First time on this board and preparing for first IUI

pdbird

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this board and rarely on theBump. This month will be the first month of trying the IUI process.

To provide a small history, my DH was diagnosed with stage 3B testicular cancer and went through chemo and has been in remission for over a year now. Thank god his oncology doctor recommended we bank.  Unfortunately, my DH's sperm levels are low due to the illness and stress of having to bank right before having chemo. We have about 11 vials banked (with about 9 mil swimmers spread of the amount of vials). Due to complications of his treatment through surgery of his lymph nodes, he is now sterile and does not ejaculate. So we are now going the IUI route. I just received word last month that I have a low ovarian reserve (Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) 1.42) at the age of 34. Turns out at my age, the normal range is up to 8.43 ng/ml and when lower than 2.0, they start considering more aggressive treatments sooner.

 With this all said, I'm curious if anyone could provide any advice on the experience of getting an IUI and if you would do anything differently knowing what you know now. I'm thinking of purchasing a O monitor in addition to the OPK test strips I've been using to test with. Is it worth it the money and did it work?

 

pdbird

We are going to try an IUI in July with 2 of the 11 vials. We're going to use about 2 mil of the sperm. She has me on Pregnitude to help stimulate the follicles and produce a better egg?). She has talked about the IVF route, but we want to try the IUI route first. But to be honest, I'm so nervous about this which is leading to the stress of thinking about it constantly. And AF came today, so that means when it's over, it's testing time.

Akiesha

Hello and welcome, I am glad DH is in remission and you guys thought ahead and banked.I have done 2 IUI's with no luck. If I were in your shoes I would most likely go straight to IVF. That's just my opinion though. Good luck in whatever you decide.

sueann911

I'm honestly surprised that your RE isn't sending you straight to IVF with those numbers. Mine also wants more than 5 mil post wash. I've seen it done with less by others here, but when you're working with limited availability, I would think your doctor would want to do IVF.

Good luck with it and congrats to your DH for his good reports.

GermanGirl2007

sueann911:

I'm honestly surprised that your RE isn't sending you straight to IVF with those numbers. Mine also wants more than 5 mil post wash. I've seen it done with less by others here, but when you're working with limited availability, I would think your doctor would want to do IVF. Good luck with it and congrats to your DH for his good reports.

I agree with this as well as the other responses.  Honestly, if it were me, I would not do IUI at all. I would go straight to IVF potentially even w/ICSI. The chances of success w/IUI are SO low comparatively, and my RE won't even do an IUI w/less than 5 million sperm post-wash. With the limited availability and the additional factors involved, I would really truly  consider skipping straight to IVF.

I am sorry that you have both been through so much and find yourselves here, but so glad to hear that your husband is doing well.  Wishing you best of luck. 

vpine

Welcome and sorry to hear about your DH. Honestly, I would be running towards IVF if you only have 11 vials of usable sperm. 

pdbird

Thanks everyone for the advice! My RE suggested we go with IUI first time around not knowing the low AMH until after we talked. I'm going to send her an email to ask about the Clomid and Femara.

My DH and I have been blessed with a healthy boy in 2010 (2 months prior to DH's diagnosis) and I was hoping for a second. If it doesn't happen, it wasn't meant to be. But with that said, I will try everything I can in my power. Unfortunately, my company has no fertility coverage as part of their insurance plan and I'd like to avoid IVF if possible. So we'll see. But thank you for all the well wishes, thoughts, and advice. It's making the wheels turn in my head.