No anaesthetic: am I being a wimp?

Jack if your request for sedation is declined, it might be worth asking if your GP could prescribe you Diazepam to take by mouth to relax you.
Good luck.

I have had three children but I have a tilted uterus. The tests I had last year were painful and they were not so deep as yours will be. I was told to take tablets for period cramps, the same day as well as the day beforehand the next time.

Good luck and let us know what you did.

I had four vaginal births.
Several years later I had a hysteroscopy and found it excruciating. They had to stop. I am somewhat of a wimp though.

Good luck it will be a local anaesthetic gel probably hope all goes well .

I had a GA for mine - wasn’t given a choice!

www.hysteroscopyaction.org.uk/due-to-have-a-hysteroscopy/

You might find this helpful. Sounds barbaric todo it without one.

Ps: I've had two vaginal births and am post menopausal. Cross your fingers for me!

Thanks everyone. A nurse friend has just told me that some sort of gel (can't remember the name of it) should be used to relax my bits ... that sounds better! I'll ask them to explain the procedure exactly and take your advice re asking politely for a sedative ... perhaps I could feign a 'mad lady face' when I request it. That might encourage them to find something to quieten me down ?

Sedation is a very good option, you are awake, can speak but you feel nothing. Well that’s my colonoscopy experience. Good luck.

No you aren’t. I had one quite a few years ago and I nearly went through the ceiling. Honestly I felt violated, to such an extent I simply didn’t follow it up. I was lucky that eventually all was well but I did take a risk I think.

I might add that no advice re painkillers beforehand was given.

That's very interesting Jackie. I can see why it was easier for me as I have had 3 vaginal births.

ExD

I'm not sure, but I think you could ask for light sedation, where you are not quite 'under' and able to follow instructions, such as 'hold your breath, but feel no pain.
My husband had it when he had a colonoscopy and says he remembers nothing of the whole procedure.
Ask, beg, demand.
(they have to keep you in hospital a few hours longer when they want rid of you as soon as possible)

As an ex Gynae nurse, and well versed in this procedure, we did not want to get rid of patients as quickly as possible. Hysteroscopy is normally done in an outpatient clinic, which has no beds, although if necessary women can be taken to a ward bed. You can request it done under a GA, which means hospital admission. Colonoscopy suites regularly give sedation, and are therefore equipped to deal with post op care, and have recovery chairs. So if really worried talk to your Consultant.

I've had 3 hysteroscopys over the last 4 years - the first was painful but bearable but they didn't get enough tissue for the biopsy. The second was excruciating and I thought I'd pass out - again biopsy not possible. 3 weeks ago I had the last under general anathestic cos I couldn't face it again. The surgeon who did it said that because I had a caesarian (sorry about the spelling)the scar tissue meant they should never have tried without a ga. If you are post menopausal and haven't given birth vaginally don't do it!

I had one last year and although it was a little uncomfortable it was not what I would call painful.It felt like strong period cramps but taking a paracetamol a few hours beforehand took the edge off. A nurse offered her hand to squeeze during the procedure which I found very comforting.The thought of it was worse than the actuality. You don't need a local anaesthetic.

I have learned really fast to demand politely what is needed from hospitals, as sometimes justify it as "it is not procedure"

For one mri, they allowed a child life specialist if there was no anesthesia involved.
I politely but assertively said we needed both and I would appreciate it immensely if it could be possible so the mri could go as smooth as possible.

No, you’re not being a wimp! I had one and it was horrendous. You are entitled to have sedation or even a general anaesthetic if that’s what you want.

I'm not sure, but I think you could ask for light sedation, where you are not quite 'under' and able to follow instructions, such as 'hold your breath, but feel no pain.
My husband had it when he had a colonoscopy and says he remembers nothing of the whole procedure.
Ask, beg, demand.
(they have to keep you in hospital a few hours longer when they want rid of you as soon as possible)