Hi all,

As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I are currently in our fist IVF/ICSI cycle. I am looking for others who are on the same path b/c of a male factor. My husband had testicular cancer, but didn't bank sperm. He has no motility so we are doing PESA and/or biopsy. We are nervous and don't even know if this is a possibility for us. We will know soon. Would love to hear from folks who have done or are doing the same thing.

Thanks,
Marie

I am in a similar situation my DH has a very low sperm count so my RE has told us that the only was we can concive will be through IVF with ICSI but frist the doctor put him on some vitimins to try to boast his count he will test again next week. But I am anxsious to get started. Well I wish you all the best.
Krissy

We are dealing with MF IF also. My DH has diabetes which has caused him to have retrograde ejaculation. He is taking a prescription w/sudafed to help ejaculation function properly, but his nerve damage is so severe that it only helps a little. He also have very poor motility in his sperm, so we are also planning for IVF w/ICSI in the new year. I hope the procedures they have planned will bring you success. I'm sure there is definately hope, otherwise the doctors wouldn't be planning this for you. Good Luck and I hope your journey is short.

Christin

Actually, my DH has retrograde ejaculation as well. I haven't spoken to anyone else who is experiencing this. The surgery he had to have when he had testicular cancer resulted in nerve damage. Our RE suggested him taking sodium bicarbonate to see if they could retrieve sperm from his urine, but there was still no motility. We tried that twice. So, that is why we are doing IVF with ICSI. We had read online about reversing retrograde by taking sudafed or an anti depressent, but b/c my DH has no ejaculate and hasn't for 15 years, our RE didn't think it was an option for us. I am still worried that ICSI won't work for us--we don't know if his sperm will be able to fertilize an egg. That fear is a heavy weight over us right now. We have known this to be a possibility (we have been together for 12 years, married 5), but now that we are going to find out, we are more emotional than ever. Guess you can't prepare.

Christin and Krissy,

Thanks so much for your replies. It helps to hear from people who are experiencing similiar things. As I mentioned to Christin, I haven't spoken to anyone who is also experiencing retrograde ejaculation. I know having a support network is going to be very important to get through this.

Thanks,
Marie

We are dealing with male factor as well due to testicular cancer. The RE thinks that working in a paint store for 12 years is what did it for DH.

We are going the donor sperm route, DH has 0 sperm.

We are in the process of jumping through all the hoops and paying all the money probably wont get to the good part until next early summer.

Sommer,

I am interested to hear more about your situation. When you say that your DH has zero sperm, how did they test him to determine that? The surgery my DH had for his testicular cancer damaged nerves so that he does not ejaculate, but experiences retrograde ejaculation (goes in the wrong direction). So far from the tests we have done we know he has sperm but they have been nonmotile. We are not sure if they are viable and nonmotile, or not viable. We will find out in a few days when the urologists does sperm retrieval directly from his testi. Have you guys done any of this?

Marie

Hi Marie,

I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, the post got lost in the shuffle. My DH has taken the anti-depressant w/sudafed to produce a sample (albeit very small sample) the "normal" way. I have heard that sperm retrieval from urine usually results in most being dead, but if they can even get a dozen good ones for you, then DH might not have to go through the surgery. Before we knew the meds would help DH produce a sample, we had talked it over, and although he was hesitant, he was willing to go through the surgery for retrieval. I'm so sorry he has to go through all this, and you still don't know if the sperm will be active. That is a lot of unknowns for you both at this point.

As far as I understand, IVF w/ICSI will be your best bet, because if his sperm is not very active, the ICSI will avoid that problem, because they are injecting the sperm directly into your eggs. There is very good success with ICSI when dealing with MF infertility.

DH and I have been together for 14 years, and I didn't want a baby until I turned 29 (I'm 30 now), so I didn't mind the retrograde, and he didn't worry too much about it either. Now it's a struggle, because I know I'm the one who changed my mind and I feel like I put a lot of pressure on DH, even though he wants a baby too. I guess he's a lot more used to the idea of not having one, since he was also told he was sterile (without any testing) many years ago because of his diabetes.

Sorry about the book, but I guess that sums up our story in a nutshell. Hope to talk to you soon, and I hope you and DH get some good results from the sperm retrieval procedure. Good Luck!!!

Christin

Christin,

That is great that you were able to get a sample using sudafed! My DH had total nerve damage when he had one of the surgeries for testicular cancer, so that didn't work for us (we did try it!). Our situations do sound similiar. Together for so many years, knowing what was ahead for us (liking not having to use birth control!), and now finding ourselves here. THere is no doubt that my DH is in a different head space with this than I. He said to me the other day "I don't think I am meant to have my own children." I am not there at all! And, I think it is what you said, b/c he has known this to be his situation for so long. I have always just thought, oh no, we will make it happen. It means a lot ot hear your story. I'll keep you posted. M

Just wanted to give those w/male factor reading this post an update on our sperm retrieval this morning...PESA still showed rare nonmotile sperm. They may "wake up" with time and may be able to fertilize an egg (w/ICSI). My E/R is tomorrow, so we should know by tomorrow or Sat. It wasn't the news we wanted to hear, but we are taking it one step at a time.

I am very interested in hearing others' stories who are experiencing something similiar.

M

i was diagnosed as sterile about 5 years ago - I had a bilateral non-descending testicles. They were brought down at the age of 5, but it was too late.. damage was done. Had a testicular biopsy to confirm... it was Sertoli cell only, so I am medically sterile. (and much more likely for testicular cancer... :eek:

DW and I are going through the donor thing too, but after 9 cycles (3 iui, 3 iui with clomid, 2 with Femara, and the last one with Femara *and* Follistim injectable) we are almost broke and ready to stop. :(

She had the last iui monday morning... so we are in the possible last 2ww right now. *fingers crossed* :angel:

paulie

Hi Paulie,

I wish you the best of luck this try! Out of curiosity, why wouldn't they try ICSI with you? I may not understand all of the details of your situation....perhaps the biopsy showed no viable sperm.

In our case, the sperm retrieved via PESA did "wake up", or at least enough did to attempt fertilization with the 13 eggs they retrieved from me. 4 fertilized and all 4 made it for a day 5 transfer, which was yesterday. We decided to only transfer two this go since it is our first. But the best, most exciting news was that my DH's sperm were able to fertilize eggs! That was the news we were waiting for.

Again, best of luck to you both!

Marie

Sorry for hijacking this thread...Please forgive me...

Paulie, I just wanted to wish you and DW all the luck in the world for this cycle. I think about you two from time to time, and I'm so sorry to hear that the treatments haven't worked for you two yet. Please let us know how things turn out. I would absolutely LOVE to read about your BFP. :angel:

Holly

hi marie, my husband had a very low sperm count and told the only way we could get pregnant was ivf/icsi!! it took us 4 ivf cycles, (i had one miscarriage early on) but i am now 18 weeks pregnant, and so far things are GOOD ;) i will be crossing my fingers for you and dh, that you only need one ivf/icsi.. that is all it takes sometimes, one good spermy to fertilize one egg and YOU CAN BE PREGNANT!!! ;) enjoy the 2ww, and i hope it goes by fast for you with GOOD NEWS in the end :angel: Aimee P.S. Paul i really hope this last cycle works for you and DW, im praying for you guys ;)

Congratulations Aimee! That is great that you that far along in your pregnancy! Yeah! We are hoping this works for us, but we are also know what the odds are. It makes us very happy to know that this is an option. Congratulations again!

Marie--how are you today??

Paulie--I'm praying this last cycle really works out fo ryou and DW. :angel:

******************babydust************** ******** for everyone!

Marie,

I just saw this thread surface again, and am so glad to hear you were able to proceed with IVF/ICSI. You must have been very excited to hear that your DH's sperm "woke up" and successfully fertilized some eggs. I hope this first time will work for you, as previously stated, one good embryo is all you truly need. Please keep us posted on your progress. When do you go for beta?

Christin

Exactly... Sertoli Cell only means that i have *no* chance of ever producing sperm. ever. it isnt a "waking up" thing, I dont have the cellular machinery to do it at all. (but practicing is still fun.. ;) )

was kind of a rude awakening for me, but we all get through our little challenges. there's other ways to get the end product.

Hi Paulie,

I wish you the best of luck this try! Out of curiosity, why wouldn't they try ICSI with you? I may not understand all of the details of your situation....perhaps the biopsy showed no viable sperm.

Paulie there are other ways indeed! Again, I really hope this time is the one for you!!!

We go in for pregnancy test (is that a beta?), on Friday. I have been trying really hard not to think about it, but had some cramps last night that made me start to think about it.

M

Hi Marie,

How are you feeling this week? Are you still having cramps? I'm holding out for you, can't wait to hear your results Friday.

Christin

Hi Christin,

Thanks for asking. I have been having cramps. Pretty mild, and mostly in the evenings. From the feedback I received on my other post about cramps, it sounds like it could be a good sign (so cautious to get excited about things). I am still very tempted to get a HPT, but trying very hard to wait until Friday. I will definitely post the results. They did end up freezing our third blast who was in good condition.

M

Great news, Marie, that sounds so promising. I hope you can wait until Friday, and get great news. Also good news on having a frozen embryo waiting for you, maybe a sibling to this little one;) finger crossed.

Christin

Hi Marie,

Just wanted you to know I am really hoping for your bfp as well. :) Friday will be here before you know it. Can't wait to celebrate w/ you!

Holly