[angiefl]

SFbaygirl: So far they have not put him on anything and he has not even noticed that he has low T levels. I called his last urologist to ask if we could at least put him on something in the mean time just to raise his T levels because I am sure sooner or later he will start feeling the effects. NO CALL back. That is why we got a second consult since this guy was referred to us for infertility but I didn't feel like he knew his stuff. So we got the second consult with an RE that referred us to Dr. Lipschultz in Houston. I am sure that he will start m DH on HCG shots since that is the way he is going with most of his patients.

The waiting is actually not that bad. It actually stopped me from thinking about the infertility thing for a while since really there is nothing to do but wait. So for some time it has felt "normal." My DH is okay with it so far. Honestly, I think he is more scared of the surgery if it comes back normal. Another interesting thing the RE told us is that if this is genetic and we go a head and still do the surgery which there could be sperm there that this will be passed on to our children if we had any together. I thought that was interesting since I had not thought of that-

Kris: I am so sorry that this hurt your feelings. Like all the rest of you, my emotions are even more heightened. Sometimes when someone asks me when we are going to have kids, I just want to say "we can't have them" with a dramatic look on my face to teach them a lesson in saying insensitive crap! LOL....so far I have not got up the nerve.

Joy: CONGRATS!!!!!! That is a beautiful thing!!!!

Lost: I wish I understood all of the IVF lingo. Good luck and may you find some peace in the process wherever it can be found!

Atiz: Good luck to you and praying for great EGGS!!!

Diana: Have a great appointment!

[SFBaygirl]

Angie: I know what you mean about the genetic defects being passed on if it is a male child. I know that there is a procedure (I forget the acronym but maybe pgd??) where they can determine the sex of the embryo and if there are any major genetic issues before even implanting it. This is probably really expensive and I imagine there are some risks involved to the embryo. The benefit would be to determine if the embryo was a girl you wouldn't have to worry about passing on the genetic defects.

It is pretty daunting to think that very soon there could be some surgery for your DH. My DH may be put on the hCG as well if the Clomid doesn't work.

[erinvt]

Angie--I read your post about genetic defects being passed on to children. My DH was recently diagnosed with a y-chromosome microdeletion (in the AZFc region). This means that if we are lucky enough to do the mTESE and have sperm found, and have a successful IVF/ICSI and had a baby boy, he would definitely have the same deletion. (Daughters will not be affected). As sad as it is to think about (having a child go through the same thing we are going through) I would not think twice about moving forward. My DH is the most wonderful, loving, caring person--and if his mother had been able to look into the future while she was pregnant with him and see the type of person he would grow up to be--and know he'd have to go through the infertility aspect--I can't imagine her ever having second thoughts either. Know what I mean? My DH is perfectly happy and healthy and normal--it's just the pesky microdeletion that affects nothing but fertility.

If we had a son, I feel like science will have such breakthroughs in the next 20 or so years, that by the time he is thinking of having children, it will be much easier than it is for us today.

When Dr. Schlegel told me about the defect being passed on to any sons, I barely even flinched. It just isn't something that would ever stop me from moving forward. It won't stop him from leading a normal and healthy life--it will just be a bump in the road like it is for us. I can't imagine not having my DH--so as sad as I am that we have to go through this, I am just thankful to have him in the first place.

sorry...feeling extra emotional and sappy tonight because DH left for Ohio on a 10 day hunting trip this morning! It's sad coming home to an empty house!

hope everyone is doing well!
erin

[SFBaygirl]

Erin: I feel the same way!! I agree that by the time any sons we had are our age, they will have so many more medical advances when it comes to fertility. Just think how far they have come since we were born.

Funny you mention Ohio. I am from there, born in Marietta, went to Ohio University for undergrad and Ohio State for veterinary school. I moved to California right after I graduated vet school. Hunting was huge there but not big here in San Francisco. It is this time of year I really miss fall and colder weather. I used to go to the fall pumpkin festivals and would get apple butter, now that is one thing you just don't see out here. Darn, now I am craving it.

AFM: AF is super late, I am at day 35 and counting. I am sure it is the stress of the job situation. DH just got his estradiol levels tested and they are high normal so Dr. Turek wants to start Arimidex. We are trying to get Kaiser to approve it but I know it is pricey. We will pay out of pocket if necessary but we have funds set aside for IF and don't want to touch it until we absolutely have to. Could this stuff get any more complicated???

[Singingirl96]

Hello Ladies.

Kris - I hear you on the insensitive comments... they never stop around me... and most of the time they are from people that know about our IF... this Friday out to be interesting... we have a company dinner and both of my boss' pregnant wives will be there... great. I'm keeping my distance!

Hello all else!

[SFBaygirl]

Singing: I totally agree with staying on the other side of the table or dining room if necessary. They will be talking baby non-stop I am sure.

I can't believe even people who know about your IF still make dumb comments. I am just convinced that the little filter in our brains that keeps us from saying/doing stupid things is missing in about 75% of people. Seriously!!

Is your DH taking the Arimidex? I thought you had mentioned that a long time ago.

[amyinohio]

Joy - Congrats on your !!!

SFGirl - Ohio is wonderful! I especially love the Athens area...dh and I go about once a year and spend a week in Hocking Hills...it is so peaceful!

Hello everyone!

[Singingirl96]

SF - Dr. Boyle first prescribed Arimidex but it was too expensive for us... it was like $400/month... that's a lot. Considering I got clomid for less than $30... it was a no brainer. She would have preferred Arimidex, but Clomid was her second choice.
I'm affraid it is not working... I would expect that if his T is increasing, he would have a stronger sex drive... but that hasn't changed. We'll see only tests will tell.

[amyinohio]

Singing - DH took clomid for 2 months and his highest number was 175...he never had any side effects or signs that the meds were working. His numbers did not skyrocket but they did go up! Hope the clomid works for you!

[SFBaygirl]

Singing: Like Amy said, the T levels aren't going to go up nearly as much as with a true supplement like Androgel. Dr. Turek is hoping for above 200. I wouldn't expect the same physical changes. As for the Arimidex, it is my understanding that it is an estrogen blocker. Dr. Turek wants my DH on that in addition to the Clomid.

Amy: I miss Athens so much. That is where I met my DH. We were both students at OU. We lived in the same dorm . We were so young not even able to legally buy a beer at the time.

Do you remember what your DH's T levels were before the Clomid? Did you guys have a successful TESE after the Clomid?

I hope you and Aida are doing well and staying healthy.

[angiefl]

erin and sfbaygirl: I totally understand where you are coming from with that. We have decided if it comes down to it and we have a genetic problem that we would go directly to DS since I let him make that decision. He told me that he did not want his son ever having to go through this and maybe having trouble finding someone since he would know it would be hard to have children financially and emotionally. I would support him with either decision since I can see both sides. He could change his mind since we all know the path of infertility is one big emotional rollercoaster!

Erin: I hope you feel better! I hate when my DH is away and the house is all lonesome--then again at least one night I know I can rent all of the chick flicks I want without him complaining

Like both of you, I could never imagine life without my DH and am thankful he is here!

We will see what the results will say---either way there will be a baby in our lives that will be ours

[Atiz]

Angiefl, Diana83, Kris, SFBayGirl, thank you all for the encouragement and best wishes, you are sweet!!!

Lostandconfused, it is strange that the straw did not survive freezing... How do they test this????? Because as far as I know, frozen sperm when defrosted (is that the word??? sorry if not) may remain immotile as well. Then how do they know whether they are alive or not? They do not show "signs of life"... They may sting one single sperm and check it somehow, but even then, how does it prove that the others did not survive???? It is very strange... If I were you, I would trust my DH's frozen sperm too. Anyway, good luck with Sunday, I will think of you.

[amyinohio]

SFBay - dh's T started at 150 and went up to 175. We did have a successful TESE.