"An unexpected Hysteroscopy"

I was initially quite happy to be informed that I would be able to have my appointment 3 months earlier than expected, I had a scan in June and clearly worried about the information gleaned from that I was relieved when I got the call from my local Gynaecology department offering me the following week! Please remember that so far, I had only had a scan and to me, this was my first meeting with my consultant and a discussion would be had.

I waited an hour and 45 minutes beyond my appointment time before I was seen, but my patience is a bottomless pit and I understand the situation. My consultant introduced theirself and apologised for the wait...however, I was confused that I was not alone with them and I was struggling to hear them over the din behind the curtain, where there seemed to be nurses clattering about.

I didn't question it, but did my best to answer the Dr's questions. They said they would like to take a look, see what needed to be done etc. I have had 3 merina coils inserted in the past and thought I would be able to cope with my cervix being opened and I did actually cope with that, even watching on screen what was going on. 

The camera hit a massive polyp, which everyone in the room remarked upon and after that it was just a full-on nightmare as my uterus cramped so tightly I found it difficult to breathe, even using birthing experience from long ago I could not handle this. I managed to chat to one of the nurses holding my hand and explained I had PTSD.

Things went from bad to worse and I started to cry out, it was worse than any pain I have ever experienced in my entire life, which includes two births, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and gall bladder pain. I have a high pain threshold but this was beyond all means of coping.

The consultant said they'd got it, to which I replied, the polyp?, thank God for that! They said no, they've got the biopsy, they're going back in for the Polyp, and I replied, no you are not! Absolutely no way is that going to happen, time to stop!

I was angry...I had no idea this was even going to happen let alone anything else. I hadn't signed a consent form and this was not what I expected anyway. I knew at some point a Hysteroscopy would be on the cards, but not at my first appointment!, I thought they were having a look at most!

I gingerly sat up and saw the bucket below me full of bloody water, blood on the floor too and I felt giddy. I sat there for some time, the nurse engaging me in chit chat. My top was soaked at the back and I had to ask for a theatre gown in order that I could go home without saturating my leggings or the inside of my coat.

I felt violated, my friend was outside the room and I apologised to the Dr for swearing and having a go as it's really not the way I like to behave.

They said I would need to come back for Polyp removal, where different instruments would be used and I would be offered a local anaesthetic...I was bewildered therefore that I had just gone through all of that with no pain killer whatsoever!

I was also left thinking that had I not stopped them, they would have removed that polyp there and then using the equipment they had and not the correct instruments they had just mentioned to me.

I kept my head above water, left politely and thanked the staff, but inside I was in turmoil, I am in my 60s, post menopausal with many health conditions including Atrial Fibrilation and this was something I could well have done without!.

I asked if it was a Hysteroscopy that I had just had and they all said yes, that was it!'

I don't wish to come across as naive, especially as I have an NHS background myself, but nothing sat right with me here. I had accepted an appointment expecting nothing more than a meeting and chat with a Gynaecologist, to discuss things such as the procedure I had just had.

I tried to relax with my friend afterwards by going to a coffee shop...in the theatre gown, not that appearances worry me but still. I was cramping so badly though and had to come home.

It is now two days later and yet again I have just been sick. I expect the bleeding to last some time but I feel very unwell.

I called Gynaecology to find out the consultant's name, as I barely heard it during my visit with all the background noise. They asked why I wanted to know...strange question but I persisted and got it from them.

My biggest beef right now is going into that appointment blind with no information, I had therefore not taken any pre care by popping a couple of paracetamol or something ( I don't think it would have made much difference as I feel this is something that should be done under a GA).

Also that I had to meet my Consultant for the first time , in a room occupied by other people, to discuss personal information.

I think this is totally unacceptable!!.