Thursday, June 3, 2010

Test results

Here's where a negative is a good thing! Everything came back normal, except my cholesterol, which is high. Iron is good, FSH = 7.8 (anything below 10 is good, meaning ovarian reserve is still OK). The Recurrent Pregnancy Panel tests are normal, too. We are still waiting for the Karyotype results which should arrive June 11 or so.

I'm a little worried about my HSG next week - Here's a link to an explanation of what it is, for those who are curious.. Considering how much my embryo transfers hurt... anyone care to share their HSG stories?

Jem

21 comments:

La Generalissimo said...

I found the embryo transfer to be much more uncomfortable than the HSG due to the full bladder. Definately make sure you eat before you have the antibiotics they'll prescribe for you. I didn't and got muchos sick!

Lorin said...

I was going to say "oh it doesn't really hurt, don't worry" but then I recalled that my doctor gave me a Valium to take beforehand, so that may be why it wasn't a big deal. I also didn't skimp on the Tylenol afterwards. I don't have a high pain tolerance and think there's no need to be uncomfortable.

It is, though, a very interesting procedure. My insides don't look like the picture in the textbook at all, I found out.

Heather said...

Mine wasn't painful. Uncomfortable, but not painful. I took 4 advil in advance, but I don't think I needed it.

Now, the saline sonogram was another story entirely...

Best wishes!

~S said...

I also took a Valium before my HSG. It helped. My doctor also pushed the dye slowly, and I didn't feel a thing. I was so worried that it would hurt, and when he was done, I just kept asking, "It's done? It's over?" I couldn't believe it. My husband is a radiologist and occasionally has to do HSGs, and he pushes the dye slowly because of my experience. His patients don't feel a thing, either.

Anonymous said...

Mine was painful. I KNOW that's not what you wanted to hear, but it was so terrible. Please take something before you go in, or have the doctor prescribe you something. Just in case. This way if it is bad, it won't be terribly painful. But I will say that most people I talked to didn't have nearly as bad of a time as I did. So I hope you are one of the lucky ones who feels nothing!

Anonymous said...

So far so good....hopefully this will be your cycle!

Anonymous said...

I had 2 HSG's. The first one hurt like hell - that's because I had it done at a local hospital with a Radiologist who didn't know what the eff he was doing. The second HSG was done at my RE's office and was *much* better than the first. It didn't hurt at all and I was pleasantly surprised. I think the skill of the person conducting the procedure can have something to do with it. Also, if you have an obstruction it can be painful when the dye hits that area - especially if it dislodges any obstruction.
I'd take some mega-dose Motrin or as your RE to rx some Valium if you're really nervous. I hope it's an easy experience for you.

Poppet said...

This sounds as much fun as my mother's funeral - and although I didn't think to take valium for it, in retrospect I should have.

I think that I'm voting Yes on the valium!

If they don't give you valium for some reason, I can think of a bunch of other options (vodka, pot (it's natural and apparently readily available in California) and ambien all come to mind).

Good luck!

northern lights said...

sorry haven't posted- have been following (lurking?) with fingers crossed! xo

Kristen said...

My HSG was painless. The hard part for me was they did not have stirrups to put my feet in. Just these little poles to use keep myself propped up. Just make sure you wear a pair of panties that you don't care about and bring a pad. The dye comes back out.

irrationalexuberance said...

I agree with Heather, the HSG was uncomfortable, but it's the saline sonogram that really put me through the ceiling. Either way, I'd say go with a bunch of Tylenol or some sort of other painkiller ahead of time.

And awesome on the other test results. 7.8 means you have years left! (bc I'm sure you want to keep doing this for years!)

One Who Understands said...

Congrats on the good results! I had an HSG done in 2005 and it wasn't so bad. The only issue I had was the idiot doc they brought in to pass the catheter through my cervix. It took him several tries. He almost gave up. I swear he had never done this before! Once it was all over it was fine. A little minor cramping and I was back at work the next day. I hope yours goes well and the results are great!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful results! Yippeee for the FSH numbers.

My HSG was hell, but one of my tubes was (they think) partially blocked. It was not fun. But, here's what I learned:

1) Tell your doctor that you are worried about the pain and have her give you a script for a muscle relaxant. This will help with some of the pain.

2) Take as much Advil as you feel comfortable with about an hour beforehand.

3) Have someone drive you there and back.

4) Wear loose-fitting clothing and have a heating pad waiting for you when you get home.

I wish you the best!!

Michelle said...

I took a few ibuprofen before the HSG. It was uncomfortable and I had a moment where I squeezed the nurses hand hard. But over all, not a terrible experience.
I didn't like not having stirups, it made that part really really uncomfortable.
Afterward I a few minor cramps and no spotting.
wishing you the best.

Stacie said...

Mine wasn't pleasant but not horrible. I had it done at an imaging center with a rather inexperienced tech.

Ask for drugs. They will help.

Great news about being in the all clear with the tests!

Circus Princess said...

My HSG was awful, but I think it has more to do with the doctor that performed it than the procedure. Both my transfers have been easy and pain free.

Don't want to scare you but just say that having a bad transfer doesn't mean a painful HSG or the other way around.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...
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Mrs. Lemon said...

I have always had painful IUI's etc. and I have to say that the HSG was not so bad. I took 4 advil before as instructed and it was uncomfortable but not bad. My word of advise is this, there is a lot they can do to make this more comfortable for you with releasing pressure on the balloon etc., I ended up having to go for the HSG twice and the second time around I was much more vocal and it was so much easier, they would just adjust until I was completely comfortable. As with everything IF, don't forget you have a voice! Good luck and congrats on the great results thus far.

Anonymous said...

Great test results! Good luck with your hsg next week. I had mine done during my last lap, so I was of course under general anesthesia. I've heard though, that taking Tylenol ahead of time can be helpful.

Pie said...

Great FSH! I had read horror stories about HSG - but mine did not hurt at all. Seriously, I was so prepared for the worst, and when the doc was done, I actually asked him when it was going to start. I did take 800mg Advil about an hour before. I think the pain is related to what you have in your tubes - if they are blocked, or even just have some mucous or whatever that temporarily blocks them - then it will hurt. If they are clear - it won't be bad. So let's hope for clear tubes!!

Slackie O. said...

I'm so jealous! Valium AND your cervix numbed? I didn't get either of those, and I just went back to work after... I was robbed!

My HSG was also awful, due to inexperienced practitioner (I did a whole post on my blog, if you haven't read it).