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Side effects from HSG?

Hi all. I'm going for an HSG this afternoon, and was wondering if other people have had it done, and what they experienced afterwards. They told me to take advil beforehand due to possible cramping during the procedure, but no one said anything about what it could feel like afterwards. Any insight would be appreciated--thanks! Wendy.
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Avatar universal
I had a HSG done about 3 weeks ago. It was extremly painful when the Dr. inflated the balloon. He had to inflate and deflate it because it was too painful. At one point I told him " it doesn't feel right but as long as your sure your not hurting something inside, I will deal with the pain to get this done." So he did it and I went home sore. 2 weeks later I have been diaganosed with 2 infections. I have no idea if its related but I still have the soreness in my pelvic area. The same soreness as when I left the hospital after the procedure but worse. I am bleeding but I should not be on my period. Im regular every month and shouldn't be on my period. I just know something more is going on and I am so frustrated. :(
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Avatar universal
I had this procedure done two days ago and calijeepgirl's story could have been my story! The only difference is that I have no debris coming out other than clots the same as with my period. And also, I WAS NOT MEDICATED!!!
I have no idea why I didn't take something, guess I was nervous and forgot...?  No one told me to either, not even the doctor's office. This procedure for me, was a torture like no other. Not only did I cry, I openly sobbed and at one point even screamed loudly, ok, twice; but I couldn't help it!  The attending technician gave me a towel to grip and bite on. The OB/GYN asked me 4 times during the procedure if I wanted him to stop, that it was only going to get worse. But I couldn't stop, I needed the answers this test was going to give me. He also told the technician to make sure he got the x-ray in one shot because I wouldn't be able to tolerate a second attempt.

I as well, was in too much pain to watch the screen to see the dye flow, but the attending technician showed me later on, once I calmed down and was coherent again. My tubes are not blocked, so at least I got good news at the end of the torture. I was not able to drive myself home, luckily my sister-in-law came with me, nor would I have been able to go to work that day. I was in extreme pain for hours afterward, even with medication. The worst menstral cramps ever and I've had endometriosis. It's two days later and I'm still in discomfort, plus I'm very bloated and gassy. I tend to tense up when I'm in pain so now my entire body is sore and aching as well.

I would definitely recommend you ask for a muscle relaxer as well as a pain killer for before the test. I know I should have. The intense pain didn't last long during the procedure, but the cramping and discomfort, for me, is still happening. Plus I am also bleeding as if I'm on my period. I'm hoping that stops soon so we can get on with the process of baby making!
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Avatar universal
Good morning ladies my 1st time posting I had an HSG test done 3 days ago and it's was VERY painful... A lil discomfort and then the pain increased... I didn't know I was going to bleed at all and I have been bleeding ever since waiting to call my dr on Monday because it seems as if it may have brought my period down... The day after the test i was still feeling discomfort in my lower abdomen... Does anyone know how long I'm expected to bleed because they say u get pregnant fast after but i haven't been able to perform the act of getting pregnant because of the bleeding.. thank u
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Avatar universal
I had an HSG done 4 days ago. As an informed patient, I of course researched it on the internet before going in. It seemed that people were split on how painful it was, so I figured the women who complained just had a low tolerance for pain, or didn't take painkillers beforehand. So I really wasn't worried. I certainly wasn't looking forward to it, but I wasn't worried. I took a vicodin about an hour before the procedure, then went in expecting everything to be fine. Well, I was shocked at how painful it was. It starts like a pap, with the speculum going in, which was the easy part. Then they clean the cervix, which caused me to clench up a bit. But in my head, I was thinking if this was the worst part, this would still be a breeze. Then they put the catheter in, at which point things started to get uncomfortable. Once they pushsed the dye through, it hurt so bad that I had to just squeeze my eyes shut and concentrate on my breathing or I was going to pass out. I could feel tears coming out the sides of my eyes and streaming down my face into my ears. I couldn't even watch the screen to see the dye flow through my tubes because all I could do was close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing. The good news is it was fast, and I found out right away that my tubes were open. But by the time the doc told me that, I was kind of in shock. Like medical shock. I has shaking and light-headed when I sat up. I've never felt anything like that. And that was with a narcotic pain killer! I couldn't believe it! Once I could sit up without feeling dizzy, I just chatted with the nice tech for a few minutes then went on my way and drove home. I probably could have gone to work after, but I was very glad I took the entire day off.  

So, after the procedure, I bled (red) for a few hours. Not a bunch, but it would come out when I went the bathroom. A light pad would have been enough protection. Then for the next about 48 hours, I had a strange discharge of tissue-looking debris. It was gray and clumpy, like wet newspaper the first day, then brown and clumpy the next day. I couldn't even get a finger up there to investigate because it was so dry and blocked with debris. No one told me that could happen, but after searching the internet, it seems it does indeed happen to some people, and its nothing to worry about. I'm still curious what it was, but no one has an answer. I've also been terribly bloated and constipated since the procedure. Now 4 days later, my cervical fluid seems almost normal again, and all the debris has passed. I can check my cervical fluid and cervix position again. I'm still constipated and bloated, is suspect from absorbing the excess dye in my abdomen. I'm not due to ovulate for another week (cd 22 or so), so I'm hoping that isn't negatively affected, though it wouldn't surprise me, since my ovulation can be a bit erratic.

Ladies, everyone's experience is different, so don't go in expecting the worst. But definitely medicate first, just in case. I would also suggest planning a manicure or ice cream sundae for afterwards because no matter how bad it is, you're now one step closer to your end goal, and that is something to celebrate.
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Avatar universal
I had an HSG done on Nov. 12. The procedure was short; and while uncomfortable, which I expected, it wasn't really painful. Just a little with the speculum part and when the dye went in. But about 1 1/2 hours after I got home, abdominal pain hit me (not cramps). I couldn't even stand up straight. That eased to some extent after about 5 hours and there was some pain the next day but all gone by next evening. No idea why there was no pain during but that strong pain after (maybe painkillers wore off). But my period seems heavier and there's a bit more cramping than usual (usually cramps are one-day and light or zero for me). Has anyone had heavier periods following an HSG? (PS Mine was done CD 16 as couldn't be done on my original appointment due to the doctor being away, and they offered me to go ahead after ovulation once we strictly used protection during sex. I spotted lightly for the following week and got period after CD25, normal timing)
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Avatar universal
I had an HSG yesterday. After reading other's experiences I took a pain killer before I went. What I wasn't prepared for was the nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, and itchy skin that followed about 30 minutes after my test. These symptoms lasted nearly 24 hours. No cramping after and only minimal discomfort during the procedure itself.
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