Dealing with azoospermia?

[melissaelaine]

Thank you so much for the fast response! I do not know whether it is the wet sample or if they are spinning it. I was reading about this last night, and it is a question I will ask. I am starting to think that it might just be a wet test, because the notes from the test said "14 on the entire slide."

We have not yet seen a urologist. In the past, my RE hasn't been concerned with Daniel's results, given that he has had some sperm. There is a urologist in the practice, and of course there are others we could see. I think we should see one to rule out certain issues. But, my DH was born with an undescended testicle, so the doctor has always attributed his issues to that.

 

[AuCa]

Thank you so much for the fast response! I do not know whether it is the wet sample or if they are spinning it. I was reading about this last night, and it is a question I will ask. I am starting to think that it might just be a wet test, because the notes from the test said "14 on the entire slide."

We have not yet seen a urologist. In the past, my RE hasn't been concerned with Daniel's results, given that he has had some sperm. There is a urologist in the practice, and of course there are others we could see. I think we should see one to rule out certain issues. But, my DH was born with an undescended testicle, so the doctor has always attributed his issues to that.

Yes, definitely ask them. If it says "wet sample" it most likely is what I was talking about - they put one drop onto a slide and then count.
I calculated this out - a drop is typically 100ul. If you know your total volume you can calculate what concentration the entire sample would be - eg if it's 2ml you can take your 14x200. This would be 2800 sperm total. And this would be way more than enough for an IVF-ICSI cycle. Like I said, we did IVF-ICSI with about 300 sperm and they found enough food ones.

 

[Mercury1]

Melissaelaine - we had something similar. A few years ago DH had a sample which was less than 0.5 million, due to undescended testicles which were operated on when he was about 11. After we met, he went for another sample which was zero. Over the next year there were occasional sperm seen, but still mainly zero samples. We went for the tamoxifen option, thinking that he'd need surgical sperm retrieval, but fortunately the tamoxifen did enough to avoid that.

It's great that he's had some seen, as it shows his body can produce them. I would suggest you make sure you keep having samples done and freeze anything found, it would be a nightmare to get to egg collection day and have no sperm! Definitely do all the lifestyle changes and get him taking supplements - while it may not increase numbers, it may well mean that any sperm that are there are in the best condition possible.

Hope that helps. It's a long journey, but there are probably more options than there were a few years ago. Good luck!

 

[arzoo]

Sorry to hear about the AF tulip. Praying for the best for you.

melissaelaine : Sorry I have no experience to share as in our case , there is zero sperm.

 

[AuCa]

Auca: Sorry I have no experience to share as in our case , there is zero sperm.

I think you meant melissa

Very sorry to hear about AF tulip

 

[sharon99]

Rrrgh, my long post just got erased! AND I got a "timeout" reprimand from the website because I tried to post a link! What!

Arzoo, thank you so much for your field reporting from the fertility show (wow, I never would have dreamed a few years ago I'd be interested in that show!). Especially for the information from the donor panel, since that's the route we're likely going to take. Everything I've read seems to say it's better for the kid if you're open with them early and often, so they see it as no big deal. That's the way we're going to approach it if it works. Luckily we live in an area with a lot of same sex couples with donor conceived kids, so they'll see they're not alone. Do you listen to podcasts ever? I listen to them ALL THE TIME while I work, and there's a great one called Creating a Family (not going to post the link, that's where I got in trouble last time! ) But you can google it. They have lots of shows on donor conception, IVF, etc.

Tulip, sorry about AF. It hurts every time. We found out only 3 months ago- seems like forever. DH's testing went pretty quickly, and we ruled out ICSI in our case pretty quickly- so we'll likely start donor IUIs soon.

Melissa- sorry, we've always had 0. "We"- ha ha!

Deafgal- fingers crossed for your next IUI!!

 

[Hopeful 1]

Arzoo, sounds like the show was really interesting we were down in London a few weeks before the show if it had been when we were down I would have been interested to go so thank you for sharing that info with us.

Mellissa we have had similar results first sample showed nothing at all then second showed 2 immotile sperm in sample then the third which they spun showed about 22 which we thought was excellent we felt like we had struck gold for most people this sounds mad but for azoospermia we were delighted felt like we had been given a chance of things working. Unfortunately the next sample didn't have anything and nothing was found during the ssr. I would querie with your clinic if it was spun and if not get your hubby to produce again with them spinning it this time! Although sounds like they have found some so don't loose all hope.


Tulip sorry af can be really cruel that's sad so for that even though your friend took 3 years and I'm sure your really happy for her but that was insensitive to ask you given that it's taken her 3 years you would think even if she doesn't know your situation she would be a bit more sensitive given her own challenges - it's interesting in our situation I feel that people have stopped making comments and asking us I'm thinking that deep down people suspect that something isn't right and don't want to ask anymore (we have been together 11 years in January)
We found out 14 months a go now and even though we expect 0 in samples now it's hard to take and I feel really sad everyone we get the result!! What are your plans?

Deafgal have you decided what your plans are?

Hi to everyone else
Hopeful x x

 

[deafgal01]

Yes Hopeful- we decided we will take a chance and see what happens. Not expecting it to work though. I am waiting for cd1 so I can call the office. They will then schedule me for a baseline ultrasound before I start the hcg injection for about 4 days I think. They will do a follow up ultrasound to monitor my eggs to make sure I won't release too many. If there is more than 3, they will cancel cycle. But if it still a go, we will have them combine the remaining 2 vials for the IUI. Then I wait, 1 week for blood test to confirm ovulation and 2 for a take home preg test.

 

[arzoo]

Hope everyone is doing well. Sharon , you are right, a few months back, I would not have even dreamt about having to attend such a session. Thank you will look up for the pod casts.

@Rainbow: How are things progressing for you?

I just thought of posting an update on my last visit to the fertility centre. Was a little disappointed that I was made to see a different doctor from the one I was booked into see. When I made the appointment , I had specifically asked to see the same doctor. The next immediate appointment was few weeks time but I asked to see this specific doctor and so had a longer wait, another month approximately. But what the guy did not tell me was, that I was supposed to specifically mention it when I came for the appointment, this I got to know later when I went to make the next appointment and also express my displeasure at being made to see another doctor. For those like me who are new to NHS treatment, the way it works is , there are clinics and you can see any doctor , but you must specifically ask for a doctor when you check in, if you want to see them on the clinic days . Otherwise there are other days when you can make specific appointments to see a particular doctor. Not sure if I am explaining things well.

The other reason for my disappointment was, I am asked to go for more tests. My HSG was done in September , I waited till first week of November, to be told that I need further tests as the HSG was not confirmatory and so need a 3D scan, this they could have easily done by giving me a call, Thus reducing my waiting time and giving my appointment to some other more needy person and saving some money for NHS. For my bad luck, the 3d scan probe is under repair and so I have to wait another 3 weeks before I can get an appointment. So annoying. If things were more efficient I could have easily done my scan at least a month earlier! sigh! Another few weeks before I go for the scan and then appointment is now in January to discuss the results.

So not looking forward to Xmas when you have to meet all the family and go through the same questions from the nosy aunts and cousins about what our plans about kids! Sorry it it is always dull and gloomy posts from me!

 

[gem10]

Hello ladies,

It's been a while since I've been on. Just catching up on everyone's posts. So, as we know, it is tough to find friends to talk to about our situation. I had one friend who I could always talk to. She is sarcastic and funny, and listens to me moan and groan about my pregnant friends. Her and her guy have been going through a tough time. She went off bc a month ago as they were considering trying, but was just telling me she was going to go back on bc she wasn't sure it was the best idea. Well, I called her two weeks ago and low and behold, she's pregnant. I was very, very happy for her on the phone and excited. She said, "you're not gonna get all weird and depressed now are you?" Which of course I replied, no of course not! I then hung up the phone and started crying. I went downstairs to tell my husband and he was annoyed with me. He said, "We need to be happy for our friends and support them, not be jealous!" I just don't understand how NO ONE GETS IT!!! I'm not jealous, it just hurts. I felt like, now, I am truly the last and only one who is not pregnant. It's like everyone is part of this club, and I can't join. I told him, now I am truly alone. I have no one to talk to. He said, well you have me. But he doesn't get it when I get upset!So hoe can I talk to him?? I just don't understand how it doesn't upset him the way it does me. Perhaps because he has had his whole life to deal with this issue and make peace with it. But I truly feel so alone. The only safe place is here. I sometimes wish I could meet up with you ladies on a Friday night and go out and talk and enjoy ourselves, among people who actually get it!!!!

On another, frustrating note, I am now on cd38. I had my FET late September, found on October 3 it was a BFN, got AF after taking progesterone, and am now nine days late. I am guessing this may be normal due to all of the hormones I was on, but what a mind tease. I'm sure I'm not pregnant, that would be impossible, but just wishing she would show so I can go to my Dr and begin preparing for our next IVF cycle.

Just feeling sad, lonely and frustrated. I wish I could be like my friends, have sex, and poof! Pregnant. It just seems like such a long never ending road that I am struggling to see the end of. Sorry for the sad post. Keeping everyone in my prayers.

 

[Mikihob]

Hello ladies,

It's been a while since I've been on. Just catching up on everyone's posts. So, as we know, it is tough to find friends to talk to about our situation. I had one friend who I could always talk to. She is sarcastic and funny, and listens to me moan and groan about my pregnant friends. Her and her guy have been going through a tough time. She went off bc a month ago as they were considering trying, but was just telling me she was going to go back on bc she wasn't sure it was the best idea. Well, I called her two weeks ago and low and behold, she's pregnant. I was very, very happy for her on the phone and excited. She said, "you're not gonna get all weird and depressed now are you?" Which of course I replied, no of course not! I then hung up the phone and started crying. I went downstairs to tell my husband and he was annoyed with me. He said, "We need to be happy for our friends and support them, not be jealous!" I just don't understand how NO ONE GETS IT!!! I'm not jealous, it just hurts. I felt like, now, I am truly the last and only one who is not pregnant. It's like everyone is part of this club, and I can't join. I told him, now I am truly alone. I have no one to talk to. He said, well you have me. But he doesn't get it when I get upset!So hoe can I talk to him?? I just don't understand how it doesn't upset him the way it does me. Perhaps because he has had his whole life to deal with this issue and make peace with it. But I truly feel so alone. The only safe place is here. I sometimes wish I could meet up with you ladies on a Friday night and go out and talk and enjoy ourselves, among people who actually get it!!!!

On another, frustrating note, I am now on cd38. I had my FET late September, found on October 3 it was a BFN, got AF after taking progesterone, and am now nine days late. I am guessing this may be normal due to all of the hormones I was on, but what a mind tease. I'm sure I'm not pregnant, that would be impossible, but just wishing she would show so I can go to my Dr and begin preparing for our next IVF cycle.

Just feeling sad, lonely and frustrated. I wish I could be like my friends, have sex, and poof! Pregnant. It just seems like such a long never ending road that I am struggling to see the end of. Sorry for the sad post. Keeping everyone in my prayers.

I totally understand gem. If I see one more person write on FB that they are thankful for motherhood I may completely lose it. I wish we could all sit down and have drinks and then discuss our woes together where we are comfortable and don't feel judged OR pitied. Some days the sadness that I feel doesn't go away. Heck, I cried a little bit this morning. It's getting harder to cope. As every one of my friends gets "accidentally" pregnant I flinch. I also feel alone. DH doesn't understand the sadness and tries to make me feel better but the things he says just hurts more sometimes. SIGH. I am very thankful for you ladies. I don't know where I would be if it weren't for the support of each of you. gem if you need to talk more feel free to pm me. I try to get on here every day and catch up on all the posts that I miss.

 

[deafgal01]

Gem and Mik- that is exactly how I feel and I have started withdrawing more into myself the longer this journey takes which is kind of bad because when you hold in all the emotions, I basically become a ticking bomb. My heart goes out to you all who feel hurt just simply by being left behind by you real life friends.

 

[sharon99]

Gem, Mikihob, Deafgal- I can really relate to how you're all feeling. I'd never joined a forum before, but it is so nice to have someplace where everyone can relate to these emotions. I know I'm new here, but the idea of Friday night drinks sounds SO nice I can barely stand it!! Gem, my husband is the same way- it's like he can't understand that one can feel 2 different emotions at the same time. Just because you're sad for yourself doesn't mean you're not happy for your friend. It sounds like you handled it like a champ by being happy and excited for her on the phone- I probably would have started crying right then & there!!

 

[gem10]

Thank you so much ladies. At least I know Im not crazy, nor am I alone thanks to all of you.

 

[Rainbow123]

Arzoo - how frustrating! It really makes me cross how some people can't do their flipping jobs properly!
We didn't get a call back from that flipping nurse, now approaching 3 weeks when she said she'd ring the next day! I have decided that I really cannot be bothered chasing it up, it's a waste of time. However, I have decided that I am going to phone our FS's secretary on Thursday and book in to see her at the beginning of January, as this is when she will be back at work. Then we can go from there.

Gem - I completely understand how you are feeling. My colleague at work got pregnant first try, found out the other day IT'S TWINS! I got the text from her on a Sunday night, cried/sobbed uncontrollably for half an hour. When I saw her in work I congratulated her very convincingly, then the next day ended up falling to pieces at work! So embarrassing! But luckily I have a good friend at work going through similar crap who came to my rescue!

I wish too that we could all meet up! It would be so good. Sending everyone so many hugs XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

[snd80]

Hi girls! Sorry I have once again been awol, but so much going on in my world that I won't even get into it all! Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that I've still been following along silently from the sidelines and thinking of each of you.

Quick update for me.... my IVF is set for Jan! I begin BC today and continue for 2 months, start shots Jan 10 and egg retrieval will be Jan 20!!! After being in limbo for over a year, it's all happening SO fast now!!!! I was really hoping for Dec IVF, but they were booked, so I'll take what I can get!!! I have to admit, I'm both excited and scared shitless at the same time!!! Quitting smoking has packed on some extra pounds, but at least I have 2 months to work on that... what hurts me the most is ER day is set on a day my hubby will be in dialysis, but I'd rather him be there with me on transfer day than ER day, so I just gotta deal with that. Other than that, YAY!

Hope everyone is well and I promise to be more attenave to my girls from now on! My boss had been real sick and passed away last week and I'm pretty much solo at work lately, but things will be back to normal soon...

and lots o' love to all!!!

 

[MrsG30]

Hi Ladies,

ive been catching up, im so sad to see so many of you feeling as sad as me, i feel its the whole "another xmas not pregnant or with a baby" when will it be our turn?!?!!?!?
We got back to clinic 4th Dec and our donor is all done now, providing his lat sample on 19/12. In the new year treatment will start.

Im very down about it all, its just not far, but ill not give up and i hope non of you do either. it nice to see all the azoo girls from way back with babies now, i know they had a struggle but they got there 1 way or the other so, so will we.

Whos up to where? whos waiting for what?

Lots of love to all xxx

 

[deafgal01]

I started a new cycle- more aggressive this time- 2 ultrasounds because of putting me on hcg injections and we will combine 2 vials for iui. So currently scheduled for baseline us tomorrow. I predict iui will be at end of month.

 

[Mikihob]

Hubby and I have been trying to do a 401K withdrawal. So I got email after email from the clinic with cost sheets for IVF and FET (just in case) and the generic fertility treatment letter from insurance and sent it all in. Spoke to them on the phone and they won't accept ANY of it. The insurance is sticking with their argument that, that's their only form. I sent an email to the clinic today to see if they can print a pre-bill bill that states our names as the patients and has each procedure broken down. Also asked if they could contact insurance or include that insurance will cover zero and all is patients responsibility.

I didn't even make it through the phone call without sobbing. I kept having to mute the phone because I couldn't stop it. Afterwards, I cried and cried and cried. My head was hurting and my eyes were hurting so bad I fell asleep for 20 minutes to try and help. It didn't.

I cried this morning too because the thought of having our money so close just to have it taken away is heartbreaking. Without this money, we are hosed. We can't move forward. Its getting harder to wake up each day and keep from losing it. I am so sad.

Sorry for a long winded, vent post. I have had a rough couple of days.
Thanks for always listening ladies.

 

[deafgal01]

Oh mik so frustrating!