Dealing with azoospermia?

[Bookworm]

Thanks sb & deb! That helps - & deb you made me laugh so detailed! So do you have everything filed? And I ask as a woman running 2 files on this, with dividers & everything make me feel better & tell me everyone is this neurotic

Hubby is doing great & is currently on his way home from work!!! He even went in yesterday - I had to drive him in & collect him because he wasn't allowed to drive after drugs He had a big thing in work this weekend & while he had it sorted that he could be off he swears that he isn't even feeling any pain and there was no stopping him - I did try, but he swears he's fine.

While I wish he'd taken a bit more time to recuperate I can't really complain - he's picking up a Chinese & a bottle of wine on the way home; I'm relaxing at home with a good book

 

[silverbell]

That's great news about your DH, Bookworm! I hope he continues to do so well. Enjoy the takeaway and wine! You both deserve it.

 

[Bookworm]

Hi Wanbmum - I'm an emotional eater too! I struggle a bit with my weight and I find the only thing that REALLY works for me is exercise. I could live on salad, but if I don't exercise I balloon.

But there are a few eating habits that have helped me:

I never 'diet' anymore, as soon as I say 'I'm off chocolate' I become obsessed & can't help myself - then I hate myself an do this weird thing where I think 'well today's ruined so I'll leave it today & start tomorrow'..... But that doesn't happen cause the same thing happens the next day.

Put you're big dinner plates away and use smaller plates/bowls - this REALLY works! Generally people fill up the plate & average dinner plate holds lots more food than up you need. So small plates, or even better bowls (small amounts in a bowl looks like more and tricks your brain).

If you make more dinner than you actually need or fits on the plate, put the leftovers in a bowl/container when you're dishing out the dinner - you'll be less likely to polish it off then.

If there's something you really like DON'T save it to the end of the meal to enjoy - people who do this (I used to) are more likely to gain weight because subconsciously they've already made the decision to eat everything whether they're hungry or not - makes sense when you think about it.

 

[WANBMUM]

Thanks Bookworm Great your hubby is feeling great after it
Wow i never new that about your last point!! I always keep the nicest thing to the last (i try to get the veg off the plate as quick as poss) Interesting i will start doing that.
The plate thing I am struggling with but will deffo try more of.
Exercise really is the key isnt it.
Hope you are all having a good day. I love Sundays.

 

[Deb111]

PS i just see your sig, how have you managed to lose 18.5 lb's? Any tips? (bar the obvious )

To be honest I have just been really careful. I'd got into some bad habits like stopping for a chocolate bar on the way home from work so I stopped that, but I'm also a great believer in not denying yourself anything plus I don't like salads - that's why weight watchers has worked for me before and I guess I've used some of the same principles this time - although it's taken probably 6 months to lose that 18lb so it's not been quick. I've not done the whole going to meeting things - I'm not for that kind of stuff, but I do have the points for all the regular stuff I eat stuck inside the food cupboard door.

I'm an emotional eater too and I have to admit even times like when the Dr had a moan at me about my weight without bothering to check I'd lost 18lb, I went straight to the shop and bought a load of comfort food. The thing is we don't smoke, barely drink and don't eat out a lot, but we do enjoy our food

The smaller plate thing definitely helps and I've cut down on carbs too, so if I have a stirfry, I'll sling a load more veg in there and just have half as much rice as I used to.

I don't really exercise as it bores me, but I did treat us to a wii fit and that was great for shifting the weight without feeling like exercise and the hula hooping and stuff is great for toning the waist Now I'm on summer hols I must get back to it. Also putting a weight loss ticker up really helped me too xx

 

[Deb111]

Thanks sb & deb! That helps - & deb you made me laugh so detailed! So do you have everything filed? And I ask as a woman running 2 files on this, with dividers & everything make me feel better & tell me everyone is this neurotic

Hubby is doing great & is currently on his way home from work!!! He even went in yesterday - I had to drive him in & collect him because he wasn't allowed to drive after drugs He had a big thing in work this weekend & while he had it sorted that he could be off he swears that he isn't even feeling any pain and there was no stopping him - I did try, but he swears he's fine.

While I wish he'd taken a bit more time to recuperate I can't really complain - he's picking up a Chinese & a bottle of wine on the way home; I'm relaxing at home with a good book

Great that hubby is doing so well. I'm sure that having positive news helps the healing process mentally and physically.

And yes, I am a bit neurotic with all this info - BUT I haven't gone as far as dividers in my folder (mental note to get some next time I'm in Asda )

To be honest I just have all that info because we had to get a copy of all our NHS records when we decided to go privately and I also have a notebook where I write down all my questions (and answers) for appointments

Someone's got to be organised with all this info and I guess it had to be me 'cos it sure as hell wasn't the NHS clinic! xx

 

[Bookworm]

Someone's got to be organised with all this info and I guess it had to be me 'cos it sure as hell wasn't the NHS clinic! xx

Don't I know it! DH went back to GP this morning to give blood samples for genetic tests (the ones they initially took in the wrong vial and then when they were returned told us the reason for the test not being done was that we had a private diagnosis so they won't take it further - then weeks later called back to see why he hadn't rescheduled the tests...)
So anyway, when he got to the surgery they were only taking blood for the Karotyping. He asked about the others but the girl's job is just to take the bloods so she only knew what was on the file - they went to a GP who just shrugged and said she'd never even heard of the tests so couldn't help!!!!!!

I'm about ready to pull my hair out with DH's useless surgery! My GP (different surgery) had never heard of this stuff either, but listened to what I had to say and phoned the labs and did everything she could to get me the CF test! She couldn't have been more helpful.

I've made another appointment for DH for next week and I'm going with him - I don't think he is very good at communicating with the dr. He is a very smart guy, a business man through and through and great with numbers - but he was never 'academic' and I think he gets a bit intimidated by Drs, even though in this instance he knows more than they do...

 

[GrantsWife]

Hi guys! How are you all?
Well, I feel silly and just wanted to come here to talk. I guess I went through a denial stage and just wanted to "think" we could still have one fun TTC cycle. Maybe it was just a need to feel "normal" for a bit but I also feel just plain silly. Please tell me I am not the only one to do this.

I also guess it is just so hard because no one seems to understand and not to mention I just feel out of place because I want a baby so badly but we can't even begin to try and until maybe 2015-2016 if not more. I just want to get started so badly. We are going to be talking to a genetics counsellor soon though to see if I have the CF mutation (hubby has CF) so at least that is one step forward.

Ugh...I just feel like I am constantly trying to fool myself. I just want a miracle to happen. Sorry for the rant, I just needed to talk it out.

 

[GrantsWife]

Also, I just want to say "Thank You" Deb111 for the video that you posted. You have no idea how much I needed to see that. It helped so much to know we aren't alone and all these feelings are normal but it still is tough.

 

[KB38]

Congratulations Bookworm and Deb111! Its sooo nice to hear some positive news.

I don't have anything to report at the moment. No appointments planned or anything.

 

[silverbell]

Deb, just remembered you said you wanted updates from people.

Well I have no appointment dates as yet, but we're awaiting Mr Ramsay NHS appointment in order for him to list DH for NHS mTESE. The appointment with Mr Ramsay will hopefully be for some time in October. I'll update here once I have a confirmed date.

 

[Deb111]

Grantswife - nice to see you back. It is so hard for all us with these waiting times that get imposed on us, but I can't imagine how hard it must be knowing you have such a wait ahead.

I don't think it's at all strange to just want a normal TTC cycle, but it does change the whole thing when you know there will be no chance of a

It's hard for me to comment in some ways because we have only twice in the 18 months since hubby's azoo diagnosis - I think with hubby part of it is the mental side of knowing he cannot get me pregnant, but also his hormones, especially his testosterone, have been all over the place lately.

Do you have a journal hun? It's a great place to have a rant or just to get those thoughts out. I really do find that it helps to get the thoughts out of your head and onto 'paper'. It's also interesting to look back on and see how your journey has progressed.

I'm glad you found the video helpful xx

 

[Sar187]

Well our appointment went Well on Monday, the Dr. gave us very good chances of 1. Finding Sperm in hubby and 2. Conceiving. They sent DH and I both for bloodwork which we had done yesterday. They prescribed me a prescription prenatal vitamin and told me to call on the first day of my cycle. At that point they are going to bring me in for a transvaginal ultrasound and to start me on a birth Control pill that will control my cycle as well as give me the hormone meds that I will be taking through the cycle.

Everything is all moving so fast at this point that it is kind of scary! They will be retrieving my eggs and DH's sperm on the same day. The only thing that irritated me a little about the appointment was that the Dr. seemed annoyed with with us when we told him we did not want a DS backup on the day of egg/sperm retrieval, and that I would then have to either dispose of the eggs they get or donate them. I am going to call and ask about freezing them If they don't find sperm though fx that they do find some and we don't have to worry about that!

 

[Deb111]

WOW! that's great progress Sar! I think they like you to have DS as a backup mainly because it's a lot of money if they don't find anything, plus you will have put your body through a lot and I guess from a medical, clinical point of view, they don't want you to have to go through that for no reason.

Our urologist says they recommend having a DS backup, but hubby refuses and they don't insist on it. Plus our urologist is pretty confident because a previous, more random operation found tiny numbers of

If they don't insist on a donor backup and you really don't want one, then go for it. I would definitely ask about freezing your eggs of the worst comes to the worst though - it would be a shame to waste the eggs from the IVF cycle and leaves you options for the future xx

 

[Sar187]

I completely understand the reasons for having the DS backup, but hubby and I are at least at this point not comfortable with using DS. They don't require the backup but I was just a little annoyed that the Dr. seemed to judge us for not wanting it. Oh well.

I am definitely hoping they let me freeze my eggs if they don't find anything though as I wouldn't want the cycle to be a complete waste!

 

[Deb111]

I can't see any reason why they wouldn't let you freeze your eggs - but hoping that you wont need to. Keep us posted xx

 

[Sar187]

Deb--very much hoping that is the case!

I also had a question I forgot to ask when I posted earlier. Are there any supplements or vitamins DH should be taking to help make any sperm they do find healthier? I know it takes 2-3 months for any of these to take effect but we may have that amount of time between now and retrieval. We asked at the fertility clinic but they said that would be a question for the urologist who is now out of town for the next week and a half.

 

[WANBMUM]

Wow SAR, that is amazing news! You really are on the right track. Fingers crossed all goes to plan. Im not sure about supplements for hubby, i wouldnt get him to take anything unless they approve it, so many vitamins for men can go against them, thats just in my experience, i would ask them beforehand.

Hi Grantswife Lots of us newbies here since you were here last as you can probably tell. Your not crazy, although we have completely relaxed with the TTC situation and in a good way are DTD to enjoy now rather than re-produce, so i guess it is diff for everyone.
Do you mind me asking why you have to wait until 2015/2016? Hope I dont intrude, I am not familiar with your story. Lets hope it doesnt get to that and there is a miracle around the corner.
Hi Deb, how are you? My OH's next app is 22nd Aug - Surgeon Consultant and 26th Aug - Personal consultant. I've always been afraid of creating a journal as I think I'd be talking to myself and no-one would want to read me waffling. lol Maybe one day.
Hope the rest of you are ok I am doing ok, in limbo at the moment and plodding along as if its all a dream. Until the next appointment/rollercoaster.

 

[WANBMUM]

Woops sorry sar, i see you said you couldnt ask, is there anyone else you could ask? A Urologist from a diff area/town, quick phonecall would be worth it.

 

[Deb111]

Deb--very much hoping that is the case!

I also had a question I forgot to ask when I posted earlier. Are there any supplements or vitamins DH should be taking to help make any sperm they do find healthier? I know it takes 2-3 months for any of these to take effect but we may have that amount of time between now and retrieval. We asked at the fertility clinic but they said that would be a question for the urologist who is now out of town for the next week and a half.

We checked with our urologist and he is perfectly happy that hubby is taking wellman conception and also omega 3, but I do know one of the girls dh's in this group (can't think who off the top of my head sorry) was told to stop taking any supplements so I think it really is best to wait until you can ask the urologist his opinion x