Referred for hysteroscopy etc

Hi Peggyette. Sorry to hear about your discomfort. You won't know anything for sure until you've had an ultrasound and biopsy/Hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy can be done with local anaesthetic (sharp jab in the cervix but doesn't last long) and gas and air. I have both when I have biopsies as it really helps. I have cervical stenosis, which is common to many older ladies.

My pain threshold is very low but I manage quite well with the local and gas & air and it's over before you know it.

Some ladies have general anaesthetic for hysteroscopy but you'd need to discuss the pros and cons of that with your doctor. I prefer to get it over with under local though but it's a matter of personal choice and medical issues. I would make a list of all your concerns and discuss them all beforehand because on the day, it's sometimes hard to discuss these things. Better to get it all sorted up-front.. I wouldn't worry about what might be in the diagnosis until you need to.

Sending best wishes!

Hi LolaBear - thank you for the info about a local jab - that sounds just the thing for me and I will raise it.  I didn't fancy a GA for an investigation and, like you, I definitely have a low pain threshold.  

Thank you for your help.

Hi Peggyette

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear that you have had a prolapse and possible endometrial cancer. 

I can understand your worries regarding the hysteroscopy after having a painful internal examination. 

When I had my biopsy it was suggested by the nurse to take paracetamol before hand. I do think it helped a little. For me the pain was not too bad- really only the bit where the instrument was passed through my cervix. If I counted to 10 it was done. The actual biopsy was done with suction straws and it felt a bit like period discomfort but would not say it was painful. More a bit of a dragging type sensation. 

You can ask for a different size speculum if you are worried. I remember my practice nurse telling me they could also use something called instagel which they use for catheters etc to numb the area a bit. 

Some people opt for the procedure to be done under anaesthetic and if you feel you would prefer it that way, it may be an idea to talk to your doctor to see if it is possible. 

You are not being a wuss, I was really worried about mine but it was not as bad as I thought it would be. 

Jane

Hi Peggyette and welcome! For my hysteroscopy I tried it under local but the gentle lovely consultant could not get the camera through my cervix as it was too stenosed. He decided not to proceed as the pain was extreme for me despite having taken paracetamol, and having had the local injection into my cervix, and he was concerned for my welfare. I was extremely disappointed as I wanted it over and one with but it was not to be. He said that with that level of pain I could go into shock or faint or both. So I was referred for one under GA which I had about a month later. That was a breeze - walked down to theatre at 10, light GA then back in recovery by 11 and ready to go home just after 12. 

Hi MarmiteFan59 - I'm sorry you suffered so much initially before the good solution.  That is good info you have given me as  I was so worried about the level of pain and how I would cope.  Knowledge is defnitely power.

Thank you!

Hi Jane - Thank you for your helpful post.  My GP used a small speculum as I couldn't cope at all with the medium.  Counting to 10 - focus, count, over - sounds good and I'll certainly discuss the pain I had and the length of time it lasted afterwards.  

I do feel more confident, having heard of the experience of others - thank you.

Don't forget about the gas and air! It really helps and you can control the level of pain relief as you go. It kind of helps you 'float' through the whole thing...!

Gas and air may help some but it didn’t touch my pain at all. 

I'm ignorant about gas and air - are they available to breathe?

Hi Peggyette, I had diagnosis of endometrial cancer in December following post menopausal bleed, then hysteroscopy and biopsy. I have now had hysterectomy and do not require any further treatment. 
I had had previous hysteroscopy two years ago and used gas and air, it was very uncomfortable/painful. This time around after initial attempt to go through it with gas and air, I couldn’t go through either it and in the end I had it under GA. 
I can see from the different responses that women are all different in their pain thresholds and feelings about hysteroscopy, but I would say that we should feel more empowered to ask for GA if we feel we need it and it could be done safely. 
you are absolutely not a wuss! I wish you all the best for your treatment. I used the McMillan helpline a lot after my diagnosis and they were very helpful.