Hysteroscopy using spinal block/epidural

honeyrose

Has anyone undergone a Hysteroscopy with the aid of a spinal block/epidural please? I am to have a Hysteroscopy soon (when waiting lists allow!) and I had a Hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic 5 years ago as it was too painful without pain relief/anaesthetic. I’ve never had an epidural before and don’t know what to expect or know of any possible side effects. Can anyone reassure me please as I’m undecided whether to go for a general anaesthetic or an epidural. I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to medical procedures by the way and become extremely anxious.

Honey rose ,
Re your question I was also extremely anxious regarding the use of an epidural during my recent TKR .
It frightened the life out of me tbh . Like you I had GA previously for a Hysterectomy & another surgery .

So back to the epidural , It was in the end a breeze & I remembered nothing , heard nothing, saw nothing!!

It started with a whole lot of the NHS team & the placing in my back of the epidural. Then a cannula into my hand .
After that I remember nothing until I heard “ we are taking you to recovery ❤️‍🩹 “
You are also given pain blockers . All of which left my leg with a heavy leaden feeling for days after , though that was all .
My surgery was 2/3 hours & it was a blank .
I was so frightened before hand it almost made me want to abort the surgery .
Hope this helps you.

LaCrepeScule, I’m afraid of medical procedures full stop. I’m a massive worrier and over-thinker and I fret about experiencing physical pain and feeling that I can’t control the situation. Irrational - probably - but that’s how I am. I wish it were different. I know I can’t go through life without some pain now and again, but I’m a big wuss.

I think I’ve had about three and have only ever had a local and the pain was bearable. I’ve just had a GA for something else and wouldn’t recommend it - I’ve been wiped out for two days. If you must, have an epidural - I had one when my daughter was born. What exactly are you afraid of?

I ended up having a spinal because I still had food & fluid in my stomach (fasted for 18 hrs). Told pre-op that I was on weight loss jabs. Turns out I should have avoided jabs for at least a week before to receive a GA, but they said I would be ok.
I don’t think I could have stood the pain of the Botox & camera without 😩
Anyone on those jabs, bare that in mind!

sparkle1234

I wish I'd had the option of a spinal block/ epidural when I had a hysteroscopy, it was so painful . You won't feel a thing , you will be completely numb from the waist down .
I just had a hip replacement with a spinal block/ epidural and sedation , didn't feel a thing . You'll be absolutely fine , just try and relax and settle in to it .

How come they didn’t offer you a spinal?

I wish I'd had the option of a spinal block/ epidural when I had a hysteroscopy, it was so painful . You won't feel a thing , you will be completely numb from the waist down .
I just had a hip replacement with a spinal block/ epidural and sedation , didn't feel a thing . You'll be absolutely fine , just try and relax and settle in to it .

Had 2 epidurals- no problem. You will be fine !

Thank you so much, agnurse. This is extremely helpful info and I hadn’t realised the difference or the risks/benefits of both. I am due to have a telephone appointment with the gynaecologist in a few weeks time and to decide which method to go for, with a general anaesthetic also as an option as well as spinal block. I didn’t realise the difference between spinal block and epidural, but I was planning to Google it! Thanks again. I am early 70’s so no spring chicken, but still quite active.

Glad you have said this agnurse.
Thanks for explaining the difference.

I knew it was different - as the anaesthetist explained this to me as I was going for hip surgery - but of course I forgot the details immediately!

Just an FYI: an epidural and a spinal are two different things.

An epidural is usually a continuous infusion, and it goes into the epidural space. This means it does not puncture the membrane surrounding the spinal cord, so it can be placed anywhere along the spine. I believe it tends to wear off fairly quickly once the infusion is stopped, and the infusion rate can also be adjusted. (I am a nurse and while I have worked in obstetrics, the rural facility where I worked did not routinely offer epidurals because we rarely had a doctor who could do them. We had other options for pain relief.)

A spinal is usually a single injection and it involves puncturing the dura mater, the membrane that surrounds and protects the spinal cord. This means it must be placed in the lower spine, below where the spinal cord ends, so that there is no risk of damaging the spinal cord. It causes an immediate, temporary loss of all function, usually from the upper abdomen down. It takes a few hours to wear off. Some people can develop a post-puncture headache from a spinal. In addition, it's rare, but some people can have cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the puncture site afterwards. This can be sealed with a blood patch - they take some of the patient's own blood and inject it into the site, so it clots and seals the hole. (There is minimal, if any, risk of a reaction because this is the patient's own tissue.)

I have a fair bit of experience with spinals. We used them for C-sections in the hospital where I worked, both because it's nicer for the mother and because it doesn't affect the baby (a general anesthetic will). I've also seen them used for hip and knee surgeries. They tend to be safer for older people compared to general anesthesia.

If they do use an epidural or a spinal, you might also be able to ask if they'll use moderate sedation. Sometimes they will do this to help you forget and largely sleep through the procedure. It's not as deep as general anesthesia and wears off fairly quickly.

Thanks everyone. Overall, the opinion was that epidurals are good. I shall probably go with that rather than have a general anaesthetic, but will of course also discuss with the gynaecologist.

Not a hysteroscopy but an epidural was used for my hysterectomy. Obviously a general anaesthetic was used during the actual procedure as well. It was a trial. One side of the ward was given press button pain relief, our side had an epidural which was kept in for several days after the procedure. It was absolutely amazing. I had no pain at all and I think the effects lasted for the rest of the healing time because I remember I had very little pain at all. I was very nervous that bi would dislodge it and damage my spine though!

It is several years since I had a hysteroscopy but no pain relief was offered apart from a spray just before the camera was inserted.
I don’t thing it was normal then for pain relief to be used.
I know I had two nurses holding my hands and chattering away to me to keep my mind occupied.
I found it very very uncomfortable rather than painful.
I did have a general anaesthetic for the removal of the polyps they found.
Perhaps it depends on the Dr doing it.

Apparently it depends on the diameter of the scope they use It was explained to me that some units have very fine equipment and can be used under just a local. Some of the slightly older equipment is a bit wider and needs more anaesthesia of whatever is the choice of patient and clinician

Hysteroscopy, I went through this last year with initially no pain relief, wow it was the most painful experience of my life. They offered gas and air only. Never again unless it’s a general or epidural. I had a spinal block with my son by c section. It was fine. Wishing you the best of luck.

Had 2 caesareans with an epidural. Never felt a thing. do not worry.

Epiduŕals are painless and pain free. Stop fretting and stop worrying. You are hurting your own brain and hurting your physical well being. There are far better things to worry about than a routine, common, one-after-another epidural shot. Covid shots are more difficult. You will be absolutely fine.

I had an epidural for all three of my children because of high blood pressure .This was in the seventies. A few years ago I had a hysteroscopy for which I did not need pain relief followed by polyp removal for which I had a spinal block instead of a general anaesthetic because of sleep apnea. The anaesthetist stayed with me the whole time keeping me up to date with what was going on. Each of the experiences was pain free with no side effects and a very quick recovery time. I would recommend it.

I had an epidural for my third baby. It was marvellous. Pain-free delivery - that was in 1977

Giving birth to my one and only son I booked an epidural. The rest of the ladies in the ward chose a natural birth. They were in a lot of pain. I was last in and first out. You just have to lie very still to help the anaesthetist. He she will guide you through it.

Sorry no.
I had mine with just a local pain relief.

I did have an epidural type anaesthetic for my hip surgery though. You do need to sit very still so the needle placement is easier.

I can't imagine it would let any pain from your hysteroscopy through - and this method is less invasive than a "general" would be.

Good luck.