HSG...

[EndoTheRoad]

Hi.

As far as I understand, the HSG is performed so many days into your cycle (to ensure you're not pregnant), but I've had a brown stickyish discharge since fri and only just starting to discharge red blood.

Would my CD1 be last fri or today?

Would they still do the HSG if I'm still on my period?

Hoping someone can help.

Thanks.

Hi - Yes I believe the HSG should be done at the beginning of your cycle after your period. I would could CD1 as the day you have proper red heavy blood flow. I was still have a bit of brown discharge when I had mine done on CD7 and the consultant said that was fine.

Good luck

Agree with HL - you should definitely count Tues as day 1, not Friday. When are you due to have HSG? Did they give you a number to call, so you could check whether they will do it if you are still bleeding?

I was told HSG was done after period had ended and up to CD10.
HTH

I was told the same as you Brassica - bleeding is a no-no.

I was spotting when I had an HSG (CD 11) and it was not a problem.
The only consideration is that you are not pregnant.

In my case it was quite strange: I never had post-period spotting but that cycle bled for ages, and then even more after the HSG!

Thanks, ladies.

My HSG is booked for next weds, CD8 (of red blood), and I've begun the (5/6 day) pre-HSG medication - one of which being a nightly pill that I have to insert before bed. Not particularly nice whilst on the blob, but nevermind.

I forgot to ask (duh) about possiblilty of me still flowing come HSG, but last month when I tried to book (but was too last since I'd not started the medication), receptionist offered me a CD6 appointment, which leads me to think it mightn't be too bad.

DP and I will not be BDing until after HSG, so no chance of me being pregnant (sadly).

Do you think they'll offer me some sort of sedation for the procedure? I'm "very sensitive" as the gynae told me when I came over all funny during the scan. He said to mention it when I'm there.

Thanks again.

EndoTheroad - do you mind me asking what the pre-HSG medication is that you need to take? I only ask as I'm waiting too and haven't heard of this?

If you google for 'what's a HSG like?' you can find loads of accounts ranging from easier than a smear to OMG. Only a couple of people from the US mentioned sedation which leads me to think that it's not the norm in the UK. Mind you, one thing I'm learning pretty quick is that there often isn't a norm in procedures and processes to do with fertility!

Hi, lozster.

Thanks for the reply.

I have to take Doxycycline - 1 tab morning and night, and Dafnegil - a tablet I insert (vaginally) before bed. Both of these meds I was told to take 5 - 6 days before the procedure. I believe they're to prevent infection both pre and post HSG.

I'm in Switzerland.

What's the reason for your investigatory HSG? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Lozster, in the UK I think the procedure is often that you have a big dose of antibiotics on the day of the procedure. So I had 4 capsules to swallow and a suppository to use in the morning, not a big deal. I also took paracetomol and ibuprofen about 45 mins beforehand as I am a wimp!

So, my HSG is this afternoon, 2:15pm.

My gynae prescribed me Ibuprofen 600mg to take.

Should I take one now and another when I leave for the appointment or just one now, or just one an hour or so before procedure?

I'm absolutely dreading it - feeling a little sore after a week of suppositary usage, too.

Any advice very much appreciated!

Hi, I had HSG done about 9 years ago so things might have changed since then, but I can honestly say it was a straight forward procedure, took about 10 mins, no pain, just small amount of period type cramping afterwards. I went straight back to work and I was not given any pain relief or antibiotics, just a cup of tea and a biscuit!

I was not warned that they tell you there and then if there is a problem, so its nice to have someone with you just in case its not good news for support. I went alone but I was lucky and came away feeling very relieved that all was ok.

I'm on the TTC journey again and now waiting for blood results and may have to have this done again so please let us know how it goes.

Good luck and try not to worry

A cuppa, Greeneyesbigbottom?! Wow. I feel like such a baby now!

How long have you been TTC?

I'll post back later on - good or bad.

Thanks for the good luck :)

Hi, I hope it goes ok and I'm sorry I didnt mean to sound smug or anything, I know everyone has different experiences. I hope I have put your mind at rest though.

Good Luck

PS I was trying with a previous partner but he had an illness which meant we would need help. I still had to have the HSG as a matter of course back then though.

I'm now with the right man and firmly believe what is meant to be will be! As I'm 37 we decided to see the GP after 6 months so hopefully we'll get a little help.

Endo - good luck for this afternoon. I took painkillers just before and some more straight after, would recommend that.

How did you get on Endo?

Hi, ladies.

Well, it was not as bad as I was expecting.

I arrived at appointment time (after taking one Ibuprofen 600mg an hour before) and was seen pretty swiftly, which I was very thankful for!

I was extremely nervous, but the all-female staff/assistants were wonderful and talked/reassured me through everything that was going to happen.

I de-robed, slipped into gown then lay down on table. I was given a shot in the leg to "help relax" me. I figured it was a routine jab for the procedure and not because I was a quivering wreck.

I had to bring my knees to my chest then they slid me down to the end of the bed and I got into the stirrup position. Doc inserted speculum, cleaned cervix then inserted the tube. The only slightly "oooh" part was when she was cleaning my cervix. I then shuffle back up the bed and lay with my knees slightly bent as I found that more comfortable.

She slowly injected the contrast material, which felt just like bad period cramping. The dye ran pretty quickly through the right tube, but not so with the left. She stopped the dye flow for a couple minutes then tried again. The dye still wasn't flowing freely through. I had to tilt to the left and then to the right for more images to be taken. The Radiologist said the tube may've been spasming or there could be some adhesion/scar tissue. She reassured me I could still get pregnant with one fallopian tube.

The test was over. Start to finish about 15 minutes. I left feeling no pain or cramping. Used a sanitary towel, but leaked only a very small amount of dye.

Today, there is a small amount of spotting, but nothing else... except the bad news that my DP's sperm test results are not good... More tests. What fun.

Greeneyesbigbottom, which stage are you at - had any referrals yet? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Hi EndoTheRoad thanks for letting us know how it went, I was thinking about you yesterday!

Sorry to hear DH sperm results are not too good but from my rather limited reading and research I think there are ways to make improvements.

I'm having bloods done again this month following first appt with fertility consultant. I've already had them with a different hospital, but he wants a fresh set
set done, so Day 2-5 and Day 21 to do over the next few weeks, SA for DH and then go back for those results in 3 months. Consultant mentioned I might need to have HSG done again depending on results and Clomid initially, then as I'm old we should think about IUI/IVF. But will cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm very scared about that so just taking each appt at a time.

Thanks for letting us know Endo, glad you didn't find it too uncomfortable, and glad that you've got ar least one good tube :).

I'm currently waiting for IVF, whilst hoping against hope that it won't be necessary - we're not likely to get treatment until May/June next year, so I'm hoping to sneak a BFP in before then.

It is a lot to try to take in, greeneyesbigbottom, I know. At least the wheels are in motion and it'll all (hopefully) be sorted.

My gynae's already mentioned IVF to me, so DP and I are am proceeding ahead with all necessary investigations with that in mind. If it needs to be, so be it.

Is the Clomid to stimulthe ovaries? Please excuse my ignorance.

RunLyraRun, it seems rude to ask, but I'm gonna: what problem/s lead you to the IVF route?

Appreciate you both taking the time.

Please excuse my dire spelling, too.

Well Endo, not getting up the duff would be the main problem :o!

Seriously though, I have a "touch" of PCOS (surely you either have or have not, but not according to my gynae). Other than that our failure to conceive is currently in the category of "unexplained" (my tubes are OK, husband's sperm is OK, I ovulate some of the time although probbably not every month).

Which either means:
a) it will happen, it's just a matter of time, or
b) I or the other half have something preventing conception, but it isn't something that we've been tested for (yet)

Plus I'm cracking on a bit which may be the reason in itself.