But I did have my Hysterosalpingogram (HSG). And I'm sorry to say, but it IS that bad. On my message boards I was assured by many women that it was "just some cramping" and taking Aleve beforehand would help. Well, I don't know if they were just trying to be kind or if they were among the fortunate group that this test isn't agony for, but it hurt like a bitch. I'm not gonnna sugarcoat it.
If you're unfamiliar with the HSG, here is a short informative video for your viewing pleasure:
I got to the hospital and got prettied up in a gown and robe. Not sure why people complain so much about those....damn they were comfy! And the robe avoided the ass-hanging-out situation. Anyway, I walked into the room and was thrilled to see that it was my own fertility doctor doing the test. I love her, and figured I was in good hands. Well, I loved her considerably less 15 minutes later.
I laid on the table, an x-ray machine was positioned above me (as in 5 inches from my belly button), speculum in....no big deal so far right? Then she kept going. I figured my cervix being pried open would be the painful part, but it was still on the side of discomfort rather than pain.
Then I heard a machine turn on - it reminded me of a small air compressor - and the dye-type-stuff was injected through the catheter. I thought is was just supposed to be a little bit that would flow through my parts like a little lazy river. Wrong. How did I think that was all there was to it? No, to get a clear picture they inject as much dye with as much force as possible to balloon the uterus and fallopian tubes. Sudden waves of fiery cramping rolled through my belly. I broke out in a sweat, nearly vomited, and was very close to passing out. It probably lasted 1-2 minutes, but they were some of the longest of my life! These were no period cramps. Hell, this was worse than my ectopic pain!
Then it got even better. She could't get a good picture of my right tube and asked my permission to try one more time on that side. So knowing what I was agreeing to, but too desperate to not have answers, I consented to Round 2. Having the X-ray machine above me made it worse, because if I could have somehow braced myself I think it would have helped. As it was, I was stuck with my hands above my head and totally helpless. That time one of the nurses put on a lead gown and rubbed my shoulders and talked me through it at least, once they saw that I was not one of the women who sail through this procedure.
Words of Advice:
- Take Aleve or ibuprofen first. If you have anything stronger, then take that! I still had some Percocet from my ectopic and if I had only known...
- Don't tense up. I was so unprepared for the pain that I instantly clenched every muscle in my body. That totally made it worse. Make a conscious effort to relax your body.
- Breathe! Again, my instinct was to hold my breath. Not helpful. Take slow, deep breaths to get through the cramps.
- Know that it will be over quickly - the pressure fades in about a minute and all will be well in your world again.
- Wear a pad. Fortunately I did this, but my hospital also provided a washcloth, towel and pad for afterward. I don't know if this is common practice or not. But you will bleed some afterwards so be prepared!
and especially important:
- Don't let this post scare the crap out of you. I am trying to be honest about this test, because it is pretty horrible. But the fact is you will get through it. If you are having an HSG, chances are you are facing a fertility issue. And if you want a baby, you know you will eventually go through labour. And for those of us waiting for our miracle, that is totally worth it. The HSG is intense, but brief. Consider it practice for later. As far as I'm concerned, if you're on the journey of infertility then you have the strength to do this.
Not my test, but an x-ray image of a full blockage. Mine showed the tiniest trickle of dye from the right tube.
Image via Google Images.
As for me, I have a healthy uterus and my left tube is free and clear. But there is a partial block in my right and despite the force of the test it couldn't be removed. It seems to be random scar tissue of some kind that there is no rational explanation for. In a way, it's worse than a full blockage because my risk of more ectopics is especially high now. Any and all future pregnancies need to be caught right away and monitored intensely until an ectopic is ruled out. And that scares the shit out of me. We've resumed TTC anyway, with my doctor's go-ahead, but I already know that even one more ectopic will have me begging to have my right tube tied. I so hope it doesn't come to that....but who knows what the future has in store? I just know that I can't keep doing this. One loss completely crushed me, and if a second happens....well, I just don't know if I have the strength. Though I didn't expect I would ever make it through one loss intact. Sometimes we surprise ourselves and don't realize what we are capable of until we are faced with the choice between giving up or moving forward.
~Michelle
