My HSG Test Experience

Just to put a warning out there, his post might have some TMI in it – but it is, what it is…

My Dr suggested having a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test done.  This is a test done in radiology to check the uterus and fallopian tubes.  After doing some research I determined that the test would be uncomfortable but not unbearable.  The test takes 5 minutes, 10 at the most – I can handle that!  You have to have the test done between days 7 and 10 of your cycle, which is hard to schedule if those days fall on a weekend. Luckily I was squeezed in on a Thursday morning. The lady that called the day before to remind me of my appointment, said that most women are able to drive after and that I could go solo. So I did – WORST decision ever! I was fine that morning getting ready and then driving there. Once I got to the reception desk to check in, it hit me and I was scared.

Because of the dye and the procedure there is a high risk chance that you can get an infection, so you must start taking antibiotics a few days before. I was also told the test “might” leave you with “slight” cramping so make sure to take some Advil about 30 mins before the test. Oh and as a precautionary you have to take a pregnancy test the morning of, just a little more of a reminder that you’re not pregnant J.  My name was called so I went to change and go sit in a waiting room; they did give me two gowns so I was completely covered J.  I was a wreck and just kept wishing I had someone there with me, but I didn't want to bother anyone. They called me to go to the radiology room where the nicest lady Jennifer became my friend that day.  She was super sweet and really calmed me down. She explained the entire procedure to me and held my hand.  My Drs have always been females; I’m just more comfortable that way, until today.  She did warn me that there would be two Drs doing the procedure and that they were both men. Then it was time to lie on the table, can I tell you these radiology tables are not made for this procedure.  It is a flat table and you have to lay on your back, with your lower region angled up at about a 45 degree angle – NOT COMFORTABLE! Then Jennifer tells me “I just want to warn you, the Dr is young and HOT!”. Oh great, and he’s about to be all up in my business. Then he walked in, all 5 ft of him and I was no longer concerned - let’s just get this over with.  

It started off sort of like a yearly exam, just somewhat painful. Then that’s when the problems started. About 10 minutes in I hear the Dr say I just can’t get it. The equipment wouldn't suction as it was supposed to, and every time they tried to reattach it – it sent a sharp pain through my abdomen.  Then thinking they would still be able to see the fluid flow from a different angle, they kept having me turn into different positions (while still at a 45 degree angle, the machine about 2 inches above me and the Drs still trying to get their equipment in the right way). Then they moved onto a different method, which hurt even more. After almost an hour (remember the test was supposed to take a maximum 10 minutes?!?!?!) I was told they were done. After the test, I got changed and went to meet the Dr to discuss the results. The left side was just fine.  For some reason they couldn't see where the fluid was coming out on the right side, which could mean so many things; everything is fine they just missed the leak, the tube never filled because of the suction or there is a blockage.

If you want to know more about how the procedure is done, Google it that's all you’re getting from me J

After the test I went home to rest for the day. I had some moderate cramping, but I took some Advil and laid down. The results were sent to my Dr to analyze and she felt everything is fine and it was just equipment failure. I would say the test was uncomfortable at times to downright painful and hopefully I won’t have to do it again, but would if I had to.

Praying for Baby B!

Jacki

The Game Plan

After talking with my regualar OBG and researching several specialists in the area I decided to go Washington University Infertility and Reproductive Medicine Center to see Dr. Emily Jungheim (click her name if you want to know more about her). My visit consisted of talking and blood work. I made mom go with me since I knew I wouldn’t remember everything and well I just wanted my mommyJ. After 7 vials of blood nothing came back unexpected, except that I needed a MMR shot (apparently those wear off after so many years and it was time for another).  The only problem with that was you cannot “try” for 30 days after the shot since it puts a live virus into your blood.  She did state that since my cycles are on average 24 days long, which is shorter than the “28 day normal”. She said that would probably be the issue, and shouldn’t be too much of a problem to correct. I would also need to have a HSG test done, which I had done during my 30 day probation (more on that in another post).

I keep hearing “Don’t stress about it and it will happen!” or “You’re thinking too much about it, just relax”, but do you know how hard it is? 

 So what does a cycle look like for me? When my cycle starts I have to call and notify the office so they can call in a prescription for me. Then day 3 – 7 I have to take Letrozole, at the exact same time every day.  Letrozole is actually a breast cancer medicine and is it not actually FDA approved for infertility. “Letrozole has been used for ovarian stimulation by fertility doctors since 2001 because it has fewer side-effects than Clomid and less chance of multiple gestation.”   Then  Day 9 – 18 I have to use the predictor kit to test for a surge, to see if I’ve ovulated or not.

The circle means nothing, but the smiley face means there was a surge. When I seen it, I ran outside to show Jerry. You would have thought I was pregnant LOL!

During that time we must “try” every other day. Around day 22 I go to have blood work done to make sure that I have ovulated. Then wait to see if I’m pregnant or not.  Oh and a daily prenatal vitamin. 

I’m not sure at what point during all that I have time to not worry about it, but I’m trying. When there is some much to remember and keep track of its hard to relax, and we all know how forgetful I can be.

During the first cycle, the kit showed a surge on day 14, however the second and third cycle did not show anything. I’m not sure if it was a bad kit or what. Since the second cycle did not show a surge and I did not get pregnant, they upped my Letrozole dosage to 7.5 mg from 5 mg. During the first cycle my progesterone level was 9.7 and the third cycle it was 8.3. The Dr. said that it indicates that I am ovulating and that it’s just a waiting game.  Apparently every month there is only a 20% chance of actually getting pregnant, so apparently Baby B is already being stubborn and hasn't even been conceived yet - go figure!

 Praying for Baby B!

Jacki

Our Baby Journey…

I'm infertile, there I've said it. Now you know and now we can move on :) This news might be a shock to you as I’ve chosen to keep quiet about this, it’s been really difficult to admit or even talk about. It’s been an emotional roller coaster so far; sadness, depression, hopeful and even embarrassment.

“Infertility happens when two people try to make a baby for a year or longer.  Infertility does NOT mean the couple will never get pregnant.  It just means they may have a harder time doing so than others.”

We have been trying to get pregnant for about 15 months.  If you would have told me years ago that it would take so long to get pregnant I would never have believed it.  Seems like everyone in my family has had nothing but wonderful surprises but now that someone is actually trying to plan one, it doesn't happen. 

After a few months of trying I went to my OBG and she said “oh it’s normal, keep trying and have fun”.  That was October of 2013, flash forward to June 2014 I went to see a specialist; making that call was so tough, I couldn’t get through scheduling an appointment before crying my eyes out. Thankfully my mom went with me to that appointment, I needed her.  The Dr determined my cycles are irregular, but that it was an easy fix.  So I have to start taking medication that makes me a little extra emotional - oh joy!  Thankfully I don’t get angry very often; however this whole process has made me very depressed. The first month came and went and a big fat negative.  A friend said that acupuncture worked well for a few friends of hers, so hey why not let’s try that too.  I mean hell its only money right?!?! So I’ve now been going to acupuncture for two months and just finished my third cycle with medication. 

The Dr say we have to try every other day and to enjoy it, well when you pencil “trying” onto a calendar it kind of takes the fun out of it, yanno? I did have some blood work done to make sure I ovulated this month, because for the past 2 cycles the predictor kit keeps coming up with nothing. It kind of makes me nervous, but I guess we will see.  So many questions run through your head, yet you have no answers.

Today I found out that I’m not pregnant, so it’s been a pretty hard emotional day for me.  Every month, I get my hopes up and even have several symptoms of a pregnant lady. But it turns out nope, nothing just my imagination. My cycles have still not been regulated from the medicine, so I’m not sure what the game plan is going to be now. They want us to start IUI (Inter Uterine Insemination) after the next cycle, but I’m not sure if we are ready to go there yet.  If my cycles aren’t regulated yet, won’t we still be getting the same result? And since insurance doesn’t cover any of this, I’d like to be a little surer about the results before we go shelling out even more money. But hey from what we spend monthly of fertility cost, should be simular to daycare cost so this is just preparing us right?!?

Like many women, I didn’t want to talk about it because I just feel like something was wrong with me or I’m doing something wrong. Infertility is rarely discussed, but it should be so more women realize they are not alone.

Anyways so that’s where we are to this point.

Praying for Baby B!

Jacki

How it all began…

You know the whole cliché about how you shouldn’t “pick up” anyone from a bar?!?  Well that’s exactly what we did!  I had gone out with my brother Tony to meet up with some friends at a local bar.  Jerry was there hanging out with my friend.  I just flirted a little, nothing too obvious.  After the bar closed, we all decided to go to another bar which is open 24 hours.  On the way there I told Tony that I thought Jerry was cute, his response “the red head with freckles?!?!”  Later that night he asked for my number and nine years later we’re still going strong. 

Through the years there were some really tough times and some really great times, through it all we were at each other’s side. After almost 6 years, he finally asked me to be his wife and of course I said YES!!! Our engagement story is such a cute story, to me anyways.  He’d been talking for weeks about how he was going to buy a bus and turn it into a party bus.  He said one had come up for sale and that he was going to buy it.  Well that was all it took to set me off. I was devastated that he would rather buy a bus than marry me. I started crying and telling him how that was it, I was over it, and if he didn’t want to be with me I was done. I walked into the bathroom to dry my eyes only to see “Will you Marry Me?” written on the bathroom mirror I turned around and he was standing there with a ring.  Then I started crying even more but this time I was just so excited and happy and felt a little foolish for the temper tantrum I had just thrown (so there is the TRUE story about how we got engaged).

We took almost a year to plan the wedding and I would have to say it really was the best day of my life. Of course little things went wrong here and there but when it was all over the man of my dreams that I had prayed for was now my husband. How could life not be perfect?!?

We decided to wait until June 2013 to start trying to make our lives even more perfect by adding to our family. And then nine months later, well… we were still trying. Of course my life can’t be that perfectly planned right?!?

Praying for Baby B!

Jacki