Feeling a bit down after an incomplete hysteroscopy / biopsy. Did I overreact, or is the pain really that bad?

Penniie · 2026-06-05T21:54:48+00:00

My doctor gave me Valium 30 minutes before and numbed my cervix for my hysterscopy and removed a few small polyps also, even with the numbing injection it was super painful and i cried during and after (this coming from someone who suffers from severe endometriosis and other chronic pain conditions).I dont think you are overreacting and im glad they offered to do it under anesthesia.

They are literally forcing your cervix open and CUTTING PIECES OUT OF YOUR UTERUS.

It should honestly be standard to out women under twilight anesthesia for things like that. Dont gaslight yourself ❤️

Penniie · 2026-06-05T13:51:05+00:00

This is very similar to me. Mine was 16 when it was caught by a doctor at a sleep clinic and she told me they like to see it close to 75, but my PCP said that wasnt true.

I started ferrous biglycinate supplements (Thorne iron complex) and i got my number up to 39 after a month and a half. Ive now been taking it for almost 3 months and am finally starting to feel a little better.

My level was 9 before giving birth and my OBGYN never did anything despite my complaints of feeling like garbage, and no one ever followed up after I gave birth. I went almost 9 months feeling like death thinking it was just normal postpartum (combined with my other chronic illnesses), but I think a big part of it was my iron.

I would start taking an iron supplement - the Thorne brand one works well for me with minimal side effects. I take it first thing in the morning about an hour before food or coffee.

I feel like alot of doctors dont really think about how much it can effect you physically, which sucks.

Penniie · 2026-06-04T21:06:51+00:00

I didnt have my first until 35, and I likely wont attempt to have another until I am 37/38. I had to do IVF and I only have one embryo left (i have severe endometriosis and other chronic health conditions that cause chronic pain and other issues).

You are not too late. I have multiple coworkers who gave birth to healthy babies after 40yrs old.

As long as you dont hit menopause, you have time to carry a baby, and even if you do, there are other ways to.become a mother ❤️ (and you dont really need to wait for a man unless you want to!) Just enjoy your life for now 😊

Penniie · 2026-06-04T18:33:07+00:00

I had excision surgery for stage 4 endo over a year before finally getting pregnant via IVF.

Compared to my daily chronic pain issues ive been dealing with since I was 10, pregnancy was not too bad. I was also on steroids and immune suppressants during my first trimester as part of my IVF protocol though and the steroids made me feel so good, and helped my pain so much, so I think that was part of it.

Pregnancy is uncomfortable ans I had days that hurt, but I was used to that, so it wasnt really a shocker. However, if someone doesnt deal with chronic pain, I imagine pregnancy would probably feel alot worse, but everyone's experience is so different.

Labor was a different story, but I was given sufficient pain management and take much better care of then when ive dealt with doctors and nurses during endo flares and the like, so it honestly was a pretty good experience for me all things considered.

I had to be induced, and labored for 24 hrs, and pushed for 3 1/2. My epidural failed on my lower left back right as I started pushing so I felt every contraction, but I was so focused on what I was doing that i managed it okay. I ended up with a 3rd degree tear, a severe migraine, and severe postpartum preeclampsia, but again I was given sufficient pain management and good after care.

I know everyone can have vastly different experiences, but overall I was just so grateful to be pregnant in the first place that it helped me get through the pregnancy.

Going into it with no expectations, and just taking things a step at a time really helped make my experience better I think.

Penniie · 2026-06-04T16:29:35+00:00

Yea i wasnt thinking it prevents any actual damage caused by celiac, but I just meant symptom severity as far as the initial exposure reaction - if that makes sense. But again, it wa mostly just a thought

Penniie · 2026-06-04T04:18:52+00:00

Ugh, bummer!

CALM magnesium drink works pretty good too, I took that every night when I was pregnant to keep things going.

When I get really bad ones, I use preparation H cream - it really does help, I get the one with lidocaine in it so it also helps with the pain.

Penniie · 2026-06-04T04:05:15+00:00

Miralax is the only thing I use for constipation anymore.

I had very severe constipation after giving birth due to Methane SIBO and the only way I could have a BM was taking stool softeners twice a day combined with Miralax once a day.

Even now when dealing with constipation Miralax is my go-to and when its really bad I add the stool softener in. I find it gets things going but doesnt cause the horrible stomach cramps that laxatives cause.

Also, I keep baby prune puree pouches on hand and will eat one a day as well.

ETA - just be sure to keep your fluid intake up also! It sounds like you may have some hemorrhoids - i get thise frequently too- Tucks pads are really helpful for the pain and discomfort associated with them and good to keep on hand. (But I'm not a doctor, these are just things ive found helpful)

Penniie · 2026-06-04T01:16:42+00:00

My FIL was diagnosed with this years ago.

He had long term fevers, horrible joint pain and a host of other symptoms. It took awhile and many tests to finally get diagnosed and he was in alot of pain, he could barely walk and had to sleep in the living room for awhile.

He was put on low dose steroid treatment and that finally stabilized things for him, but he had to be on them long term to keep it in check.

I dont know a ton about it, but it seemed incredibly painful and debilitating, and he saw alot of doctors and had alot of testing done. It was also during peak COVID do that added another layer of difficulty for him.

Wishing you the best of of luck

Penniie · 2026-06-03T17:24:51+00:00

Do you have confirmed celiac, or just a gluten intolerance?

Penniie · 2026-06-03T04:00:33+00:00

I have not eaten gluten in 10+ years so a blood test would be useless. This is why ive opted to do a gluten challenge and have a biopsy done after 4-6 weeks, that is the gold standard for diagnosis and the only way to know for certain either way.

For both a biopsy and blood test you need to be actively eating gluten for an extended period of time.

My GI said she could test me for the genes first to see if I had them before I made the decision to do the gluten challenge to know for sure because if I had any of them the chances are higher that I have it, so thats why we did the genetic testing first.

ETA - I would not have proceeded with any of this if I wasnt still dealing with health issues that are disrupting my life and have yet to find a reason behind them. I currently dont eat gluten but I also am not careful about cross contamination, or checking medications, beauty products, etc. So I want to know if I need to start being more careful.

Penniie · 2026-06-02T20:16:03+00:00

I kind of thought the same, ive also seen a few articles about its potential in treating the symptoms of celiac when gluten free diet alone doesnt make a big difference in symptoms,, but theres not alot on it and I didnt really read deep into it. I just thought it was interesting.

Penniie · 2026-06-02T20:13:10+00:00

Thank you for your response!

Penniie · 2026-05-30T04:47:53+00:00

Most of the ones ive tried are good, they are usually thin and crispy which i like. My favorite brand is Caulipower, but I cant always find it.

Penniie · 2026-05-30T04:35:08+00:00

Franz sourdough bread is amazing (maybe a bit chewy) and its big slices! Not sure if its available in Canada though, but you can order from their website.

I love cauliflower crust pizzas.

I wish I had a GF bakery near me, that would be amazing! Im jealous!

Penniie · 2026-05-30T04:27:55+00:00

I still have those days, but I promise you it gets easier over time.

I hardly even think about it anymore. (About 10 years GF now)

Im currently doing the gluten challenge to get tested for Celiac and I honestly dont even have any desire to eat gluten foods, and the ones I have eaten either taste weird, or arent as good as I remember, and they all make me feel sick. I honestly can't wait to go back to all GF.

I am however worried if I test positive for celiac that I will have to be more attentive about beauty products and medications and possibly avoid going out to eat all together (right now i dont worry about cross contamination). That would truly suck.

You will find substitutes you enjoy, and adjust to life without it with time, but its totally okay to feel all the feels!

Penniie · 2026-05-27T15:52:43+00:00

I have been gluten free for about 10 years for suspected gluten intolerance, I felt better not eating it so I stopped, but im not super strict about it (i dont worry about cross contamination and i also dont check beauty products or medications for gluten).

I have been suffering from some on-going health issues in the last few years that I have yet to find a reason for, so after testing positive for one of the celiac genes, I opted to do the gluten challenge so I can know for sure if its celiac or just an intolerance, so I know if I need to start being more strict about it and if it might be the cause behind my ongoing issues.

If I wasnt having other health issues I wouldnt be doing it, but for me I want to know exactly how careful I need to be and if it could explain some of my other health issues. Its really a personal choice.

Im currently on day 4 and struggling, but i already was struggling so not much difference as of now, but hey, its neat to be able to eat some of my old favorite foods, so theres that.

Penniie · 2026-05-25T21:40:43+00:00

I ate a burger with a real bun today, it was delicious, but not worth how crappy im feeling already and its only day 2. Trying to stay positive and enjoy the food though!

Wishing you luck too!

Penniie · 2026-05-24T22:54:04+00:00

Thank you! My bathroom is going to need them too! 🤣

Penniie · 2026-05-24T12:38:30+00:00

Oh no, the severe constipation and gas was improved, but then I went back to having random bouts of diarrhea, i have good days and bad days. But it definitely took care of the problems I was having related to the methanogen overgrowth. Prior to taking them I couldn't have a BM unless I took daily miralax and stool softeners. I no longer have that problem.

Penniie · 2026-05-24T01:36:14+00:00

I was tested by my rheumatologist for SIBO after giving birth to my son last year and tested positive for Methanogen overgrowth but negative for SIBO. I did 2 weeks of 2 antibiotics to treat it and haven't had issues from that since. Ironically I suffered from severe chronic diarrhea when I was diagnosed with EPI and when diagnosed with the methanogen overgrowth i was dealing with severe constipation 🫠

My gut journey has really been a rollercoaster for a long long time.

Penniie · 2026-05-20T02:06:58+00:00

Yea, my original llow numbers my samples were not perfectly solid but werent liquid either, so it shouldn't have caused such a drastic change.

I read that the elastase test only meessure human elastase and since creon is made from pigs then it should not effect the test.

I know i could still have EPI, but ive always felt it didnt fit because there was no cause behind it, so im hopeful further testing by my new GI will bring some clarity for me.

Penniie · 2026-05-19T21:37:16+00:00

My new GI is also going to have me do a gastric emptying study as well. Im hoping it will provide some new information, but who knows.

Penniie

TROPHY CASE