My Battle with Infertility: Crazy HSG Experience!!!

It’s been quite a while since my last post. Apologies for that, I’ve been pretty busy with a lot of things lately but now I’m back for another interesting experience!

As most of you know I am struggling with infertility because of PCOS. I’ve been married for 6 months and I already did three cycles of fertility meds in hopes to get pregnant but all of them failed. To be honest, the road to conception is not an easy one. Months of trying means months of disappointments, constant calculations, testing stress, drug overdose and buckets of bitter tears. It is physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially stressful! But despite all the challenging days, I just can’t surrender! I am always holding on to hope because I know God makes miracles.

I’ve decided to make this “battle with Infertility’ series to document and share my TTC (trying to conceive) journey to all of you and hopefully someday I’ll re-read all of these posts when I received the greatest blessing of having my own baby.

If you are wondering how a cycle goes for me, it starts by taking a drug called Duphaston for 5 days to help me re establish my menstrual cycle. Then Day 3 of my cycle/period, I need to take Clomid for 5 days to stimulate ovulation. I’m taking 4 tablets of Clomid in single dose! Yup, SINGLE DOSE!

Thankfully, I’m responding to these medications. I’m ovulating with the help of Clomid and actually last cycle four of my eggs raptured but it did not lead to conception. I was hospitalized for 3 days because of severe pelvic pain with abnormal bleeding and vomiting. It was a traumatizing experience! My OB thought I’m experiencing ectopic pregnancy because I ovulated and was vomiting but it was ruled out when the tests came out negative for pregnancy. Then they concluded that it is Mittelschmerz (mid menstrual cycle pain). According to my OB “sobrang namamaga yung ovaries ko kaya siya sumasakit.”

After that hospital admission incident, I went back to my OB and told her that I’ll stop with the fertility work up. I told her I was tired with all the medications, mood swings, and countless tests I did but she encouraged me to try another cycle. This time, we will run all the necessary tests/treatments that Mark and I did not do the past cycles. Yup, we skipped some tests before simply because it was so costly.

Fast forward to this week, I was put on Clomid again and was scheduled for an HSG test or Hysterosalpingogram test. It is a test used to see if my fallopian tubes are blocked and if there are any uterine abnormalities. Also, Mark was advised to run some tests to see his condition. Nothing too alarming with his results but he still needs to take supplements for better sperm quality.

The tests were made last November 20, 2017. And let me tell you, I will never forget that INSANE DAY!!! Days before the test, I did my research about the procedure. I’ve read A LOT of painful HSG experiences but I ignored it because I believe I have high tolerance for pain. But my oh my, this test is no joke! It is painful, no doubt about it!

THE PROCEDURE

So Mark and I arrived at the hospital and waited for our turn to see our OB. While waiting, the nurse asked me if I’m ready for the procedure and if I took pain killers before coming to the clinic. Wait, what? I didn’t know about that!!! I was only advised to take antibiotics! Of course, I became so nervous after hearing that but I can’t back out! Bahala na si Batman!!!

I was asked to undress from the waist down and then laid down on a small bed with my knees bent and legs apart. My OB inserted the speculum inside me, similar to a pap smear. She then cleaned the cervix area and after that the suffering began!

She inserted a catheter in my cervix and into my uterus then she inflated a small balloon to open the area. IT WAS SO PAINFUL to the point that I am already screaming in pain. The nurse told me to breath in and out and try to relax but how can I do that if I’m hurting so bad! FYI, this was just a preparation for HSG and it’s freaking painful already!!!

After that I was transferred to the X-ray room. It was a big room where there is a huge metallic looking table. The hospital staff handed me a form where I signed that I accept and acknowledge the possible risks of HSG. After signing, the staff escorted me to the table and she positioned the X ray machine in the most appropriate manner with me lying on the table.

Then my OB entered the room and started the HSG procedure. 

She first checked the inserted catheter. She looked at me and she kept encouraging and telling me that I could do this and she will try to finish the procedure as quick as possible so I will not be in pain anymore. 

Sabi niya, “Ready ka na? I’ll inject the dye na ha!”

I braced myself and I instantly felt a very painful burning sensation inside me! I felt the rush of the liquid and my abdomen was cramping so bad!!! I was crying and screaming the whole time. What had I done to deserve all these?!!!!

Sabi ko kay Dra “Doc, sobrang sakit, hindi ko na ata kaya!”

She told me my tubes were blocked that’s why I’m in pain. The blockage might also be the reason why I’m having difficulties getting pregnant. She paused for a while and told me to endure the pain one last time so she can force the closed tubes open by injecting more dye. After several painful attempts, finally the dye made it through my tubes and it was spilled out in my abdominal cavity. Thank God, the blockage was removed! They took an X ray image of my uterus and open tubes. My OB deflated the balloon and slowly removed the catheter and the test was finally OVER!

I was asked to wait for 30 minutes to recover from the procedure. My OB explained my results and told me that my chances of conceiving increased after doing the HSG. She also revealed that conscious sedation can be provided while doing the test but it will cost us more, that's why she did not brought that up. She congratulated me for a job well done!

YUNG TOTOO! BAKIT NGAYON LANG NIYA SINABI! HAHA!

Sabi pa niya, "Kung kinaya mo to without sedation, ibig sabihin kaya mo din mag-normal delivery!"

Compliment ba yun or what!? Iyak-tawa nalang ako. 

Ohh well, at least I survived and did my first and hopefully last HSG test!!! 

POST PROCEDURE

As per my OB's advice, I stayed at home to rest the whole day! I had slight spotting and fever after the procedure. The cramping stayed the whole day and I needed to take painkillers for it. 

LESSONS I LEARNED FROM HSG 

1. Pain killer is your bff

2. Proper communication with your OB is a MUST so you can discuss treatment options 

3. That I am not going to cope well in labour 

4. That my husband's support and presence made the whole experience a lot easier and better! After the treatment, Mark hugged and thanked me for the sacrifices I'm doing for us. It was the highlight of my HSG experience. 

That is all! I hope this post will be helpful for all of you. :) 

Love and prayers,

Judy