Dealing with azoospermia?

[bubumaci]

Jacks - no ... quite a long story - but after taking Tamoxifen for 6 weeks in April/May of 2012, we were party to a miracle (previously, DH had had 0 - max 250k sperm in his samples, with zero motility and very poor morphology) : he produced 13 mio sperm with 8% motility. They froze 6 straws at the clinic.
For the first try, they were able to use sperm from a fresh sample. The second try there was nothing in the fresh sample, so they thawed one straw. The third try, they found enough in the fresh sample, same with the fourth and fifth tries. For the sixth try (in Feb this year), DH underwent a TESE (not an mTESE) - and I took the sample with me to the clinic, so that they could have it to fertilise right after the egg retrieval. Before I went in for the procedure, they informed me, that they had not been able to find anything in the TESE sample - so they would be thawing 3 straws from 2012 and using those ... needless to say, I had silent tears running down my cheeks before going in for the procedure (already prepped, with the IV in and everything), tears for DH having had to go through the TESE for nothing, tears for us, fearing another failure ... yet - it was that try, that brought us our beautiful, miracle BFP ...

 

[melissaelaine]

What's the difference between an mTese and a regular tese? I've always been confused by that.

 

[Stinas]

What's the difference between an mTese and a regular tese? I've always been confused by that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a TESE is more invasive....they completely cut the testicles open and search.

 

[melissaelaine]

What's the difference between an mTese and a regular tese? I've always been confused by that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a TESE is more invasive....they completely cut the testicles open and search.

That's what I was thinking too. I was confused because DH told me that if they had done a procedure on him, it would have been a needle aspiration, but the doctor called it a tese and not an mtese. Just thankful he didn't need that this time!

I got the call from the nurse this morning and we're doing a 5-day transfer on Friday! There was no update on the embryos at all though, so I have no clue how many are still hanging in. I asked and she told me that the lab doesn't provide a report, they check and make an assessment as to how they're developing and if they're still developing well, they go for 5 days. So, I will get a call tomorrow with the transfer time.

 

[arzoo]

Good luck n fingers crossed for you Melissaelaine

 

[raelynn]

Hey all some more info on the TESE vs mTESE subject. During a TESE procedure, they either take one random tissue sample or several random samples and check if they find any sperm in them. mTESE is the one where they use a microscope to try and locate sperm in the tissue and then take tissue samples from those areas. The m stands for micro because of the use of a microscope to help rather than random samples.

The TESE can be done as a needle aspiration because it is random samples or it can be done through a small incision to remove the tissue samples. My husbands urologist took the TESE sample through a small incision and actually looked at it under a microscope right then to see if they found any sperm or should try again. I guess it all depends on the doctor how the procedure is done and how invasive they make it.

 

[MoBaby]

The second opinion clinic we would use does a tese at time of ec... They basically take a few random punch biopsy samples of the testes and hope to find sperm. They also have the male provide a fresh sample too.
The mtese is usually done before hand and the sperm is frozen. The testes are cut open and searched through with a microscope like raelynn said.

 

[melissaelaine]

Just got home from the transfer and it went well! We had 2 "gorgeous" blastocysts ready today. (We didn't get into the details of grading. I wish I had asked, but was just so mesmerized to see the picture of it!) We transferred one and they will freeze the other. I have 2 more that "may" make it to freezing tomorrow, but 3 others that likely won't. I am really pleased with these results. The embryologist and the RE both seemed really pleased with the quality of the blast that we transferred, so I am just really praying and hoping that it keeps growing and attaches!! Here is a picture:

 

[SunUp]

Melissa - your embie pic looks amazing!

 

[bubumaci]

Melissa - that is just a picture perfect little embiebaby! ... and judging from your signature, you were able to freeze the other two?
When is your OTD? I am so looking forward to a good result for you!

 

[melissaelaine]

Melissa - that is just a picture perfect little embiebaby! ... and judging from your signature, you were able to freeze the other two?
When is your OTD? I am so looking forward to a good result for you!

Thanks, bubu! We found out yesterday that they were able to freeze the other 2, so we have 3 frosties! I am so relieved to know that we have an option before having to do another full IVF cycle. 3 frosties really is more than I hoped for!

OTD is Monday, 10/13. I am considering doing an HPT Sunday. If not, then I will probably do one Monday morning. If the result is negative, I really want to prepare myself and not hear it from the nurse the first time.

Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out if I have any symptoms... I don't think I do. That makes me a little worried, but not too much. I know it's normal not to have symptoms this early.

 

[bubumaci]

so next Monday
If it is any help, I had no symptoms at all, except for my OHSS flaring up again quite badly. ...
That is also great that you have three nice !!

 

[gem10]

Ladies, I am freaking out. Sunday and Monday I was experiencing bad cramps. I went in on Monday for an ultrasound and everything was fine. Then I went back yesterday because I was bleeding, pretty bad. They checked my cervix and the fetus and everything was still fine. I stayed home in bed all day. When I woke up the bleeding had stopped, and I was so relieved. Then at 2:00 it picked back up again. They are letting me come back on Friday. I am so scared. They said first trimester bleeding is normal, but to me its not. Its scary and awful. Any thoughts or advice. I am trying to be hopeful bc I had great betas, and saw a heartbeat twice, but this is bringing my hopes down.

 

[Stinas]

Gem - I spotted for weeks! You might have a SH if the bleeding it a good amount...totally normal in first tri. Ask the doc if it is a possibility.

melissaelaine - I had no symptoms except for a migraine day before my BFP...both times. Good luck!

 

[gem10]

She saw what she thought was a pocket of blood on Monday. When I went Tuesday she said it appeared much smaller and thats where she thought this was coming from. But now I am passing clots, which is freaking me out. I am fearful I am losing the baby....

 

[arzoo]

Hi Gem. I had the same issue. How many weeks are u now? It's scary but don't worry it will pass. Did the doctor say you are having a clot or haematoma ? It changes size often and that's why you stop and start bleeding.
For me it continued on for weeks from about week 7 till about week18. It was not always heavy n red. At times brown. When ever I had fresh bleed I had to go back to get a scan to make sure everything was ok.

Good luck.

 

[gem10]

I am just over 6 weeks. Did you have cramping too?

 

[arzoo]

I had cramping in my thighs which happens to me during my periods. But the pain was not as bad as period pain.

 

[MoBaby]

Gem you can pass clots with pockets of blood.. Did the clots happen when you first woke up or after you had been resting a while? When I bleed with one of my BFPs (my MC was totally unrelated; I had pretty much stopped bleeding when the HB stopped) I had clots a few times (tons and tons of clots) the baby was always fine. The clots were always with my first morning wee and the nurse said the blood pools overnight/after long periods of lying down and can cause clots to come out. Hoping all is okay.

 

[gem10]

Went to the doctor, the baby had no heartbeat. The blood had completely surrounded the sac and it detached from my uterus. Now I have to wait to pass it. I am beyond devastated. I cannot believe this is happening. Everything was going so well. I keep thinking I did something wrong, like I should have rested more or something. I am so scared of what's to come.