For those that had an HSG

countrychic820 · January 2010

Good Morning! I have a Hysterosalpingogram - HSG scheduled for Friday and I am wondering what I should expect. For those of you that had one - did you take anything before for pain management before the test? How bad is the cramping during the test? Mine is in the afternoon - should I plan on taking the remainder of the day off?

I appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks again!

Erica

TakYelgif · January 2010

Everyone is different some women experience extreme pain while others do not, I will tell you what I experienced.

My HSG was relatively easy, I did not take anything for the pain although I did have some minor cramping and pain afterwards that warranted a couple of Motrin. I also experienced some spotting and bleeding. My HSG was in the afternoon so I took the rest of the day off, although I could have very easily gone back to work.

Mommy2James · January 2010

I had no pain durning the procedure however an hour or so afterwards I had what felt like strong menstrual cramps.

I had my mom go with me that day so she could drive me home if needed but I drove us both back home.

Personally I say if your appt is in the afternoon and you can take off then do it and enjoy youself as much as you can after you get done the HSG.

DC+PittsburghBride · January 2010

For me, pain wise, it was not bad at all. I can't remember if I took anything but I feel like I did take 1 or 2 IBs before I went (sorry). But I did go to work after without problems. I mean it wasn't great, but there are much more painful IF related things (like the injectable shots and bloodwork...i hated that!)

On the ick factor, I thought the experience was uncomfortable, even though my DR was actually very nice and did the best he could to make me feel comfortable. After I had it, I called my mom and cried because it just stinks to have to go through things like that when other people get pregnant so easily. Not to scare you...but I guess I'm trying to say it was emotionally worse for me than physically.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

TakYelgif · January 2010

DC+PittsburghBride:

Not to scare you...but I guess I'm trying to say it was emotionally worse for me than physically.

Agreed I felt more emotionl pain than anything else, the whole experience was a little to much exposure. Mine was done in the hospital on a very cold metal table with a GYN I had never met before.

icedcoffeeluv · January 2010

I took 600 mg of ibuprofen about an hour before. Procedure itself was a little painful but more just uncomfortable. The good thing is its over in like 1 minute!

I had minimal cramping throughout the day. Less than AF cramps so it didn't bother me much. The anticipation of it all was way worse that the HSG itself.

GL!

dejavu · January 2010

it will be different for everyone. it was suggested that i take (i think) 2 aspirin, which i did and i had no pain what-so-ever and went to work afterward. (or did i just take the day off?- i can't remember) but i was totally fine to work afterwards. some women have had lots of pain after the HSG. i would take the asprin and if you ahve the time why not just take the reast of the day off and enjoy

PhillySue · January 2010

Unfortunately my experince was not as good as the previous posters. I found the HSG pretty painful. I took some Advil before but I do not think it did that much. The one thing I will say is that while the procedure itself was painful it is fast and does not hurt afterward. You might have some mild period like cramping but you can definitely do back to work if need be. Good luck and I hope yours is not bad.

Dr.Loretta · January 2010

Experiences vary. It could be nothing, it could be excruciating pain. The good news is, even the worst reported pain I've heard about didn't last long.

I took a couple of extra strength Tylenol before I went.

My cramping wasn't bad. My dr kept saying how bad it was going to be, and the nurse came over to hold my hand, but it wasn't that bad during the procedure. I got a wave of moderate cramping when I sat up right after, but that was over in about 10 minutes, and I was just achy and "full" for a couple of hours.

Mine was at 10am and I was sightseeing with my parents by 2pm, after a brief nap and some lunch.

irishdo · January 2010

Mine was more awkward than anything. The radiology table did not have stirrups so manuvering was a bit diffacult. Mine was not painful, though. I took the rest of the day off but I totally could have gone back to work.

TheSkimmy · January 2010

Mine didn't hurt that bad and I had a tube that was completely blocked. I was fine to go to work after that. Good luck - I don't think I took anything beforehand.

Waiting4baby08 · January 2010

I always try to respond to questions about this, because this was a terrible experience for me, and I wish I had been warned. It hurt A LOT. Now, I had a blocked tube and a tilted uterus so maybe that contributed to the pain. I wish I had taken my DH with me, because I was holding a nurses hand for dear life. Take your own pads because the ones they give you after are bulky. The great news is that it doesn't last long. Good luck! I'm sure yours will be smooth sailing!

becca2325 · January 2010

Mine was also very painful. I took 2 advil about an hour before which did nothing. The good news is the pain only lasts about a minute or so. I also almost passed out afterwards when I went to get up from the table. I'm sure that had to do with me holding my breath though more than anything else. But once that cleared, I was absolutely fien the rest of the day. My HSG was at like 2pm or something, so I was home the rest of the afternoon but I could've went back to work.

Tip: Bring your own pads. You will "leak" for a few hours after the procedure and the clinic will probably give you a huge pad- a medium sized one is just fine.

nickoletta100 · January 2010

I took a bunch of advil beforehand. I am not saying this to scare you but because you asked. It was one of the most painful things I have ever been through. I actually screamed out loud a couple of times and cried during the procedure. Fortunately it was very quick and as soon as they were done the pain was over for me. I would not have needed to take the rest of the day off work but I did just so I could relax emotionally.

Good luck to you, if it does hurt for you, just keep telling yourself it will be over soon and it is for such a good cause!

LovingLife_06 · January 2010

I did not have a great experience with my HSG - not horrible, but not great. Mine was in the morning and I took the entire day off. I did take something before the procedure, sorry I don't remember what. Mine was painful, but it does only last a minute or so. I also had a lot of bleeding after - way more than I expected to have. I had mild cramping on and off throughout the day. Dh went with me and I was glad to have him there. I ended up sleeping most of the afternoon.

GL and I hope it all goes well. Just try to relax. I was nervous as heck and I'm thinking that probably made the entire experience harder than it should have been.

SeaSoul · January 2010

i will be honest with you - I found the HSG to be extremeley painful. I did take Advil beforehand, and I also took Ativan due to extreme anxiety going into the procedure. I found the cramping at the time of the die insertion to be comparable to labor pains. BUT it was over fast. That's the beauty of it! I did have a fair amount of bleeding afterwards.

countrychic820 · January 2010

Thank you for all the advice ladies - I will definatley take some IB's before, bring a pad, and take the rest of the day ff to relax. Maybe I can convice DH a bottle of wine will need to be picked up on the way home from the appointment!

Again, thank you ladies! It is really appreciated. It is so nice to know that when going thru something awful like IF (especially when it seems like everyone around you is getting pregnant) there is someplace you can go and get your questions answered.

BoxTer · January 2010

Another vote from the not bad at all camp. I drove four hours right after it was done and had no pain.

pinkcallalily · January 2010

I had absolutely no pain during or after and didn't take any pain relievers. The doctor did have to try 3 different catheters because I have a curved cervix, but it wasn't uncomfortable when she was doing all of that. I didn't even realize when she got one to work and then she suddenly said it was over. I felt kind of stupid because I was really expecting it to hurt and I was completely confused when she told me it was over and had to make her clarify that the test was actually done. I know it's different for everyone, but hopefully your HSG will be as easy as mine.

Cajunladybug22 · January 2010

icedcoffeeluv:

I took 600 mg of ibuprofen about an hour before. Procedure itself was a little painful but more just uncomfortable. The good thing is its over in like 1 minute!

I had minimal cramping throughout the day. Less than AF cramps so it didn't bother me much. The anticipation of it all was way worse that the HSG itself.

GL!

Exactly this! Good luck!

beebaby · January 2010

Cajunladybug22:
icedcoffeeluv:

I took 600 mg of ibuprofen about an hour before. Procedure itself was a little painful but more just uncomfortable. The good thing is its over in like 1 minute!
I had minimal cramping throughout the day. Less than AF cramps so it didn't bother me much. The anticipation of it all was way worse that the HSG itself.
GL!

Exactly this! Good luck!

yep, this for me too! good luck!

emiannie · January 2010

Like pp said it's different for everyone. I had a lot of cramping during mine, nothing I couldn't handle, but it was by no means enjoyable. I did take the rest of the day off because I was just uncomfortable. I got bad news though...so I probably would've needed the day off anyway. It's not as bad as you build up in your mind though. My SIL had one and had no major pain and went back to work. So if you can allow yourself the time off just in case, but go in if you feel like it that would be ideal.

nicolita14w · January 2010

The dr had me take 600 or 800 mg of ibuprofen (can't remember which) an hour before, and I had very little pain. Some slight crampiness, but that was it. I had spotting for a couple days after. I hope your goes well!

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