"Hysteroscopy Experience"

Firstly I had an ultrasound at the Whittington Hospital North London sometime in February 2017. At this ultrasound I was advised that I had a pylop and an area of fluid in my Uterus.

The next appointment was to see a Gynaecologist in mid June at the Betty Mansell Ward.

On attending my appointment I was seen at least an hour after my appointment time. When the Doctor came out to call my name they omitted my surname causing confusion in the waiting area. During the consultation the doctor I saw read out some test results from my scan, and said that were a couple of concerns, an area of fluid and a Pylop in my uterus, both these would need investigating.

The doctor then proceeded to ask questions from what appeared to be a check list. They asked, do you have pain? I attempted to answer by saying that I have some pain occasionally but not all the time and I mentioned diet etc. The Doctor didn't even appear listen to me, just kept ticking the boxes.

The doctor then asked me in what I felt was a perverse manner about the bleeding, I told them that I had not experienced any bleeding, nor pain, nor anything untoward except for a few weeks back last year where I had suffered some abdominal pain which had resolved itself, but had set of this chain of events by my GP.

After several questions like this I actually asked if they were a Doctor? They replied Yes.

Towards the end of the consultation they said that they would have to go and speak to a Doctor to find out what will happen to me now!

When they returned they told me I would need to have a Hysteroscopy, I asked what this is, and they said that it was where a doctor pushed a camera through the cervix, I said that sounded painful and also told them that I had problems with the idea due to a previous experience at another hospital.

I then asked if I could have have a General anaesthetic for this and they said they didn't really know, and that most women don't make a fuss! After I insisted exploring the idea of proper pain relief, I was told to take my case file to admissions. In the meantime I was very worried indeed, I didn't think the Doctor was interested in taking a proper history and they could have missed something.

After attending the pre operation appointment at the end of June, I was told twice by the nurse that I would be having a General anaesthetic and was duly booked in for my procedure in a little under 2 weeks time.

I was happy at the outcome as I have since investigated this procedure and it appears to be subject to some controversy. Also being post menopausal I had read widely that this procedure can cause significant pain.

So I attended my procedure date confident that I would be completely put under. However on arrival it quickly became clear that I was to be offered it on sedation, now, for me this is fine, but far different from what I asked for and what I was assured I would receive. However due to other factors I happily took the only option offered and had a brilliant team looking after me who were caring and thoughtful (is worth noting that the Gynaecologist who saw me pre op, asked me if I still had the bleeding? I explained once again that I have had no Bleeding, No discharge, no pain apart from the original episode back in January)

Then after the procedure the Gynaecologist was unable to see me as they were still operating. Instead they sent someone else who just told me that no pylop was found. I replied that what about the fluid the sonogram had picked up? to which I was told it didn't matter!

I was dumbfounded as I thought this was the whole basis for the procedure anyway! Plus I had been told by the sonographer and the doctor I saw in my appointment that the fluid was very concerning.

After the procedure, within 2 days I found out that I had an UTI then 2 days after I find that it was actually PID Pelvic imflamatory disease. This was confirmed by a Doctor in A&E who said that it would have been due to the procedure. I am now being treated for that as well.

In general I was not at all happy with the outcome which resulted in me having what was an unnecessary procedure. I am not happy that all the risks were not explained. I am not happy that my health has suffered badly because of this procedure. I think that the Whittington might have used unsterile practices, causing me this infection.

I would ideally liked to have been offered another ultrasound to see if the problems were still there which could have saved me unnecessary worry and anxiety.

I am also shocked to learn that what I find to be frankly a barbaric procedure is inflicted on many women with only painkillers to dull the pain in many different services and hospitals. This has been the subject of many complaints and it's about time that women were treated respectfully and their concerns and wishes listened to.