@sjb2215My H also has a varicocele (he was diagnosed before we were married and
he hasn’t had it looked at since). His
SA showed normal count but severly low motility with only 3.5 million motile
sperm. What has your H been doing to get
his count up? Keep us posted about that
supplement – I would love to know if it helps!
Our RE didn’t really recommend the
surgery. He said stats don’t show much
of a success rate (although he said getting it done by a surgeon specializing
in fertility tend to show higher success rates because they are more thorough).I’m trying to get him an appointment with a
urologist to see what he says about it.
@JuneRoseRuby Has the Theralogix helped with
your H’s motility/morph?
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
I've been off of the Provera for 6 days. Spotting and cramps for 6 days but no real AF yet. My doc told me it could take up to 2 weeks to get AF but I'm so frustrated I could scream.
@saralee797-2 and @antoto and anyone else who is doing/has done IVF.....im gonna ask a dumb question.....what is the bcp for and how long do you take it? We're debating on ivf and I want to get a good picture of everything.
@saralee797-2 and @antoto and anyone else who is doing/has done IVF.....im gonna ask a dumb question.....what is the bcp for and how long do you take it? We're debating on ivf and I want to get a good picture of everything.
I think the BCP serves two purposes. 1) It brings your hormones down to sort of a baseline and 2) It syncs your cycle to the schedule of the office so you can make all of your appointments at once.
*TW* I thought my sister was completely overblowing this throughout the last week and I've been telling her to POAS. She had an "accident" a few weeks ago she is now saying the condom broke but I thought before she said that her husband was just sloppy but I guess who cares at this point. She wasn't planing on having a 3rd for awhile or at all, but new BIL doesn't have any of his own and wanted to try for one maybe in a year or so. ANYWAY she finally took a test and she's fucking KU.
I am beyond words right now. TBH I do feel bad for her in a weird way because BIL is an actor (not a well-known one) and his TV show, which we all thought would be renewed, was cancelled last week, so basically this is like being laid off. But obviously at the same time I am all kinds of WTF right now. I love being an aunt and I'll love my new niece or nephew so much, I know, and I won't hold it against anyone. But this is just unreal. I just can't fucking believe it. She is in her bed crying now texting me and telling me she wanted it to be me and not her. But she is definitely keeping it because she got kinda talked into an abortion by my dad and previous BIL a few years ago (long story, very upsetting) and she regretted it. So, here we are. This is happening. *end TW*
@antoto do all clinics do the bcp? How long do you take it? My RE didn't mention bcp, but we didn't talk much about it because he thought we were going to try iui first.
@kaitlink33 in my situation the BCP was to bring my hormones down to baseline because my RE suspects I will be a high responder due to high AMH and therefore at risk for overstimulation. The answer, I think, is "it depends" I have heard of situations in which BCP is not used e.g. when someone might not have a lot of eggs and could end up being too suppressed and therefore not respond well to the meds. I am going to be on it a little over two weeks before starting stimms. We also sort of worked with the calendar noting one weekend (wedding) that would not be good for me to have an egg retrieval and considering the time it would take to get my meds ordered and shipped. I will say that if you think you are ready to move on to ivf soon you might want to schedule a follow up consult because there were some hoops to jump through before we could start: a meeting with the financial dept, additional tests, a nursing consult, a mock transfer and a mandatory IVF class. Seems like each clinic is a little different. I also understand that authorizations from your insurance can take additional time. We were lucky to get all that done rather quickly but I think it just depends on your clinic and your schedule. I hope this helps!
GUYZ- I just announced at a staff meeting that over the next few months I may need to last minute leave early/come in late/miss a day because we have been TTC and havent been and are starting fertility treatments and it went AMAZING. Everyone was like, 'take whatever time you need' 'we can cover your shifts'...everything. It is a huge weight off.
@kaitlink33 @saralee797-2 basically covered everything, but just to add my own experience - I'm going to be on BCP for a total of 5 weeks. This was specifically to adjust the timing of my period. I was on it for two weeks, took a week off, and then I'll be on it again for another 3 weeks. The only reason I've personally ever heard of someone not doing it is because of a DOR diagnosis. But I certainly am not any sort of authority on it!
@vflux33 My love tit is a big hug for you. So many opposing emotions. I'm so sorry, girl. It's really hard having fertile sisters.
@kiwi2628 So glad your meeting went well!!! Yay supportive people!!
@saralee797-2 so I just talked with the financial counselor yesterday and got the pricing and everything we shouldn't technically have to do another meeting with them right? Also, my insurance covers absolutely nothing so I wouldn't have to wait for an authorization I don't think? I guess I just don't want to wait for financing and then realize it's gonna be a few months longer or something. Sorry for all the questions
@vflux33 All the creepy internet hugs for you. You've had such a rough few weeks, and your situation is so close to my heart. I've had a rough few weeks, too...and my sister is KU with her third, by accident. She's due any minute. She's happy about it, which I'm not sure makes it better or worse for me...probably just different. But it sucks so hard to be floundering over here and watch all that over there, so I'm right there with you in the misery and the jealousy. I wish I had wise words about how to cope with it, but I am anything but wise about this. So I will join you in shaking our fists (and middle fingers) at the universe for the unfairness of it all.
Me: 45 OH: 42 Beloved SS: born 12/2011 TTC my bio #1/our #2 since January 2016 **TW** June 2016 had CP **end TW** August 2016 - dx with DOR Somewhere in here received recommendation to do IVF with donor eggs, elected not to; OH dx with Low T May 2017 - began freezing sperm June 2017 - OH began treatment for Low T July 2017 - began doing 1 IUI via a midwife and 1 at home insemination each cycle http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/6259ba July 2018 - exhausted frozen sperm, officially NTNP since OH is probably shooting blanks
@kiwi2628 yasss girl that's great!!! Awesome that you felt comfortable letting them know and felt supported! I'm grateful my RE office opens at 6am so everytime I have to go for BW or and US I can go any time between 6 and 9 and they'll take me right in. Work would give me a hard time for leaving too often so I am thankful that they open so early!
ETA- and this is sad but tbh if I told them i feel I would be treated negatively about it especially punished in scheduling because we are short staffed and they don't like to have to hire per diems for maternity leaves.
@vflux33 Ugh, I just read yours and I am so sorry. It sucks when you are excited for someone you love and yet your heart hurts and your stomach feels like you got punched and you just wanna scream. So many hugs
Thanks @beachbunnyxo123@LoveInDC@antoto@Aurora1973@ramzlau and @kiwi2628. I've been pretty good about not crying about this IF shit all the time, but I definitely had a moment earlier. I think right now my sister is feeling negative but deep down she wants another kid *TW in part because of the abortion thing *end TW. She is really worried about me and our parents "hating her" for this and so kind of talking her down from that right now and assuring her I don't blame her... I ended up telling my mom for her because she was scared to (my mom has been super supportive of me but is sort of the critical type generally, and it's probably good I was the one to tell her because she mentioned they should name the baby "Reckless" as a joke and I'm like, uh yeah, my sister probably doesn't need to hear that today lol). I'll probably tell our dad too and make sure he doesn't try to push what he did the last time this happened because that was not OK (totally pro choice but she got talked into it and it was NOT cool and fucked her up a bit so I will not let that happen again).
@Aurora1973 Oh man, that's right, we are like IF twins. I'm sorry you've been going through this. I think you're right that there are no wise words. I think at 38 she wasn't expecting any more "accidents" and thought she'd have to try for it if she went for number 3, but just goes to show that age is not the only factor with IF (I'm the younger sister). By the time she gives birth I'm sure this initial negative reaction of hers will be a distant memory and that she'll be happy with it. And I will be too, in my own secretly sad way (unless I luck out and get KU by then too, in which case, party all around).
@RatParade so he's just about to start the recommended supplement which is supposed to help with DNA frag stuff and improve counts. So far he has been trying to decrease alcohol and caffeine intake, eat a bit healthier and just a general male multivitamin. We haven't decided yet about surgery as I have yet to have my initial appt with an RE (with the thought that if there is something also going on with me, unsure if we would go forward with surgery if we're considering IVF). MHs doc is a male urologist who specializes in fertility and he said surgery improves counts in 80% trials, and 40-60% conceive naturally within 1-2 years (but haven't don't a ton of research yet on my own). So if it could help increase our chances of conceiving naturally or make us a strong IUI candidate then we'll probably do it. Sorry for the long response, but I hope it's helpful!
@vflux33, @Aurora1973 those are tough situations. I'm sorry. It really stinks that life isn't fair when it comes to TTC. Sending you both hugs.
Just got an email from my IVF nurse saying we can get started now on another FET so I'm jumping back in to TTGP!
Diagnosis (If you've been): NIR PCOS
Cycle/CD: TW first cycle post loss
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Starting BCP for FET
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) FET
How are things going? I'm cautiously optimistic and excited to get started
Any questions?
GTKY: You are going to be left on a deserted island for one year. What book do you bring? What music do you bring? What food item do you bring? Book: Outlander Music: Adele or Ed Sheeran Food: Chicago style pizza? I really think I could eat pizza forever
@kaitlink33 in terms of financing the only other thing I can think of is if you are doing PGS or PGD testing you might have to set up a call and make a payment with the facility who is doing the testing (if done off site). In my case, they wanted that money up front and the financial office would have facilitated the process but we opted out. Otherwise I don't think so but I have to admit I'm not totally clear on the money portion of all this. It's really confusing. And no problem! Happy to answer anything I can from my own experience. Feel free to PM me too
@vflux33 What the what? That is insane about your sister. I can't even believe that happened. You are one strong woman for putting up with what you do with IF and now being the bridge between your sister and your parents. Hugs.
@sunniegrly Sorry to hear about your frustration. Waiting for AF sucks. When you want AF to come, it doesn't come. And when you're hoping it will stay away, there it is.
@madspunk - Exactly!!! My mom is like "worrying can make you not get your period so stop worrying so much." Sigh. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder...worrying is kinda my thing.
Welcome back @heatherdubrow !!!!! Happy to have you here!!
@vflux33 Girl, I am so sorry. IF sucks and it is harder when you have people around you that get KU when their Hs sneeze on them, and then it's harder when they are upset about. We're here for you!
@RatParade MH is going in for his repeat SA in a few weeks (which I need to schedule) and I will update you then! He has been taking them since Feb 15. So we will find out soon! FX
32 years old (both H and I) Dating 7/2008 Married 7/2014 H Type I Diabetic TTC 1/2016
12/2016
mental break from TTC-NTNP
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL) 1/17/2017
SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility) 1/18/2017
STP tubes clear 2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements 6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility 7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm) 8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup 9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze 9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid 9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
@sjb2215 - How big were the varicoceles? What side? my guy has surgery in exactly one week. They are doing the embolization on both sides. We really aren't expecting it to work, but our insurance covers it, so it's our last hail Mary before IVF. I'm not familiar with those supplements though. H was on Clomid for about... 8 months? and took FertilAid. His count did skyrocket on those, but then plummeted all of a sudden. What were your DNI/stainability numbers? Have you read much on those? There isn't much info out there.
Sorry for the 20 questions, there aren't many MFI people on the boards. I think you are the first beyond me to have done the fragmentation testing, too!
TTC #1 since September 2014 Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI
(count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low
progesterone Check out my Infertility blog Check out my Infertility Instagram
Loss History (TW):
BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015 BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015 BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015 BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018 BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
TTC History (TW):
3 losses in 2015 Met with OBGYN in January 2016 Me: all clear, H: OAT November 2016: HSG = All
Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt
#1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17 December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC) Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA) FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018 May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus" FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019 Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two! Lost Baby A 02 July 2018 Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018 Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
Next Up:
TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. ER#2 ~Jan 2019
@vflux33 I am sending hugs your way love. That is a particularly hard situation and I applaud you for being there for your sister in this incredibly tough personal spot you are in. @kiwi2628 That is such a weight off! I am so glad you have support at work. @heatherdubrow Wishing you lots of luck with this next FET! You got this.
@vflux33 Wow you amaze me hiw much you are there for your sister. It is a tough situation and shows real strength that you act on your sisterly love and even tell your mom. Wow. Hats off to you, girl. Now i have even more fingers crossed for you, that you receive some good news on your end finally When is YH's test results back for that condition? Sorry if i missed it, worklife is crazy, i only commute-bump any more. And i am sure i also forgot how to speak english. Sorry for that too.
@heatherdubrow So good to see you again! Wishing all the bet for this FET.
Me: 33, DH: 38 Married: May 2015 TTC since September 2015
Thanks for your support, everyone! I am not a particularly emotional person IRL but when I have a rough day and see the number of people who care enough to offer some kind words here it makes me feel all warm inside
@Anna_1021 Yeah I get to tell our dad about my sister today, which will be less than fun, but I'm glad to be able to make things easier on my sister who is deep in a panic ATM. You didn't miss it--we are still waiting for MH's carrier screening results. We were told 2 weeks and it's been a week and a half so any day now. We did sit down and talk the other day and decided if he's negative for that specific mutation we are going to get back on track ASAP and not wait for the 23andme results to come back unless our RE insists on it.
@sjb2215thanks
for the info! Being an IUI candidate is
my goal right now (outside of conceiving naturally somehow of course), so that’s exciting news about the surgery.I’m hoping our urologist will say something
similar to convince my H the surgery might be worth it.
@JuneRoseRuby I look forward to your update! If you remember, can you tag me when you do so I don't miss it?
@KristoKekerooni I hope the surgery goes well! Did you have to convince your H to do it? Mine is pretty resistant, but we were told there's a low success rate. If we got better stats he might be more open to it.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
@RatParade ... I didn't really have to convince him too much. It's kinda weird. There for a while he was resistant to any kind of testing/treatment because even though his counts were low and the varicoceles were found, he still jsut really believed we would get pregnant the old fashioned way. It wasn't till all of a sudden it really hit him that he's been #TeamTryAllTheThings. We had initially said no to the surgery because it wasn't covered and chances of it working well enough were slim. But e switched insurances and he took it upon himself to call and ask about the surgery and then set up a second consult and the surgery... all without me even knowing because he didn't want to get my hopes up.
All that to say, it took a long time for him to come around. I think what finally did it was the realization that it's not gonna happen for us without some ART involvement. And of course close friends and family having babies kinda helped him make that realization. I hope your H gets on board soon, if that's what you need.
As far as success rates... yeah. They're dismal. we were given a 20(ish) percent chance of getting enough sperm for even an IUI. As far as DNA damage, we weren't really given stats on whether the procedure will help those numbers. There is no research out there for that. So, even if we fall into the 20% chances are we still might miscarry again (since they are blaming the losses on his DNA damage).
What grade were your H's?
TTC #1 since September 2014 Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI
(count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low
progesterone Check out my Infertility blog Check out my Infertility Instagram
Loss History (TW):
BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015 BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015 BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015 BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018 BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
TTC History (TW):
3 losses in 2015 Met with OBGYN in January 2016 Me: all clear, H: OAT November 2016: HSG = All
Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt
#1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17 December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC) Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA) FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018 May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus" FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019 Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two! Lost Baby A 02 July 2018 Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018 Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
Next Up:
TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. ER#2 ~Jan 2019
32 years old (both H and I) Dating 7/2008 Married 7/2014 H Type I Diabetic TTC 1/2016
12/2016
mental break from TTC-NTNP
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL) 1/17/2017
SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility) 1/18/2017
STP tubes clear 2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements 6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility 7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm) 8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup 9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze 9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid 9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
@KristoKekerooni Yes my H seems to be much like yours. He wasn't very involved/interested in the things I was doing to TTC. Then we saw the RE a couple weeks ago and were told IVF/ICSI is pretty much our only chance and suddenly my H is jumping onto the TTC bandwagon. He thinks we'll conceive naturally and is doing what he can to make that happen. So it seems he's about a year behind me in the TTC thinking lol. So maybe it will just take more time for him to catch up with me again.
He was diagnosed with the varicocele ~12 years ago (before I knew him) so we don't know anything about it other than it's there (I believe it's only on one side) and at the time his dr said he might not be able to have children. He has an apt with his regular dr on Monday and I'm going to push him to try to get a referral to a urologist to find out more. We should have looked into it when we first started TTCing but we seem to just move really slow with this stuff.
Is the DNA damage related to the varicoceles? I have never been pregnant so I think our issue is that no sperm are reaching the egg, but I wonder now if that might be another issue.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
@RatParade - I feel you- men are about a year behind on emotions. Ha. Recently H has really started to feel it and randomly texts me a picture of a friend's baby with a caption "I want one so bad" or something like that, and it's just like, uh. Welcome to my world? on one hand, thank God he's finally working with me instead of against me, but on the other hand, it hurts so much to see him hurt... my husband was so hopelessly, unrealistically, optimistic, so to see him realize it ain't gonna happen just kills me. It's rough. Be prepared for that, I guess, but also try to realize that once he does come around, you'll miss that "innocence" a bit. I would DEFINITELY get that checked out again. I can't remember if you've shared, but has he had a recent SA? What was it?
There isn't much info on the DNA issues. All that's really known is that once it hits a certain percentage, chances of getting pregnant are slim, and chances of staying pregnant are also really slim. It's rough because it does affect outcomes of IVF as well, so you really can't escape it. Even PGS testing doesn't catch all the damage, so it's a really big deal. It's not really well understood what causes the damage and if it's reversible. I literally can find nothing.
As far as where you are, I would push to at least get a referral to a urologist to check on the varicoceles and get a grade. Depending on the grade, you'll know what your chances are of a surgery/embolization working. Subclinical- chances are low. Grade 2 or 3... eh. Might be worth a shot...
Also, I am surprised his doc said "he might not have kids" I MAJOR side eye anyone that says that, doctor or not. I have never, ever, ever, had a doctor tell us that. There are SO many options out there that statements like that are just stupid. Definitely see a new doc.
TTC #1 since September 2014 Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI
(count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low
progesterone Check out my Infertility blog Check out my Infertility Instagram
Loss History (TW):
BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015 BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015 BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015 BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018 BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
TTC History (TW):
3 losses in 2015 Met with OBGYN in January 2016 Me: all clear, H: OAT November 2016: HSG = All
Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt
#1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17 December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC) Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA) FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018 May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus" FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019 Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two! Lost Baby A 02 July 2018 Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018 Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
Next Up:
TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. ER#2 ~Jan 2019
I have to say reading through this thread has helped relieve a lot of my anxiety. I'm very early in the IF workup process (after months of suspicion and wrong diagnoses recently diagnosed with non-ovulating PCOS, just got AF after provera challenge) and have been freaking out a little about what this all means, what kind of journey will this be? Reading through this and seeing all you brave women has helped me feel much less alone and scared. So thanks!
@kristokekerooni He had a SA done about a month ago, his count was normal (117m total) but his motility was 14% and progression 3%, so out of the 117m he only had about 3.5m going in the right direction, which is too low for an IUI but our RE is willing to try anyway. Also, H was quoting the dr about not being able to have kids, it's likely the dr didn't really put it that way. But either way he has a new dr now.
I'm sorry you were hit with the double whammy of low count and DNA damage. It's pretty amazing how much they don't really know about all this stuff.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
Re: IF/Testing Weekly Check-in 4/24
@sjb2215 My H also has a varicocele (he was diagnosed before we were married and he hasn’t had it looked at since). His SA showed normal count but severly low motility with only 3.5 million motile sperm. What has your H been doing to get his count up? Keep us posted about that supplement – I would love to know if it helps!
Our RE didn’t really recommend the surgery. He said stats don’t show much of a success rate (although he said getting it done by a surgeon specializing in fertility tend to show higher success rates because they are more thorough). I’m trying to get him an appointment with a urologist to see what he says about it.
@JuneRoseRuby Has the Theralogix helped with your H’s motility/morph?
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
Insert all the frustration/screaming gifs.
Just needed to vent for for a second.
Married: 2013
TTC #1: 2/2017
Dx: mild/borderline NIR PCOS
May TTGP Siggy Challenge - Awkward Prom Photos:
I am beyond words right now. TBH I do feel bad for her in a weird way because BIL is an actor (not a well-known one) and his TV show, which we all thought would be renewed, was cancelled last week, so basically this is like being laid off. But obviously at the same time I am all kinds of WTF right now. I love being an aunt and I'll love my new niece or nephew so much, I know, and I won't hold it against anyone. But this is just unreal. I just can't fucking believe it. She is in her bed crying now texting me and telling me she wanted it to be me and not her. But she is definitely keeping it because she got kinda talked into an abortion by my dad and previous BIL a few years ago (long story, very upsetting) and she regretted it. So, here we are. This is happening. *end TW*
@saralee797-2 basically covered everything, but just to add my own experience - I'm going to be on BCP for a total of 5 weeks. This was specifically to adjust the timing of my period. I was on it for two weeks, took a week off, and then I'll be on it again for another 3 weeks. The only reason I've personally ever heard of someone not doing it is because of a DOR diagnosis. But I certainly am not any sort of authority on it!
@vflux33 My love tit is a big hug for you. So many opposing emotions. I'm so sorry, girl. It's really hard having fertile sisters.
@kiwi2628 So glad your meeting went well!!! Yay supportive people!!
Beloved SS: born 12/2011
TTC my bio #1/our #2 since January 2016
**TW** June 2016 had CP **end TW**
August 2016 - dx with DOR
Somewhere in here received recommendation to do IVF with donor eggs, elected not to; OH dx with Low T
May 2017 - began freezing sperm
June 2017 - OH began treatment for Low T
July 2017 - began doing 1 IUI via a midwife and 1 at home insemination each cycle
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/6259ba
July 2018 - exhausted frozen sperm, officially NTNP since OH is probably shooting blanks
ETA- and this is sad but tbh if I told them i feel I would be treated negatively about it especially punished in scheduling because we are short staffed and they don't like to have to hire per diems for maternity leaves.
@Aurora1973 Oh man, that's right, we are like IF twins.
We haven't decided yet about surgery as I have yet to have my initial appt with an RE (with the thought that if there is something also going on with me, unsure if we would go forward with surgery if we're considering IVF). MHs doc is a male urologist who specializes in fertility and he said surgery improves counts in 80% trials, and 40-60% conceive naturally within 1-2 years (but haven't don't a ton of research yet on my own). So if it could help increase our chances of conceiving naturally or make us a strong IUI candidate then we'll probably do it. Sorry for the long response, but I hope it's helpful!
@vflux33, @Aurora1973 those are tough situations. I'm sorry. It really stinks that life isn't fair when it comes to TTC. Sending you both hugs.
Married: 2013
TTC #1: 2/2017
Dx: mild/borderline NIR PCOS
May TTGP Siggy Challenge - Awkward Prom Photos:
Diagnosis (If you've been): NIR PCOS
Cycle/CD: TW first cycle post loss
GTKY: You are going to be left on a deserted island for one year. What book do you bring? What music do you bring? What food item do you bring?
Book: Outlander
Music: Adele or Ed Sheeran
Food: Chicago style pizza? I really think I could eat pizza forever
@sunniegrly Sorry to hear about your frustration. Waiting for AF sucks. When you want AF to come, it doesn't come. And when you're hoping it will stay away, there it is.
Married: 2013
TTC #1: 2/2017
Dx: mild/borderline NIR PCOS
May TTGP Siggy Challenge - Awkward Prom Photos:
@vflux33 Girl, I am so sorry. IF sucks and it is harder when you have people around you that get KU when their Hs sneeze on them, and then it's harder when they are upset about. We're here for you!
@RatParade MH is going in for his repeat SA in a few weeks (which I need to schedule) and I will update you then! He has been taking them since Feb 15. So we will find out soon! FX
Dating 7/2008
Married 7/2014
H Type I Diabetic
TTC 1/2016
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL)
1/17/2017 SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility)
1/18/2017 STP tubes clear
2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation
H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements
6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility
7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm)
8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup
9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze
9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid
9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim
October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
What were your DNI/stainability numbers? Have you read much on those? There isn't much info out there.
Sorry for the 20 questions, there aren't many MFI people on the boards. I think you are the first beyond me to have done the fragmentation testing, too!
Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
Check out my Infertility blog
Check out my Infertility Instagram
BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
Met with OBGYN in January 2016
Me: all clear, H: OAT
November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo.
BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two!
Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
ER#2 ~Jan 2019
@kiwi2628 That is such a weight off! I am so glad you have support at work.
@heatherdubrow Wishing you lots of luck with this next FET! You got this.
And i am sure i also forgot how to speak english. Sorry for that too.
@heatherdubrow So good to see you again! Wishing all the bet for this FET.
Married: May 2015
TTC since September 2015
@Anna_1021 Yeah I get to tell our dad about my sister today, which will be less than fun, but I'm glad to be able to make things easier on my sister who is deep in a panic ATM. You didn't miss it--we are still waiting for MH's carrier screening results. We were told 2 weeks and it's been a week and a half so any day now. We did sit down and talk the other day and decided if he's negative for that specific mutation we are going to get back on track ASAP and not wait for the 23andme results to come back unless our RE insists on it.
@heatherdubrow Welcome back!
@sjb2215 thanks for the info! Being an IUI candidate is my goal right now (outside of conceiving naturally somehow of course), so that’s exciting news about the surgery. I’m hoping our urologist will say something similar to convince my H the surgery might be worth it.
@JuneRoseRuby I look forward to your update! If you remember, can you tag me when you do so I don't miss it?
@KristoKekerooni I hope the surgery goes well! Did you have to convince your H to do it? Mine is pretty resistant, but we were told there's a low success rate. If we got better stats he might be more open to it.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
All that to say, it took a long time for him to come around. I think what finally did it was the realization that it's not gonna happen for us without some ART involvement. And of course close friends and family having babies kinda helped him make that realization. I hope your H gets on board soon, if that's what you need.
As far as success rates... yeah. They're dismal. we were given a 20(ish) percent chance of getting enough sperm for even an IUI. As far as DNA damage, we weren't really given stats on whether the procedure will help those numbers. There is no research out there for that. So, even if we fall into the 20% chances are we still might miscarry again (since they are blaming the losses on his DNA damage).
What grade were your H's?
Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
Check out my Infertility blog
Check out my Infertility Instagram
BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
Met with OBGYN in January 2016
Me: all clear, H: OAT
November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo.
BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two!
Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
ER#2 ~Jan 2019
Dating 7/2008
Married 7/2014
H Type I Diabetic
TTC 1/2016
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL)
1/17/2017 SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility)
1/18/2017 STP tubes clear
2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation
H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements
6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility
7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm)
8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup
9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze
9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid
9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim
October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
@KristoKekerooni Yes my H seems to be much like yours. He wasn't very involved/interested in the things I was doing to TTC. Then we saw the RE a couple weeks ago and were told IVF/ICSI is pretty much our only chance and suddenly my H is jumping onto the TTC bandwagon. He thinks we'll conceive naturally and is doing what he can to make that happen. So it seems he's about a year behind me in the TTC thinking lol. So maybe it will just take more time for him to catch up with me again.
He was diagnosed with the varicocele ~12 years ago (before I knew him) so we don't know anything about it other than it's there (I believe it's only on one side) and at the time his dr said he might not be able to have children. He has an apt with his regular dr on Monday and I'm going to push him to try to get a referral to a urologist to find out more. We should have looked into it when we first started TTCing but we seem to just move really slow with this stuff.
Is the DNA damage related to the varicoceles? I have never been pregnant so I think our issue is that no sperm are reaching the egg, but I wonder now if that might be another issue.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018
I would DEFINITELY get that checked out again. I can't remember if you've shared, but has he had a recent SA? What was it?
There isn't much info on the DNA issues. All that's really known is that once it hits a certain percentage, chances of getting pregnant are slim, and chances of staying pregnant are also really slim. It's rough because it does affect outcomes of IVF as well, so you really can't escape it. Even PGS testing doesn't catch all the damage, so it's a really big deal. It's not really well understood what causes the damage and if it's reversible. I literally can find nothing.
As far as where you are, I would push to at least get a referral to a urologist to check on the varicoceles and get a grade. Depending on the grade, you'll know what your chances are of a surgery/embolization working. Subclinical- chances are low. Grade 2 or 3... eh. Might be worth a shot...
Also, I am surprised his doc said "he might not have kids" I MAJOR side eye anyone that says that, doctor or not. I have never, ever, ever, had a doctor tell us that. There are SO many options out there that statements like that are just stupid. Definitely see a new doc.
Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
Check out my Infertility blog
Check out my Infertility Instagram
BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
Met with OBGYN in January 2016
Me: all clear, H: OAT
November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo.
BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two!
Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
ER#2 ~Jan 2019
@kristokekerooni He had a SA done about a month ago, his count was normal (117m total) but his motility was 14% and progression 3%, so out of the 117m he only had about 3.5m going in the right direction, which is too low for an IUI but our RE is willing to try anyway. Also, H was quoting the dr about not being able to have kids, it's likely the dr didn't really put it that way. But either way he has a new dr now.
I'm sorry you were hit with the double whammy of low count and DNA damage. It's pretty amazing how much they don't really know about all this stuff.
Me: 32 | DH: 36
Married June 2005
1/2016 - TTC#1
4/2017 - Initial RE visit, Dx: Severe MFI (Varicocele, 14% motility, 3% progression, but normal count)
7/2017 - Stage 3 endometriosis discovered during laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst
9/27/2017 - BFP at 10dpo (cycle 22), baby boy due June 9, 2018