SSR ICSI

[elsie15]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this and have been reading different stories based on different scenarios so thought I would give it a go...

My partner and I have been TTC for a couple of years now but have been unfortunate due to low count and motility. We got to the stage of undergoing ICSI and my partner was asked to produce sperm samples as a back-up if he could not produce anything on the day. However, this was unsuccessful as he wasn’t able to produce any ‘swimmers’ from all the samples that he give. Therefore, they recommended for him to take Impryl for three months to see if that makes a difference.

He has another four weeks to go but we had our consultation the other day and they have spoken about surgically removing the sperm as an option.

We are trying to get our heads around this option and wanted to know whether anyone has been through anything similar and whether there are any success stories?

As you know it’s a rollercoaster of a journey and want to feel that something positive will happen?

Has anyone taken Impryl with a similar background and has it worked? Also, has anyone ever had the SSR and how does it work?

Thank you in advance xx

[Italy300618]

Hi there, yes my husband has had ssr twice! The first time we were not told about supplements and what they retrieved was not good, hence we had 2 failed icsis. We have just had our 3rd round at a private clinic and although he was not on impryl, he was on about 10 different supplements (very similar to what is in impryl)but my god it made the world of difference, they retrieved motile sperm, and the first time ever we had 3 blastocysts and I got pregnant from a top grade blastocyst. Unfortunately it has ended in a missed miscarriage, but as sad as it is, we know it can happen.

The procedure itself is very simple, under sedation and takes about half an hour. They either do it prior to your treatment and freeze it or do a fresh retrieval on the same day as your egg collection. My husband was a bit tender for a day or so but recovery is really very quick, and is nothing to worry about.

One thing I would suggest in addition to taking impryl is a good quality coq10 in ubiquinol form. 200mg a day.

If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to ask me ☺️ wishing you all the luck in the world xx

[elsie15 in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you so much for this useful advice! I cannot tell you how much it means!!

We will look into that supplement as an extra too.

We are currently waiting for him to have the procedure. How long did you to wait until on the NHS to the SSR (I believe it’s quite a long wait?).

I’m really sorry about the miscarriage I wish you all the luck in the world too. It’s really nice to talk to someone else who is going through something similar xxxx

[Italy300618 in reply to elsie15]

Thats no problem at all ☺️

We waited 3 months on the nhs for the ssr, it felt like a long time but it will come round. Also it may be quicker in your area.

Also another thing is to cut out caffeine and alcohol for 3 months too if possible, that can have a really positive affect xx 😘

[elsie15 in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad I wrote this post. It’s really helped the info you have given me xxx we have waited quite a while now so, hopefully, not that much longer xxx

[Italy300618 in reply to elsie15]

Also for yourself, a good prenatal with folic acid, vitamin d, and also the co q10 in ubiquinol form, I took 300mg a day xx

[elsie15 in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you xxx

[Stephybivf]

Hi Elsie, sorry to hear your going through this. There’s not much advise on ‘Dr Google’ regarding this either is there 🙈

My husband provided several samples as we had been trying for years. Unfortunately there was no sperm in his samples. He had genetic tests and bloods done which where all normal, so found no cause for this. We where never told about supplements.

He then had SSR which was successful and he said he was in very minimal pain afterwards. His sperm was frozen then when I had EC one vial was taken out per cycle (in my case 2).

Our first round didn’t work and nothing fertilised but that was due to my immature eggs/protocol I was on. My second round was successful and I gave birth to our daughter Alice in feb and we where lucky enough to get 3 Frosties too.

It can absolutely happen so don’t loose hope, I know that initial diagnosis is devastating and it requires a specialist approach (our GP just told us we would never have our own children!).

Happy to help in anyway, wishing you all the best xx

[elsie15 in reply to Stephybivf]

OMG thank you xxx our GP said the same thing too and mentioned a donor several times which I felt was so unfair considering we hadn’t explored all avenues

It’s so difficult; you feel like you’re up and then down with every consultation you have and start to lose all hope

My partner is producing sperm (very little) but no swimmers; therefore, cannot be used to freeze. His bloods came back normal too.

We are just praying for a miracle to happen.

Would you recommend me taking anything. I have been taking Folic Acid for years xxx

[Stephybivf in reply to elsie15]

I know it’s really hard to take in when someone mentions donor straight away without looking at why this is happening. I know what you mean, I used to dread every consultation and literally had really bad anxiety attacks before we went in 🙈

On my second round I took DHEA (as advised by our consultant.) I also took myo-inositol, ubiqioinol, and n-acetyl cysteine and PQQ after a bit of research I did. I personally think that made a difference with my eggs along with a change in protocol x

Would they be doing SSR when u have egg collection then? Xx

[elsie15 in reply to Stephybivf]

I know- I feel it’s really inconsiderate to say when options haven’t been discussed or explored

I think they’re looking at that option if he cannot produce any motile sperm after they have checked following the Impryl. We have another couple of weeks to wait for his next sample. If no improvements then we will try the SSR xxx

[SMMW in reply to Stephybivf]

Interesting to read this. We are currently waiting for my partners SSR. He asked if he should be taking any supplements and was told no. Praying for a good result as hormone tests and chromosome tests all cane back normal we’ve been told 🤞🤞🤞

[elsie15 in reply to SMMW]

Good luck xxx

[Anipea]

Hi, apologies in advance if you have tried this and aware if it already but I thought to mention in case it might be helpful. I came across a post a while ago some mentioning taurine as a supplement and how it had helped their partners sperm count and quality.

[elsie15 in reply to Anipea]

Thank you so much!! I’m going to look into this. Feel like this is really helping me seeing so many people who knows what it feels like. Thank you all so much for you lovely, kind comments xxx