"Hysteroscopy- excruciatingly painful"

It was recommended I had a Hysteroscopy, a biopsy & a marina coil fitted after 2 years of very heavy periods that sometimes lasted up to 3months at times & that needed medication to stop them.

After arrival at the ward it became clear I may not have had all the literature I needed before hand about the procedure because I was asked for my urine sample that I didn't have because I wasn't told to bring one? Secondly I was asked if I had bought my slippers again no?

All the staff were female including the surgeon which was a great relief & very much appreciated, they all spoke pleasantly to me.

I was given an anti-inflammatory drug, general observations taken & pe-op questions asked; then was asked to remove everything from my waist down & given a surgical gown to put on.

Then immediately I was taken through to theatre. Everyone was suitably gowned & I was made ready, they enquired if I wanted to watch on the monitor I did.

The clamp insertion part was fine it was not until the prob/camera was inserted that the pain started the surgeon had trouble getting it through & needed to give it some force this was absolutely excruciating suddenly with a popping sensation she was through.

She tried to explain what she was seeing on the monitor but I was beyond all that I was reeling in agony trying to keep very still so it would be over fast I was sobbing.

I thought I was going to faint, I heard them saying she's not responding we're not getting any feed back they were trying to whisper into my left ear words of encouragement I would think but I don't know as I'm completely deaf in my left ear, something the nurse & surgeon had just just found out in my pre-op questions.

Then the clamp fell out & the surgeon said oh you'v spat it out don't worry I've nearly done just need to trim the threads their down to your knees & someone added not a good look on the beach.

All well meaning jokes to make me feel better I assume but nothing was cutting it by this stage I was a mess I was given a sanitary towel & put in a recliner chair by the surgeon.

My observations taken again at this point & my b/p had gone up and the alarms sounded on the b/p machine as this was an abnormal level.

The nurse switched off the machine & turned & said 'would you like tea, coffee, toast. ' She could see I was beside myself with pain & she added 'have you not had period cramps before? ' 'Lots of ladies come out with a smile on their face', then she added she had not had the procedure herself.

This was NOT period pain by any stretch of the imagination I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could I do not know how I managed but I got dressed & left, my husband met me & he was shocked at the state I was in he helped me down the corridor where I broke down in his arms & sobbed. The pain was horrific.