male infertility
male infertility
Hello
This is my first time writing on a message board so forgive me if I sound naive. I am writing to get some feedback on IVF and some pinters on how to how to go through it. My husband is the one who has the problem, not infertile, he just had to be operated on in order to get his sperm out.
Thankfully I am a healthy 29 year old woman who could get pregnant naturally if my husband did not have a problem.
I am on a very low dose of Lupron and Repronex/Bravelle. Started stims FRIDAY the 13th!!! My retreivel date is around the 23rd of February.
When should I start to feel side effects??? Is there anything I should be eating more of or doing to help move things along better??
I am very sore at the injection site.
Anyway, just wanted to see if there were any other woman out there in my position where it is the male who is the problem not the moman.
Thanks
GOOD LUCK TO ALL
Regan
wish you all the BEST!!!!
-
helenlouise
- Regular
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:15 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Hi,
my partner was the 'problem'. He had stored sperm prior to chemo, so we had to use that and luckily evrything was normal with me so we started the icsi process soon after our first consultation.
I made sure that i drunk plenty of water (at least 2 litres, more if possible) and i also drunk a large glass of milk each day too as i felt convinced the protein would do me good. The injections were not a problem and we made sure we kept our sense of humour throughout. The ec and et could have been worse.
Sometimes i used to feel slightly resentful that it was me having to go though all the treatment when i didn't have a problem, but i quickly countered this with the fact that had i not met him i may never have even been in a position to try for a child.
The 2 week wait to test was the worst as i couldn't relax. Anyway, out first attempt was a success and i am now 13+4 days pregnant.
Hope it works out for you both, helen
my partner was the 'problem'. He had stored sperm prior to chemo, so we had to use that and luckily evrything was normal with me so we started the icsi process soon after our first consultation.
I made sure that i drunk plenty of water (at least 2 litres, more if possible) and i also drunk a large glass of milk each day too as i felt convinced the protein would do me good. The injections were not a problem and we made sure we kept our sense of humour throughout. The ec and et could have been worse.
Sometimes i used to feel slightly resentful that it was me having to go though all the treatment when i didn't have a problem, but i quickly countered this with the fact that had i not met him i may never have even been in a position to try for a child.
The 2 week wait to test was the worst as i couldn't relax. Anyway, out first attempt was a success and i am now 13+4 days pregnant.
Hope it works out for you both, helen
Hi Regan
Welcome to the boards, you will get so much support here.
We also have male factor fertility. My husband had Chemo 10 years ago and has a low count with poor motility.....
As far as I am aware I am "normal" (some may disagree here!)
We did ICSI last year but unfortuantly I overstimulated and got OHSS and they did not put the embryos back in-they froze them.
I did a Frozen embryo transfer in Sept which unfortuantly did not work and am hoping to do another soon....
One bit of advise I would give on the emotional side is to try and be prepared for all outcomes. I dont mean to sound _ve but I convinced myself it would work 1st time because my theory was once we had the embryos it would be plain sailing as I do not have problems so when it did not work it hit me really hard and I started to imagine I had problems too ...... but if you look at it logically, people with no problems dont get pregnant first month of trying either....it is very rare for IVF to work 1st time but if you read these boards it can happen 1st time so no reason why it wont for you .
anyway, drink lots of water, steer clear of caffeine(tea, coffee,coke, chocolate) and probably the best bit of advise but the hardest to do is to RELAX and stay POSITIVE.
Good luck for the 23rd!! and keep us posted!!
any questions or worries, there will always be someone on here to hold your hand.
Take care
Sarah
xxx
Welcome to the boards, you will get so much support here.
We also have male factor fertility. My husband had Chemo 10 years ago and has a low count with poor motility.....
As far as I am aware I am "normal" (some may disagree here!)
We did ICSI last year but unfortuantly I overstimulated and got OHSS and they did not put the embryos back in-they froze them.
I did a Frozen embryo transfer in Sept which unfortuantly did not work and am hoping to do another soon....
One bit of advise I would give on the emotional side is to try and be prepared for all outcomes. I dont mean to sound _ve but I convinced myself it would work 1st time because my theory was once we had the embryos it would be plain sailing as I do not have problems so when it did not work it hit me really hard and I started to imagine I had problems too ...... but if you look at it logically, people with no problems dont get pregnant first month of trying either....it is very rare for IVF to work 1st time but if you read these boards it can happen 1st time so no reason why it wont for you .
anyway, drink lots of water, steer clear of caffeine(tea, coffee,coke, chocolate) and probably the best bit of advise but the hardest to do is to RELAX and stay POSITIVE.
Good luck for the 23rd!! and keep us posted!!
any questions or worries, there will always be someone on here to hold your hand.
Take care
Sarah
xxx
Thank you
Hi Sara and Helen,
Thank you so much for your replies.
It is nice to know that other woman are going through the same thing as you, meaning it is you husband who has the problem.
I too have felt resentment, but get over it quickly because I am sooo sure this will work!!!
I go in tomorrow to see how I am reacting to the meds. I am PETRIFIED of overstimulating!!!!
I will keep you all posted
Thank you.
It really means alot!!!
REGANKATE
Thank you so much for your replies.
It is nice to know that other woman are going through the same thing as you, meaning it is you husband who has the problem.
I too have felt resentment, but get over it quickly because I am sooo sure this will work!!!
I go in tomorrow to see how I am reacting to the meds. I am PETRIFIED of overstimulating!!!!
I will keep you all posted
Thank you.
It really means alot!!!
REGANKATE
wish you all the BEST!!!!
hi regankate
i hope everything went well with your check today
i am 27 my partner same age we have been together 11 years and found out 3 years ago that my partner had very low sperm count and meant that we had no chance of having a child naturaly.
i had my first ivf/icsi treatment in october last year and felt a bit like this is not fair im having to do all the sticking the needles in blood tests scans and eveything else and he only had one job to do but i no my partner felt terrible for everything i had to go through probably because i moaned all the time no i did not only sometiimes but when i got ohss and had to stay in hospital for a week it really got to him he thought i would never do the treatment again.
its not nice but i want to have his baby and this is the only way i started my injections last week for my next attempt and im drinking loads of water hopefully will help i hope everything goes well for you all the best
Susan
i hope everything went well with your check today
i am 27 my partner same age we have been together 11 years and found out 3 years ago that my partner had very low sperm count and meant that we had no chance of having a child naturaly.
i had my first ivf/icsi treatment in october last year and felt a bit like this is not fair im having to do all the sticking the needles in blood tests scans and eveything else and he only had one job to do but i no my partner felt terrible for everything i had to go through probably because i moaned all the time no i did not only sometiimes but when i got ohss and had to stay in hospital for a week it really got to him he thought i would never do the treatment again.
its not nice but i want to have his baby and this is the only way i started my injections last week for my next attempt and im drinking loads of water hopefully will help i hope everything goes well for you all the best
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thank you for asking about my check up today. It actually went well. So far so good. Because I am at high risk to overstimulate, the doctor had me come in pretty early on. I am only on my fifth night of Lupron, Repronex/Bravelle so things are still in the early stages. Better less than more right?? So the nurse said things are looking good!!!
I go back on Thursday for another look.
So why do you think you overstimulated??? And why is it so common, and what can we do to prevent it???
I too want to have my husbands baby, I don't want to adopt. The main reason is because I am adopted myself and I really want to have a child that looks like me!!!! And that is what makes this process so much harder. No only do I have a love for kids,(I am an Assistant Director for a Preschool 6weeks-5years) but I want to know someone with MY genes, and MY personality!!!
So I am keeping my fingers crossed that things go well!!
How far along are you with you shots??? Do you have side effects?? What kind of stimulants are you on??
GOOD LUCK!!!
Thanks for the feedback
Regankate
Thank you for asking about my check up today. It actually went well. So far so good. Because I am at high risk to overstimulate, the doctor had me come in pretty early on. I am only on my fifth night of Lupron, Repronex/Bravelle so things are still in the early stages. Better less than more right?? So the nurse said things are looking good!!!
I go back on Thursday for another look.
So why do you think you overstimulated??? And why is it so common, and what can we do to prevent it???
I too want to have my husbands baby, I don't want to adopt. The main reason is because I am adopted myself and I really want to have a child that looks like me!!!! And that is what makes this process so much harder. No only do I have a love for kids,(I am an Assistant Director for a Preschool 6weeks-5years) but I want to know someone with MY genes, and MY personality!!!
So I am keeping my fingers crossed that things go well!!
How far along are you with you shots??? Do you have side effects?? What kind of stimulants are you on??
GOOD LUCK!!!
Thanks for the feedback
Regankate
wish you all the BEST!!!!
hi regankate
glad to hear things went well
im only on my first week of buserelin injections i go for my first scan to be checked on the 26th feb then hopefully i will start the puregon injection i am starting to get some side effect now which i never experienced with my last treatment so im feeling a little yuk. I have not heard of the meds that you are taking maybe that will work both ways.
i think i may have overstimulated last time because i was progressing so slowly then over night wam they were in shock that i was ready it may not have been that i no i was not drinking alot of water but i was not told this at the clinic only was told on here after i had finished the treatment
one doctor said it may have been because i could have pcos slightly
but i will say to you what someone on here told me its a small chance of you getting it and it can happen its just one of those things that comes with this but try not to worry to much about it im trying not to and i will pass on the advice i was given on this site drink loads of water about 2litres a day you will be fine hope everything is all ok thursday keep the possitive thoughts going
Susan
glad to hear things went well
im only on my first week of buserelin injections i go for my first scan to be checked on the 26th feb then hopefully i will start the puregon injection i am starting to get some side effect now which i never experienced with my last treatment so im feeling a little yuk. I have not heard of the meds that you are taking maybe that will work both ways.
i think i may have overstimulated last time because i was progressing so slowly then over night wam they were in shock that i was ready it may not have been that i no i was not drinking alot of water but i was not told this at the clinic only was told on here after i had finished the treatment
one doctor said it may have been because i could have pcos slightly
but i will say to you what someone on here told me its a small chance of you getting it and it can happen its just one of those things that comes with this but try not to worry to much about it im trying not to and i will pass on the advice i was given on this site drink loads of water about 2litres a day you will be fine hope everything is all ok thursday keep the possitive thoughts going
Susan
-
ibarealtor31
- Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 3:24 pm
- Location: morrisville, nc 27560
Hi Regan,
I haven't posted on here in very long time, but I read your post and had to reply, it really touched my heart as your situation sounds very similar to ours.
Like you I was around 29 when I statrted ivf.. The problem being on my husbands side also, and it being extremely important to him to not consider donor sperm because he was adopted also and badly wanted a biological child!!
My husband and I went through ivf 4 times this was extremely difficult, but like you we did not want to give up..(it is a major financial stress, but we just saved, saved, and saved and slowly moved on!!)
When we went through our fourth cylce just this past October-- our doctor started pushing for us to use donor sperm this go around. My husband wanted to give it one more try without this, being that his urologist was using a new method off retrieving his sperm( from the epidimus rather than the testicles as in our previous cylces which is suppose to get much more mature sperm!) I knew how important this was to my DH, but I was getting tired and discouraged! I am know 33 and was starting to get nervous about my age at this point.
I agreed, one more time without donor sperm and then I wanted him to at least consider it..
Well today I am 18wks 4days pg with boy/girl twins, and shed tears as I write this as it still so hard for me to believe!!!
So stay as positive as you can, it is VERY hard to do.. IVF does not always work on the first try but don't give up if this is what you and your DH really want.
Drink TONS of water and try to eliminate as much stress as possible from your life. This is another hard one, but my doctor had me stop working this time, because I did begin to overstimulate and became very uncomfotable. But we lowered my meds, I stopped working and things fell into place..
I truely wish you and your DH the best of luck!!
Let us know how things go.. We will all be thinking of you, this is a
great site with soo much support. Although I do not post on here often-- I read the post EVERY day it has really helpled me get through all of this..
best of luck,
Annette
I haven't posted on here in very long time, but I read your post and had to reply, it really touched my heart as your situation sounds very similar to ours.
Like you I was around 29 when I statrted ivf.. The problem being on my husbands side also, and it being extremely important to him to not consider donor sperm because he was adopted also and badly wanted a biological child!!
My husband and I went through ivf 4 times this was extremely difficult, but like you we did not want to give up..(it is a major financial stress, but we just saved, saved, and saved and slowly moved on!!)
When we went through our fourth cylce just this past October-- our doctor started pushing for us to use donor sperm this go around. My husband wanted to give it one more try without this, being that his urologist was using a new method off retrieving his sperm( from the epidimus rather than the testicles as in our previous cylces which is suppose to get much more mature sperm!) I knew how important this was to my DH, but I was getting tired and discouraged! I am know 33 and was starting to get nervous about my age at this point.
I agreed, one more time without donor sperm and then I wanted him to at least consider it..
Well today I am 18wks 4days pg with boy/girl twins, and shed tears as I write this as it still so hard for me to believe!!!
So stay as positive as you can, it is VERY hard to do.. IVF does not always work on the first try but don't give up if this is what you and your DH really want.
Drink TONS of water and try to eliminate as much stress as possible from your life. This is another hard one, but my doctor had me stop working this time, because I did begin to overstimulate and became very uncomfotable. But we lowered my meds, I stopped working and things fell into place..
I truely wish you and your DH the best of luck!!
Let us know how things go.. We will all be thinking of you, this is a
great site with soo much support. Although I do not post on here often-- I read the post EVERY day it has really helpled me get through all of this..best of luck,
Annette
hi there
Just to add to what the others have said - I am 31, all normal , but we too have severe male factor. we have had one failed ICSI using TESE (is that what you will need?). Were they did get some sperm, we got 2 embies but they didnt stick
I think all the best advice has already been given - but I would totally reiterate that its important to keep your expecations realistic. dont mean to sound -ve (i actually think its important to try to keep upbeat), but it does toally knock you when /if tmt fails. Just to give you a warning. HOWEVER....stories like Annette do proove that the technology works so you just have to stick with it.
We are doing ICSI again next month -with a donor backup - that we hoping to not have to use but you never know how much/ quality of sperm that they'll mange to extract.
If that fails then I think we will have to use a donor - which I think I am OK with but my DH is taking a little longer to come round
Can I ask - does you DH have a block or is he just not producing sperms? Mines the latter due to mumps as a teenager. Bummer.
I had NO side effects with the drugs - altho I SURE the projesterone at the end made me a bit loopy (they basically make you think your pg , which if your not does yr head in a bit)
Have you considered DI - child would still have all your genes - so it might be a better option for you that adopting?? If you are thinking about it -theres another chat thread called DI pals -where you'll see a bunch of us....so you REALLY arent alone.
Weird isnt it....how many times have you thought to yourself, "but things like this JUST dont happen to people like me" - infertility just doesnt discriminate tho does it!?
Anyway - I'm rambling. Nice to hear from someone in a pretty much identical situation to me, taek care
Cazx
Just to add to what the others have said - I am 31, all normal , but we too have severe male factor. we have had one failed ICSI using TESE (is that what you will need?). Were they did get some sperm, we got 2 embies but they didnt stick
I think all the best advice has already been given - but I would totally reiterate that its important to keep your expecations realistic. dont mean to sound -ve (i actually think its important to try to keep upbeat), but it does toally knock you when /if tmt fails. Just to give you a warning. HOWEVER....stories like Annette do proove that the technology works so you just have to stick with it.
We are doing ICSI again next month -with a donor backup - that we hoping to not have to use but you never know how much/ quality of sperm that they'll mange to extract.
If that fails then I think we will have to use a donor - which I think I am OK with but my DH is taking a little longer to come round
Can I ask - does you DH have a block or is he just not producing sperms? Mines the latter due to mumps as a teenager. Bummer.
I had NO side effects with the drugs - altho I SURE the projesterone at the end made me a bit loopy (they basically make you think your pg , which if your not does yr head in a bit)
Have you considered DI - child would still have all your genes - so it might be a better option for you that adopting?? If you are thinking about it -theres another chat thread called DI pals -where you'll see a bunch of us....so you REALLY arent alone.
Weird isnt it....how many times have you thought to yourself, "but things like this JUST dont happen to people like me" - infertility just doesnt discriminate tho does it!?
Anyway - I'm rambling. Nice to hear from someone in a pretty much identical situation to me, taek care
Cazx
Susan,
Thanks for the advice!! I am trying to drink as much water as possible, the only problem is I have to go to the bathroom all the time!!!!
I am feeling a little more bloated today than the other days, I hope that means things are happening. I too am feeling a little YUK!! I am not having any emotional issues though. I am not moody or upset like some woman say they get in stimulants. Maybe because my doses are pretty low????
So basically a woman could overstimulate just llike that??? Over night??
Wow, that is kind of scary. No what exactly does the water do?? Why should this help eliminate overstimulating??
Hope you are feeling better, I will always think POSITIVE!!!!
I will keep you up to date about thursday!!!
Dear Annette,
Your story brought tears to my eyes just reading it!!!!!
I know how your husband feels, I don't know it he has seen or met his birth parents, but I have not. So I don't even know what they look like....
Anyway, I am sooooo happy to hear that things finally worked out for you two....it is a blessing!!!
I know in my heart things happen for a reason, so if it does not work the first time it will EVENTUALLY!!!
I will take your advice to heart and follow it. Any advice will do!!!!!
I will keep you up to dat with what is going on. I am feeling bloated, probably from the meds and the water!!!!!
Thank you soooo much!!
I hope your good luck get passed on!!!
Regankate
Thanks for the advice!! I am trying to drink as much water as possible, the only problem is I have to go to the bathroom all the time!!!!
I am feeling a little more bloated today than the other days, I hope that means things are happening. I too am feeling a little YUK!! I am not having any emotional issues though. I am not moody or upset like some woman say they get in stimulants. Maybe because my doses are pretty low????
So basically a woman could overstimulate just llike that??? Over night??
Wow, that is kind of scary. No what exactly does the water do?? Why should this help eliminate overstimulating??
Hope you are feeling better, I will always think POSITIVE!!!!
I will keep you up to date about thursday!!!
Dear Annette,
Your story brought tears to my eyes just reading it!!!!!
I know how your husband feels, I don't know it he has seen or met his birth parents, but I have not. So I don't even know what they look like....
Anyway, I am sooooo happy to hear that things finally worked out for you two....it is a blessing!!!
I know in my heart things happen for a reason, so if it does not work the first time it will EVENTUALLY!!!
I will take your advice to heart and follow it. Any advice will do!!!!!
I will keep you up to dat with what is going on. I am feeling bloated, probably from the meds and the water!!!!!
Thank you soooo much!!
I hope your good luck get passed on!!!
Regankate
wish you all the BEST!!!!
Dear Cazx,
My husband was not born with the tube, (if that is what it actually is), in his testicle that would bring the sperm OUT of the penis. So he has normal sperm, it was tested at the lab, it just does not come out, if that makes sense. So his sperm is actually frozen at the Doctors office where I would do my implantation.
Now this is what keeps me so optomistic. Everything with him is normal too. We just can not do it naturally. Which makes it worse.
So in other words, having a donor would not really make a difference.
What is DI???? Sorry if I sound Naive...........
And YES I have been thinking "This could never happen to me!!!"
Thanks for the advice and support
REGANKATE
My husband was not born with the tube, (if that is what it actually is), in his testicle that would bring the sperm OUT of the penis. So he has normal sperm, it was tested at the lab, it just does not come out, if that makes sense. So his sperm is actually frozen at the Doctors office where I would do my implantation.
Now this is what keeps me so optomistic. Everything with him is normal too. We just can not do it naturally. Which makes it worse.
So in other words, having a donor would not really make a difference.
What is DI???? Sorry if I sound Naive...........
And YES I have been thinking "This could never happen to me!!!"
Thanks for the advice and support
REGANKATE
wish you all the BEST!!!!
Geting there!!
Dear Caz1,Thank you for your advice. I have made it passed the point of overstimulation now, the nurse doubts that I will at this stage. I am on day 10 of my stims and CAN'T MOVE!!!!! I was hoping to do the trigger shot last night but my eggs are just not big enough yet.............UGH!!!
So things are looking good so far. I am very uncomfortable though and very tired. They have found about 13 eggs, two 22mm the rest are 16mm, is that good?? I just hope they all survive transfer!!
So, if all goes well I should do my shot tonight,maybe??, and the transfer on Wed!!!!!?????
i want to thank you for your positive vibes!! I need them!!
Thank you
REGANKATE
wish you all the BEST!!!!
Dear Susan,
I thank you so much for your well wishes!!!
I am sooooo uncomfortable
I can not wait to feel normal again!!
My "trigger" shot was last night, it was FINE!! I did not feel a thing, well the initial poke of the needle I felt, but not the medication actually going in!!!
The only problem is, I CAN'T WALK TODAY!!! The site of the shot hurts!!
Well, at least that part os OVER!!!! Now onto bigger and better things
My transfer is tomorrow (WED) at 7:30am. I am nervous but anxious.
The journey is not over though, I still have to hope the eggs mix well with my DH sperm!!!
I will keep everyone up to date!!
Any suggestion from here on out???
Thanks for all the support!!
REGANKATE
I thank you so much for your well wishes!!!
I am sooooo uncomfortable
I can not wait to feel normal again!!My "trigger" shot was last night, it was FINE!! I did not feel a thing, well the initial poke of the needle I felt, but not the medication actually going in!!!
The only problem is, I CAN'T WALK TODAY!!! The site of the shot hurts!!
Well, at least that part os OVER!!!! Now onto bigger and better things
My transfer is tomorrow (WED) at 7:30am. I am nervous but anxious.
The journey is not over though, I still have to hope the eggs mix well with my DH sperm!!!
I will keep everyone up to date!!
Any suggestion from here on out???
Thanks for all the support!!
REGANKATE
wish you all the BEST!!!!