HSG advice, please!

[Anonymous]

I am currently seeing Dr. Widra at Shady Grove in DC. He has directed me to get an HSG done...now I'm trying to figure out where to go. My insurance provider gave a lot of options, but I'm looking for personal experiences. Can anyone recommend a place (in DC) for an HSG. Also, if there is somewhere I should not go, I'd like to know that too!

Thanks in advance!!

[Anonymous]

I use the option of going to Shady Grove. I personally went to the rockville location and they were extremely nice. They explained step by step what they were doing and what they were going to do. And they explain the results right there, other than having to wait. I had a very good experience with them!

[Anonymous]

I had mine done at American Radiology and they were very nice and efficient. The doctor also explained to me what he was doing as he did it.
It was a much more simple (and quick!) procedure than I originally had thought. I don't think it really matters where you have it done.

[Anonymous]

I had mine done at Virginia Hospital Center (in Arlington), and it was quick and easy. Little wait, nice nurse and radiologist...it was over in 10 minutes. It isn't the most comfortable thing, but it is over very quickly, my ob suggested taking advil beforehand, which I did...and that seemed to help too. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I went to Washington Radiology on K Street. It was okay - I wanted to save myself the trip out to Shady Grove, but afterwards I wondered if I would have been better off having an RE vs. a radiologist do it. (The radiologist wasn't exactly gentle, but I think having given birth before helped . . . ) All in all, it was fine - long wait, though.

[Anonymous]

Go to Shady Grove. I had one done 3 1/2 years ago at a radiologist's office and it was painful. They know what they are looking for at Shady Grove. I had mine done there just this week and it was not a bad experience. The nurse -Karen or Barbara - was extremely nice! The doc was good too. Can't remember his name. good luck.

[Anonymous]

I, too, went to Washington Radiology on K st but I was with another RE at the time and he attended the HSG even though the radiologist performed it. It honestly was one of the coolest things I've seen - you actually see your uterus and fallopian tubes on a tv screen. I wish I had my husband come in the room so he could have seen it too. Anyway, I think the other posters are right - I would recommend Shady Grove as they're so great at caring for you during procedures (I just finished my first-ever IVF with them). A few tips for the actual procedure... it is quick and I did not have much pain but I did take advil before hand just in case. I was a little crampy after but nothing unbearable. I have heard that if you do have a blockage in a tube, that is when it can be uncomfortable. One other thing to keep in mind: what goes up must come down so the fluid they put in your uterus will leak out over the course of the day. Be sure to come prepared with your favorite brand of pad with wings. The doctor's office will probably have some in the bathroom but they tend to have liners or big, thick pads so you should be prepared! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I went to Washington Radiology on K St. for mine and had a great experience. The doctor couldn't have been nicer about the whole thing (can't remember his name). I was really nervous about it but there was no pain at all and it was over and done with really fast. good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

I had my HSG done at Georgetown Hospital. It was a very, very bad experience, and I would not recommend GH to anyone for this procedure.

[Anonymous]

I went to Washington radiology on K st, and Dr Rifka performed mine. Honestly, I felt absolutely nothing. Less uncomfortable than a pap! I did take 600mg of advil one hour before

[Anonymous]

exact same experience as PP with Washington Radiology and Dr. Rifka (he's my RE). strange that Shady Grove docs don't perform the HSG's on their patients -- i think it would make a world of difference if it's your doc, someone you know and trust.

[Anonymous]

BCBS didn't cover the facilities fee at SG, so I ended up at VA Hospital Center. good experience.

[Anonymous]

I've had one at Groover, Christie & Merritt and one performed by Dr. Rifka at Washington Radiology. Both were just fine. They hurt for 30 seconds or so and then it was over. I had no cramping or anything. I drove myself home. It was no big deal.

[Anonymous]

I did Shady Grove and thought they were wonderful!

[Anonymous]

I had mine at Washington Radiology with Dr. Chow and it was as good as can be expected and not very painful. I have BCBS insurance and expect to be fully covered at Washington Radiology, but I would have had to pay a relatively large co-payment if I had the procedure done at SGF.