with a little bit of luck and a dye injection

I'm back. Went to see a reproductive endochronologist
yesterday in Colorado. I liked him. I liked his staff.
They were sympathetic in all the right places, outraged
when I felt they should be, attentive, frank, respectful.
Toto, we're not in bad health care hell anymore.

Visit Dr. Bachus.

Had to fast last night and get a lot of blood drained from
my body today. I told the lab technician I felt like she
just sucked the life out of me. It was probably the
combination of fasting and blood letting. Went with G.
to the Village Inn after for eggs and pancakes.
Because I'm worth it.

Monday is my Hysterosalpingogogram (HSG) and
I'm already having nightmares. From the literature:

"A special dye containing iodine is injected through
the cervix. The dye flows into the uterine cavity
and through the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are not blocked,
the dye will spill out of the tubes into the abdomen, indicating
that the tubes are open. One or more x-ray pictures are
taken during the procedure."

If you are allergic to iodine or shellfish, notify the doctor.
If you are allergic to pain, tough doody.

"The test is perfomed with a local anesthetic so there
is usually only minimal discomfort" - I'm afraid
to ask if they stick my cervix with a needle. I think I'd
throw up if I knew.

"You should have someone accompany you to the hospital
to drive you home after the procedure. Because of the
injection of dye and the manipulation of the organs,
some bleeding and discharge may persist for 2-3 days."

Manipulating my organs? Sounds like more than
minimal discomfort to me.

"In preparation for the HSG, you will first lie flat
on the X-ray table. A vaginal speculum will be
inserted. The cervix will be anesthetized for
comfort. An instrument is then placed on the
outside of the cervix and a small catheter
is placed into the canal of the cervix. This is
nearly always painless."

To whom, the doctor or to me?

I have to take antibiotics before, day of and day
after the procedure and a pain killer before.

From the last page of the informed consent form -
some significant and/or substantial risks of
this procedure include:

1. Allergic reactions
2. Pain, bleeding, infection
3. Nerve injury
4. Miscarriage
5. Serious risks and possible death
6. Kidney damage
7. Heart condition complications

The receptionist called to remind me of Monday's
procedure and sounded so cheery as if this was
going to be totally nothing at all. We can only hope.

This is important to do, I keep reminding myself.
Just so I know what is going on inside of me.
This is important to do.

Comments

[Heather]

I had an HSG in December and they didn't use any anesthetic. They recommended I take a Tylenol before the procedure, but I was so busy I forgot. With no pain relief, it hurt, but it's over in 2-3 minutes. I'm sure with a pain killer beforehand AND local anesthetic, it will be as pain free as possible. Good luck!