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Re: Endometrial biopsyFrom: amyr (anonymous@obgyn.net)Fri, 18 Oct 2002 12:50:41 -0400
Randi, I had an endometrial biopsy in 2000. It was sprung on me during a routine OB/GYN exam. My doctor asked me if I ever bled in between periods. I really had to give it some thought, because I didn't think I ever did. But then I thought that I did occasionally get a pink discharge around ovulation time, and I mentioned that. The next thing I knew, he was strongly suggesting that I get an endometrial biopsy, just to make sure nothing was amiss -- I remember he said, "you want to be healthy for your son, don't you?" And I thought, well, gees, yes. Maybe I better do this. I was experiencing fears very similar to yours as I was lying there. I asked the couple of questions that occurred to me; one of them was if it would hurt. He told me that most people do fine with it, that I might just experience a little cramping. I had no time to prepare myself, information wise, about the procedure, so I was totally at his mercy. I did basically like the doctor, he had actually been very helpful when I had my son. So, I just tried to relax, and I did the usual things I do to distract myself during a medical procedure...recited a few favorite poems and a historical listing of U.S. Presidents that I'd memorized in high school. The doctor was very cheery and led me to believe I would breeze through the procedure, but I knew something was up when I looked at the nurse's face. She looked at me with what was either sympathy or "deer caught in the headlights" eyes. To me it looked like she couldn't believe the doctor was actually going to do this. Randi, because I didn't want to add to your apprehension, I wasn't going to respond to your post or tell you that my experience with an endometrial biopsy was that it really hurt! But after I read TAZFAN101's post, I realized that perhaps, in this case, "forewarned is forearmed". I understand that some women have no problem with the biopsy, but for TAZFAN101, as well as for me, it really hurt. The physical pain consisted of a severe pinch and then waves of cramping. It was a severe enough pain to cause my legs to shake uncontrollably. But -- perhaps worse than the physical pain -- was the surprise, bewilderment and embarrassment of having being caught off guard. I felt so betrayed by my OB/GYN that I was choking back sobs when he asked me, oh so cheerfully, how I was doing. I literally couldn't answer. I sat in the car and sobbed for half an hour afterwards. Once I came to terms with what had happened, I took some deep breaths and tried to stabilize my shaking. My poor womb felt traumatized. I thought my reaction to the biopsy was as extreme as it was because I was caught off guard (and believe me when I say it took me a long, long time to forgive my OB....). But when I read TAZFAN101's post, I realized that it might be a more common reaction than I'd realized and maybe I should speak up about it to warn others. Just in case I ever need to undergo the procedure again, I am going to 1) prepare myself with some sort of anti-anxiety medication and a pain control medication, even if it's just Tylenol, and 2) bring someone with me to the appointment, if for nothing less than to drive me home in case I get another case of the shakes. On the bright side, experiences vary from person to person, just as childbirth experiences vary from woman to woman. Mental preparation, and knowing yourself in terms of what you need to manage pain, can make all the difference. That might include pain medication, a tranquilizer, or a sedative. Another bright point is that you will get pertinent information about your health from this biopsy. It really is a good test, and provided you have a plan, you will head off any unnecessary pain and trauma. Amy R.
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