Nhs got it wrong!!!!

[sammy1987xxx]

Just wanted to share my story.
January saw the first fertility appt.
sa on oh was done told all ok by 2 GPS and FS.
I then have hsg ultrasound and bloods
Second appt today to get my results. Told oh had a low sperm count as they didnt read the results properly.
Oh now has to have another sa on Wednesday surprisingly being rushed through as they messed up! My results are all good.
Getting sa results back same day so should now if anythings changed which they sed is unlikely. We now go on the waiting list for icsi
Absolutely gutted we have waited this long to be told something that they should have picked up on ten weeks ago.
Anyone have any words of encouragement I'm really scared of what's next.
Thanks xxx

 

[MinxyChick]

Hi, I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear you've been messed around like this. I have been there! Though now we have all the information it looks like it wasn't all the Drs fault.

At least they've realised their mistake and you are now on the list. After my DH's initial analysis was 26m, they didn't retest until we'd done 7 months of clomid & were on the IVF waiting list to find out it had dropped to 7million! We only found out it was 26m recently, as 3 years ago we were naive enough to not ask for figures when they said everything was ok & I guess it kinda was ok then (it keeps dropping for no reason). Its so frustrating to feel like you're wasting time.

Do you know how many nhs funded attempts you'll get? Wishing you the best of luck with ICSI

It's alot to take in initially and is so unfair we have to go through all of this, but it'll be worth it in the end. After 2 unsuccessful IVFs nothing puts me off doing it again, as the prize is so great & the treatment can be tweaked.

 

[sammy1987xxx]

Thank you so much for your response.
Did u have icsi? With Ivf?
I'm sorry to hear u have had two failed attempts. Fingers crossed third time lucky.
Just been looking it ul and looks like we only get 1 attempt. How many do u get?
All we know until tomorrow is that there is less than 56,000.
I just can't stop crying.
I'm so scared of the process xxx

 

[Briss]

sammy, I am very sorry about your DH's results. 56,000 is very low how did they manage to miss that. did they recommend your DH going to urologist to identify the reason? also the fact that it's low does not mean anything, they need to repeat it because if he had a flu or something it could damage sperm but then it comes back again (need about 3 months for new sperm to come).

My DH has low sperm count as well, last time it was below 3 mil so we were not eligible for IUI, I have high FSH so we could not do IFV either. I started looking into improving sperm count and we have done quote a few drastic changes to his diet and regime. His low sperm count was probably due to low testosterone level so he is now building some muscles cos it helps increase it. I am waiting for our next SA result, also quote scared. my DH also quite beer (for 3 months) and I am trying to persuade his to do acu and herbs cos I heard it can really make a difference.

Good luck!

 

[MinxyChick]

We had ICSI, I think everyone with lowish numbers gets ICSI. This damn IVF is a postcode lottery, we are very fortunate and get 3 attempts here.

It's such a terrible shock, I've certainly cried my fair share of tears over this process. It will take a while to get used to it. There is sperm there so they can do ICSI. Plenty of people succeed first time, but its added pressure.

After dealing with this for 3.5 years, my top tips for getting through are being kind to each other, keep talking to each other, bearing in mind that DP will probably have his own masculine upsets, men and their bits is such a minefield. Now we're with an IVF clinic they offer free counseling which we've both found useful. Its been good to have close friends to confide in but only people going through TTC issues can really get it.

Good luck for tomorrow

 

[sammy1987xxx]

Hi.
No mention of anything but proceeding with icsi.
His sa is tomorrow and I will be eagerly awaiting the phone call. We r hoping for a better result but icsi is best bet for us. It doesn't say how much less than 56,000it is.
Oh has gone back to the gym and wer going to live healthier lives.
What options do you have if no iui or Ivf?xxx

 

[sammy1987xxx]

U r lucky getting 3 attempts. I can't believe we only get 1.
Thank you for the luck.
Xxx

 

[Briss]

we TTC naturally and trying to lower my FSH to qualify for IVF and increase his sperm count to qualify for IUI. meanwhile time is ticking away... but actually I am fine with it because I'd much rather we conceive naturally, so last 6 months we spent trying to improve his numbers

 

[MinxyChick]

I don't to worry you as this is early days and you need to get used to this news but here's a few thoughts....

In my honest opinion even with an improved count the numbers would be too low for IUI. Your best bet is IVF with ICSI. If they can't find any sperm they can get a big needle and draw out any they find in OH. Not nice but you've got at least 56k so unlikely to need this.

We've tried everything for improving count but no luck (but I've read where it does work), but we have improved motility. They weren't interested in doing any investigations on DH, they said there's nothing they can do to improve sperm. I've seen some people say on these threads their men have been given clomid...
I'm still not sure if we should try to pursue some answers.

I've read a few books on TTC and the general advice is good vitamins, healthy diet, cut out alcohol, fags, cut down caffeine. Keep 'em cool, no laptops on lap, tight pants etc. Some people get some good results doing the above.

As we're got low everything, we've been advised if we don't get a good result in this cycle to use donnor sperm. This is harsh advice but after 3 attempts it would be our best chance (we get a lot eggs & embies but they don't get past day 3, an unusual problem, hence the DS advise). I think you've a long way to go before that.

But with only one free attempt it could come down to how much you can afford, our doctor says if a patient makes blastocysts they will eventually stick.
There's always egg sharing, out of your IVF cycle you give half your eggs away and get the cycle for free. Bearing in mind the other lady may get pregnant and you might not, its still a big decision. I don't know how I'd deal with that, it'd be fine if I already had my family.
After that its adoption.

Everyone's case is different, so its hard to even guess how this could work out for you. What is right for one person isn't for another etc etc. I wanted to let you know cos at the beginning I wanted to know all the options but couldn't get all the info but I don't want to worry you unnecessarily.

Briss - best of luck with FSH & improving numbers. Have you seen Emma Cannon's Baby Bible book? Its all about getting pregnant naturally, from the things you've tried in your sig you might really like it. Out of all the books out there she's definitely my fave.

 

[sammy1987xxx]

This is exactly what I needed to see. I didnt know about the egg sharing so def something to think about.
Oh has sed we can think about donor but deep down he will know its not his child.
Thank you for ur honesty and thoughts.
Is icsi process difficult. How much time off did u need after?
I don't understand why icsi wouldn't work even though I know it does fail
Xxx

 

[MinxyChick]

The donor thing is a massive deal and sometimes overtime people’s thoughts to doing it change, this is one on the massive benefits of the counselling at the clinic I found, we’ve had an initial discussion on using a donor and the councillor manages to get you to think about things and talk about things, she really opened my DH’s eyes to the possibility of a donor. A really good website they pointed us towards was the DonorConceptionNetwork. This isn’t the right route for everyone, some people take a while to come to the decision. To some people the DNA is more important than someone giving a few cells so there is a chance to have a family. There’s more than 1 way to have a family, I’ve had to adjust my dream abit. I know people that have used an egg donor but took years to come to that decision and are now a happy family.

ICSI has about as much chance of working as standard IVF. The only difference between ICSI and IVF is instead of the sperm finding the eggs, they pick the sperm and inject it into the eggs. The treatment & drug regime is the same. It's then mainly the chance of the embie sticking.
The minimum time off you'd need is 2 days egg collection & 1 day for transfer. Depending on your job it's upto you how much time u take off. Some employers give fertility leave & some drs write sick notes. You'll need to probably have 3 appointments the week before. Depending on drugs you may need injections upto 3 weeks before. Everyone deals with it differently, there's lots of info about & the hospital will explain everything. They may want you to have some blood tests before being put on the waiting list.

 

[Briss]

Minxy, thank you! I have Emma Cannon's Baby Bible. unfortunately over the last two years TTc I've accumulated the whole library of TTC related books, it seems like a full time job

 

[MinxyChick]

Briss - I know what you mean by full time job!

Sammy - any news?

 

[sammy1987xxx]

Hi Minxy. Yes second sa done and it mirrored the first so it will be icsi for us.
Oh has had to have a whole lot of bloods done which the cf one could take upto 8 weeks to come back so they have given us the 20th may appt. 7 weeks today counting every second.
They have sed they are going to put us in the nhs waiting list then but take us straight back off and prepare us for Ivf.
Just want it to be really fast but guessing its going to take months
How's it all going with u.
Thanku for asking means a lot when a stranger cares xx