Complaints about HSG contained herein!

rosenyc123 · February 2016

I had my HSG today- holy s***!!! I expected discomfort but it was so unpleasant. I felt like my blood pressure dropped immediately when they put the dye in, so I got a cold sweat and tunnel vision. I thought maybe I was being a baby about it, but then I noticed they keep crackers and juice ready to go (as if you were giving blood) so I think it must be a pretty common reaction.

I always thought I handled pain quietly, but I had to say "owww owww owwww" out loud and take deep breaths the entire procedure. They used a huge speculum, and I somehow didn't realize they would clamp my cervix. That was also pretty sucky. There seemed to be a fairly large amount of blood on the bed pad, and I am a little afraid to look at my panty-liner. I always thought I was pretty tough, but today made me feel like a giant baby. They didn't let my H come in with me, and now I see why. It's not because of X-Ray radiation. It's because he would be traumatized! I felt ok five minutes after the procedure, but I have some cramping now.

Anyway I know this is a total dear-diary, but jeez louise I just needed to complain about how much that sucked. I hope anyone else who has one coming up does better than I did.

BrightenMySky · February 2016

Yikes! Sorry it was so painful for you. Did your doctor suggest taking any pain meds beforehand? My RE's office suggested 800 mg ibuprofen an hour before, and I suspect that helped me. I've also heard that the technique of the person administering it can make a difference--my RE did mine and I've found him to be very competent and gentle, and I don't have any points of comparison.

rosenyc123 · February 2016

I took 4 Ibuprofen before the procedure. I don't think it did anything. Wish I took a sleeping pill instead!

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2016

My HSG sucked so much too!! I didn't take any pain meds because it wasn't even planned. I just *happened* to be at the right time in my cycle during our first consult with our RE so we did it on a whim. OUCH!!!

katbb · February 2016

My hsg was horrible too! I had no blockages, but it sure it feel like it. By the time I felt like I just couldn't take it anymore, it was over. I also bled a lot, and have noticed my periods haven't been the same ever since. I bleed a lot heavier now, and I have more cramps.

kln62689 · February 2016

(Lurker from Infertility board)

I also thought I handled pain pretty well, and then I met my HSG. I was able to stay relatively still, and somewhat quiet, but I think that's because I went between holding my breath and deep breathing. It was definitely not a good time. In hindsight I was glad my H was out of town.

I felt the pain ease up as soon as it was done, but then I also spent the next 36 hours coming to the awful conclusion that I have an iodine allergy. I have had trouble with shellfish (digesting it) over the last few years, but I didn't realize it could be the iodine rather than the shellfish. After I felt soooo terrible after the HSG I consulted doctor Google, and that also explains my recent difficulty with dairy and soy as well. If I ever have to have an ultrasound with contrast again I will be telling them I'm allergic to iodine.

paigeed · February 2016

HSGs just plain suck. No matter what dose of meds you take before, there's some level of discomfort. Quite frankly, most people do feel the same way as you I believe.

Those who have pain free HSGs are the minority IMO.

Im glad it's over for you, do you know if all was clear?

LMart85 · February 2016

My HSG was awful as well!! It was super painful....I'm glad I took the rest of the day off work after the procedure. I took the ibuprofen as recommended but that did nothing. Luckily I do not have any blockages but that test was horrible. I also bled for like 5 days after. That clamp is the worst....and I was not happy when my RE had to use the clamp again for my 1st IUI.

rosenyc123 · February 2016

It was all clear, thank goodness. Also, a few hours after the procedure my whole abdomen became sore and it was sore for the rest of the day. Luckily it went away overnight, but the whole thing was terrible.

@LMart85 It occurred to me the other day that the clamp and catheter would likely be used again in an IUI/IVF situation and now I'm afraid! I have always read that transfers and IUIs etc are painless, but if they have to open my cervix and put either sperm or embryos into my uterus with a cath, won't it hurt similarly? Luckily the pain from the dye won't happen again. Ugh.

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2016

@rosenyc123 - I have been through both HSG and IUI and I can assure you that IUI does not hurt like an HSG. There is no comparison!! I thought I was going to pass out from the pain of the HSG and had pain for the next 2 days. The IUI was just slightly uncomfortable, but painless. Not to worry!

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