Talk to me about your HSG...

Jodee37

Mine is tomorrow. As it gets closer I'm getting really anxious about the discomfort/pain aspect. I've never had one and they told me to take an Aleve beforehand. I might be a giant baby, but I'm seriously petrified now. I am emotionally scarred from a botched attempt at OB trying to insert Laminaria into my cervix 10 times with no success. Talk me down.

Frenchteachermama

Ok, I hope you are like me...I was so nervous about the HSG, I had to go alone to the appointment and I was worried about driving myself after all of the pain.  I took 2 ibuprofen an hour before the appointment as directed by the doctor.  I get to the appointment, fill out all of the paper work, they call me back to the room where my doctor and a radiology tech were waiting for me.  I changed into the paper gown, peed, and got onto the table.  The radiology tech was behind my head on the table massaging my shoulders as my doctor was explaining everything to me.  He told me sometimes it's hard to get the cath past the cervix and it can be painful when the dye is injected. 

I felt absolutely NOTHING!  I'm serious, they kept asking if I was ok and I was like, when is it going to start!!  It took a couple of tries to get past my cervix and I still wasn't in pain.  The whole process only took about 15 minutes.

Maybe I am a total freak but my IUI hurt more than my HSG!!!!

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow!!

designer303

So my experience was a little different and I know you will get the whole gamet of experiences from the ladies on here, but here goes. I didn't take anything before hand and I was mostly fine as@frenchteachermama said it is short so I was of the mindset that I could manage anything for a short period of time. I had one what the f moment where it was super uncomfortable, but it passed and overall I would say NBG. I was a little cramps afterwards and took some Advil. Good luck tomorrow you will do fine!

Jodee37

@Frenchteachermama‌ and @designer303‌ thanks for your input. Did you guys have vaginal deliveries by chance? My cervix has never dilated (I didn't go into labor with DS) and I'm worried they won't be able to pass the catheter. And OMG is your doctor supposed to be there? mine is not going to be there.

Frenchteachermama

Jodee37 said:

@Frenchteachermama‌ and @designer303‌ thanks for your input. Did you guys have vaginal deliveries by chance? My cervix has never dilated (I didn't go into labor with DS) and I'm worried they won't be able to pass the catheter. And OMG is your doctor supposed to be there? mine is not going to be there.

I think that's just the way my practice works in upstate NY.  My OB friend in NJ said he never did them himself, the radiologist did them.  I had 2 c-sections so I'm not used to all of the digging around up there either (LOL).

designer303

I did deliver vaginally but also had my HSG before I was ever pregnant. So my cervix had never dilated at that point. I don't know if your doctor needs to be there, but my doc did the procedure as well.

GraceyandTroy

My dr wasn't there, it was just a tech. Mine was very painful, but it was short and the pain stopped as soon as it was over. Butting the catheter in was nbd, but the dye hurt. It felt like the worst cramps ever plus lots of uncomfortable/painful pressure. I hadn't taken anything before, wish I did.

But like I said, it was fast. You'll be fine. It'll be over before you know it.

Momarazzi007

I have a deviated cervix, so once they finally listened after getting 3 doctors in to find it, if was a cake walk. Just be adamant you know your body and let them know if anything hurts. Mine is a weird situation... First one went more smoothly and they listened and I had slight discomfort like cramps afterward. FX for you and hope it goes smoothly!!!

Bananappeal145

GraceyandTroy. The catheter  was not bad but it was pretty painful when they injected the dye but it was over quickly. And of course I had a bad tube, I hear that makes it worse. I can't say for sure since I've never had a clear one. Leaked dye for about 30 minutes and had spotting the rest of the day. I highly recommend bringing your own pad since usually they ones they give you could double as a flotation device. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Momarazzi007

Bananappeal145 said:

I highly recommend bringing your own pad since usually they ones they give you could double as a flotation device.

Hahahahaha- what is up with doctors offices and these? Mattresses are only comfortable to sleep on!!! Not wear!!!

Jodee37

Bananappeal145 said:

I highly recommend bringing your own pad since usually they ones they give you could double as a flotation device. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

LMFAO! what is WITH those pads anyway??

pettycrocker

The HSG was the most uncomfortable test for me. She had to dilate my cervix, and the cramping was really bad for me, but thankfully it only lasted about 2mins so it's tolerable. 

Jodee37

^ THIS is my fear, that they'll have to dilate my cervix. how did they go about doing that for you Mrs Castillo? and was your OB present to do it or was it the rad tech??! (my OB won't be there)

Jodee37

@Frenchteachermama @Momarazzi007 @Bananappeal145 @GraceyandTroy @designer303 - did your doc put you on abx pre/post HSG? i'm curious.

designer303

No, atleast I don't think so. What's ABX? having a clueless moment L-)

Jodee37

abx = antibiotics

sorry, i had a brain fart and forgot i wasn't talking to a bunch of nurses (that's how we abbreviate it)

MrsLaurenandDan

What a timing, I'm having an HSG tomorrow too.  Good luck to you!

pettycrocker

Jodee37 said:

^ THIS is my fear, that they'll have to dilate my cervix. how did they go about doing that for you Mrs Castillo? and was your OB present to do it or was it the rad tech??! (my OB won't be there)

Yes, my OB did it. She just dilated it with the catheter, but it was really uncomfortable. I mean, as soon as they stop all the discomfort stops, so it's not really that big of a deal, you know? 

designer303

oh ok antobiotics, thats a definite no.  Good luck tomorrow to you and @mrsLaurenanddan!!

MrsLaurenandDan

I'm on ABX.  

Jodee37

GL to you too @MrsLaurenandDan!

Frenchteachermama

Jodee37 said:

@Frenchteachermama @Momarazzi007 @Bananappeal145 @GraceyandTroy @designer303 - did your doc put you on abx pre/post HSG? i'm curious.

Ibu before antibiotic after just in case of infection

Momarazzi007

No antibiotics here, but I get a round before each transfer to clear out my body of anything that might be in there

Jodee37

they put me on Doxycycline for 7 days. i get the whole "let's prevent infection thing..." but i was secretly hoping for a 3 day zpack or something.  i want it all apparently.

annibes

I had to take one doxycycline 6 hours before and another an hour after. I was nervous and took ibuprofen, too. I changed into the gown, got on the table, and my OB and a hella hot radiologist came in. The nurse was really sweet and they all let me watch the screen which was awesome because when I'm distracted by medical knowledge I dont care what they're doing to me. It was at an angle so I didn't see everything but it was still neat to watch!

The OB inserted the catheter and put in the fluid. He got a little resistance and had to inflate the balloon a little more and then we saw the fluid move through the tubes. It was a little crampy, but I taught a three-hour class that night and got through that just fine.

Good luck!

GraceyandTroy

Jodee37 said:

@Frenchteachermama @Momarazzi007 @Bananappeal145 @GraceyandTroy @designer303 - did your doc put you on abx pre/post HSG? i'm curious.

Nope.  

MrsLaurenandDan

My RE does doxycycline for the day before,day of, and day after (2 a day)

pettycrocker

I did the Doxy for the HSG too, just to err on the side of caution. They didn't do it for the SHG though. 

Bananappeal145

No antibiotics for mine. How did it go?

Momarazzi007

Yes! Thinking of you hope it went smoothly!!!!

Jodee37

oh i wish it had already happened, thanks for the good thoughts though! i'm a west coast gal so it's only 9AM here. it's scheduled for 2:45pm. started my antibiotics today and they make me want to hurl. hopefully i don't barf on the table. i am a super whiny babypants today. i'll update when i'm back.

Momarazzi007

Make sure to eat when you take them!!!

GraceyandTroy

Only half an hour to go.  You'll be fine.  It will be over fast and you'll be on with your day.  

GraceyandTroy

You out yet? How'd it go? How are you feeling? Hope it was a good report.

Bananappeal145

Jodee37! Hope it went well.

Jodee37

it was shitty. the radiologist had a helluva time getting it past my cervix. OUCH. and once inside it, showed i have a hydro. my one tube is jacked up. awesome. i'm really bummed.

i'm seeing a new RE friday. now that i have this result in combo with all my labs (with exception of DHs genetic testing results but i'm sure they are fine since we have a healthy child already) I'm hoping she will give me a clear path as to where we go from here. the 1st and 2nd RE were sort of contradictory but neither of them had the HSG to review. i think it's looking like IVF from here on out?

Jodee37

thanks for all your thoughts you guys.

Bananappeal145

Sorry it sucked and you got not so good news   What do you mean by hydro? I'm not familar with that.

Jodee37

the radiologist said i have a hydrosalpinx (fallopian tube that's blocked that fills with fluid.) the thing looked like a stuffed sausage. the tiniest bit of contrast made it through the end of the tube into my abdomen, which i guess technically means the tube is "open" however it is seriously swollen and retaining fluid which damages embryos from implanting. SO, yeah. not a good result.

Bananappeal145

Ouch, that sounds painful

MrsLaurenandDan

I'm sorry @Jodee37.