Could do with a perk up please?

[airotciv]

Hello all,

My husband and I have been ttc since February 2011, although haven't really tried since March because we've had a rather emotional time of things.

We have now just moved into our first house (bought, instead of rented! FINALLY!).

However we found out in June that his sperm count was VERY VERY VERY low - 210 sperm in the whole quota.

We went to see a private consultant who said we will need ICSI.

I have to go for a few tests too and he needs to do a repeat SA as that was only his first one.

I am feeling so anxious about the whole thing. I am so scared it won't work. I am trying not to stress, but it's really difficult. Any words of advice/wisdom/encouragement???

Thanks in advance xxx

 

[airotciv]

Anyone? xxx

 

[Bump2B]

Hiya hun,

I'm sorry your DH had those results, it must've been very upsetting for you both.
I'm sure he's been advised on ways that he can improve his sperm quality, with exercise, good diet, vitamin supplements and cutting out alcohol, smoking and caffeine.

Out of curiosity, why did you go private rather than NHS? What kinda tests are they sending you for and when?

I had blood tests and scan which revealed PCOS. My DH also has low sperm count.

Good luck xx

 

[airotciv]

Hiya hun,

I'm sorry your DH had those results, it must've been very upsetting for you both.
I'm sure he's been advised on ways that he can improve his sperm quality, with exercise, good diet, vitamin supplements and cutting out alcohol, smoking and caffeine.

Out of curiosity, why did you go private rather than NHS? What kinda tests are they sending you for and when?

I had blood tests and scan which revealed PCOS. My DH also has low sperm count.

Good luck xx

Hello, thank you for your reply .

Yeah, although it was implied that the count is so low, that even with changes, there won't be a dramatic improvement. So it does look like ICSI is our only option (the thought of which terrifies me, for both physical and emotional reasons - have a complete phobia of needles, but would do it over and over again for our baby).

We went private because I was totally unhappy with the response we'd had from the doctors. The first SA was done in the middle of April, at the end of April my husband was told he needed to do another test 'to be on the safe side' and that there was 'nothing to worry about'. It took months to finally speak to a doctor, who then focused on the motility being 48%, and not the lack of sperm and it was only when we left the doctors and looked at the results ourselves that I realised the count was exceptionally low. So we went to see a private consultant for advice and he does an NHS clinic too and has referred us for that!

How low is your husband's count? How long have you been trying? xxx

EDIT: Oh, the tests we are going for: husband is going for a repeat SA and if that shows further problems, he is being tested for chromosome problems and for hormonal imbalance. I am going for a blood test to check I'm not going through my menopause, a scan of my ovaries and a chlamidya test.

 

[Torsornin]

nothing much - just words of encouragement and a hug

 

[Pinkie 33]

Hi, we are in the same boat as you. DP's analysis showed less than 1million at the first two tests and only 6 in the sample at the third test. We have also been advised that IVF with ICSI is the way forward for us.

We have to chose between two clinincs for refferal and last night we visited the first where the process was described (excellently) in detail. I came away feeling nervous/excited/scared all at once. At that clinic they have a procedure to gather multiple samples of sperm and will also freeze in advance so that at the time of procedure, there is enough to go through with it.

I also have a fear of needles and the self medication side is frightening. I have warned DP and our mothers that they may well have to help with this!

On the positive side, the chances of success are much higher than I thought (48.6%). Our PCT gives us a chance on the NHS followed by a second go with a frozen embryo should the first attempt fail. Also, there is no waiting list so once all the tests are complete, we're off.

My advice would be to try and stay positive (having some in the sample means you have more options than others), keep doing all you can to stay healthy and take the supplements recomended by the experts (my DP rattles with the number of tablets he takes a day!). If he is anything like my DP he will feel very bad about it and that he is in some way letting you down. I try not to offload to him about the situation and save that for friends and family (or here!).

Keeping everything crossed for you