"Painful Procedure"

I also experienced a very painful Hysteroscopy. 

GP Fast-tracked to Urgent referral (within 2 weeks) as my symptoms indicated Cancer. 

The Gynaecologist Secretary contacted me prior appointment, stating as I needed a Scan prior scheduled appointment, and to arrive earlier than scheduled,  Reading the attachment to appointment letter, suggested to take a Pain-killer (eg/ Paracetamol / Ibrprofen), of which I took as instructed.    

Arrived to be told no departments are open.  Waited and eventually went for scan (external & internal) - the internal scan was mildly painful. 

Afterwards went to see Consultant (not the same name as stated on appointment letter).  Consultant reviewed the Scan and asked some of my Medical History. 

They stated that they needed to do the Hysteroscopy (Biopsy), which was a very painful experience - although the appointment letter attachment mentioned it may cause "Cramps & Dizziness".  

I found the Biopsy process increasingly painful as it continued and was offered little sympathy when I made this fact known, the Nurse tried to talk, whilst chewing their Large  Bubble-Gum, through-out the whole process, which made it was difficult to understand exactly what they were saying.   When I asked how much longer they were going to be, I felt there was total disrespect.   I was told when I went through my Medical History that most women supported the procedure well & Biopsy made me feel like a wimp.  I have since discovered that many other women have found this procedure a bad experience and I wish I had found this information before this Biopsy, as was made to feel everyone else was fine.

Afterwards the Consultant was dictating their reply as I managed to get almost dressed then collapsed into a chair, saying I needed to lie down - no reply.  

The Consultant carried on with the dictation and  I felt so rushed as they needed to see their next patient. 

The Nurse guided me into the waiting room, and told to sit there, in midst of all other patients.  There was no place to lie down, and not too sure if they even heard me wanting to lie down, as I did not re-call receiving a reply.   Some time afterwards, the Nurse gave me a cup of tea and I took pain killer that I had with me.  Much later on, the Nurse provided another cup of tea.   I left some time afterwards - walked out alone feeling violated and disgusted.  I also felt as if I had very low blood pressure - which was NOT taken throughout the whole process.  It took a few days to recover from this painful Biopsy procedure.          

The Consultant informed me there was a 2 week wait for results. 20 days later, nothing, so I contacted them, of which the person refused to give me (poor attitude) the results or find out the results, they told me they were very busy and had lots of patients are all ringing two weeks afterwards for their results,

 They advised /told me to contact my GP, of which I did so immediately.  My GP confirmed the results were that the Biopsy was "insufficient" and GP suggested  I may need to be re-tested.  

I contacted the Department again, telling them there maybe a "problem" with my results.   I made a complaint to our  Patient Information and Liaison Service (PILS). 

 2 days later, I received a Manager call-back, then  a very short letter, from another Consultant, stating there was "no cause for concern" & no "follow up" is needed; so was the Biopsy even necessary in the first place ? 

There was no lie down made available, unlike my  Flexible Sigmoidoscopy procedure of the Colon  (13 months previously) at the same Hospital - whereby I was lying down for the procedure and remained laying down and taken to an after-care ward, whereby my blood pressure was taken- it was low - had a cup of tea/biscuit and felt better soon after.    Perhaps the reason being a mixed  ward - males & females, and the Gynaecology Department  was just females with an attitude of : -   

 * Put Up & Shut Up,   

 * We offer No pain relief during/after this procedure (expense),   

 * No blood pressure monitoring,  

 * No lie downs, 

  * Next patient please ! 

 I am still shocked by the whole experience, including lack of communication and care during and after Biopsy.  However, contacting PILS had a result; albeit still puzzled why the Biopsy took place.  Today, my symptoms are still on-going.