8 eggs, 0 fertilised, DP pain

Yesterday was a terrible, terrible day!

We had EPU for our 2nd IVF/ICSI cycle and got 8 eggs. So far so good!

My DP has very low sperm count and so it was decided that he would undergo a testicular biopsy where they insert a needle in to his testicles to remove the sperm. This is done under a local anasthetic but it didn't work and he went through extreme pain while they kept having to inject him to find sperm. In the end they didnt get any sperm at all. DP was crying in recovery because he felt so bad. He then had to try to give a sample (very difficult after what he just went through) Anyway, he produced a sample and we were told that again they couldnt find ANY sperm! My DP was absolutely devastated and I feel so sad for him.
A few hours later we got a call to say they had found some sperm and had injected all 8 eggs. Finally some good news :D

Today I called to get the fertilisation results and were told that none had fertilised (I kind of expected to hear that after all that happened yesterday). So cycle over :(
Both DP and I are so sad as its looking less and less likely that we will have a family. We are both 37 and running out of time.

We don't know where to go from here. We have not been happy with our FS since we started, we feel that he doesn't give us enough information, doesn't answer our questions properly and basically end our appointments quite quickly. So, do we change FS and/or clinics or do we give him a 3rd chance and see if he offers any solutions or changes to help us get a BFP?

Does anyone have any suggestions for increasing sperm count other that zinc, no alcohol, no smoking ect...?

Im so sorry for the long post

LJ,

What a terrible thing you and DP endured yesterday. It just sounds awful for both of you. :hug:

My DH has problems with his sperm and we use ICSI. I recently went to an accupuncturist to help my egg development etc and she has also placed DH on some herbs to help with sperm quality. Perhaps this may be something you could look into. I was told it takes a while to build up the effect though and he's only just started so I cannot give advice on how effective it has been. She did have some encouraging stories about the herbs - but then she's not likely to tell the negative ones either.

The FS's we've seen have always ruled out options to improve sperm, so this seems to be all we have got to try.

I know how you feel about time running out. I'm 36 and whilst I know there are ladies a few years older than I having children, it's just not what I ever imagined for myself.

Perhaps if you let us know where you are, someone may be able to provide advice regarding FS in your area?

Im very sorry to hear what you are going through. I dont have any advice on how to increase sperm but i can share the details of my fs if u are in sydney. I was very happy with the service we received and had a positive second attempt at IVF ICSI .. hopefully u both find the answers u are looking for and the happiness you are seeking.

Hi CeCe,

Thanks for your reply. I've been reading up on vitamins ect.. for increasing sperm but may have to look in to herbs. I am also considering acupuncture for myself but wasn't sure if it would be beneficial to DP as well. DP's not keen on me having to go through acupuncture so I don't know how he'd feel about going through it himself.

We are currently going to Monash IVF in Richmond, but live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne so Melbourne IVF at Ringwood would actually be much easier for us. So I am open to any suggestions for FS.

I'm also looking for an acupuncturist in the eastern suburbs that specialises in IVF or infertilty. Ive been searching the net but most seemed to be far from home!

CeCe, I wish you all the best with TTC and hope that the acupuncture and herbs bring great results.

LJ*,
sorry, I don't know if you have posted about this before but have they given you any reason for your DH 's low sperm count. some things may be fixable with herbs/vitamins but some won't.
I just posted in your other thread re the acupuncturist so def. talk to her about your DH.
my sister is going through monash richmond and her DH needs biopsys to get the sperm and they are pg. if you want to email me on anney2227@yahoo.com.au I will email you their FS name. He is supposed to be the best in victoria with "mens issues".

LJ :hug:

If it makes you feel better we are trying for our 5th round soon. I would say take a break and keep trying as long as you are comfortable with the FS. I have found Accupunture to be really good and it helped us get a BFP last round that we lost @ 5 weeks.

Best wishes and :bluedust:

:hug:

I can't give you any advice on a FS but perhaps you may want to explore the option of a SSC (surgical sperm collection) if you already haven't.

We went down this route, but due to medications and medical history we are now heading down the DS path.

Good luck and the very best of wishes

LJ,
So sorry you and your DH are having such a hard time with this all. Does DH smoke? If so this is not good for sperm count. My FS told us about another couple he was treating that man smoked a packet a day, he found it impossible to give up but only had 3-5 a day for 3mths and his sperm count after that was fantastic, so if he smokes i suggest he gives up or cuts down drastically. I've also hear that diet, excersice and vitamins could be a help unless of course there is a medical reason for his low count. My DH also went thru the invasive sperm aspiration, and yes it is not pleasent for them but i reckon what we go thru is far worse! I know the fear you are feeling of age etc look at my age and still no children but we are not giving up just yet, after we decided that our mixture was not working and the advise of our FS we tried donor eggs, we tried donor sperm and now god bless we have 4 wonderful little donated embryos about to be transferred and hopefully this will be our miracle - who know but we have just got to try everything we can - and this is what my advise to you is - try everything you feel comfortable with -i know things seem a little bleek right now but there is other ways and more things to try. I wish you all the luck in the world on this journey and hope you get your BFP really soon. :goodluck:

Oh LJ what a truely crap day!
I would say definately see a Chinese Herbalist my DH has been on herbs for almost 12 month and we have seen a good increase in numbers and quality, however it does take about 3 months because thats how long the sperm production process is. It didn't rule out IVF/ICSO for us but did give them a lot more to choose from. he doesn't do the acupuncture though (couldn't talk him into that one :) ) and we are still getiing an improvement.
Also soft drink is apparently really bad for sperm production.

Good luck hun!

Hi LJ,

I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. This whole process is extremely painful and emotional. Ask your FS about the polscope used in ICSI, it's supposed to improve chances of fertilisation and a good quality embryo, apparently it's quite new.

Both DH and I have been having acupuncture for a year now. My DH was very stressed with work and it really helped bring down his stress levels. He was skeptical at first, but I kind of talked him into it. would you believe that now he is hooked on it and really enjoys the feeling of relaxation it gives him. The acupuncturist has put us both on chinese herbs (tablet form) and it's really helped my cycles. DH reckons that it's helped to improve his health too.

On another note, is anyone else sick of the bloody blackmore's ad at the top of these pages? "You'll be amazed at how quickly they develop". I'll be amazed if I ever get pg at this rate.

Hi LJ,

Acupuncture hun ... give it a go ... we started for my DH after receiving results of his sample levels and being told not to expect naturally ... so I researched and researched and found that based on acupuncture alone that sperm count and mobility all can be increased ... we started DH on treatment and by the 7th week I think his levels had increased dramatically and not only that his general health improved overall .... we ended up stopping acupuncture purely due to round 1 of IVF but still contribute our success to his increase prior to having to go through the treatment .... he also was given herbal tablets which were tiny seed variety and were purely to increase everything to do with the sperm - he took i think 40 2 times a day but they have a big effect .... he was a bit skeptical but once he saw the results on paper he was downing everything he could to increase our chances .... the only other thing our Dr told us was to switch to boxers completely as the tighter the undies are the quicker it kills off sperm production ... wives tale or not ... the area has to stay cool and free is how it was put to us !!!

I hope that things work out for you hun, I know how heartbreaking the treatment cycles are .... xoxoxo

Thanks everyone for your support and advice.

DP's low sperm count has been attributed to a problem with a hernia operation years ago, however, his count was not this low on our last cycle or on previous sperm tests (it was low, but not THIS low!)

We have decided that we need a severe lifestyle change before we commence our next cycle. Neither DP or I eat properly (he works nights and I get slack with cooking as it's just for me) and he has a very stressful job. He has given up alcohol but still drinks a lot of coke and to be honest we don't do much exercise.
We are going to sit down together on the weekend and work out a plan of attack. I'm going to do menu planning to ensure we eat better, he is giving up the soft drink, I am going to start acupuncture (and try and talk him in to doing it as well) and talk to the acupuncturist about herbs ect...RH76, I'll see if I can convince my DP like you did yours!
Melsta, might have to talk DP in to wearing boxers ALL the time aswell :D

We will go and see our current FS again and see what he says. If we are still not happy with him we will go to someone else.

We did our 2 stim cycles back to back, so I think we might have a break for 2-3 months to get our lifestyle on track and give it a chance to increase the count! It's just so hard to wait that long at our age, feels like every week is going to make our chances even lower!

I know we've only done 2 cycles and so many have done much more. I feel guilty complaining about it. I think this week was just such a shock to have zero fertilise, but maybe it's given us a kick up the *** to get healthier :rolleyes:
We want to do everything we can before we have to look in to other options.

I wish everyone all the best.
Lissie good luck with your 4 little embies.
Tigerlinda, sending you lots of :bluedust: and best of luck on your next cycle.

LJ - thanks for the GL sweet it will happen in time for you one piece of advice my FS gave me is the ones that fall pg in 1-2 rounds usallay have not told anyone they have done IVF. Do have a read of my blog if it helps als good LTTC and AC thread that is great for support

RE: acupuncture - I just wanted to let you know that it is not painful at all, please don't let your DP miss out on potential benefits because he may have misconceptions about the treatment! Having acupuncture is what has kept me sane this last 8 or so months, with trying to write up a PhD thesis plus work plus have a seriously screwed up menstrual cycle. Anyway I just wanted to tell you that acupuncture is amazing stuff, it will help you relax and it is probably just what the two of you need after what you have been through. Hugs and all the best of luck :)

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We are currently going to Monash IVF in Richmond, but live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne so Melbourne IVF at Ringwood would actually be much easier for us. So I am open to any suggestions for FS.

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I see Dr Greg Fox @ Melbourne IVF in Ringwood and I think he is wonderful. We are currently on our first cycle and he has just been great, all we need is sucess now and I then I can say I couldn't recommend him more highly.