I am going in for a HSG next week and was wondering what I should expect. I've read that there can be some cramping and discomfort, so I am going to try and schedule it for the afternoon, but beyond cramping is there anything else I should be on the lookout for? I thought this was the best place to ask since I know I will get very honest answers from everyone here.
Re: What to expect: HSG?
This is from a website, but its pretty much the same thing I went though.
"You'll go into the X-ray room by yourself -- but you might want to bring your husband along. They ask you to get undressed and lie on the table. You may be getting nervous at this point, but don't -- it's not bad at all. They take a picture of your pelvis pre-dye and then they put a speculum in. They then put the catheter in your cervix -- this hurts, but only for a minute. (Imagine a really bad cramp for about two seconds.)
"The rest is like cramps on your bad day -- not horrible, but not comfortable. They inject the dye (that's when you get the cramps) and take X-rays. You can actually SEE your uterus -- very cool. After that, they take the catheter out, and the dye leaks out. BRING A PAD -- they might give you one, but I'd bring one anyway. You'll leak a bit, but only a little and only for a short time."
If you want to know the absolute WORSE thing that could happen...read my blog (two or three entries down)...
but since mine was completely abnormal and you will probably never face this in a million times....its probably best if you don't read it.
Is your OB doing the HSG or an Xray tech? I think there is a big differents on how the HSG gos also.
GL
Thanks!
BlackSheep: I'm not sure if it will be my OB/GYN or an X-ray tech. I'm still waiting on a callback from the scheduler because they are trying to squeeze me in at my doc's request. And apparently my CD7 falls at a very inconvenient time for the hospital with Spring Break and all. It's been a bit of a PITA to get things scheduled.
Buckin: I think I'll wait until I'm not at work to read about your experience. I really do want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly, so I appreciate your honesty.
It may or may not hurt a lot, but it is over quick.
(I have mine on Friday and that's pretty much the gist from the info I've gained on these board over the last 6 months)
My husband wasn't allowed to come in with me because of the x-ray and an OB did it while the x ray tech worked the x ray machine. I was told there would be cramping but I didn't know if I was allowed to take any meds before..I wish I had. Slight pinch when they put a clamp on the cervix and the dye part for me was quite painful (did it twice in a row) but only for few minutes, breathe through it and it will soon be over.
They made sure I had someone to drive me home as I couldn't even walk to the car but within about 30mins I was doing much much better.
The nice thing was the results were available immediately since they watch it happen in real time on the screen.
My experience was not that bad at all. Once the catheter was in, it was about as uncomfortable as a pap, and it was over in a couple minutes.
DH didn't go in with me, but he was in the waiting room. I just took it easy for the rest of the afternoon, but I really could have gone back to work. I had mild cramping for the next couple days.
GL!
I just had mine on 3/2 and it was totally painless. The anticipation was worst then the entire procedure. I had it done by the radiologist, not my OB. I took 2 alives beforehand, my test took about 20 minutes and I went to work right after it. I had very slight cramping the very next day. The result - right tube is blocked with hydrosylphix....
Everyone is different I guess, but I recomend a painkiller beforehand.