That was quick! - Positive HSG experience (kinda long)

rbtrumpet · February 2013

Well, I say positive - the test wasn't NEARLY as bad as I read online. Heck, it wasn't even as bad as the doctor's booklet made it out to be. The results were not great, but at least I have some answers already.

So to start with, I wasn't sure how long it would take to get the the radiologist office, I figured at least an hour with morning rush hour traffic. I also gave myself 15 min to fill out paper work. So I ended up getting there, and filling out al the paperwork MUCH faster than I expected, and had over an hour to go before my appointment!

I planned on taking ibuprofen 30-45 min before the exam, so I had it in my purse, but hadn't taken it yet. Well, they came out and called me back! I changed into my gown; I didn't even get to take the ibuprofen!!

They got me back in the room, and started getting set up. The gory details: the speculum wasn't bad, bigger than those used for a pap, but not much worse. The catheter (the part I was most afraid of) was a quick pinch, but felt kinda like that feeling when you first get a needle for a blood draw - and the pain lasted about as long (1 second). Then they started pumping in the dye and taking pictures. The pressure got stronger as the pictures progressed, and by the 4th picture, the pressure was worse than PMS cramps, and I just started trying to focus my breathing and relaxing. As soon as they took the 4th picture, they had me roll side-to-side, which actually relieved some of the pressure. 10 seconds later, the pictures were done, and everything was out. Cramps instantly subsided. Start-to-finish it was probably 2 min, max with less than 10 seconds total of uncomfortableness/pain.

Now that I'm home, I'm slightly crampy, but at most I'd say light/moderate PMS cramps, really nothing to be scared of! Spotting/draining quite a bit - glad I brought my own pad!

As for the results, I need to wait to talk to my GYN to really explain everything, but the pictures showed: open left tube, completely blocked right tube, shadow (probably polyp) in my uterus, and some sort of leakage in the uterus itself. The radiologist said it is indicative of adenomyosis, but I'd probably need an MRI for confirmation.

So there's my story - I know some people here are planning for their HSGs, so I figured I'd share a not-so-bad story to take your minds off your worries!

peanutmuse · February 2013

Glad that your experience wasn't too bad & it sounds like you'll have some real answers soon.

Milagros315 · February 2013

I'm glad to hear that the experience wasn't that bad! I hope this brings you some answers and a plan soon!

ky29 · February 2013

Glad it wasn't too bad! I have mine on Wednesday.. so I'm a little anxious, not knowing what to expect. Hope you get some answers soon!

Deblondie1 · February 2013

I'm glad it didn't suck too badly and that you'll have some answers soon.

lrosy13 · February 2013

Thanks for posting that. It makes it a lot less scary if I need one in the future. I hope that you get some answers!

jle625 · February 2013

Glad you had a good HSG experience! Hope they can get you fixed up fast!

lobosabby · February 2013

I'm glad it wasn't painful for you trumpet! I'm sorry to hear about your blocked tube. I hope you get some answers and plan of attack from your doctor. I look forward to good news for you going forward!

tbird_1211 · February 2013

This was really helpful for me. Doesn't sound too bad, I was thinking way worse. Have my first RE appt on Friday, so I think an HSG is in my future.

Good Luck with next steps!

adunkin · February 2013

Glad to hear it wasn't as bad as you'd feared! How lucky you didn't have to sit in the lobby for an hour getting more and more stressed about it (or at least that's what I would have done)! FX they have a great action plan in place ASAP.