OK I know I'm a little tardy, but did want to give my experience as well. I was not instructed to take Advil ( which is what my
recommends because it is an inti-inflamatory drug, unlike Tylenol) and my pain was much more intense than it should have been. My doc was pi$$ed to say the least and chewed his nurses out right there. So DO take whatever he advises - I would say Advil, because on a future procedure I had done it really helped me to have much less pain. As for the procedure, it does cause some cramping, but the main cramping occurs if you have a blockage in a tube - which was my case. I did have a driver for the trip home, because just in case there is a blockage you will be pretty uncomfortable and it would just be nice to be able to recline rather than sitting up straight having to pay attention to driving, especially if you are very far away from the doctor's office or the hospital, where ever you are having the procedure done.
On a good note.....women tend to become more fertile in the first couple of months following an HSG. So chin up and thumbs up for a good result.
One more thing, although my tube was blocked, they were able to get it opened back up with a procedure similar to a balloon catheterization like they do on heart arteries/veins. So if you have a blockage, don't give up hope.
HTH and sorry to be late with my story.
HSG Questions
Re: HSG Questions
That was quick. I had a HSG done and I took so pain med. beforehand as directed by my doc. The procedure itself is kinda cool. It reminds of a pap smear except you are on a x-ray table. The doc. will run inflate a balloon with dye it in and then inflate the balloon and when the balloon pops the dye should run through your tubes to see if you have any blockage. I have heard a lot of people say it didn't hurt at all. But of course for me I have to make everything harder than what it should be and I had blockage on the left ovary. The dye started to run through and then it STOPPED, it was neat to watch on the screen. If you have blockage they have to blow it out by pushing the dye through. That hurt so much, thank God my DH was there to hold my hand because I was literally in tears. It was the worst most intensive cramps I have ever felt. Hopefully for you, you won't have any blockage and it will be a breeze!! I also had a little spotting afterwards FYI bring you own pad cause I didn't and I had on grey dress pants and the huge pad they gave me was way noticeable in the back if you know what I mean~it was too cute waddling out of the hospital! A little pain meds. and you should be fine!! I am so happy for you and wish you the best of luck, they say that this can make you more fertile for up to six months! Good luck!
-Beta #1 312-Beta #2 17dpiui 767- M/C @ 8weeks 
I was able to drive myself home after my HSG. It really is just a little cramping, but yes, you should take 3 Tylenol before going. They say Tylenol is the only pain med that really is approved when you're going through IF because of thinning your blood with other pain relievers.
Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I was going to take Tylenol (cause that's all I have in my cupboard right now), but now that you explained a little bit more about the Advil and gave me your first-hand experience(s), I think I will definitely be going to the store to buy some Advil!! Now that I think about it, most of the time when I have a headache or something and I take Tylenol, it doesn't do anything! So I'd probably be better off taking Advil.
