TTMA: Your HSG Experience

[fatpony]

I have mine scheduled for the 1st. Talk to me about how yours went.

[housecarder]

Mine wasn't great because both my tubes are blocked and it caused major pain. However, from what I saw on the boards, this is not the norm. Normally it is fine, with maybe some mild cramping afterwards. Good luck!

[ketchup]

**** GRAD WARNING ****



I technically had to have two (because two ute/two cervices), and tips from the board prior to really helped.

Here are the "big" ones I'd suggest:

1. Take an ibuprofen 45mins prior to the procedure.

2. Bring a pad. Depending on where you have your HSG, they may or may not provide one for you. The hospital I was at did not, so I was glad I had one in my purse.

3. During the procedure -- and this is hard in the moment -- try and stay relaxed. Clenching your ass cheeks together like vice grips isn't going to do you -- or your doc -- any favors.

4. I was offered the option of a valium prior to, but I had to have someone who could drive me home if I opted in. I didn't want my H to have to take off work to drive me, so I opted out, but if you're super nervous, feel it could benefit you, and have someone who can drive you home -- take it if offered.

5. Breathing is important. Remember to do that.

In the end, it really is a unique experience since everyone and their ute(s)/tubes is different. One thing I liked (for lack of a better word) about the HSG vs. all other dx testing was that the results were pretty much instantaneous. I left the hospital knowing the status of my tubes, and I think having another piece of the information puzzle at the end of everything made it feel more "worth it" (not that it was optional).

[ceejay]

Everyone seems to have a different experience. My tubes were both open, but my HSG was still very painful. I had taken 3 ibuprofen an hour before as instructed, and I don't know if that really helped at all. It basically felt like the absolute worst period cramps of my entire life. Luckily, it's a very quick procedure and was over in probably a minute, maybe two. I had a great nurse for it who let me squeeze her hand the entire time, which honestly helped a lot (both as a distraction and also kind of emotional support). I had some mild cramping on and off throughout the rest of the day, but the worst of the pain was over as soon as they took everything out of my cervix.

[unringthebell]

Grad warning****

Like ceejay said, if it does hurt (mine hurt like a mofo. I had s septum and a blocked tube so that may have been why) try to focus on the fact that it will be over soon. I had to have mine done twice because they wanted to see if the tube was a spasm and they both hurt. But the second time was easier to handle because I knew the worst part would be over quickly.

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

I have had two SHGs done. The first one just kind of felt weird during it. Like a pulling sensation. HOWEVER, I had AWFUL cramps after for the next few hours. I wish I would have taken the rest of the day off from work. So maybe consider that.

The second one was a freakin' breeze because I had had a cervical dilation surgery prior to it. Minor cramping after.

It's different for everyone, but one common thing I see is that it's over quickly! Good luck!

[jftb]

***Grad warning***

I think the experiences vary. Mine wasn't horrible. As soon as the cramping became unbearable, it was over. Went about the rest of my day like nothing happened.

[fatpony]

Thanks guys!

I'm off the entire day from work. I have rx xanax...Maybe I should take one of those in addition to the 800mg ibu.

[daisy818]

My HSG was also really painful (despite open tubes), and I had even taken a Percocet before (doctor prescribed it to me for the procedure). But, as others have said, the bad pain only lasts for a couple of minutes. The rest of the day I had cramps like during the bad day of your period, but the next day was back to normal. My RE let DH come back with me (this is apparently a hit-or-miss practice) and he held my hand I crushed his hand during the painful part. That helped me try to focus my tension in my hand and keep my lower body more relaxed (easier said than done though).

Good luck!

[emilie]

I agree that everyone's experiences are different. I had open tubes and was super nervous before the procedure. I took 3 Advils before I left the house (like an hour before the HSG) and then one more while I was waiting at the hospital (so like 20 minutes before). I hardly felt a thing. The most uncomfortable part was the speculum. I had a similar experience with my SHGs. If you have the prescription for Xanax, take one (as long as someone else is driving!) I wish I had had something for my nerves before mine.

[bonzo]

For me, I think my HSG was the most painful experience I've had. Ever. I almost fainted, and the nurse had to get me a couple juice boxes before I even felt like I could sit up again. My tubes were open, but I do have a history of really awful menstrual cramps, and the nurse said that bad menstrual cramps can be an indicator of painful HSGs.

[bex15]

I was really nervous before mine but it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. I did have pretty bad cramping afterwards. I hope yours goes well, good luck!


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[daisy818]

May 25, 2017 12:26:53 GMT -6 daisy818 said:

My HSG was also really painful (despite open tubes), and I had even taken a Percocet before (doctor prescribed it to me for the procedure). But, as others have said, the bad pain only lasts for a couple of minutes. The rest of the day I had cramps like during the bad day of your period, but the next day was back to normal. My RE let DH come back with me (this is apparently a hit-or-miss practice) and he held my hand I crushed his hand during the painful part. That helped me try to focus my tension in my hand and keep my lower body more relaxed (easier said than done though).

Good luck!

Self-quote! I should add that I have endo and I've heard (at least anecdotally) that this can lead to more painful HSGs. So that may explain my experience to an extent.

[lemonliz]

Mine was also not so great. I had a tube twisted around an ovary, as it turned out. When they pushed the dye through I had instant cramping.

Take the ibuprofen, take a normal sized pad (hospital ones are giant sized), and heck, take the rest of the day off if you can! Better safe than sorry.

[rooskie]

Mine was at 7am so I didn't eat much before, which I am thankful for.

I think I took three Advil before mine and it hurt but maybe for a few minutes. They didn't have the stirrups in the room where mine was so I had to use a wedge to prop up my hips, which I felt made it worse because the way I was angled.

I just worked from home and wore comfy pants the rest of the day. Also bring your own pad.

[mikaela20]

**grad warning**

I had a SHG. The worst part for me was the speculum insertion. The catheder insertion didn't hurt which is the part I was most afraid of. When they inserted the fluid in, it caused some cramping. Like cd1 cramping.

I had clear tubes but learned of my didelphys uterus and second cervix from the test.

I hope yours goes smoothly and doesn't hurt too much. I would the extra meds just to help you relax.

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[flippinchica]

May 25, 2017 12:54:17 GMT -6 emilie said:

I agree that everyone's experiences are different. I had open tubes and was super nervous before the procedure. I took 3 Advils before I left the house (like an hour before the HSG) and then one more while I was waiting at the hospital (so like 20 minutes before). I hardly felt a thing. The most uncomfortable part was the speculum. I had a similar experience with my SHGs. If you have the prescription for Xanax, take one (as long as someone else is driving!) I wish I had had something for my nerves before mine.

Lurker

This was my experience as well. It really was just mildly uncomfortable for me. I think I also too ibuprofen before.

[thechickencoop]

I was so, so nervous, sweating bullets, before hand.

I took ibuprofen like 45 minutes before (don't remember how much...600/800). Mine was in the radiology department of a hospital and H met me there but turns out he wasn't allowed back 😔

All of my nerves ended up being for nothing though. I had THE BEST radiologist and nurse, just so freaking nice. The speculum was, well, like a speculum. I didn't feel the catheter or have any pain or cramping from the dye. My tubes were open so I'm sure that helped with the pain.

I leaked a lot afterward; they had those giant pads so it was fine.

::shrug::

But everyone's stories are so hit or miss. I had asked this over yonder and even though I got mixed answers as well, I was still expecting the worst.

[Deleted]

I've had two HSGs. One by my GYN, and one recently with my RE. They were two completely different experiences. With my GYN, it took forever to get the catheter in, but the dye was almost painless. With the RE the catheter was really easy, but then they asked me to roll back and forth to the distribute the dye. That was not so fun.

[specter]

(Underdog25 lurking here)

I've had one HSG and about eleventy SHGs.
I personally found it to be NBD. Both my tubes are open though, so that would be a factor. I didn't take any pain meds before or after, and went shopping with my mom as soon as I left the clinic.
Hope you're is as easy as mine was!

[dancerspose]

**grad warning**

I won't lie, mine also sucked, but as it turned out I also have a partially blocked tube and they wanted to see if they could clear it by pushing more dye through. So yeah, that hurt. I wasn't really prepared for that, and was pretty caught off guard by the results so it kind of sucked all around. Definitely take some painkillers preemptively and bring a pad as others said.

Good luck!!

[Deleted]

I'm just bumping to give a PSA.

If you are allergic to the iodine contrast dye that use with CT scans it is important to let your dr know about that.

The risk for reaction isn't as high because it isn't being injected into your bloodstream through an IV, but the risk is still present.

As a pside note so as not to fully alarm people:
I have a confirmed allergy to the contrast dye; however, I was prescribed Benadryl for each HSG as a precaution and there were no issues.


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[fatpony]

I had my HSG this morning. I completely forgot to take painkillers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It was bad, but nothing I couldn't deal with by clenching a fist. I've been gardening all day and now the cramps are just working along with my sore muscles.

Thanks for all the input!