First off, thank you to all of the amazing people who have been so supportive, encouraging and optimistic. I am very
grateful!
As you all know, the HSG test (hysterosalpingogram) was done today. I decided to be completely honest in case anyone else has to schedule and deal with one of these tests. Everyone's experiences are different and there are several factors that contribute to pain/results. The following was my experience;
Results: my right tube is completely blocked/closed. After pushing and pushing, the dye would not go through. HOWEVER, my left tube is free and clear and looking good. My uterus and cervix appear to be "normal" and healthy. There were no fibroids or issues detected other than the right fallopian tube.
What I Experienced: It wasn't as bad as I'd imagined, however, it was painful and no where near a "menstrual cramp" for me. I psyched myself up for the catheter and that was oddly the easiest part. The spectrum would not stay in position. Apparently, my super vagina was too strong and kept squeezing it shut. I tried all I could to "relax the girl" but she bit down hard. It took 4 times of him adjusting the spectrum to get it to stay in one position. The first time it hurt really bad because it "collapsed" and pinched my woohoo. This hurt pretty bad but, the very sweet doctor fixed it right away. After cleaning the cervix, and finally getting it adjusted, he tried inserting the catheter twice. It would not go in normal because again, "Super 'Gina" kept misbehaving. So the nurse gave him a clear, bendable catheter and that went right in. Granted it wasn't pleasant, it didn't hurt too bad. It just felt like a pinch/poke. I watched the crystal clear monitor and was amazed at my uterus. It looked so odd! He said it was in perfect position, with a perfect shape. That gave me some happiness. He then expanded the "balloon" and holy son of biscuit, that hurt! It was like a "pop" that gave me a HUGE cramp. I got through that because it lasted just a few seconds and then came the terrifying part. He told me he was injecting the dye and I instantly felt it. It was almost like a "warm" sensation and the "menstrual cramps" came. It immediately poured into and through the left ovary (I now call her "The Champ") but unfortunately did not go through the right one at all. Try as he might, he couldn't push a single drop through and eventually as I bit down crying my eyes out at the pain of it, he said "Okay, I am not going to push anymore. I'm so sorry dear." Everything was removed and I sat up. I was bawling like a baby (my anxiety mixed with the results of a painfully blocked tube were just too intense) and he looked at me with sincere eyes and explained that there is surgeries that can be done to open the blocked tube, however, I probably won't need that because women can still successfully get pregnant with only one tube. It will be about timing ovulation on the left side perfectly but it is possible. He informed me that everything else was healthy and normal and was a VERY respectful, informative, caring and attentive doctor. I am very thankful for that!
Afterwards: I felt dizzy at first when I stood up, but it passed quickly. It hurt to walk for a few minutes just because of the whole thing but that too passed quickly. However, with each bump in the car ride home or if I happened to lean a certain way my woohoo would yell at me to sit still. I came home and had some pinching and cramping so I took a pain pill and after eating lunch, I passed out for 2 hours. LOL (I only got 4 hours of sleep last night due to my ridiculous nerves)
Anyway, while I initially was emotionally disturbed, after about 20 minutes of crying and trying not to vomit, I calmed down and realized just how lucky I am. I might only have one good tube, but I am young and I have other things to my advantage. There are plenty of options for me and DH and right now, we are sticking to the Clomid for a few months. If by June we do not conceive this way, we will move on to IUI #1. That gives us just over 6 months to hit the exact time to conceive with the good fallopian tube and Clomid. If it doesn't happen, I have other options and will use them to my advantage. Technology is so amazing. After realizing my blessings, I have grown more and more appreciative and excited for the next step. DH and I learned what we needed to know. We've learned about his sperm, my lack of ovulation and my blocked tube. We know the chances, tricks and tips and we are going at this even stronger than before. I am very optimistic that 2012 will bring us our miracle baby and I pray that all of you lovely women struggling will receive the same blessing.
XoXo
P.S. (I TOOK 1 IBUPROFEN 800 about 1 hour before the procedure and 1 Oxycodone 7.5 after the procedure)
As you all know, the HSG test (hysterosalpingogram) was done today. I decided to be completely honest in case anyone else has to schedule and deal with one of these tests. Everyone's experiences are different and there are several factors that contribute to pain/results. The following was my experience;
Results: my right tube is completely blocked/closed. After pushing and pushing, the dye would not go through. HOWEVER, my left tube is free and clear and looking good. My uterus and cervix appear to be "normal" and healthy. There were no fibroids or issues detected other than the right fallopian tube.
What I Experienced: It wasn't as bad as I'd imagined, however, it was painful and no where near a "menstrual cramp" for me. I psyched myself up for the catheter and that was oddly the easiest part. The spectrum would not stay in position. Apparently, my super vagina was too strong and kept squeezing it shut. I tried all I could to "relax the girl" but she bit down hard. It took 4 times of him adjusting the spectrum to get it to stay in one position. The first time it hurt really bad because it "collapsed" and pinched my woohoo. This hurt pretty bad but, the very sweet doctor fixed it right away. After cleaning the cervix, and finally getting it adjusted, he tried inserting the catheter twice. It would not go in normal because again, "Super 'Gina" kept misbehaving. So the nurse gave him a clear, bendable catheter and that went right in. Granted it wasn't pleasant, it didn't hurt too bad. It just felt like a pinch/poke. I watched the crystal clear monitor and was amazed at my uterus. It looked so odd! He said it was in perfect position, with a perfect shape. That gave me some happiness. He then expanded the "balloon" and holy son of biscuit, that hurt! It was like a "pop" that gave me a HUGE cramp. I got through that because it lasted just a few seconds and then came the terrifying part. He told me he was injecting the dye and I instantly felt it. It was almost like a "warm" sensation and the "menstrual cramps" came. It immediately poured into and through the left ovary (I now call her "The Champ") but unfortunately did not go through the right one at all. Try as he might, he couldn't push a single drop through and eventually as I bit down crying my eyes out at the pain of it, he said "Okay, I am not going to push anymore. I'm so sorry dear." Everything was removed and I sat up. I was bawling like a baby (my anxiety mixed with the results of a painfully blocked tube were just too intense) and he looked at me with sincere eyes and explained that there is surgeries that can be done to open the blocked tube, however, I probably won't need that because women can still successfully get pregnant with only one tube. It will be about timing ovulation on the left side perfectly but it is possible. He informed me that everything else was healthy and normal and was a VERY respectful, informative, caring and attentive doctor. I am very thankful for that!
Afterwards: I felt dizzy at first when I stood up, but it passed quickly. It hurt to walk for a few minutes just because of the whole thing but that too passed quickly. However, with each bump in the car ride home or if I happened to lean a certain way my woohoo would yell at me to sit still. I came home and had some pinching and cramping so I took a pain pill and after eating lunch, I passed out for 2 hours. LOL (I only got 4 hours of sleep last night due to my ridiculous nerves)
Anyway, while I initially was emotionally disturbed, after about 20 minutes of crying and trying not to vomit, I calmed down and realized just how lucky I am. I might only have one good tube, but I am young and I have other things to my advantage. There are plenty of options for me and DH and right now, we are sticking to the Clomid for a few months. If by June we do not conceive this way, we will move on to IUI #1. That gives us just over 6 months to hit the exact time to conceive with the good fallopian tube and Clomid. If it doesn't happen, I have other options and will use them to my advantage. Technology is so amazing. After realizing my blessings, I have grown more and more appreciative and excited for the next step. DH and I learned what we needed to know. We've learned about his sperm, my lack of ovulation and my blocked tube. We know the chances, tricks and tips and we are going at this even stronger than before. I am very optimistic that 2012 will bring us our miracle baby and I pray that all of you lovely women struggling will receive the same blessing.
XoXo
P.S. (I TOOK 1 IBUPROFEN 800 about 1 hour before the procedure and 1 Oxycodone 7.5 after the procedure)
Well you guys are definitely facing more obstacles than anyone should have to, but at least you know it CAN happen and we'll all just keep praying that it WILL sooner rather than later!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you! that means a lot to me. Prayers are always welcome!
ReplyDelete