ::)
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I had what was called conscious sedation while having an endoscopy which was great. You are able to respond to touch or voice commands while sedated but can't remember anything about it. You can't drive or be left alone for twenty four hours though which is as with a GA.
"Conscious sedation is not a general anaesthetic. You will receive a sedative and a strong painkiller via a needle in your arm. This will make you feel relaxed and may make you feel sleepy. It will help with any pain or discomfort you feel during your procedure. You will be conscious throughout, if you fall asleep we will wake you. You will not be in pain. You may remember everything or nothing. This is normal"
Taz x
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I had what was called conscious sedation while having an endoscopy which was great. You are able to respond to touch or voice commands while sedated but can't remember anything about it. You can't drive or be left alone for twenty four hours though which is as with a GA.
"Conscious sedation is not a general anaesthetic. You will receive a sedative and a strong painkiller via a needle in your arm. This will make you feel relaxed and may make you feel sleepy. It will help with any pain or discomfort you feel during your procedure. You will be conscious throughout, if you fall asleep we will wake you. You will not be in pain. You may remember everything or nothing. This is normal"
Taz x
THAT is what I would like.
Exactly that.
I've had that for wisdom tooth removal and it worked fabulously :)
Sure I read on something during my days-on-end of frantic googling that they don't offer that for gynae stuff? I can't see why not (I'm not a Dr though) i HOPE they can do it. I mean, got to be cheaper than a GA? :-\
Edit: I can't find it now though, so hope I was confused at the time I read it and it CAN be done ...
found THIS though! :o
Possible complications of hysteroscopy include fluid overload, uterine perforation, hemorrhage, infection, endometrial cancer, recurrent bleeding, and the need for reoperation (Murdoch & Gan, 2001).
What the HECK?????????
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Clovie, just to gently say all this Googling is going to make your anxiety worse. I know we all do it but if you are anxious already, it's probably not helping you. There are possible complications with every medical procedure & every medication can have side effects but of we keep worrying about the what ifs, none of us would take any meds or have any necessary procedures.
I think, & this is only my personal opinion, whilst it's good that now a day's one is given so much more information about all things medical, if you are prone to anxiety, it just makes things worse. Prior to my husband having his first GA I was really hoping the nurse wouldn't go through the list of potential complications with him on the pre op day. But she did & he nearly got up & walked out.
It's very unlikely you will have complications but I suppose in these days of compensation claims, they have to cover their backs, so to speak. It's highly likely you will come away from it all fine without anything sinister going on inside your body.
You've gotten yourself in a spiral of anxiety that is making things so much worse than it needs to be. I've helped a number of people go through procedures who have health anxiety & it does sound like you need some help to process your thoughts differently. I don't know if you can do that yourself or you need someone else, like your husband, to help you through.
I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to lecture you, I'm not, I can just tell from your posts you're getting your self in quite a state & almost searching everything out then focusing on the 'what ifs'.
Is there a local service or one at your GP that can help you deal with all this?
My GA was full GA & I woke up probably within 5 - 10 minutes after the hysteroscopy & felt fine. I didn't have any effects from the GA & was just elated it was a piece of cake! I would have GA again if necessary.
I really feel for you & hope you can get ontop of things so you can start to relax a little.
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With all due respect, I agree with Mrs Mitch; you are really overthinking everything and endless googling isn’t healthy.
ALL procedures and medications come with risks.
Seeking help with your anxiety, might be useful? As you said before, a different anti depressant or maybe CBT?
Many cancers are also treatable these days and do not always equate to a death sentence.
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Clovie, just to gently say all this Googling is going to make your anxiety worse. I know we all do it but if you are anxious already, it's probably not helping you. There are possible complications with every medical procedure & every medication can have side effects but of we keep worrying about the what ifs, none of us would take any meds or have any necessary procedures.
I think, & this is only my personal opinion, whilst it's good that now a day's one is given so much more information about all things medical, if you are prone to anxiety, it just makes things worse. Prior to my husband having his first GA I was really hoping the nurse wouldn't go through the list of potential complications with him on the pre op day. But she did & he nearly got up & walked out.
It's very unlikely you will have complications but I suppose in these days of compensation claims, they have to cover their backs, so to speak. It's highly likely you will come away from it all fine without anything sinister going on inside your body.
You've gotten yourself in a spiral of anxiety that is making things so much worse than it needs to be. I've helped a number of people go through procedures who have health anxiety & it does sound like you need some help to process your thoughts differently. I don't know if you can do that yourself or you need someone else, like your husband, to help you through.
I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to lecture you, I'm not, I can just tell from your posts you're getting your self in quite a state & almost searching everything out then focusing on the 'what ifs'.
Is there a local service or one at your GP that can help you deal with all this?
My GA was full GA & I woke up probably within 5 - 10 minutes after the hysteroscopy & felt fine. I didn't have any effects from the GA & was just elated it was a piece of cake! I would have GA again if necessary.
I really feel for you & hope you can get ontop of things so you can start to relax a little.
Thank you MrsMitch, I know you're right. I've been particularly bad the last day or two as I have been in the midst of PMT - as I have started a period yesterday (again, predictable) My PMT wears off over the first couple of days of a bleed.
hopefully I will feel better by the tomorrow/weekend.
Everything you say is right, I can see that. I could use some help to process these big feelings better, my husband is great though. :)
Glad your GA was a good experience for you.
Thank you again for your reply.
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With all due respect, I agree with Mrs Mitch; you are really overthinking everything and endless googling isn’t healthy.
ALL procedures and medications come with risks.
Seeking help with your anxiety, might be useful? As you said before, a different anti depressant or maybe CBT?
Many cancers are also treatable these days and do not always equate to a death sentence.
Yes Nas, I do overthink, especially when I have PMT, I started my period yesterday so I have been particularly bad, hope to feel relief soon. I'm worn out.
In my letter to the Dr I am asking for ideas on different anxiety meds they might suggest for times like this.
Thanks for your reply.
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Good plan re: the anti anxiety meds. They can be trial and error too, but once you find one which suits, you may feel a little calmer.
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I'm glad you're going to see if you can get some meds to help you with anxiety, Clovie. It is normal to worry about our health, of course, and you are having a rough time. Our minds can be wonderful things but also a pair in the neck & once a thought is there, it can spiral. I remember as a teenager having PMT & it doesn't help, does it! I was so angry at my mum once I slammed the living room door so hard the architrave fell off!
Let us know how you get on.
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Hi! I understand your anxiety, I had a scan two weeks ago and so I’m waiting now for a gynaecology appointment under the 2 week pathway. I’m trying to keep anxiety suppressed, but as we all know as the days go by waiting for appts and also results after those appts is a blinking nightmare. I’ve had sedation for a colonoscopy a few years ago, but I don’t know if they offer it for this stuff. I don’t know if they’ll hysteroscope me or biopsy me or what. I hope you have a comfortable experience though Clovie and wishing you well xx
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Hi! I understand your anxiety, I had a scan two weeks ago and so I’m waiting now for a gynaecology appointment under the 2 week pathway. I’m trying to keep anxiety suppressed, but as we all know as the days go by waiting for appts and also results after those appts is a blinking nightmare. I’ve had sedation for a colonoscopy a few years ago, but I don’t know if they offer it for this stuff. I don’t know if they’ll hysteroscope me or biopsy me or what. I hope you have a comfortable experience though Clovie and wishing you well xx
Thanks for your good wishes Fuzz, and the same back at you! :foryou:
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I've just had a hysteroscopy and biopsy under GA. There were loads of women in for the same thing on the day so I think it's pretty common.
Good luck!
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Thanks Clovie, I’ve taken up a new hobby - biting my nails he he. Bring out the maltesers that’s a plan, maltesers all round xx
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Thanks Clovie, I’ve taken up a new hobby - biting my nails he he. Bring out the maltesers that’s a plan, maltesers all round xx
Yay!! Maltesers! :D
Hope you thoroughly enjoy your new hobby Fuzz, a fine way to while away many a darkening Autumnal evening if ever I heard one! ;D :D ;D
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Ha ha I hope not! Maybe I should take up oil painting more constructive!
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I was advised a general from my consultant. She has done a lot of sedation ones where they had to stop and reschedule with a general.
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Surely if one can have a colonscopy under sedation a hysteroscopy should be the same?
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Thank you all for your input, it all helps me to 'talk' it through in my head :)
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I had one with sedation and have absolutely no memory of it so for me worked as well as general anesthetic. I don't know why they dont offer this instead of GA as a first choice
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Yes, Bungo, and Cassie, I had one myself for a tricky wisdom tooth removal. I would have thought if they could do it for THAT (open mouth, lots of saliva, blood, close to trachea etc etc) then why not for gynae stuff.
I'm not a doctor though... or an anaesthesiologist for that matter.
Rachie, interesting what you say - I had read a snippet somewhere which kind of hinted at this, I couldn't find it again when I looked - did they say why in any more detail? Thanks :)