Devastated *Update*

So Dr. B just called and my DH's sperm count came back at zero. I have PCOS and we just did a, now obvious, failed time intercourse Femara cycle. I had a large cyst this cycle, so the cycle was cancelled and I'm on bc pills. Just when I didn't think things could get much worse, they do. I feel like we just started this journey and it's already massivley overwhelming. DH has not been on any medication recently, so I don't think it's that. He wants him to see Harry Fisch in the city. I doubt he takes our insurance but he really wants him to specifically see that doctor because obviously it's a bad situation. On top of the emotional strain, everything is so expensive and now I assume we'll have to do IVF if we can retrieve sperm or get him to produce sperm.

If anyone has any information, it would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to everyone

UPDATE - My DH and I went to the urologist last night and he has CBAVD - Congenital absence of the vas deferens. From what the urologist said, he basically has a mild case of cystic fibrosis and does not have either of his vas deferens so there is no way for the sperm to get out. There is no way to fix it and we'll have to do IVF. We hope there is healthy sperm to be able to pull out. He goes for a sonogram next week. I'm nervous about the cystic fibrosis aspect of it. I have cystic fibrosis in my family but was checked a couple of years ago and I'm not a carrier for the strands they check for. Now I obviously want a more thorough analysis. I'm also nervous that he basically has a mild form of CF. We'll have to go to a geneticist and I'm just nervous my son could get the CBAVD. I don't know if this is something I would do PGD for. I just feel super overwhelmed. Thanks again for all of the support. I just wanted to give you all an update.

Message edited 9/14/2010 9:27:59 PM.

Re: Devastated

just wanted to send some prayers to you and your dh

Re: Devastated

This happened to my friend. It turned out that her DH was a carrier for cystic fibrosis and was missing a vans deferens. They did a procedure where they got sperm from his testicle. In other words, he had it but it just wasn't coming out. My friend has PCOS too. They are now pregnant though through IVF.

Re: Devastated

It will be ok. The procedure where they extract sperm from men is called TESSE. The sperm will be immature. ICSI will be necessary to fertilize the eggs they retrieve through IVF. It all depends on your husband's diagnosis.

Dr. B. deals with American Fertility and I understand there is a shared risk cycle. You will find a way because you are a strong person. Believe in yourself.

Whatever you decide, best of luck

Re: Devastated

im so sorry. !!

Re: Devastated

Re: Devastated

Re: Devastated

Did your DH only have one SA? I ask because my DHs first SA came back great. We were shocked because male infertility runs in his family and fully expected him to have the same issues. When we started seeing the RE they repeated the SA and he dropped down to 4 million. We were devastated, thinking the first one was a fluke. But with every IUI since then his count has been great. We have no idea what caused the drop. So I would definitely get the SA repeated and not get so down just yet. I hope it's just a fluke for you!

In case it's not, you def want to see the urologist. One of the girls (I forget who) on here figured out the ingredients in one of the expensive meds that helps sperm count. You can try this concoction:

Rainbow Light Mens One Multivitamin
CoQ10 30mg
Acetyl-L Carnitine 500mg
L-Carnitine 1000mg

She said that combination of vitamins helped her DH significantly. It will take a few months, but it's worth a shot. Good luck!

Re: Devastated

Thank you all for the well wishes, support, and advice. I'm feeling a bit better today. This is just another thing we have to deal with. I'm very thankful we started seeing the RE right away. I looked up all the different things you each posted and I feel a bit more informed. I'm anxious to find out exactly what the problem is.

Thanks again!

Re: Devastated

Dont despair - there is hope

So much of male infertility issues are reversable/treatable. Alot of times it is just a vericole that can be fixed. But there are alot of other things that can effect sperm that there are treatments for. In most cases you can have sperm in 3 months.

I would definately have your DH see a urologist right away to get to the bottom of it. I have a great one if you want another rec.

And if you need a success story - heres mine -- went from zero sperm to above normal counts in 3 months. Each month the counts are getting higher -- which i think is in part to my special vitamin concotion (see PP comment that listed the vitamins)

Good luck

Re: Devastated

Posted by BabyFever10

Dont despair - there is hope

So much of male infertility issues are reversable/treatable. Alot of times it is just a vericole that can be fixed. But there are alot of other things that can effect sperm that there are treatments for. In most cases you can have sperm in 3 months.

I would definately have your DH see a urologist right away to get to the bottom of it. I have a great one if you want another rec.

And if you need a success story - heres mine -- went from zero sperm to above normal counts in 3 months. Each month the counts are getting higher -- which i think is in part to my special vitamin concotion (see PP comment that listed the vitamins)

Good luck

Re: Devastated

It sounds like there is hope, based on the info the ladies gave you on here. try to keep thinking positive.

Re: Devastated

I believe Casey31 went through something similar. You can FM her.

Don't ever give up hope!!!! Infertility is a long LONG hard road. Stay focused... makes it a bit easier to stay positive. Best of luck to you!!!

Re: Devastated

Posted by BabyFever10

And if you need a success story - heres mine -- went from zero sperm to above normal counts in 3 months. Each month the counts are getting higher -- which i think is in part to my special vitamin concotion (see PP comment that listed the vitamins)

Good luck

Re: Devastated *Update*

UPDATE

Re: Devastated *Update*

You need to have extensive genetic testing done. If you both have cystic fibrosis in your family or are a carrier you need to meet with a genetic counselor.

I wish you the best of luck.

Re: Devastated *Update*

i would def have the extensive genetic testing done.
the bright side is if you are going to have to do IVF anyway at least you have options like PGD for the cystic fibrosis issue.

good luck and keep us updated!!!

Message edited 9/14/2010 10:51:32 PM.

Re: Devastated *Update*

I know at DH and I had to go do genetic testing as part of LIIVFs protocol. Could be helpful for you guys.

Re: Devastated *Update*

This exact situation happened to my friend. She is now pregnant 10 weeks through IVF. They did not do PGD.

Re: Devastated *Update*

This exact situation happened to my friend. She is now pregnant 10 weeks through IVF. They did not do PGD.

Re: Devastated *Update*

I'm so sorry that you have to go through this

Re: Devastated *Update*

I just wanted to wish you luck and also comment on the CF gene.

I am a carrier, DH not, so if we had kids together (I'm DE now) its possible our child would be carriers of CF but you need two strains of it to actually have CF. And since you are not a carrier that risk is reduced greatly. However, your future children will need to know that they could possibly be carriers and if /when they want to have children, they should be tested.

I have a friend (well really a friend of my friends who I am friendly with) and she didn't know that she and her DH were carriers and their eldest daughter has CF and their 2nd doesn't.

The genetic counselor can explain everything but I really think your risk is really low.

However, your DH will need more info for himself.

Re: Devastated *Update*

Thank you everyone for the information and good wishes. It means a lot.

We have an appointment with a genetic counselor on Monday. I spoke to Dr. B today and he doesn't seem terribly concerned about anything. He says it's great news that we'll have access to my DH's sperm. I'll definitely keep everyone updated.