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Hi bmm and welcome to the forum. Everyone here is a great support.

Anyone know anything about ICSI? The RE said we could try IUI but I have heard that it is only really effective with a normal or close to normal s/a. I don't want to waste anymore time and money on something that will only disappoint me and dh. I have read that ICSI is good for people with low sperm count and poor morphology and it is covered under my insurance. Anything you may know or have heard would be helpful. I would like to make an appt. for a consult with my RE to talk about.

Lyly~ I am sorry to hear about dh s/a. It seems like they would want to do another one just in case. Was that his first one? Ange may know more about the icsi- I think she may be doing that?

LMD~ It wont be long now. I am glad that you are getting the ball rolling. HOw long do you have to do bcp?

BMM~ Welcome! Infertility is so draining. But you cant give up. This WILL happen for you. Stay strong and we are here for you!!

Ange~ How are ya? Any signs of af yet?

[quote author=lyly14 link=board=12;threadid=4308;start=240#39746 date=1187180161]
Hi bmm and welcome to the forum. Everyone here is a great support.

Anyone know anything about ICSI? The RE said we could try IUI but I have heard that it is only really effective with a normal or close to normal s/a. I don't want to waste anymore time and money on something that will only disappoint me and dh. I have read that ICSI is good for people with low sperm count and poor morphology and it is covered under my insurance. Anything you may know or have heard would be helpful. I would like to make an appt. for a consult with my RE to talk about.
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Hi Lyly~In reponse to your question about ICSI, my dh and I have done that for both our cycles. Each cycle resulted in a BFP, but ended up with a chemical and awaiting results (initial BFP, but hcg not doubling) on the 2nd. My dh's s/a sounds similar to your dh's so I would definitely recommend it. We tried IUI only to be unsuccessful. They also told us our chances were about 20% over 3 IUI cycles so we tried it once, but didn't continue to waste our money. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

Jade- yes this was his first one. They didn't recommend a second one just that he see a urologist.

Red- How do they collect the sample for the ICSI procedure. Can he do that by masturbation or do they physically need to go in to retrieve the sperm? Someone told me they have to be retrieved, but I wasn't sure if that was because her dh had no sperm with ejaculation. Did your dh see a urologist to find out what was going on? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

lyly~We did start out seeing a urologist and they just did s/a on my dh. He has a low count, low morphology, all low (can't recall what they all were, but they were all bad). They said they couldn't really do anything so they sent us to our fertility specialist. Each time we did our procedure they had him produce a sample while I went in for retreival. It was harmless (just a little embarrassing for him but well worth it). It really appeared to be our only hope and it has worked both times. Hopefully this answers your questions, but if not, let me know and I'll be happy to answer whatever I can.

Thank you for the welcome and kind words.
lyly – We tried ISCI with a few cycles just to try something different. Instead of combining the eggs and sperm for fertilization, the embryologist injects a single, live sperm directly into a mature egg. ICSI is just an extra laboratory step during the IVF process. Dh gave a sample thru masturbation (his s/a is fine) I guess if no sperm is produced thru masturbation then he may require another method to retrieve the sperm. A co-worker did IVF w/ ICSI due to her husband’s s/a and now has a healthy daughter. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

Hello All,

Lyly~ Sorry to hear about dh s/a. Icsi-ivf is the ideal way to go if you are having any sperm IF for men. We are doing the Icsi next month and it basicaly just inserts the sperm into the egg. Then they wait for 2 to five days and the re inserts how many (2-3) of the highest grade to be inserted. But if dh has had a normal count I would just make sure he take a multi-vitamin and extra vitamin c and vitamin E. Also cut out the sweets and trans fat seem to lower their counts. No hot tubs or hot baths, boxers only, cut back on or remove alcohol. My dr said men who are over weight have too much estogen in their body and that affects their count. Also count go down if dh has been sick a few weeks before a s/a.

LMD~ I am so excited for you you are having the ER a week before me :). What meds did they put you on. I am on b/c, Burrselin, Gonal-f 375 iu pen for 12 days luvaris 150 iu 12 days, ovidril 250 iu, estrace 2 mg 10 week, prometrim 50 mg 10 week. medrol 16mg 4days, doxycyclin 100 mg 7days. I freak out when I called to see how much the gonal-f would be since it is not covered by my insurance. The first place I called said it would cost me about 1.00 a unit and I need 4500 units. I started to cry. That is just one medication. But I kept looking and I did find it for 2900.00 so I will save 2000.00 phew. Are you meds covered?

Jade~ I am starting my cycle next week sometime. She is coming I can feel her :) I am trying not to stress so I don't mess up my cycle. How are you doing? when are you going to the re again?

BMM~ Welcome to our little group. I am sorry to hear all you have gone through so far. I am IF for 15 years I am doing icsi/ivf next cycle er is set for first week of October. Sounds far but after waiting 15 years it is close :) It is either going to be a celebration or closure for me as either way I will end my ttc journey. I feel I have done everything I can do and won't have a wait if thought during menopause.

Red~Sorry to hear about your beta not doubling. We are going for our first icsi. ER is set for the first week of October. I pray that your hcg is where is it supposed to be on your next beta.

As for me I am still very excited to start the process :)

luv to all
Ange

Ange- this is the first time he has ever had a s/a. They never tested him before because I was the one being evaluated for multiple m/c. They assumed he was fine because we had 3 previous pregnancies, but I wonder with such low morph if maybe his sperm may have been a contributing factor is our m/c's. I also have high risk factors for m/c and am not trying to lay blame, but just wonder if the mix of my problems and his just equals bad. Anyway our last pregnancy was in Jan 06 which ended at 11 weeks. Since then we have not been able to conceive on our own or with meds for me. We have done 5 months of meds 4 cycles of clomid and 1 cycle on gonal-f and nothing has happened. I have one dd from a previous relationship who is now turning 9. I know people can have secondary IF, but all my testing was normal as far as fertility. I just want the best possible chance for a healthy pregnancy. If his sperm is a factor then I don't want to waste time and money on doing IUI's.

Red and bmm- Thanks for the info. Just wanted to know what was involved so I can have something to discuss with my RE.

Lyly~ I agree with you about it could be his sperm. you can have these tests to see further problems
MAR antibody, Vitality Stain, Hypo-Osmotic Swelling (HOS) Test. there is also a blood test too. he might just need and medication and he will be fine. when do you go back?

Ange- thanks for the info on the other tests. Unfortunately dh doesn't have health insurance!!! I need to see if there is a way to change that problem. My RE gave me a name of a urologist but we haven't made an appt. His s/a alone cost us over $430( They told us it was going to be around 225 but when we went for the test they said his sperm needed to be checked for antibodies and that was even more money). I don't think we can afford all the testing and dr appts. for him right now. My plan covers IVF and ICSI 100%. So I am going to call my RE for a consult to see if that would be an option. I don't know why he offered IUI as an option when he called me. I know it concentrates the sperm and is much less invasive than IVF, but at this point I still need all the b/w u/s, and gonal-f shots. I might as well just do what gives us the best success rates.

How is everyone doing today? Hope all is well.
I am feeling a bit more positive today, but as I am sure all of you can understand my emotions are up and down. Dh still hasn't said a word related to the whole IF issue since I told him about the results of his s/a. I feel terrible for him. I think us women are stronger than men. We cry and talk about our feeling here or with friends, but I just don't see him letting his feelings out like that. Anyway, anyone have anything exciting planned for the weekend? I'm in need of hearing some good things that are going around here.

Jade-How are the shots going? Good luck with your u/s tomorrow. Are you going for b/w too? Hope you have some good follies starting to develop. Keep us posted.

Ange- You said you feel af coming yesterday, did she decide to show yet? What is your next step after af arrives?

Ange~Thank you for the prayers. I truly appreciate it and know that whatever God has planned is what I must accept. I also pray your journey is blessed. The ICSI will be a wonderful step for you. Good luck!!

Lyly~ I gave myself my 2nd shot yesterday. It is not so bad. I lived.......I go today @3:15 for u/s. I am curious to what is going on in there. I will let ya know. Well if you have had previous pregnancies then we know it will happen again. Maybe dh s/a was just a fluke and it will be better the next time. I know s/a fluctuates sometimes. Stay positive. When are you going to talk to re about IVf/icsi?

Ange~ Let me know if you want the dvd.

Jade- I called for an appt. this morning. I go next Sat the 25th. Good luck with the u/s today. It is so hard to predict how many follies you will have at O time so early, but it is reassuring to see that they are starting to grow.

Hello All,

My internet is giving me trouble the past few days. ERRR! So how is everyone? I am been doing great. Anxiously waiting for my af to come.

Lyly~ Af will be here next week maybe friday. I just know I have ovulated and she will be here for sure. If you plan cover icsi go for it. We are going to have a family bbq at my grandmother this weekend. It should be fun :)

Jade~ YOu gave yourself the shot? omg I would have passed out I am such a chicken to self inflick pain lol. How was it? Let me know what happens at the u\s I hope you get lots of big follies :) I will buy the dvd here it would cost too much to ship it.

Red~ Thanks for your prayers too it means alot to me to have support from all you girls. Keep me posted on your next beta. I am still praying for you.

luv to all
Ange

Ange~You are very welcome and I'm happy to add you to my prayer list. I will know more this afternoon so I'll be sure and let you know. I've been on pins and needles this whole time as the numbers just aren't what I'd like to see.....

Take care!