# Endomitrial Biopsy: What The FUCK! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623 "2006-06-29T13:07:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/21 "2006-06-29T17:37:36Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > What’s the deal? Why would she put someone through pain if she doesn’t have to? Can a medical person please explain this to me? What. Fucking. Gives? IANAD. My guess is doctors are loath to prescribe something as easily addictive as narcotic painkillers unless it’s absolutely necessary. This threshold varies among practitioners, I imagine. Some people can take a few, throw the rest away, and that’s that. Others will take the whole bottle and get a nice little jones going. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/22 "2006-06-29T17:41:11Z")
> [@mack](#): > > IANAD. My guess is doctors are loath to prescribe something as easily addictive as narcotic painkillers unless it’s absolutely necessary. This threshold varies among practitioners, I imagine. Some people can take a few, throw the rest away, and that’s that. Others will take the whole bottle and get a nice little jones going. I can get a bottleful from any other doctor, and all she had to do was prescribe like 4 pills. Pain management is exactly that…and she didn’t manage it. I believe it’s a “take it like a man” mindset that simply doesn’t fly in the real world. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/23 "2006-06-29T17:47:31Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > **Kalhoun** , IANAD, as you know. However, I’m going to pass on the regimen I was on after my c-section. Take it or leave it, it’s all legal OTC drugs within regular dosage guidelines for healthy people. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any health conditions: > > 3 200mg ibuprofen every 4 hours > 1 500 mg (“extra-strength”) Tylenol every 6 hours > > I took these while in the hospital and also on Vicodin, but when I was discharged, my husband lost my prescription for the Vicodin, so I kept just taking these and I was fine. Just remember to take them on time - it’s much harder to eliminate pain once it’s present than to keep pain away. > > In a recent thread, one of our Doper docs said something about acetomeniphen (Tylenol) potentiating or “boosting” the effectiveness of the ibuprofen, so that’s why they told me to take both. My standard migrane medication is to layer the painkillers (ibuprofen and tylenol) with caffeine and alcohol (whiskey and coke), in something that you wouldn’t want to go near a car after, but once I sleep it off, no migraine. I think Vicodin would be better for my liver, by my doctor doesn’t agree. I had an endometrial biopsy for infertility, plus the thing where they shoot dye through your fallopian tubes. My advice, never let anyone put anything in your uterus…hurt like hell. Of course, both times they said “there may be a little cramping” and I drove myself. Little cramping, my ass. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/24 "2006-06-29T17:50:53Z")
I am very wary of mixing acetominophen and alcohol. Acet. is just too hard on the liver for my taste. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/25 "2006-06-29T17:57:35Z")
I had an endometrial ablation and had no pain meds prescribed. The nurses in recovey were all like, we’ll get you some morphine (I used to work with 2 of them) and they had to beg the doc for Tyl #3s. Argh. She told me 3 times it shouldn’t hurt and that I could go back to work the next day. BS on a stick. I had 3 vaginal deliveries, 8’12; 10’5; and 9’12–with NO epidural. I can handle pain. This was outer space pain. It wasn’t just my nether regions that hurt like hell–it was my neck and shoulder carriage-from the anesthesia they gave me and the position they kept in me for however long. Luckily, I had some Tyl#3 at home. I took 2 with minimal effect. I waited a few hours and then took a Flexeril and slept for 8 hours. I was down like that for 2 days, minimum–with neck issues. Stoopid OB/GYNE–don’t ever tell me or any other pt that it shouldn’t hurt. I have found OBs to be the worst when it comes to pain management–male or female. I was adequately controlled during deliveries, but post partum–no way. Grrr. A whap upside the head for your doc, **Kalhoun**. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/26 "2006-06-29T18:06:52Z")
What’s an ablation? And yes, my doctor bobs the baloney pony. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/27 "2006-06-29T18:29:32Z")
An ablation is when the lineing of the uterus is killed off. Mrs. V had one done due to the fact she was in constant period mode. She was not a happy camper. Of course, the fact they started and ratched up her blood thinners too fast did not help. It was rather remarkable to see the medical professions reaction when you casualy mention the fact she was passing clots the size of softballs. In her case, they put a ballooon in the uterus and filled it with boiling water. Other methods involve a christmas tree shapped chunk of metal and radio waves, or a good old scaping of the inside of the uterus. Pageing Dr. Mengele? ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/28 "2006-06-29T18:33:02Z")
I have had two opposite experiences related to the OB pain. My first C-Section was a whirlwind of terror where one of the nurses accidentally turned the epidural off (I was in labor that was not progressing) before the surgery. When I began shaking from the pain on the table, they gave me some kind of muscle relaxer, but no pain meds. They figured out I wasn’t bullshitting them about being able to feel it when I reached the point of not knowing exactly what I was in the hospital for - I was going bonkers from the pain. Fast forward 3.5 years. New pregnancy, new doctor. I gave him the rundown of what happened in my first C-Section. He briefed his OR team. Nice smooth delivery. When I made mention that my nose itched, the ana- ana- ana-, pain guy, tried to give me more meds! They didn’t want me feeling anything! ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/29 "2006-06-29T18:34:54Z")
I had one done for infertility purposes a few years ago. The idiot doctor also did not offer me any painkillers. I’ve been through unmedicated labor. The biopsy hurt worse. You’re not alone and you have my sympathies. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/30 "2006-06-29T19:00:00Z")
> [@mack](#): > > Some people can take a few, throw the rest away, and that’s that. Others will take the whole bottle and get a nice little jones going. And some of us will take the mimnimum we need to not be in agony, then hoarde the rest for the next time our knee blows out… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/31 "2006-06-29T19:16:34Z")
> [@The Vorlon](#): > > An ablation is when the lineing of the uterus is killed off. > > Mrs. V had one done due to the fact she was in constant period mode. She was not a happy camper. > > Of course, the fact they started and ratched up her blood thinners too fast did not help. It was rather remarkable to see the medical professions reaction when you casualy mention the fact she was passing clots the size of softballs. > > In her case, they put a ballooon in the uterus and filled it with boiling water. Other methods involve a christmas tree shapped chunk of metal and radio waves, or a good old scaping of the inside of the uterus. > > Pageing Dr. Mengele? ARE YOU SHITTING ME? Jesus…I promise I’ll tone down the bitching and whining. Holy shit. That’s just heinous. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/32 "2006-06-29T19:17:52Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > And some of us will take the mimnimum we need to not be in agony, then hoarde the rest for the next time our knee blows out… Yes, indeed…I think every medicine cabinet should have a day’s worth of vicodin in it as a matter of course. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/33 "2006-06-29T19:20:04Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > ARE YOU SHITTING ME? Jesus…I promise I’ll tone down the bitching and whining. Holy shit. That’s just heinous. And what was the pain management program for this procedure? Please tell me it involved IVs and lots of unconsciousness. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/34 "2006-06-29T19:28:42Z")
While I know there are several methods of EA, I had not heard of the boiling water one. :dubious: I am not familiar with all of them, so who knows? It’s just that boiling water seems so hazardous. I had a laser array for my EA. That didn’t hurt at all, seeing as how I was under general anesthesia (sort of-I had a laryngo-mask, which is an endotracheal tube attached to an oxygen mask, to ensure my airway stayed open. I was then given sedation mixed with analgesia via my IV line). The whatever scope taht was done beforehand-about 1 week prior to, in the office, the ultrasound-vaginal-also hurt like hell. To say I felt more violated than a Sabine woman would not be overstating things. It hurt all the way home from the office and into the afternoon. Mild discomfort, my aunt Sally. Frankly, IMO, anything that opens up the cervix when it is not ready to be opened hurts like hell. And one would think that as consumer driven as OB is these days, that this pain thing would be solved by now. Docs have an array of meds at hand to decrease discomfort(heck, I would welcome discomfort-this was all out agony). And I have to say I think there may well be some sexism going on… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/35 "2006-06-29T19:35:20Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Frankly, IMO, anything that opens up the cervix when it is not ready to be opened hurts like hell. And one would think that as consumer driven as OB is these days, that this pain thing would be solved by now. Docs have an array of meds at hand to decrease discomfort(heck, I would welcome discomfort-this was all out agony). And I have to say I think there may well be some sexism going on… Well, that’s what gets me. I can go into the Doc-in-the-Box and get a picture of ten “pain” faces. I point to one, and they give me the appropriate level of medication. Case closed. They have signs all over the place saying they are responsible for relieving your pain. Then I go to someone I would think would be in tune with the level of pain this procedure causes, and I get a fuckin’ Midol. My OWN Midol. And this is evidently SOP, so yes, sexism and conspiracy. I’m convinced. ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/36 "2006-06-29T19:45:47Z")
> [@](#): > > While I know there are several methods of EA, I had not heard of the boiling water one I was stunned too so I looked it up: [http://www.gynalternatives.com/ablation.htm](http://www.gynalternatives.com/ablation.htm) > [@](#): > > What is a “balloon ablation?” What about other devices? > > Although the resectoscope provides excellent results in experienced hands, the technique is difficult to master. Other methods of ablation have been investigated. The first to obtain FDA approval was the Thermachoice™ balloon. This uses a balloon placed in the uterine cavity through the cervix. Hot water is circulated inside the balloon to destroy the endometrium. Some experts are concerned about the balloon’s ability to reach the cornual areas (the “top corners”) of the uterus. Although the balloon’s “success” rate in FDA studies was reasonable, the it had a much lower rate of amenorrhea the other currently available device — only 13%. I see no advantages and many disadvantages to it’s use, so do not recommend this device. > > The HTA Hydrothermablator® also uses hot water, but allows it to circulate freely in the endometrial cavity. It is done under direct vision through a hysteroscope. Once the proper temperature is reached, the hot water circulates for 10 minutes. Once of the original concerns was about the possibility of fluid leaking out the fallopian tubes and burning intestines. Although this did not happen in clinical studies, a case of an intestinal burn is being reviewed by the FDA. :eek: It just seems so archaic. “Bleeding too much? Let’s boil your uterus while it’s still inside you!” ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/37 "2006-06-29T20:19:49Z")
Okay…there’s just no fuckin’ way anyone is doing that to me EVAH. Who the fuck is running the gynocological show? The Marquee D-Fucking Sade? I shall wake up screaming for the remaining days of my life. To those of you who endured this form of torture, I salute you. No shit…I bow at your feet for eternity. (This reminds me of that Jeremy Irons movie where he and his twin brother collect medieval (emphasis on the DIE) gyno-devices. That’s a sweet stroll through the gates of hell… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/38 "2006-06-29T21:17:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Once the proper temperature is reached, the hot water circulates for **10 minutes**. Bolding mine. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Who the hell thinks up these procedures? Who thought - I know, we’ll pour boiling water in the uterus? How did they test that and who did they test it on? Damn, I think I’d let them cut my uterus out first before letting them do _that_ ! ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/39 "2006-06-29T21:36:47Z")
I have very heavy, chunky periods\*, and moderate cramping with them. About once or twice a year I get very painful, heavy cramping with them. When this comes up in discussions, someone always suggest I go to the doctor, that the doc might do something about it. The tales in this thread, and other tales of real problems are why I don’t. I can live with a bit of pain and mess. I don’t need endometreosis, which some of these procedures can cause. Anything that messes with the lining of the uterus has a risk of flushing some of it somewhere it doesn’t belong, and if it takes root, voila, endometreosis. Which means Bad news and bad pain for real for sure! \*Clots the size of hen’s eggs once or twice a day, lots of clots smaller than that but often as big (but much softer and slimier) as a shooter marble all day all night for 5 days, and the occassional _whoosh_ which fills and floods over my pad suddenly. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623/40 "2006-06-29T21:58:20Z")
> [@lee](#): > > I have very heavy, chunky periods\*, and moderate cramping with them. About once or twice a year I get very painful, heavy cramping with them. When this comes up in discussions, someone always suggest I go to the doctor, that the doc might do something about it. > > The tales in this thread, and other tales of real problems are why I don’t. I can live with a bit of pain and mess. I don’t need endometreosis, which some of these procedures can cause. Anything that messes with the lining of the uterus has a risk of flushing some of it somewhere it doesn’t belong, and if it takes root, voila, endometreosis. Which means Bad news and bad pain for real for sure! > > \*Clots the size of hen’s eggs once or twice a day, lots of clots smaller than that but often as big (but much softer and slimier) as a shooter marble all day all night for 5 days, and the occassional _whoosh_ which fills and floods over my pad suddenly. Yeahbut… The symptoms you describe \*are \*those of endometriosis. You probably have it already, or you may have cysts or fibroids or other nasties. What you \*don’t \*have is a healthy uterus. My mother had exactly the symptoms you do, and also played the “live with it” game. Until one day I came home from school (4th grade) to find her passed out in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. I called 911, and she was saved, but literally within minutes of dying. She had cysts all over her ovaries and uterus, several the size of grapefruits. One had ruptured, causing massive internal bleeding. She needed a complete emergency hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries, followed by decades of HRT to stave off menopause, because this all happened in her thirties. You probably have enough time to make some calls, find some referrals and ask questions about pain management to find someone good. But please don’t put it off indefinitely. I still have nightmares about that pool of blood - don’t do that to someone who loves you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endomitrial-biopsy-what-the-fuck/362623.md?page=3)