To KellieD

Kellie,

Thanks for asking.  I had the test and my tube was clear which was a great relief.  Just waiting on the go-ahead from my doc.

Did you also want to know how the actual test works, because I will be happy to tell you, but I didn't want to type a lot unnecessarily! :)

Let me know!

Lisa

[JustME9]

Hey you! Thanks so much for letting me know! I've thought a lot about you during my time going through this whole ectopic thing.  So I don't really know how that procedure works.  Was is very painful? All I really know from mine is that my right tube is still there (that's where the ectopic was) but she said it looked damaged not only from the pregnancy rupturing (she caught it as it was rupturing and milked it out of the tube) sorry for graphics.  Anyhow, let me know! =) Thanks Lisa!

[Lisadengel]

Kellie,

Don't worry about being graphic.  I am a medical transcriptionist and have heard EVERYTHING.  :)

Here was my experience:

My doc prescribed 2 pills of Tylenol III.  I took one what was supposed to be a half hour before the procedure, but the doctor was backed up and by the time I had the procedure done it had been over an hour, but it was okay.  I was supposed to take a second pill right after the procedure, but didn't need it because the first one hadn't worn off yet, and I thought I would fall asleep right there if I did!  (My mom drove me so I was able to take the meds).

First I will tell you the technicalities of it and then I will tell you how I felt...

Anyway, the first thing you do is empty your bladder and then you get on the flat x-ray table (some hospitals actually have a contraption with stirrups, but my hospital doesn't have one).  Then they take a regular x-ray of your abdomen so they know what is going on in there.  

Next, it was a little tricky because you have to basically pretend you are in stirrups all the way at the end of the table -- without having them there.  But the doc and nurse helped brace me so my legs wouldn't slip off the table.  It was a feeling of tenseness in my thighs, like they were strained.

While I was in that position, next (and here it gets graphic), they insert a tip of a catheter (about 1/4 inch only) into the vagina which has a balloon on it.  They then inflate the balloon and that holds the cervix open.  It is very common to need to use a thing that looks like a knitting needle (it is not sharp at all) to help dilate some women, and also it is common to have to have the cervix clamped.  I know I had the clamp because I felt a pressure, and assume on me they needed to use the little knitting needle because he said my uterus is anteverted (tilted towards the back) which I had heard before.

Then they inflate the balloon and prepare you for the dye.  You are allowed to push back to a lying position, so it's much more comfortable.

The dye goes through (I couldn't see it because the nurse was in my line of vision to the TV, but it's just as well), and while the dye goes through they take about 3-4 x-rays.  Then it was done and the doc told me that it looked clear, that it "filled and spilled" correctly, and that he will look at the films to make sure that he didn't miss anything microscopic, but even if he did, the tube was still clear.  He also told me that there is an increased chance of fertility because the tube is nice and clean and ready to transport the egg this month.  But I had to have the clearance from my doctor.  The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes tops.  It takes longer to get into position than it does to run the dye.  They give you a maxi pad and a sheet to clean yourself off with and you go home.

Now, as far as the discomfort, I had asked both the nurse and the doctor if it would be as bad as the D & C I had to go through in the doctor's office without anesthesia (because I had to drive myself home), and they said no way.  I would say if the D & C was a 10 out of 10 in pain for that five minutes, then this was a 4-5 out of 10.  It is like cramping but so is the D & C, but it was different.  This did make me very uncomfortable, but it wasn't unbearable, like the D & C.  It felt like a lot of really intense pressure -- almost like a really big gas bubble (for want of a better thing to compare it to).  I was half afraid of the pain and half afraid of the outcome and it was great outcome wise, and not too bad on the pain scale, so all in all, I am very happy I had it done (but I didn't have a choice because my doc insisted on it and I always listen to him!)

So if you need anything clarified please let me know...Also you can email me at ***@**** if you like.

Thanks again for thinking of me.  I hope you are okay too.

Lisa

[Lisadengel]

Also, I forgot to mention that the dye part takes less than 5 minutes...and when they do insert the dye it is a little more uncomfortable than during the prep, but not by a huge amount.  Maybe a 6 out of 10 and there is a big difference between 6 and 10 on a pain scale!

Lisa

[JustME9]

Girl you are one brave woman! I'm still sitting here imagining how you went through a d&c w/out anestesia and then just drove home.  My goodness.  I'm SO thankful that you explained the whole procedure to me.  I'm still not sure where i'm at with trying ever again.  Everyone says "you know in your heart when you are done".  I just don't know if physically it's possible for me to have another...the risks are so high now.  I don't know.  Anyhow, thanks for explaining.  HUGS!