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Hysteroscopy experiences AT MAYO specifically
I’m coming to Mayo tomorrow for the second time since August, though this will be my first appointment with OBGYN dept.
I am scheduled for a vaginal ultrasound and a hysteroscopy as an in-office procedure.
Some background as it may matter…
I’m 42. No pregnancies/fertility anything, never tried to conceive. No history of irregular paps or anything.
I have SEVERE PMDD, for this reason, for the last 10+ years I’ve been on oral BC skipping all periods to prevent hormone fluctuations as much as possible.
In March, I had a heart attack out of nowhere. That means estrogen is now off the table. I was switched to a progesterone only oral bc. I was warned I may have a mild period when switching, which I did. However, I’ve had several periods, all over the place, randomly occurring. Some have even had as little as 5-10 days between the end of one and start of the next.
I do NOT miss or skip pills. Never.
The bleeding is not as heavy as my regular periods were, however, the cramping is awful and now it radiates into my chest, with really screws with you after a heart attack.
There is no placebo week. I should NOT be having periods at all. That’s why I’m being seen.
As I’ve been getting more info on the procedure, it’s come to my attention that this is often extremely painful. They advise taking non-asprin pain relievers even starting the night before. Tylenol does nothing for me and I can’t take NSAIDS due to the cardiac stuff.
I know they will not sedate me, especially as I’m coming to MN alone. I inquired about local anesthetic and honestly was treated pretty rudely. This is not an option. This is an in-office procedure. If I’m “one of the people that is unable to tolerate the pain” it will need to be rescheduled in the OR at a later date. Obviously this isn’t an unusual occurrence. I read a medical journal that talks about women being forced to endure these without any anesthetic when it’s completely unnecessary as there’s no reason local anesthetic can’t be given in office.
I do have Fibromyalgia, but overall, I have a fairly high pain tolerance most of the time. However, when I had my angiogram, for which I was sedated, it was excruciating and I was screaming. I’m told this isn’t normal and most people just feel pressure. They tried to keep telling me it didn’t hurt…like hell it didn’t! Two other cardiologists since then have told me it’s common for patients with Fibro to find the angiogram painful. I’m very worried I will have the same experience with this.
I’m especially worried as my cervix has NEVER dilated or anything.
Obviously it’s not uncommon for people to have issues with the procedure or rescheduling for the OR wouldn’t be so casually mentioned.
I’ve seen lots of people comment on hysteroscopies done elsewhere, elsewhere doesn’t matter, different place, different practices. I want to know specifically about those that have had this procedure AT MAYO (I’ll be in Rochester). Did anyone think it was fairly painless?
If you did find it painful and need to have it rescheduled, were they able to do it within the next day or two? My appointment is Wednesday afternoon. They don’t do appointments on weekends. I CANNOT extend my stay, I’m leaving Saturday morning. So if I need to do it in the OR, it needs to be Weds eve, Thurs or Fri…
I’m worried they won’t do the OR with me being alone though, has anybody done this?
Because of my heart I’m limited in what meds can be used.
It’s also a concern because when I’m in pain my blood pressure spikes…again, recent heart attack, so I need to avoid these spikes as much as possible. I’m also a very anxious person which doesn’t help the matter.
The person I spoke with was very condescending and very dismissive of my concerns. I don’t want to risk going into a huge panic or dealing with intense pain and putting extra strain on my heart. I tried to explain this and she just kept repeating “you must come to your consult, and then the procedure will be done in office”…yes. I get it.
Why don’t they listen to patients?! I’m not asking for like NORCO or something, literally just numb it or something. I can’t handle any additional medical trauma but also need to get to the bottom of the issue I’m having.
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@doesitcomeinglitter
I did not have the same procedures you are scheduled for, but had a biobsy at Mayo gyn in office in Rochester. I found staff very compassionate.
I am sorry the person you talked to on phone was rude and did not take your concerns seriously.
Tell the provider your very nervous about procedure. Sometimes our anxiety makes it worse.
One suggestion I have is concentrate on breathing during procedure. Slow deep breaths. I use that technique when having MRIs or biobsy. It also helps keep my BP under control.
Do you use any techniques to help with anxiety that can be used during the procedure?
I often travel for procedures myself. If I stay in Rochester and am at a hotel offering shuttle, most do, then I can have anesthesia because I'm not driving. You may check into that as an option. I have periodically egd procedures where I am sedated
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1 ReactionI fly in so shuttle or Uber to appointments. This time my hotel connects underground apparently, so no driving.
I do some breathing exercises but struggle when it comes to pain and my asthma seems to act up more when anxious for whatever reason.
I do take dail anxiety meds. I’m trying to get ahold of my doctor to see if I can take extra and if so how much.
You could inquire about anesthesia if it's needed. I do it for every egd procedure I have done. Use yo bring family but then decided I wouldn't bother them to drive for just that procedure and mayo allows. They are used to people staying at hotels for appointments. Best wishes
Thanks I called Monday to inquire about anesthesia and that’s when the person I spoke with gave me a really hard time. I asked her to put it in my notes but she made it very clear they won’t do anything with anesthesia and in the hospital without trying without first and then rescheduling. I was trying to avoid that which is why I called in advance. I won’t be able to come back anytime soon, but I do want to get all my procedures done ASAP and by the end of this calendar year because I’ve already spent tens of thousands on medical and finally hit my max out for pocket. My psychiatrist and cardiologist were in agreement about the concerns with BP spiking so they called me in a Valium to the pharmacy here so I’ll take that before.
@doesitcomeinglitter
I was scanning through discussion and did not see the date of your appointment or if you rescheduled. Just wondering if you have had procedure yet and how it went?
@mkhogan Have you had the hysterocopy yet? I had a hysteroscopy and D&C at my local hospital all under anesthesia. The anesthesia I had was the same short-acting kind that you get during a colonoscopy.
I have found my medical providers at Mayo to be kind and compassionate. When I was scheduled for an MRI I knew I would need something for anxiety as I’m claustrophobic. I let my nurse practitioner know and she prescribed Ativan that was administered about 30 minutes before the MRI.
If you have not yet had the procedure I suggest that you use your patient portal at Mayo (if you aren’t signed on please do that) and see if you can message your provider to ask for anxiety meds. If you cannot do that then I suggest when you call back to Mayo you ask to speak to the gynecologist who will perform the procedure or how to message the gynecologist and ask for an anti-anxiety medication.
We are our own best advocates.
Will you advocate for yourself?
Yes. Asking for anxiety meds is wise. Be an advocate. Rudeness is unacceptable. There are other drs. Let patie services know if unsatisfied with service.
Excuse me, that should read patient services. You can reach out to them either concerns you have and ask for responses, clarifications document concerns. It is there for all