Newbie

#1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2005, 05:04 PM

Hi,
I'm Amy, 33 and dh, 34 with low count and low motility.
TTC #1 since Jan. '03.
Ovulation-fine, HSG test-fine, overweight, but RE says plenty of overweight people conceive just fine.
We went to a RE two years ago and after one s/a the dr. said IVF is your only option! Needless to say we were devastated. We weren't ready for that news, nor were we financially able to even consider it since insurance doesn't cover that. So, dh went to a urologist and was put on Clomid to try and help his count. After 6 months, his count dropped by half and his motility was down to 3%. Talk about a kick in the gut!
Now we are with a new RE who we love and are in the testing process to see if IUI is an option. I'm temping and doing opk's.
Here's what's so disappointing right now. Last month I went in for a post-coital test and the nurse couldn't find any sperm! NONE! Dh and I had bd on Sat. and Sun. nights and I had the pct on Mon. around 11:00. She said she should have at least been able to find some dead ones! But nothing. So now we're frustrated!
DH is scheduled to have a trial sperm wash just to see how his fellas survive before we'll know if we can attempt IUI. Today is cd 8 for me, so around the big O, I'm going in for a sonogram to see what my follicles look like.
I was really hoping we'd be able to start IUI's right after Christmas, but with her not finding any sperm, it may not be happening for us after all. The RE said he had to have at least 1 mill. total motile sperm after the wash for IUI to be done.
So, now that I've totally talked your ears off.....just looking for similar stories to join in and be hopeful with. I've been a faithful "post-er" on Baby Center for years, but just found this site.
Amy (in Mississippi)
....Also new this cycle, DH is drinking a big, tall Mountain Dew before the trial wash, worked for a friend of mine; we're using Preseed during bd, and I'm taking Robutussin (yuck).

Mindy_KAR12.18.07 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 07:23 AM

Hi Amy,

I am so sorry you and your DH are going through this. We are in the same boat with low count & motility. Even worse our Morphology is bad! His boys are just not right!

We thought IVF was our only option too...but my DH had a varicoselectomy (sp) in March and his 6 month post op S/A didn't show any inprovement yet. I was devastated but our Urologist is great. He specializes in Male Infertily! He Suggested we put my DH on some male fertility vitamins for 3 months and then follow up with another S/A. www.therologix.com is where we are going to purchase these vitamins. They are a little costly...but anything is worth a try! WE can also put DH on Clomid...but that is going to be our back up plan. We are going to start with the vitamins and wait it out! In the mean time we are taking a baby making break! TTC has taken a toll on our new marriage (only 3 years, TTC the same amount of time) so we are going to take this time to focus on us!

I hope all goes with with your DH test run and that you guys can move forward! Hang in there!

Mindy

SmittyJr · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 07:21 PM

Hi ladies- My DH and I are in a similar boat. We've been TTC since last December. I O regularly and my cycles are normal. I had initial blood work done, all normal. On a whim, we had DH tested at with a Urologist (that specializes in male fertility). And, well, he was diagnosed with varicocele. It's basically tangled and enlarged veins in the "sack" which causes abnormalities in sperm production.

The weird part is that he has a very high sperm count, with VERY low motility and morphology. So we are not candidates for IUI. Our option is also a varicoselectomy. And, it's not guaranteed to work! So, the final option is IVF (which we can't really afford at this time.)

We go in on Friday to discuss our options with the Urologist...

I can totally relate with you girls. Getting "infertility" slapped on us was a complete surprise! It hit us pretty hard and we are still coming to terms with it...

Well, I'm glad we have these boards to talk. It helps!! I look forward to hearing happyendings to you journeys!

ladybug · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 02:53 PM

Hello,

Good luck in your search for answers. IVF ended up being our option, after exhausting everything else. My RE says (and from what I have read) that they need at least 3 million for IUI.

My DH took clomid and it raised his numbers greatly, so I wish you the best. The S/S will tell you a lot of info you need before trying IUI.

lgrimaldi · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 11:51 AM

my dh had very low motility and count wasnt to hot either. We were told ONLY ivf for us and us too $$$ was a huge problem. I am overweight too

but got

dh took a fertility blend and drank lots of water and a month and a half later (w/me on Femera) we got

on our own!

and keep us posted on what else you find out!

#6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:29 PM

Lisa,
That is so encouraging to hear. How low were your dh's numbers, if you don't mind sharing?
What fertility blend did he take?
It's always so reassuring to hear of people with the same problems that it actually turns out positive!
Amy

lgrimaldi · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 04:49 PM

Amy- I want to say about 2-3 million. Motility was 13% I think. They said it was real bad. He had 3 S/A's they said his "boys" just laid there and barley moved. He made his own blend, but it was the same as the GNC or Vitacost Male Fertility Blend, he just bought the ingerdiants seperate to have more for the price of one of the already blended bottles. He took the EVERY single day!I swear it gave those

some energy and increased his #'s! And LOTS of water too!!! We

no more than every 2-3 days until my fertile time then everyday that week. When your dh had his S/A did he abstain for AT least 48 hours. You should have no action for 48-72 hours before a test. I know how hard it can be to deal w/ male infertility it devestated me. These boards saved me! Feel free to post on the IVF and IUI board (on the iui board we have a thread called "IVF Chatters Turkey Day BFP's) You don't have to do IVF to post there! It is a GREAT support system! Girls there who did ivf, iui, femera etc.. come chat with us!!!! The ivf board too don't be

we are all a support system for whatever goes on! Eden (ladybug) the host of this board post on the IUI (ivf chatters thread too) so there is alot of support there! Hang in there

SmittyJr · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 08:01 PM

Lisa- That is very encouraging to hear, here too! My DH s/a was 77mm with only 3 percent motility and 13 percent morphology.

How did you find the "recipe" or did you just buy the ingrediants listed? Would you happen to know what is the GMC product called?

I love hearing the wonderful outcomes! Thanks again for sharing!