Hi!
Maybe my story can give you some hope.
I am 34 and my husband 32. We went through IVF in May/June this year due to my husband's low sperm count - I think the first test was 70,000 with low mobility. But then he started cooling his testicles twice a day in cold water (poor guy!) and took some vitamins and minerals - I think it was Seleniun, Magnesium, and a high dose of vit. C (which helps sperm mobility). After just two months, his sperm count was up to 400,000 - of course still desperately low, but we wanted to increase our chances any way we could. So we went through an IVF cycle with ICSI. I produced 20 eggs, all of which fertilised, and 5 three day-old embies were put back in my womb. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with a singleton.
I really believe that the vitamins helped my husband's sperm count so you sould look into it - it's never too late to start.
Also, I came to Bulgaria for IVF treatment as it is vastly cheaper than in the the UK (where we are from). The whole thing from beginning to end cost around US 3,000 not including flights or accommodation. Maybe you could look abroad for cheaper options? Just because its cheaper, does not mean it is lower quality treatment.
Good luck with what seems to be a long journey ahead. Looking back it doesn't seem so bad!
Sofia
MY HUSBANDS LOW SPERM COUNT/NEED ADVICE
Thank you all for the input!
Leslie, I sent you a pm to your email because it seemed so long, I didn't want to bore everyone else 
Samandaw1-- First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy, that is wonderful news!!!!! Thank you for the advice and the total cost, I feel I'll have to prepare for that.... I'm not sure if you know these answers but, We are in an infertility program through our insurance right now(kaiser). We will only be eligible for it if my husband's sperm count goes up to at least 5 million (far off), the insurance will cover 50% of all costs, but only does procedures as far as IUI. No IVF ICSI or anything else further covered by Kaiser. So do all of these other specialists accept all of our medical records from kaiser (blood work, hsg results and results of my husbands test to see if there is a blockage, kaiser will even do the surgery but they stop at the IUI's)? I know they'll have to do their own sperm count but I didn't know if they would also re-do everything we've already done at our doctors.....
I really admire my husband, he is doing wonderful off the beer and caffeine. Although he has those bad/hard days (really he just gets quiet but I know what's wrong) I am really proud of him. He wants a baby bad and he is really showing it. Funny how you mentioned sacrafices while pregnant, I just told him this morning that i'll be making lots of sacrafices for 9 months too:) He really has been great! More than anything it saddens him; and boy is it true that it could have been either of us. I love and support him and I know if it were me he'd do the same
.
Sofia--- CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!! Its sooo good to hear good news when we're all going through the same thing, it gives everyone hope and puts a smile on my face!!!
What a great price, I bet we all wish we lived in Bulgaria now I can't believe what an enormous difference in price it is here!! Thanks for those exact sperm counts, that is very reassuring to hear you are now expecting and the count started at 70,000 WOW!! Our doctor recommended ordering proxeed and taking it for at least 3 months, (for the sperm count in 3 months). So he has been taking it twice a day (as directed) for almost 1 month. I'm going to check the ingredients and see if it has magnesium, selenium, and vitamin c. Thank you all so much for your input, this site is great when most of the everyday people in our lives really don't understand what we'er going through!
XO
TDCARRERA
Samandaw1-- First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy, that is wonderful news!!!!! Thank you for the advice and the total cost, I feel I'll have to prepare for that.... I'm not sure if you know these answers but, We are in an infertility program through our insurance right now(kaiser). We will only be eligible for it if my husband's sperm count goes up to at least 5 million (far off), the insurance will cover 50% of all costs, but only does procedures as far as IUI. No IVF ICSI or anything else further covered by Kaiser. So do all of these other specialists accept all of our medical records from kaiser (blood work, hsg results and results of my husbands test to see if there is a blockage, kaiser will even do the surgery but they stop at the IUI's)? I know they'll have to do their own sperm count but I didn't know if they would also re-do everything we've already done at our doctors.....
I really admire my husband, he is doing wonderful off the beer and caffeine. Although he has those bad/hard days (really he just gets quiet but I know what's wrong) I am really proud of him. He wants a baby bad and he is really showing it. Funny how you mentioned sacrafices while pregnant, I just told him this morning that i'll be making lots of sacrafices for 9 months too:) He really has been great! More than anything it saddens him; and boy is it true that it could have been either of us. I love and support him and I know if it were me he'd do the same
. Sofia--- CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!! Its sooo good to hear good news when we're all going through the same thing, it gives everyone hope and puts a smile on my face!!!
What a great price, I bet we all wish we lived in Bulgaria now I can't believe what an enormous difference in price it is here!! Thanks for those exact sperm counts, that is very reassuring to hear you are now expecting and the count started at 70,000 WOW!! Our doctor recommended ordering proxeed and taking it for at least 3 months, (for the sperm count in 3 months). So he has been taking it twice a day (as directed) for almost 1 month. I'm going to check the ingredients and see if it has magnesium, selenium, and vitamin c. Thank you all so much for your input, this site is great when most of the everyday people in our lives really don't understand what we'er going through!XO
TDCARRERA
MAKING SURE YOU GOT MY PRIVATE MESSAGE
Hi Leslie,
Just making sure all is good and that you got my private message...??? Hope so, let me know if you didn't
tdcarrera
Just making sure all is good and that you got my private message...??? Hope so, let me know if you didn't
tdcarreratdcarrera,
I have Kaiser insurance also. I had the 50% coverage for the IUI's and then our Kaiser facility just set up an IVF program. I was one of the first 6 to go through it. I wasn't happy with the new IVF Dr, so I then went to an IVF clinic not to far from me where I know one of the Dr's there ( used to be at Kaiser). They had me get a copy of all my tests and cycles done at Kaiser and give it to them. The only extra testing I had to have done, was a couple of blood tests that they require, that Kaiser didn't. So, to answer you question, I would think other places would take any tests you already had done as long as you can get them a copy of it, and Kaiser will give you all copies if you request them. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me or PM me.
Kelly
I have Kaiser insurance also. I had the 50% coverage for the IUI's and then our Kaiser facility just set up an IVF program. I was one of the first 6 to go through it. I wasn't happy with the new IVF Dr, so I then went to an IVF clinic not to far from me where I know one of the Dr's there ( used to be at Kaiser). They had me get a copy of all my tests and cycles done at Kaiser and give it to them. The only extra testing I had to have done, was a couple of blood tests that they require, that Kaiser didn't. So, to answer you question, I would think other places would take any tests you already had done as long as you can get them a copy of it, and Kaiser will give you all copies if you request them. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me or PM me.
Kelly
ME 34 ovulation issues
DH 37 low counts
3 1/2 year old daughter conceived after 3 IUI's
8 failed IUI's since
first IVF May 2006 BFN
Oct/nov ET 11/6
August IVF 3 8cell BFN
Nov IVF BFN
FET 2 blasts 1/18-BFP due 10/6/07
DH 37 low counts
3 1/2 year old daughter conceived after 3 IUI's
8 failed IUI's since
first IVF May 2006 BFN
Oct/nov ET 11/6
August IVF 3 8cell BFN
Nov IVF BFN
FET 2 blasts 1/18-BFP due 10/6/07
Thanks for the insurance info
Hi Kelly,
Well that's a relief to know that at least they'll accept the test results from Kaiser. Congrats on your 3 1/2 yr old ! Sorry to hear about all the failed IUI's it's a saddening subject (infertility), when it's so easy for others to get pregnant and have babies that don't take care of them and sometimes dont even want them 
. Are you trying the ICSI with the IVF for the low sperm count?? I wish you and your DH the best on conceiving the next baby, keep your head up and be patient, (I know easier said than done, that's what we try to do. Talk to you later.
Tdcarrera
Well that's a relief to know that at least they'll accept the test results from Kaiser. Congrats on your 3 1/2 yr old
! Sorry to hear about all the failed IUI's it's a saddening subject (infertility), when it's so easy for others to get pregnant and have babies that don't take care of them and sometimes dont even want them . Are you trying the ICSI with the IVF for the low sperm count?? I wish you and your DH the best on conceiving the next baby, keep your head up and be patient, (I know easier said than done, that's what we try to do. Talk to you later. Tdcarrera