[DeepSouthMommy]

I went this morning for a ________ (The test where they put red dye through your girlie bits to make sure your tubes aren't blocked or anything) and OMG did that hurt!!!

The other day while searching through JM, I found a link to a blog where the woman talked about having this test done. I was half laughing half cringing when I read that she "laid there contemplating death" because of the pain of the procedure so I was a bit freaked. Well day before yesterday I talked to the lady at the office and she told me that they actually give you an injection in your cervix to numb everything so that you don't feel the balloon or anything. Ok good. But yeah, I'm still freaked out because I have to get a shot in my cervix!

So today gets here and I'm a nervous wreck because of this shot. The doctor (as well as a nurse and fellow...woo hoo for more people seeing my who-ha!) come in and get me strapped into the stirrups. She's explaining things as she puts in the speculum, etc. but then she asks me to cough. I thought I was here as a girl, not a guy?? So I cough and she tells me that when I coughed, she gave me a shot in my cervix. She just uses the cough as a distraction method. And wow, it worked!

Now I realize I should have kept coughing...

So all in all, the entire procedure takes less than 5 minutes. The insertion of the dye takes MAYBE 60 seconds. But it was the worst 60 seconds of my life! LOL Here's what I want you to do. Imagine your worst ever menstrual cramps. Now imagine that you have a severe bowl movement about to happen and increase both kinds of cramps by about 1000!!! OMG, I can honestly say that I, just like my fellow JM'er, spent that 60 or so seconds contemplating death. I also began reconsidering pregnancy if this was anything compared to what labor pains would feel like. LOL And then, during those last 20 or so seconds, I had to shift my hips to the left so she could get a clear picture of my right ovary. Oh yeah, sure! Actually, since I was about to throw myself off the table anyway, rolling my hips to one side wasn't that hard.

The good news though, is that she said that everything is perfectly clear and smooth and that I have a perfectly shaped uterus. Yay me and my girlie bits! She's going to fax my results over to my doctor and we'll go from there. I don't know what the next step is though.

So now I get to spend the rest of the day with this sticky red "stuff" coming out of my who-ha. Oh yeah, and to add to that fun, at first every time I laughed I could feel this "stuff" gushing out. It was like peeing on yourself from the wrong spot. LOL (And yes, they were kind enough to give me a mattress....I mean maxi pad to wear home. ) Geez...the things we are willing to go through for a baby....

[brookes630]

Ha, you are too funny! Glad that everything looked good.

Sorry for all of the pain though!

[wishfulgal]

It's a HSG~ hysterosalpingogram. I actually used to "get" to help perform them, I'm a radiologic technologist (well, now I'm a SAHM, but I'm still registered). I always thought it looked terrible.... Yay for you for making it through! And yay for healthy girlie parts!

[DeepSouthMommy]

Originally Posted by wishfulgal

It's a HSG~ hysterosalpingogram. I actually used to "get" to help perform them, I'm a radiologic technologist (well, now I'm a SAHM, but I'm still registered). I always thought it looked terrible.... Yay for you for making it through! And yay for healthy girlie parts!

Ahh thank you! I couldn't remember the name of it for anything. So did you ever see anyone try to crawl off the table during one of these?? LOL Yeah...it's not fun to experience the pain, but the procedure itself is really cool. The doctor even gave me pictures afterward.

[Mod-LilSunshine]

I'm glad things look okay, but sorry you had to go through all that pain! That doesn't sound like fun at all!

[LoLo'sMama]

OMG, you made me laugh so hard just now. Not an easy feat in my state of mind. You are too funny. My DH is in kitchen going "what is so funny Jess?" Sorry you had to go through all that! I will be right behind you with that test, maybe in March.

Just curious, have you already had b/w done and has your DH had a SA?

[DeepSouthMommy]

Oh Jessica, I'm glad I was able to give you a laugh! Just keep in mind that when you have this test done, the bad part is over and done with in about a minute. LOL

I have had blood work done...everything with that looked great. DH had a S/A done as well and all of his numbers were good according to the doctor. They did a transvaginal ultrasound on me and discovered that I have PCOS and that's when my ob/gyn sent me to get this last test done. She knows that I'm not fond of any unnecessary medications, so she said to get this done because if I have blocked tubes or something, no medication in the world was going to help me get pregnant. So I gladly went for it because now we can eliminate a whole world of possible issues. Seriously, it was not a fun experience for that one minute, but I feel a LOT better knowing there aren't any blockages or anything to deal with. And in truth, if I did have blockages, I'd be glad to know about them ASAP rather than trying for several more months and then discovering this.

Also too, I have heard that there is a good chance of pregnancy after having this test done because it kinda flushes you out. So fingers crossed that this is true for me and eventually you!

Have you had b/w and such done? What about a S/A for your DH?

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

You know I have had an HSG done twice and it never really hurt. I remember freaking out because of reading stories similar to yours and thinking it would hurt really bad but it wasn't that bad for me. I think that it is different for different people. I have always heard that it is more painful if there is a blocked tube or something.

I did have a lot of cramping after mine but it wasn't really that painful when they actually did the procedure.

I am glad to hear that everything looks good! That is the important part.

[DeepSouthMommy]

You know Patty, I started to worry because the doctor did tell me that I would feel more pressure (pressure is what they said I'd feel) if I had a blockage. So of course when it was hurting like that I thought, "this sucks, I have a blocked tube or tubes". But then she said everything was perfectly clear and ideal. So I sure hope that other women have better experiences with it....maybe I just have a very low pain tolerance?? If so, I'm definitely having a hospital birth with pain meds.

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by DeepSouthGirl

You know Patty, I started to worry because the doctor did tell me that I would feel more pressure (pressure is what they said I'd feel) if I had a blockage. So of course when it was hurting like that I thought, "this sucks, I have a blocked tube or tubes". But then she said everything was perfectly clear and ideal. So I sure hope that other women have better experiences with it....maybe I just have a very low pain tolerance?? If so, I'm definitely having a hospital birth with pain meds.

I have heard quite a few women describe it as painful so I don't think you have a low pain tolerance. Think about when you have your blood drawn. I am sure you have had some folks that draw your blood where you just barely felt the needle and others where it hurt like heck. KWIM?

I also think your cervix is pretty sensitive. I remember you had cramping from checking your cervix so I can imagine this could be more painful for you.

[jenisuzy]

I am glad its over & done with for you b/c it seems more ladies here say how awful it is than its not "too bad" & just minor achy....I am having a lap. done in a few wks & at the same time they will essentially be doing an HSG, thank goodness I will be knocked out b/c being the wimp I am, I would probably pass out on the radiology table! Glad its over for you & you got an A+ report

[bev26]

Yay for normal girlie bits! I had a sonohysterogram (where they insert the ballon with saline just to check the uterus and not the tubes), and that was pretty uncomfortable, so I can imagine that your procedure was a bit worse! For me, the worst part was just that the cramps were so sudden and severe. I've also heard that for some it is easier to get a bfp after that procedure because it knocks the gunk loose. LOL. Not sure how true that is, but I hope it is for you!

[Miss. Impatient Bevis]

OHHHHH I had one of these about 2 cycles ago... It hurt so bad. Mine took forever too, they kept adding more dye because my right tube wasnt clear, so in went more, more F's came out of my mouth and still nada, so more dye, more Fs and still nothing. They went through 8 bottles of the dye with me. Fooey i told the guy once he was done that i didnt like him any more and i hope i dont ever have to go back.. not mean but you know.
Im sorry you had to go through that. Im glad everything worked out well for you.

[DeepSouthMommy]

Originally Posted by pattyandthemoos

I have heard quite a few women describe it as painful so I don't think you have a low pain tolerance. Think about when you have your blood drawn. I am sure you have had some folks that draw your blood where you just barely felt the needle and others where it hurt like heck. KWIM?

I also think your cervix is pretty sensitive. I remember you had cramping from checking your cervix so I can imagine this could be more painful for you.

Patty, did you have both of those done after having a baby or was one (or maybe both) done before your first pregnancy? I'm wondering if it's easier on women who have had a baby because your uterus has expanded previously and so the cramping is not so severe when they fill it up. And yes, my cervix is sensitive...or I'm just a wuss. LOL

Originally Posted by bev26

I've also heard that for some it is easier to get a bfp after that procedure because it knocks the gunk loose. LOL. Not sure how true that is, but I hope it is for you!

Bev, I have heard this too! I know it's not true for everyone that has this...but it sure would be nice if it were true for me!

Originally Posted by Miss. Impatient Bevis

OHHHHH I had one of these about 2 cycles ago... It hurt so bad. Mine took forever too, they kept adding more dye because my right tube wasnt clear, so in went more, more F's came out of my mouth and still nada, so more dye, more Fs and still nothing. They went through 8 bottles of the dye with me. Fooey i told the guy once he was done that i didnt like him any more and i hope i dont ever have to go back.. not mean but you know.
Im sorry you had to go through that. Im glad everything worked out well for you.

Krista, I REALLY had to bite my tongue from saying bad words! I just kept yelling "Oww, oww, oww! Ouch that hurts! OMG THAT HURTS!" all while trying to rip the table apart. LOL

[LoLo'sMama]

Michelle,

I just got back results from my b/w that the dr said "fell within normal limits", but I was wondering if any one could explain the difference between b/w taken on CD 3 or b/w taken on CD21? My dr. told me I could do it anywhere from CD 21-23. Is there something different that they would look for?

My DH is getting SA done this month. Then, I'm not sure how soon we will do the dye thing. I am pretty much thinking the sooner the better if he lets us, I'd rather know sooner than later that there is an issue and this isn't just bad luck.

I guess I am just confused because I thought if your b/w comes back good then you couldn't have something like PCOS because your hormone levels would be all off if you did. Sorry if I am being too nosey into your business mama, I am just trying to learn about all of this stuff.

Anywho, glad that your bits are in good shape, lets just hope for that BFP with the pathway being nice and cleared off and all that!!!

[DeepSouthMommy]

Originally Posted by FLgirl

Michelle,

I just got back results from my b/w that the dr said "fell within normal limits", but I was wondering if any one could explain the difference between b/w taken on CD 3 or b/w taken on CD21? My dr. told me I could do it anywhere from CD 21-23. Is there something different that they would look for?

My DH is getting SA done this month. Then, I'm not sure how soon we will do the dye thing. I am pretty much thinking the sooner the better if he lets us, I'd rather know sooner than later that there is an issue and this isn't just bad luck.

I guess I am just confused because I thought if your b/w comes back good then you couldn't have something like PCOS because your hormone levels would be all off if you did. Sorry if I am being too nosey into your business mama, I am just trying to learn about all of this stuff.

Anywho, glad that your bits are in good shape, lets just hope for that BFP with the pathway being nice and cleared off and all that!!!

You are not being too nosey! I have no idea about the blood work on a certain day. I've heard of this being required, but I don't know for what. Normally when they check your blood they are making sure that you don't have a vitamin deficiency, to make sure that you have the correct antibodies (because if you missed being vaccinated at some point, you often have to have these done before TTC), and to make sure that you aren't showing signs of an infection. They don't test your hormone levels unless there is another reason to. (i.e. you test pos. for PCOS).

Ultrasound is generally used to check to see if you have PCOS and what happens with PCOS is that your ovaries are hindered (due to being covered by cysts) from functioning properly/fully, including producing hormones. This is why women with PCOS often have issues with acne and hair loss/growth. Hormones play huge parts in all of this and when they aren't being produced in the correct amounts, odd things start happening...like growing a mustache or going bald. LOL (If they could just figure out how to STOP the hair from growing where it shouldn't and start it growing where it should, like our heads, this wouldn't be half bad to have! )

I hope that helps clear it up some for you. And yes, if you are going to get the test done at some point anyway, get it done sooner rather than later. The peace of mind or the ability to start fixing the problems earlier is better. At least I think so.

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Michelle I had one done before I had kids and one done just recently.

I have heard plenty of people describe it as painful so I don't think you have a low pain tolerance. I think it is just more painful for some gals. I know I was scared of getting it done because of everything I had read about it.

[alicenwonderland]

Yikes, HSG is and evil test! I had one last month. The dye didn't hurt to me, but they did not numb my cervix! It hurt soooooo bad!!! I was crying and screaming to give you an idea of my experience. But apparently I had a "difficult cervix". They had also "never had such a hard time". Of COURSE!
Glad it's over for you and that it looks ok!

[Coley]

O....M....G!!! That was so dang funny!! I had to read that to DH! Even he belly laughed out loud!!! HA HA!!

[DeepSouthMommy]

Originally Posted by Coley

O....M....G!!! That was so dang funny!! I had to read that to DH! Even he belly laughed out loud!!! HA HA!!

I love it! I'm glad that I was able to amuse so many with my "lovely" story! LOL