Intro

Caomalia86 · November 2014

Hi everyone. I guess it's finally time to introduce myself, I've been following everyone else's stories long enough. DH and I have been TTC for just about two years. I'm 28 and just kept telling myself we had plenty of time so we never put any pressure on it. But about 6 months ago I told him it seemed odd that it would be this difficult to get a BFP, because we were doing everything right. I went to my OB and she was worried that I had PCOS. All of my results from blood work and ultrasounds came back normal, aside from the fact that I just wasn't ovulating. She also wanted my DH to get a SA. She prescribed me Clomid and sent me home to wait on his results. After a few weeks of not hearing how his results turned out, I called the office to find out she was no longer there! That was the start of this very frustrating journey. They put me in contact with a new doctor in their practice and suggested holding off on the clomid until we could meet with him. In the meantime, he ordered a second SA. DH and I met with him a few weeks later and found out his count is extremely low (You'll have to forgive me because at this point I cant' remember the exact count) and his motility was also not what we were expecting. After meeting with my OB, he put us in contact with a urologist, who ordered a THIRD SA. After all of this, I was starting to get frustrated. We weren't getting any answers, they just kept telling us to keep having tests done. Last week, my husband had an ultrasound after being told by the urologist "it could be veins, it could be cancer, we won't know until after we get his results". I was pretty caught off guard by his nonchalance. Found out this morning that it is indeed veins which need to be removed. He said we can move forward with the surgery, but the office is three hours away in KC, or we can try IUI or Invitro. He said we should definitely meet with the RE before surgery to see if they suggest other options, and that surgery still may not improve DH numbers.

I feel so lost at this point. No one is telling us what to do or making any suggestions. I don't know who to reach out to, my OB, the urologist, or the RE who is 3 hours away?! I've been reading a lot of your stories and I'd love to hear any of your suggestions or how you would handle this situation. Neither of our family's have any infertility issues so this is a really hard thing for me to deal with because no one understands what we're going through.

dancerspose · November 2014

I'm very sorry you find yourself here, but welcome. I don't have experience with MFI, but there are many others here who do and can be a good resource for you. Did you OB have you do an HSG? If you haven't had that test already, I'd highly encourage having that as well. Since the RE is so far away, I believe there are some people who've had the test ordered by their OB. That way at least you'd have a fuller picture when you did make it to the RE.

Which lead me to, unforunately it sounds like the best thing to do is make the trek to the RE. There are other women here in the same boat, who travel quite far to see the RE. I think they can sometimes make arrangements for monitoring and other routine things with an OB to minimize the trips, but to at least review all the test results and make a game plan, you should visit an RE.

Again, I'm sorry your journey has led you here, but I wish you the best of luck!

Shauntee · November 2014

Welcome! Sorry you have to be here and I hope your stay is short. My story is similar to yours in that I was with OB/GYN's that I though were trust worthy. I wish I would have run to an RE much sooner than I did. I drive about an hour each way to see mine and even though it is a pain in the butt, it is worth it. Also, I agree with @shafwilson‌, get an HSG you will be wasting time with any treatment if you have blockage.
I wouldn't suggest taking another round of Unmonitored Clomid. It can cause so many issues if not properly monitored throughout your cycle. I know this can be a lot to take in and I wish you luck with everything.

SND1231 · November 2014

I agree with PP but wanted to say welcome! Sorry it's been such a frustrating journey.

megrae12 · November 2014

You need to definitely get in with your RE. Mine is 3 hours away as well. We do everything by satellite offices. It sucks and inconvenient, but I know I am under the best care possible. You need to do that before you make any decisions. GL and I hope you can get some answers. I am sorry this is so frustrating. I do agree with PPs and get as much testing as done possible before your RE visit.

Caomalia86 · November 2014

Thank you all! I haven't had an HSG yet so i'll definitely look into that. I forgot to mention that after the i met with my new OB he decided clomid wasn't for me and put me on metformin. I just hate having to take medicine if it's not 100% sure that i'm the one having issues. I don't like to rely on medications to fix things, especially if it means i have to take medicine daily for an unknown length of time! We're calling the RE today to get something scheduled. I don't wish this frustration on anyone, but it's so nice to know there are people out there who understand!

LindseyM2012 · November 2014

@Caomalia86 - I'm so sorry you find yourself here and aren't getting many answers. I would recommend you getting an appointment with the RE. The commute will suck, but you'll likely get more insight into why you're not ovulating. If not (sometimes answers don't come easily - sucks, but its true), you'll at least be given a treatment protocol from doctors who are trained to get women pregnant (ob/gyns are trained in keeping women pregnant). Like @cinzink said, keep up with the urologist too. Maybe the urologist and RE can eventually share information to decide on the best protocol?

I don't have experience with MFI, but I do have experience with Metformin. Did your doc explain why he decided to put you on Metformin. That is a medication designed to increase sensitivity to insulin in diabetics, which is linked to increasing the likelihood of ovulation with PCOS-ers. It is included in the treatment protocol for ladies with PCOS (definitely insulin-resistant PCOS, and sometimes non-insulin-resistant PCOS), but I personally haven't heard of it being used if the woman is not ovulating but not PCOS. Maybe some clarification from the doc could help.

Shauntee · November 2014

Metformin is not necessarily a replacement for Clomid. As PP said, Metformin helps with the likelihood of ovulation, but Clomid is specifically for ovulation. I have been on both, at the same time. I really hope you find an amazing RE that can clear up all the confusion this OB has caused. Good luck!

sunshine412 · November 2014

Welcome! I'm sorry you find yourself here. PP gave some good advice!

BunnyBerry · November 2014

Welcome! I'm so sorry for everything you're dealing with.

The 3rd SA was probably because the urologist's lab measures it somewhat differently. DH had to go through that too.

I know we've got ladies here whose SO's have chosen varicolectomy. One ended up doing IVF anyway after waiting a year for improvement, if I remember correctly. But it can make a big difference for some people...we looked into this a few months ago and I think it was something like 50% have a significant improvement in SA within 6 or 12 months, but a smaller percentage end up with enough of an increase to improve pregnancy chances.

Definitely get yourself in to see the RE! He/she will take an expert look at all relevant data so you know your treatment plan makes sense.

mshandlebar · November 2014

Welcome! You've gotten some good advice here. @lemonliz is right on the money. We also have male factor and opted for investigative surgery. It isn't an easy decision to make, and I think getting all the information and advice possible will help.

In the beginning, IF can really seem like the slowest moving train, and months and months of testing before any sort of treatment isn't uncommon. It is better to go through all of this now so that when you do get started with a plan it will be the best one possible. I am glad you decided to see an RE. Having one person whom you trust to oversee your IF journey makes things much easier. Especially compared to the general confusion that can surround seeing an OB and trying to figure out urologist stuff.

I would think that until you get an HSG and figure out stuff on YH's end, medication is unnecessary. Unfortunately meds are a part of the solution for many of us. But, I wouldn't want to take them any longer than necessary. Good luck! Glad you found us.

kushie77 · November 2014

iPutKetchupOnKetchup said:

1. Call the RE and make an appointment. Yes, it is 3 hours away and that sucks, but it is a necessary step for you going forward if you want to protect your reproductive health from the Clomid Candy Man (your OB).

2. Depending on where you are in your current cycle and the next available RE appointment, I'd say call your OB and ask if they can perform an HSG to check for blockage in your tubes. If this has already been done, great! However, I'm willing to bet it has not. This is what I did while waiting to get into my first RE. You can then take the disc they give you to your RE appointment and not have to waste additional time.

3. Personally, I'd get the RE's opinion, like the urologist recommended, prior to making a decision about whether surgery is the right option for your H. I do not have much experience with MFI, but other ladies here do and hopefully someone will chime in with their experience/.02.

^^^ This.

I would like to add, please make sure the urologist you see specializes in Fertility. the jury is our on weather varicocele surgery is helpful or not. I'd hate to see your DH go through a surgery with no results. Mainstream Urologist tend to jump to the OR, so a second opinion may be needed.

Welcome. Sorry you find yourself here.

BandM14 · November 2014

PP have give you great advice, but I just wanted to say welcome and that I am sorry you find yourself here. Good luck with everything moving forward!

Caomalia86 · November 2014

Thank you all! We're definitely looking into our options with an RE. Our Urologist recommended one, but DH wasn't all too confident with our uroloogist. He never answered our questions flat out and always seemed like a fast talker, so we're hesitant to go to a RE he's recommended. We're looking into 3 or 4 so hopefully we get an appt scheduled and can talk to someone who specializes in this! Thanks again for all the advice, it's so helpful.

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March 2014 - RE appt.
April 2014- Saline sono all's good, terrible SA results - 8 sperm found all abnormal
May 2014- Fert Urology- Bilateral varicoceles, recommend Donor Sperm

12/2014- Surprise natural BFP EDD 7/31/15 Plan: Starting foster to adoption, natural cycles

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Intro

Re: Intro

March 2014 - RE appt. April 2014- Saline sono all's good, terrible SA results - 8 sperm found all abnormalMay 2014- Fert Urology- Bilateral varicoceles, recommend Donor Sperm

12/2014- Surprise natural BFP EDD 7/31/15 Plan: Starting foster to adoption, natural cycles

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March 2014 - RE appt.
April 2014- Saline sono all's good, terrible SA results - 8 sperm found all abnormal
May 2014- Fert Urology- Bilateral varicoceles, recommend Donor Sperm