So i had my endometrio biopsy today...

[SUMMERTIME02]

Lets begin with the expectations that were set.. "its similar to a smear test".

It was not! It was so painful i nearly passed out. This should definitely be something which should be done under sedation. I still feel like my legs are trembling after it.

The hsg where they prepare you for pain and advise you to take painkillers was nothing compared to this.

I honestly feel traumatised and cried on the way home.

For any of you ladies due to have this done, please be prepared. I'm not trying to scare anyone but it's definitely not like a smear test!!

[RubyVet]

I second this! Worst pain of my life. You should have gas and air at the very least. Hope you feel better soon xxx

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to RubyVet]

I agree! Thank you xx

[AuroraXen in reply to RubyVet]

😳 uh oh 😆 Do you ever find smear tests and transfers uncomfortable RubyVet?

[RubyVet in reply to AuroraXen]

No I don’t find smears or transfers bad at all! But with this they use a larger catheter and scrape a lot at your lining so your uterus contracts. I have read that some woman say they found it fine. I went to the implantation clinic in London Bridge for mine and they said to me before they did it that it will feel like labour and they are trying to get to be done with gas and air or GA but because it is over in 30-60seconds they cannot justify it. Just make sure you don’t have to do much afterwards. I chilled out in the clinic for around 30 mins after then Borough Market for about an hour before I could face the trains back to Cardiff. You are better knowing that it may hurt you because I went in and was chatting away full of confidence then had the shock of my life 😂 hopefully you’ll be ok because honestly I’ve heard some woman say they were fine! Xx

[AuroraXen in reply to RubyVet]

Oh dear... that's where I'm going 😱 Not looking forward to this. At least with labour you usually come away with something lovely 😂 Thank you for sharing though xx

[RubyVet in reply to AuroraXen]

They were really lovely and talked me through things. They don’t rush you either so just take your time and make sure you feel ok before you leave them. You’ll be ok, I recommend going to the market opposite afterwards because it’s lush. Loads of yummy foods and drinks to cheer you up! Lots of love 💕

[AuroraXen in reply to RubyVet]

Can I ask how long you were in the building for then? And how long the procedure itself took? Sorry for the Qs! x

[RubyVet in reply to AuroraXen]

Urmm I’m the building maybe an hour? The procedure takes around 5 minutes. You have to take a muscle relaxer before so that takes around 20 mins to kick in then they take you through. Afterwards they like you to sit around for about 30 mins while you take antibiotics and drink water so they know you are ok and well enough to leave. They let your partner in the waiting rooms (not in the consult room) to so you can have someone there with you. It’s abit weird because it’s just in the consult room like the scans you have with the nurse so it’s very chilled out. I don’t mind answering questions. I’m 6dp5dt so I’m literally sat in bed watching Cheer on Netflix 😂

[AuroraXen in reply to RubyVet]

That's really helpful, thank you. I'm going to be alone, and am supposed to be joining a call 45 mins after my appointment so it's good to know that might not happen 😆 My hotel is very close (had to book a stay) and I don't have to check out until a few hours after my appointment, so will probably go back there as soon as I can and lie down for a bit before starting the train journey back up north xx

[RubyVet in reply to AuroraXen]

Your welcome! Yeah 45 min might be pushing it.

Yes definitely rest abit before travelling home. Message me if you think of anything else xxx

[AuroraXen in reply to RubyVet]

Hi RubyVet thanks again for sharing your experience. You were right, the doctor and nurse there are really nice, I was impressed. The procedure itself was better in the end than I'd feared - I'd built it up A LOT in my head 😆but with painkillers beforehand I found it less painful than I'd expected, thank Goodness! X

[RubyVet in reply to AuroraXen]

Aw good! I’m glad it went better than expected. Fingers crossed for you now that you can have a plan in place for your next transfer 🤞🏼 Xx

[LLG54321 in reply to RubyVet]

Hi. I had the NK biopsy done in June (twice because first sample wasn’t any good) and had same experience. Now I’m going to the Implantation Clinic in 2 weeks so I know what to expect! Dreading it. Not related, but did you only do progynova and pessaries in preparation for the biopsy? For my transfers I had Lubion as well but for this they have upped to 3 pessaries instead of 2. Did you do exactly the same protocol as for any transfers you might have had? Thank you x

[RubyVet in reply to LLG54321]

So I did oestrogen tablets 4x a day and then pessaries 3x a day for the implantation clinic. My results came back that I needed an extra day of progesterone before my transfer and more progesterone so they said to do 4 a day. I questioned this as I always had to do 4 pessaries and a lubion before. So she said to just do the pessaries and test on transfer day. But it came back low so I had to add the lubion 🤦🏼‍♀️ We were abit annoyed about it but hey ho. I’m in the wait now so don’t know if it’s worked yet xx

[LLG54321 in reply to RubyVet]

So you have done for this transfer what you previously did?Did they find anything else at the implantation clinic?

For my last transfer I had a progesterone blood test on transfer day and it was high so I’m a bit confused as to what the implantation clinic test for with regards progesterone to be honest… but I’m going with it as had 4 failed transfer so far. Wishing you all the luck xx

[RubyVet in reply to LLG54321]

The only difference with this transfer from the rest was that they found I needed 6 full days of progesterone before transfer and not your standard 5. The doses I have kept exactly the same as previous. They looks for bacteria, NK cells and how many days of progesterone you should have before a transfer to give you the best chances. I think it’s all worth it just for price of mind to be honest!

[LLG54321 in reply to RubyVet]

Ah I see. Totally agree. I’m just glad to potentially be doing something different. I hope they find something!

[Redsequin]

Omg, I'm so sorry. That sounds horrific. I don't know why they don't give an appropriate warning/offer proper pain relief for this kind of procedure. I remember having a colposcopy that went wrong when the doctor kept trying and failing to get cervix biopsies. I was lying on the table crying, sweating and shaking uncontrollably and the (male) doctor was saying "Calm down! This shouldn't hurt." Beyond belief really.

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to Redsequin]

Its ridiculous. I get they need us to stay calm but its very hard to do so when its shockingly painful! X

[Redsequin in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Yes, particularly when no one has even warned you! The doctor kept saying I didn't have nerve endings in my cervix. Errr, I beg to differ! It was excrutiating.

[SK73 in reply to Redsequin]

Did this doctor happen to be male by any chance😒 the cervix is very sensitive, what a thing to say. It's irrelevant about nerve endings, the point is you were in pain so they should either offer better pain relief or stop and arrange for sedation. Unnecessary to be put through that😔

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Redsequin]

SUMMERTIME02 I am so sorry you went through this - I have a pain condition that makes these procedures agony and rarely does anyone take any notice or give me any options how to manage the pain, even when I tell them in advance or ask what they could do to help. I hope you recover soon and don't have to go through it again (at least without some help). Redsequin yes, I had an 'attempted' colposcopy last week - attempted because they could hardly get the speculum in let alone expand it enough to get a camera in and take a sample, the pain was so bad. The consultant pretty much ran out of the room mumbling 'from what I *could* see, i'm sure it's all fine' (great). But then my cantankerous vagina also snapped the catheter during my first egg collection, so I think I'm not their typical patient. It's funny to tell it now I suppose but I am always in pain for days after these things and pretty shaken. I wish they would take it a bit more seriously - it's horrible for us, or even just because it takes up more of their time.

[SK73]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, that sounds horrific! I feel like you should maybe write a formal complaint and bring it to someone's attention. That's awful and can be solved with proper pain relief. Women are expected to put up with so much and I think if it was a man there would definitely be different rules. Hope you feel better soon, sending hugs x

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to SK73]

Thank you. I have previously wanted to complain about a couple of important things they have failed to disclose in terms of pricing and procedures. As its the nhs it should be easy to complain to, i just never took it further as i didn't want the extra stress on myself as i know how frustrating unresolved complaints can be x

[SK73 in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Yeah totally get that about unresolved complaints, has to be right for you. Was just thinking if they don't know then they can't improve the service in the future xxx

[DJ202 in reply to SK73]

Summertime, I'm so sorry about your experience! I concur with the ladies on here - why are women expected to deal with excruciating pain without any pain relief, including for endometrial biopsies and cervical biopsies? No man would ever go through this! I totally agree with SK73 - write a formal complaint - these things are not spoken enough and therefore women are not being taken seriously. In my opinion, something dramatically needs to change with female healthcare in this country. How else are you supposed to be able to go through this, knock yourself out with codein?? The problem is also that these procedures traumatise you and will make any future procedures scary and cause unnecessary worry. I feel for you! x

[On_a_mission]

I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I had a similarly unexpected experience when I had the hycosy procedure done to the point of throwing up on myself during the procedure from the pressure and pain. A relative had the same procedure and found it a bit uncomfortable but a forgettable experience. Pain is a tricky thing to predict, so I think the doctors should always say something like: ‘Some patients describe it as a bit uncomfortable like a smear test, a small number of patients have described it as very painful, however it is a quick procedure and we will be there to support you during it.’

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to On_a_mission]

Oh no im so sorry, sounds like an awful experience! Totally agree, pain and procedures vary for each patient and especially depending on the doctor performing the procedure. I think my main concern is they need to set the expectations better in cases like mine x

[AuroraXen]

Oh heck 😆 I've got this on Tuesday!! Fudge... I was dreading it too, but now may have to fill myself full of ibuprofen and codeine! 🙊 Sorry to hear about this, it sounds dreadful xx

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to AuroraXen]

Sorryyy! I really hope this doesn't scare you or put you off, just please be more prepared and have a couple painkillers beforehand as a just in case and take a hot water bottle for after if you can. I think that alone would have made a difference for me. Wish you all the best and hope your procedure goes much more smoothly and pain free xx

[AuroraXen in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

No honestly it's good to be prepared, as you say. My consultant warned me that some people find it 'quite painful' but promised it's short-lived and more like heavy cramps🙄 . She says though if you ask them afterwards 'would you rather have been put out for it' they say 'oh no, not that bad'. She gave me the option of being sedated, for another few hundred quid. I opted not to bother but slightly regretting that now 😂 Oh dear... I've actually got to come out of the clinic, back to my hotel next door for a bloody work call for an hour, then make my way to Kings Cross and back up North on a train 😭 This is going to be rough, eek xx

[AuroraXen in reply to AuroraXen]

If you see something on the news about a crying, babbling woman stumbling around Kings Cross alone, clasping a by-then-fairly cold hot water bottle, you'll know it's me 😆🤦‍♀️

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to AuroraXen]

😂 do you know what's funny i felt like my legs turned to jelly and i rushed out to get back to my husband waiting in the carpark. I think i could've done with a sit down after. Definitely rest in the waiting room if you can or if they have you on a bed, stay resting for as long as they allow. Im bleeding atm when i go to the loo but only when i wipe. I wore a pad just in case and thankfully theres been no heavy bleed since other than when wiping so have a pad on you too in case its needed x Avoid cold food/drinks after that can worsen cramps. Nice hot drink after will help x

[AuroraXen in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Oh bless you, this sounds awful. Goodness, the things we have to go through 😆 It's not supposed to be like this is it?? It's supposed to be a roll in the hay, fun all round, and 9 or 10 months later here's your baby 💔 Not having your womb scraped, trying not to pass out or swear (I'll fail, by the way... I swear like a trooper). Nobody ever told me my quest for a baby would entail wobbling around London in shock, then having a sad sandwich on an East Coast train whilst wearing a bloody (literally) great sanitary towel to avoid bleeding on the seat 🙄🤦‍♀️ What a life eh? Let's hope the results of all of these procedures and tests are useful for us, and are worth it in the end. Hope you feel better soon lovely xx

[WeeJacs]

Oh no I have this booked for the end of Feb 😒…I’ll be sure to take some co-damol and Ibuprofen before hand xx

[AuroraXen in reply to WeeJacs]

I've got mine next week - really not looking forward to it 😣 xx

[AuroraXen in reply to WeeJacs]

If it helps Lovely, I had mine today. Was pretty worried but maybe I lucked out because it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. The cathether went in fine (but I guess if it's tricky to insert that it would hurt). When they started taking the biopsy by scraping the cells away it did make me inhale sharply, as it's like a sudden ache deep inside. But for me it was an ache like really bad period cramp, rather than sharp pain. I took ibuprofen and codeine beforehand so maybe that helped 👍So whilst it was moderately painful (but completely manageable ) for maybe 1 minute , it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I feared. Everyone's different xo hopefully you won't find it too bad xx

[WeeJacs in reply to AuroraXen]

Thank u ☺️ I’ll be taking pain killers too. Wish u all the luck 🍀 xxx

[Pkm4321]

Hi I had ejdometrial scratch on Tuesday which is essential the same - absolutely agree it was awful. Not sure why it’s not done under sedation. I nearly passed out as well. 1/2 way through they gave me entonox but it didn’t help as it was too late by then. Felt awful for 48 hours with cramps. I have difficult transfers now dreading it even more because of this. When I asked the nurses they said take paracetamol which didn’t help, ended up seeing my gp for stronger medication!

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to Pkm4321]

Sounds so horrible and it really does put you off for the next time. My first transfer felt uncomfortable at most. My dr asked if they had trouble last time inserting i think the catheter? But it was fine, so now im worried for my next fet because if this happens im screwed!

[Pkm4321 in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Exactly how I feel. I read in USA they give u codeine and diazepam if the transfers are difficult. I asked my clinic and the nurses says we don’t do that in uk but no helpful advise about why not! . I spoke to my GP who said she didn’t see a problem. So unsure if should just take some and just not say, but then I don’t know if would cause a issue with ET. My worry is that if the ET is like this the uterine cramps are going to stop embryo implanting. I have issues with catether going in as my canal is narrowed.

[Mei19]

So sorry about this! What kind of biopsy was it? For my 2 ERA test biopsies I just felt like a pinch for just seconds. I have introvert uterus and I had read that it is more difficult to access but I’ve been lucky or my gp is very skilled as I never feel discomfort during examinations. For my endometrial biopsy however (where they removed long pieces of tissue) I was fully sedated. I do find transfers very uncomfortable and bit painful though. My friend who underwent ivf in USA told me her clinic offers Valium before the transfer procedure and the partner is allowed to be during the transfer. Think I would feel more relax if was offered either of those options.

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to Mei19]

Mine was for the endometrio test which is a test for Emma, alice and era. They took a sample the size of my small finger.:/ i agree, having ny husband there would've helped me and definitely some strong painkillers!

[AuroraXen]

You inspired me to take some painkillers in advance of my biopsy today Summertime02! V. glad i went in with the knowledge that it definitely ain't a smear test 😂. I guess the painkillers seemed to do the trick, as although I did feel some dull pain during the actual scraping of the cells, I was lucky and didnt find it too bad. Hoping you've recovered from your horrible experience and it hasn't put you off for similar procedures in future 😘 xx

[SUMMERTIME02 in reply to AuroraXen]

I was meaning to check up on you earlier, i remember you saying you had yours booked today. Im glad it went well for you. Time to relax now. Im good thank you, after 2 days the soreness went and its nothing but a distant memory now lol xx

[AuroraXen in reply to SUMMERTIME02]

Oh good 🥰 now the wait to see if anything will be picked up! Xx