Tuesday, December 17, 2013

My SIS & Trial Transfer- My Awful Exprience

Yesterday was my Saline Infusion Sonohyterography and Trial/Mock Transfer. Everything I read and everything I research and heard about the tests lead me to beleive that- while uncomfortable- there wouldn't be much pain expected or associated with either procedure.

That is of course unless your body is not in a cooperative mood. I'm here to serve as a warning that both of these tests can leap over the uncomfortable territory into the land of the unbearable if the right circumstances present themsevles.

Since I have had IUI's already- six of them- without issue, there was no reason to beleive that locating and mapping my cervix for access to my uterus for the trial/mock transfer would be an issue. Our bodies change all the time- as does the position of our cervix's... but if you have no had too much of an issue in the past then typically you shouldn't have an issue with your trial transfer.

That is of course unless your body goes on strike so to speak. Which my body did yesterday. It started off reasonably enough. My RE was running late- my RN explained that they had a foreign couple in prior to me who required an interpretor and there were issues with the translation. They apologized deeply and I really wasn't too phased by it. I normally don't have to wait long and working in the medical field myself- I understand that things happen and difficult cases arrise.

Little did I know that I would become a difficult case myself- causing delays in scheduling for every single woman for the rest of the day at the office.

So I go into the room and I sign a consent that basically states that I know what the procedures will be and that I would run a risk for infection- though not a high risk.. still a risk. Which I understand fully and filled out. Then I took off my bottoms- just like preparing for any other test or procedure I have had done.

The RE explained that they are going to map our where my uterus is by accessing it through my cervix so that on the day of my actual transfer they have an idea of where exactly to place it and if there will be any issues. He told me I could expect some cramping and pressure- not normally anything more than that. So I wasn't even remotely prepared for what was to come. Had I had even a small thought that I could be in pain I may have better prepared myself- not to scare anyone that is going in for their own trial/mock transfers- but if your cervix isn't where it should be you can expect to be in more than just some discomfort.

My cervix was deviated to the extreme left. Per my RE, and the second RE which was called into the room to help, and the APN which has done many of my IUI's, and the RN in the room- no one has ever seen a cervix deviate so far to the left. Statements like- "I've never seen this" and "We are all individuals" are never really good when it comes to your lady parts and the infertility buisiness. Since my cervix was so extremely left I had to lay in different positions, they had to use different tools, different speculums, and dilate my cervix multiple times before they got it.

It felt like it sounds- uncomfortable... but more than that, like someone was punching me from the inside of my most senstive parts. Like metal was being jammed into and around and pinching and prodding. I don't want it to sound like they weren't being gentle, because they truly were. They all took multiple attempts at finally getting it mapped out and in the end they were able to.

Making matters worse was my uterus was tilted anteriorly causing access to it to be even more difficult once they were able to access my cervix. By this point I had be in the stirrups for almost an hour. 60 minutes of intense pressure and my body had started to have enough. Your uterus does not like foreign intruders to begin with- its a natural defense for your body to try to expel anything that enters that it does not recognize- my body just went into overdrive since it was already upset. My uterus started to contract- at that point I really had enough. I had been fighting tears the entire time and that was my breaking point.

My uterus contracting- like it was trying to get a baby out- except my uterus is barren and there is no baby. It was overwhelming. Thankfully the trial/mock transfer was done and it was time for my SIS.

During the SIS they insert about 100 cc's of saline into your uterus to check for an abnormalities. Since my uterus was already in fighting mode it immedietly contracted once the saline was inserted causing the saline to come out- like a water baby.

Once they were able to calm me down and my uterus down- I was able to complete the test. Thankfully there were no cysts, fibroids, or abnormalities noted in my uterus. Then they checked each ovary- my right ovary, which is always cooperative had 13+ small follicles and no cysts. My left ovary, the always trouble maker, was actually behind my uterus (my already pissed off tender, aching, contracting uterus) and my bladder was swelling since it needed to be full for trial transfer and was now at capacity placing pressue on my uterus- thus making my left ovary hide further behind my uterus. To say it was awful would be an understatement. From what he could tell without too much torture I had multiple small follicles and he didn't note any cysts though he does want another ultra sound soon to be sure since he really couldn't get such a great look.

All in all everything is done- and everything looks good and I am okay. I had some bleeding all day yesterday and some moderate/heavy cramping. I woke up sore, but okay.

I don't want to scare anyone that may be going through this- but I is possible to have an issue during both your SIS and your trial/mock transfer. If something in your body isn't right be prepared for the worst. I was in the office over 2 hours...

To say it was my least favorite of all the tests I have underwent- including my cervical biopsies and scarpings/freezings is an understatement. This was worse. My panic level was sky high and I just pray that my cervix comes back to a more normal, less bizarre- evil, placement by the time we get to actual transfer, because I never want to exprience that again.

So here is my public servic announcement- while the majority of women who have a SIS and/or trial/mock transfer will not exprience anything more than some uncomfortableness and/or cramping and pressue- a small precentage will/could/can exprience pain, contractions, and unbearableness. So be forwarned- plan for the worst and hope for the best. I hope no one else has to undergo an awful go at it like I did- and if you do my heart goes out to you because not only is it painful, but its scary. You worry about the what-ifs- what if they can't trial transfer then they won't be able to do the actual transfer? What if this is it? What if... what if...

29 comments:

  1. Oh, Kasey, I'm so sorry. That sound like an awful experience. I'm glad that you're uterus looks good and as painful as it was, at least they know now about the cervix location. I have a girlfriend who has had multiple saline sonograms and she always told me she thought they were the worst - more painful for her than any of the HSGs she has had. I know on the day of transfer they give you a valium, right? Hopefully that will help with any pain and discomfort.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Megs- I surely hope so because day of transfer I am going to be a nervous wreck.

      Delete
  2. Oh Kasey my uterus aches for you. I am so sorry it was painful I can only imagine. I had tons of pain after my hsg but I don't think it can compare. Keep me updated on the next steps so I can be in prayer with you. Xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its crazy because I have heard of women having issues during and after their HSG'smbut I never exprienced that. I guess its just how our body's are reacting in that moment.

      Delete
  3. Ugh, so awful! My very first US I was told to drink a ridiculous amount of water beforehand...I followed the instructions and have NEVER had such a miserable experience. I was like a panicked animal while waiting for my appt. I know it doesn't compare to what you just went through though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh that is exactly how I felt- like a panicked animal that just wanted out!

      Delete
  4. Oh honey I'm so sorry. What a complete nightmare. The things we put ourselves through. I'm so sorry you had to endure that but glad that there were no issues discovered in the process. Stay strong and I'm praying the worst is behind you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so sorry it was so bad. I had a horrible SIS and mock transfer back in February where I ended up with bad cramping and a fever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had a fever for a few days- its hard to tell if its from that or if its my strep rearing its head again. Either way this week has just continued down hill.

      Delete
  6. Oh my gosh-- that sounds AWFUL!!! I am so sorry!!! Sometimes I think/hope that maybe going through some of the physically painful things we have to do to get pregnant...maybe when it comes time for actual childbirth, it will be a piece of cake? Ha. Probably not, but I try to think focus on that!! Hahaha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol probably not- but I figure I can get through anything.. even when you don't think you can.

      Delete
  7. Yuck! So sorry. I can empathize with the being unprepared part because my HSG was WAY worse than I had ever imagined... but it still doesn't compare with two hours of agony. At least the final results were good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My HSG went so easy, never did I think this would go so awful. Im glad it over though and thankful there are no bad results.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for this post! Doctors actually have had hard times finding the opening of my cervix (they said it's tilted) so I'm worried since we're going to start IVF soon. I will def ask the doctor about it.

    I'm so sorry it was awful for you and glad that everything is good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would definitly ask about it and just go in prepared that while most women don't exprience the bad side, you may because of the position of your cervix. Wishing you the best!!

      Delete
  9. So sorry you had this experience. Nope, never good to hear "We've never seen this before" but so many of us have gotten that comment. You'd think they'd know that's not a good thing to say to a woman in stirrups! Just so glad they got the results they needed, and if this sort of incident is that rare, I hope it can give you confidence that it WON'T happen during the actual transfer. That would be like winning the lottery twice or something. I'm sure your lady parts will realize they need to cooperate for the real deal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad they got the results too. Hopefully the actually transfer will go so much easier now.

      Delete
  10. Ugh…I'm so sorry the SIS and mock transfer were so difficult!! Glad in the end all looked good, but goodness, I hope you went home and had a glass of wine!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to go to work after- it was terrible. But I am glad its all done!

      Delete
  11. How difficult. I'm sorry you went through all that. I too have a tilted uterus and my ovary was hidden behind during my retrieval. I was in a lot of pain after that. But...even with tough procedures you can still get pregnant. I wish you luck with the real deal.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh man, so sorry you had to go through that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh girl that doesn't sound fun! I'm so sorry, but so thankful you did and it's all over now!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. im very thankful its over and hopeful the actual transfer will go much better~

      Delete
  14. Hi Kasey, I just found your blog and we are almost on the same schedule. I have my trial transfer Dec 27 and up until now everything I read said it would be easy, and just uncomfortable. My nurse told me the same thing. I know we are all different, but man I was SO hoping this one would be easier. We are doing IVF January/February but using a donor egg. I am 40 and my eggs are no good. So we have a 85% greater chance of it working with a donor which gives me so much hope and helps me to overlook the fact that my baby will not be genetically linked with me. I love reading your blog, thanks for sharing your journey with us. It helps to know we are not alone.
    PS I read your entry about the Christmas card melt down and the part about always having the dog on it made me laugh. Our dog is 13 so we have had 13 years of sending out cards with her on it! So I totally understand how you feel! Hopefully next Christmas we both will have a little one on them! Good Luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope yours goes easier. Praying for you IVF with donor eggs! Hopeful for you!!

      Delete
  15. I want to use this means to let the world know that all hope is not lost Getting pregnant after having tubes clamped and burned, I know IVF and Reversal could help but it way too cost, i couldn't afford it either and i so desire to add another baby to my family been trying for 5 years, not until i came across Dr.AGBAZARA TEMPLE, who cast a pregnancy/Fertility spell for me and i got pregnant.l hope that women out there who are going through the same fears and worries l went through in GETTING PREGNANT , will find your contact and be happy like me as i drop it here on this site, and solution will come to them as they contact you. Thank you and God bless you to reach him email via:
    ( agbazara@gmail.com )

    ReplyDelete