HSG? Not really (long)

Today I went for my HSG. I finally got myself into the mindset and was ready. Or so I thought. Im in the position, and ready to go. The radiologist was doing his thing in preparation and it seemed as if it was taking a little too long. I was VERY uncomfortable. It seems as if the opening to my cervix was very small and they could not get the catheter in to inject the dye. I was not able to have the HSG. He tried a few times, but he couldn't do it. For me, it was not a simple procedure like I have been reading - it was very painful. The Tylenol I took before hand was useless. I was sobbing on the table.

I asked the doctor why my cervix was that way, and he said that it is possible that a previous procedure I had years back (laser surgery to zap irregular cells on my cervix) was not allowing the cervix to dilate or it could be that its just the way I am. So once his findings and information are received by my doctor, he will review it and either he or a nurse will call me back with a course of action to take. My hope is that I can at least get my cervix to open for an AI this cycle or an HSG for NEXT cycle.

I am due to have my third cycle/round of artificial insemination next week and I don't want to waste time. I am glad I pushed getting an HSG (even if the attempt was futile) because I now have more information. It is possible that the cervical issue could have been preventing me from getting pregnant. Or it could be something else. I wont know until I speak to someone. The doctor today said that my gyn will have to find a way to dilate my cervix to have the HSG done to rule out tubal issues. But I suppose we have to be able to get in there first!

In the mean time, I have made two appointments with two different REs. Why wait? I wasnt able to get them for a few weeks anyway. If I am lucky, I wont need them and I will cancel. But at least I am prepared. I am no longer considering my one track mind to be obsessive. I am advocating for myself and being proactive.

Thanks to all of the ladies who suggested I do this. I learned a lot today. You saved me time.

to all.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Did you take Midol or anything before the HSG? You may have just been too tense...

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

He tried 3 times. I took Tylenol before. That is the only pain reliever I can tolerate. I even tried to talk myself into calming down andI wasnt really all that tense. Didn't work. I thought I could play a mind game with myself. Oh well.

Message edited 3/28/2007 12:44:36 PM.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

did they mention anything about using a thinner catheter? I read that is an option, but what I read was in relation to the catheter used for IUI.

I booked my RE consult 6-7 weeks in advance and got pregnant while I was waiting. If it happens to you that way, my advice would be to show up for an RE appointment. Because it took so long for me to get pregnant, they treated me as a patient with a history of infertility and monitored the hell out of me for the first few weeks. I do not know if they would do that if you get pregnant with AI at your gyn's office, but being proactive, you could ask!!! Anyway, I hope you get a BFP very soon.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Posted by Secret4Now

did they mention anything about using a thinner catheter? I read that is an option, but what I read was in relation to the catheter used for IUI.

I booked my RE consult 6-7 weeks in advance and got pregnant while I was waiting. If it happens to you that way, my advice would be to show up for an RE appointment. Because it took so long for me to get pregnant, they treated me as a patient with a history of infertility and monitored the hell out of me for the first few weeks. I do not know if they would do that if you get pregnant with AI at your gyn's office, but being proactive, you could ask!!! Anyway, I hope you get a BFP very soon.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

So sorry Leslie...

Now I'm truly freaked about this procedure!

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I am so sorry Leslie Sorry you had to experience this...the HSG was a "piece of cake" for me but everyone is different...I did take 600mg Motrin which I think helped me a lot...

Maybe once the doctor calls you later today you will find out more...perhaps you were too tense and too nervous and that is why your cervix was acting this way??....

Message edited 3/28/2007 1:35:38 PM.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I had a similar experience with the water sono on Monday. He just couldn't get in. He mentioned that there is a different catheter that could be used, but was unhappy about the fact that he couldn't get in and wants to investigate further.
I have had problems with all my IUI's and IVF transfers all along due to this cervical problem (I had a conal biopsy) so it may have something to do with why you haven't gotten PG yet. My Dr. thinks that it may cause the uterus to cramp up which is not a good thing.

I'm not sure what you've been having done is the same as an IUI. Are they going in with a catheter all the way to your uterus? If so, then it is the same...if they just inject the semen into your vaginal canal then it's different.

Either way, as you said....it's more that you know and may very well be part of the problem.

ETA: I didn't really have a problem with my HSG...he had a little trouble getting in, but nothing like the water sono.

Message edited 3/28/2007 2:01:55 PM.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I'm sorry things didn't go as planned Leslie.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I'm sorry this happened to you and hope they can find out what the issue is.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Sounds JUST like my HSG experience.

My Dr. Did it with a radiologist in the room at the Hospital and was 2 seconds from stopping because they couldnt get it in.

i had too a laser procedure, and also a LEEP procedure, and they said the scarring from both added to the thickness of the scars at the cervix opening.

I was in tears too, it was one of the worst experiences of my life, I felt violated and would NEVER do it again awake thats how painful it was.

I couldnt stop crying about the pain for hours afterwards, cause it was so unexpected and basically the dr just shoved it in in a last ditch attempt.

I dont know what they will do for you now...Maybe do it under twillght anesthesia...That was an option for us if we couldnt complete it.

But Dont think the worse. I was told it "could be" why we didnt get PG ( too tight there for the sperm to get through) but my tubes were open.

Let us know how it goes. I feel for you.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

So sorry about your whole HSG experience. I did experience a lot of pain but the radiologist was able to get it in. ...(sorta)

I am happy to hear that you have 2 scheduled RE appts. They may give you an insight about your cervix. YOu may want to wait to see who your RE recommends for a HSG. They may want to be involved in the procedure (like Dm24Angel's). My procedure was done by Older Radiologist recommended by my OBgyn. She reminded me of my tiny grandmother. For me, I couldn't help but think that she didn't push it in hard enough to get an accurate reading. If I had known I was going to be referred to a RE, I would of waited to see who they recommended.

Good Luck Leslie!! I hope you find answers soon!

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I didn't have this issue...but I can totally see why if you have a small opening to your cervix that it would be difficult for sperm to get through the opening. Of course, I'm no doctor, it just seems to make common sense. It's like, different sized funnels, how much actually gets to where it needs to go and how much actually just spills out all over the place.

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience. I'm sure I was one of the folks who told you take some Advil and you'd be fine, because I was. I hope you get some answers soon.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I am so sorry Leslie

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

UPDATE

My GYN's office called me back rather quickly thank goodness. I am really happy about that. They told me that the doctors (I used two of the three in the practice in two cycles) did not actually use catheters when they did the inseminations. They used syringes so the sample was placed at the base of my cervix (vaginal canal as a previous poster mentioned) where it would be if we were TTC naturally. So yes, it was not an IUI but we knew that all along. Though I thought my doc used one the first time in the first cycle. I am not upset or angry at that. There was no reason to believe I would have an issue with my cervix. I am only within 9 months of TTC and i know that. My feeling is that I'd rather know stuff now than months down the road.

Maybe this will sound dumb, but if my period can come down, why can the sperm get up? Gravity? Or maybe it has to do with the hormones during my period and how the body accommodates the flow. Who knows.

Soooooooo.....

The nurse told me that I should keep my scheduled appointments for next week and they will work to dilate my cervix. I should come prepared with DH's sample in the event that they are successful. I am hoping for the best. My gut tells me that my tubes were fine anyway.

If by forcing the HSG upon my self one month earlier leaves me in the same place that I would have been without it, then maybe the inseminations will work and I wont need the HSG next month. Right now it is anyone's guess.

Ladies thank you so much for your support. I am glad to know I am not alone in this. I thought I had a very high threshold for pain. Lord knows I could pierce and tattoo my body entirely and I wouldnt flinch. But this was something entirely different.

I hope my experience does not scare anyone out of having it done. I will do it again for sure if necessary. It is an unfortunate and necessary evil.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Ok, be prepared for the dilation. It does hurt.

We were going to dilate me for The HSG further, but we obviously got it, and Didnt need to do the dilation for the IUIS, we were able to get that catheter in fine.

Can they TRY to get the IUI Catheter in first without dilating to see if it can go in? Dialating is not always 1005 safe and comfy either.

HANG IN THERE!!

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

It makes sense that if you did not have sperm washing, there was not a catheter. Without sperm washing, they were expecting the sperm to go through the filters of your cervix. For IUI, one of the reasons they wash it is that it your body will not be doing the filtering (because they are putting the sperm past the point where you would have cleaned it yourself--ok not medical terms but you get the idea).

It sounds like you really don't know yet if there is a problem with your cervix or if there was just a problem today (or was it yesterday, I cannot keep track?). You asked why can't sperm get up there if your period can come out. Maybe it has to do with monthly fluctuations or maybe your cervix is not totally closed, it is just narrow to the point where you have a decreased chance of conceiving each month, but a chance exists.

In case the info helps, the RE that kept me under his care after my BFP and in spite of not having had IF treatment, was Dr. Kenigsberg at LI/IVF. It was a good business move because if anything does happen with this pregnancy, or if I decide to have another pregnancy in the future, he is my RE now!

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I just want to let you know that, as I said earlier, I have the same problem.
My RE informed me on Monday that the cervix problem could be the reason I am not getting PG with IVF. Apparently, when they force the dilation of the cervix it causes the uterus to cramp which can then either prevent the sperm from getting up into the tubes or create complications with implantation of embryos.
Also, be aware that the dilation will be painful...my RE dilated me on Monday and it hurt, and I have a high pain threshold...but it was extremely crampy and that was the main reason he didn't pursue the water sono any longer.

As far as your period...throughout your monthly cycle the cervix remains closed and early on in the cycle it is high. As you get closer to ovulation the cervix softens and sort of drops down to the point that you can usually feel it if you stick your finger up inside. After ovulation it firms up again until your body knows it is PG or not. If not, then it opens so that the lining can be released.

ETA: There is an excellent book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler which explains all of these things...including different procedures and fertility treatments.

Message edited 3/28/2007 9:19:56 PM.

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

Re: HSG? Not really (long)

I don't have any experience with cervix issues (probably the ONE thing...lol), but I wanted to wish you good luck!