HSG and dye allergy

[CurlySue]

Hi all,

I am going for my fertility appointment in four weeks (yeah, I know, thinking in advance) and I just remembered something. This time last year I had to have something called an IVP done, which is where they inject contrast dye into you and take xrays of your urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, etc.

After the test I had an allergic reaction. My whole body came out in a white-hot bright red rash that itched like mad and the nurse had to monitor me for an hour and give me an immediate antihistamine injection which sent he completely loopy. I actually staggered into work giggling like an idiot and threw up straight away, only to be sent home because I was ridiculous. The nurse told me if ever I needed to have a test which involved dye to let the doctor know of the allergic reaction.

The other thing is - I get severe UTIs and I get them if anything is put anywhere NEAR me "down there" so to speak.

My question is - what will Gyno say? Is there any way around this HSG or is it a must for diagnostics? Bear in mind my GP thinks I have endo.

Is it a necessity to have this done first up?

 

[JASMAK]

They ask you about your allergies right before. I know that they said they have a few different ones that they can use. The one they used on me is iodine-based. But, they have others, so I would ask. As to whether or not you should have it, I would ask your DR about the risks. I wasn't told of any risks, so I am not sure how risky it is. Perhaps, you can get a prescription for a UTI just in case. I have never had one tho, so I don't really know what I am talking about. LOL! It would just suck to skip this test tho, and wait, and maybe get it in the future, later, and find out there was something that could have been "fixed" if you had gotten it done. I think the alternate are surgery, which of course, is way more invasive.

 

[PitBullMommy]

Yep, my doc asked me straight before too. Mine was also iodine based. Mine also prescribed a week's worth of antibiotics for afterwards to prevent infections. To diagnose endo I'm pretty sure you have to have it done. Good luck!

 

[chefamy1122]

I am just agreeing with what Jasmak and Pitbullmommy said... When I had mine done, I know the paperwork I signed mentioned dye allergies on it, and to let the lab technician know so they could make other arrangements.... also they put me on some heavy duty antibiotics, so the chances of getting an infection are pretty slim.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[Mendy]

Mine was iodine based as well, and they will ask if you are allergic to the dye. And like all the girls before me mentioned, I was put on antibiotics to prevent any kind of infection down there. Nonetheless, you should bring up any concerns you may have to them beforehand. Good luck!!!

 

[CurlySue]

I think the last dye test I had had a 'minimal risk' of allergic reaction and I had one. I worry about it going up there, if you know what I mean. I am already on antibiotics (I have to take a dose after ever time I have sex) more or less lifelong for infections so hopefully that would be okay.

it's just the dye. If you'd seen the state of me afterwards you'd know what I mean. Hopefully there are ways around it.

Thanks for the info

 

[AmericanMomma]

I read somewhere a couple days ago (maybe on FF) about a woman who was in the small percentage of possible reaction and she was given the laproscopy instead of HSG. Maybe that would be an option for you?