Nervous

[Bluedestiny]

Not wrote on here for a little while, I’ll try to keep it brief after tests we have confirmed that I have low AMH 5.5 I am 33, endometriosis which I had no idea about (had CA125 test and was 79 if this means anything to anyone) and my husband has had several samples all with very low spent count, under 2000 and NONE were moving. Bluntly it was likely they were all dead and using his sperm not an option which was just horrific news, anyway more tests (HOS test) and unbelievably the clinic have said they aren’t moving but they aren’t all dead which means we can do ICSI with his sperm. Honestly we cant believe it we had resigned ourselves to the fact we wouldn’t be going any further and then this we are thrilled. So I know there is sooooo long to go but I am now just so shocked we will be starting the ICSI process in around 5 weeks and I am BRICKING it! I didn’t think this was going to happen, I am only taking folic acid currently, what changes should I be making now? I don’t drink much so that’s not an issue but I eat chocolate and have one coffee and a few cups of tea per day. My head is in a spin. Thank you anyone for any tips and information xx

[JoyfulStar]

Hi there, congratulations on getting this far especially as it did not look so good before.

You say you are “bricking it” so may I ask why?

IVF/ICSI itself is not hard, the only hard part is the emotional rollercoaster. Be hopeful for the best but prepared for the worst. You’ve already had a flavour of that.

In terms of what to take. I would definitely add vitamin D to your folic acid especially as we have had several lockdowns in the past year. It might be too late to take other supplements like CQ10 but do your own research.

I was advised to give up caffeine during stimulation. Also a Mediterranean diet is advised. Some people swear by acupuncture as well. I think there is research that supports it increases IVF success rates. If you suffer from a lot of anxiety then I would definitely say to consider it seriously.

All the best 🙏🏾💫

[Bluedestiny in reply to JoyfulStar]

Hi joyful thanks for your reply, I think I’m just nervous for what’s to come not the physical but the emotional side, although I know and I am prepared (as much as I can be) for that I don’t think anyone can be fully prepared for this rollercoaster. I’m trying to protect myself as well I suppose. Thanks for the advice regarding vit D I’ll definitely start with those today xx

[JoyfulStar in reply to Bluedestiny]

Yes, how you feel is completely understandable. It is an emotional rollercoaster but it can also lead to successes. Lord knows I have had my ups and downs. Some parts of it are very routine so if you can, enjoy those or take them in your stride.

My advice to manage the overall rollercoaster is to celebrate the little wins. Some of the ladies here will have some other sound advice which may be suited more to you.

For me, after my first BFN, I readjusted my thinking a bit. I also had a disastrous last round with no blastocysts. I am mostly over it now and the way I see it now is that for my age, 13 eggs retrieved was good although none became blastocysts.

All the best and will have you in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏾💫🌈

[Bluedestiny in reply to JoyfulStar]

So sorry to hear about your BFN and the last round that must have been so difficult. Thank you so much lots of love and luck to you xx

[IMax93]

Hi Blue Destiny,I’m on my first round of ICSI and know exactly how you’re feeling it’s completely normal, my husband had similar issues but got plenty of sperm through retrieval.

I’m normally an avid running/ weight lifter and I’ve cut down to just walking and yoga for treatment.

If you fancy an occasional caffeinated coffee, say once a week that’s fine as a treat, but in general no caffeine is the way to go and with chocolate if you fancy a bit now and then don’t stress if it makes you feel better I’ve been having chocolate now and then as I love it.

Make sure you’re taking a prenatal vitamin or vitamin D and folic acid and eat the loads of fruit and veg. I’ve been upping things like avocados and nuts as well, specifically Brazil nuts are meant to be good, don’t ask me why!

I’ve also found a daily journal really helped me just get all my emotions out on a page and also reflect.

Good luck you can do this ☺️ x

[Bluedestiny in reply to IMax93]

Hi IMax thank you for your detailed reply. I am an avid list writer so I really like the journal idea I think that may help me feel a sense of calm. Fruit and veg is a definite, I might try some decaf teabags for work as I work in an office and people brew up all day.Thank you again I didn’t expect so many replies really kind of you xx

[Cricket2]

Hi Bluedestiny,

Best of luck on your journey.

I would also recommend you start your hubby on vitamins, such as vitamin D and ashvaganda, it’s known to increase sperm count. My husband went from 0.5 million, to 5 million eventually to 29 million and motility went up to 65%. Worth a try. Also if either of you are over weight, give yourselves an extra push over the next 5 weeks to get into better shape. Losing weight also helps with speed count significantly.

I found acupuncture is helping me unwind and relax more, which is really needed on this journey.

For men, the rest I’m sure you have read up on these but il share here anyway:

- reduce cycling

- loose cotton underwear

- reduce hot saunas, hot hubs and so on

Most of all for you both, don’t stress (easier said than done, I know!)

[Bluedestiny in reply to Cricket2]

Hi Cricket2 thank you for your well wishes. What a path we have to go down if someone told me this is where I’d be at 33 when I was 20 id have thought they were mad. I haven’t heard of ashvaganda so I’ll definitely look that up.

I would absolutely love to try acupuncture I am going to see if anyone does it locally to me. I am hugely into massage so I’d love to try this as an alternative.

I will try not to stress 🤯 so difficult like you say but I am quite a realist so I’m hoping that will help me in some way. This whole journey (sorry cliche) is such a mixture of emotions xx

[RoseLodge32]

Hello! I am in a similar(ish) situation...I have AMH on the lower side for my age (32, AMH 7.8) and my DH has been diagnosed with azoospermia. For this reason, we will be working towards surgical sperm retrieval with ICSI.

I'm not sure if it will make a difference but for the most part we have been eating healthily, have stopped drinking alcohol, have cut back on meat and have both been active. Like JoyfulStar said, I've also read that a Mediterranean style diet is meant to be good!

I've been taking Folic Acid, Vitamin D and also a Vitamin B complex (My Vitamin B12 levels sometimes dip) and my DH has also been taking a multivitamin. I think we just feel like these are the things we can control at the moment so we might as well go for it! Don't get me wrong we've had the very odd glass or two on special occasions and I have a sweet tooth so I have a bit of chocolate now and then! x

[Bluedestiny in reply to RoseLodge32]

Hi RoseLodge thank you for reaching out really interested to hear how things are for you. I have read up on azoospermia but you are the first person (I think) that I’ve seen with the diagnosis. Did your DH have the HOS test at all?

Totally get the control part, honestly I think that’s what I struggle with the most, I’m such a methodical person that it’s a huge shock to the system for literally everything to be out of our control.

What stage are you at with treatment? (I hope you don’t mind me asking) sending lots of love xx

[RoseLodge32 in reply to Bluedestiny]

I think you have to go looking for others with an Azoospermia diagnosis. I've found a few people on here but it certainly isn't a common challenge to face! I had to give that a Google (HOS test). We've had multiple semen analysis, hormone and genetic tests but not HOS. It sounds like you would need some sperm in the semen for that one but I may be wrong!

I am the exact same...love having everything planned out so I've really had to try and adapt to the unknown and just go with it and I don't mind you asking at all! We had some fertility tests done at the very end of last year and then were referred to a Urologist. Since around Feb, we've been in the cycle of medication, tests, consultation, tweak medication, more tests and so on...trying to get to an optimal place in terms of hormone levels ahead of the FNA Mapping which everything is hanging on! If we find sperm production via the Mapping then we will be going ahead with ICSI and SSR, if not...well we will have to cross that bridge if and when we come to it!

🤞 we both have success! xx

[Boo718]

Hello we were in exactly the same post orion as you. I’m 34 now but eggs and sperm are both terrible 🤦‍♀️ Please don’t worry about the ivf I’ve had a number of rounds of icsi and it’s honestly no problem. If you are at a good clinic the doctors will lead you through the whole process the injections are a walk in the park (and I was terrified of needles at the start of this) the important thing is to look after yourself don’t stress yourself out and go with the flow.... and also ... stay the hell off google or it will drive you insane xxx

[Bluedestiny in reply to Boo718]

Hi Boo718 omg doctor google the dreaded, I have to try so hard not to google every.single.damn.thing! Definitely makes you feel worse.Sorry to hear you have had to go through a few rounds of ICSI, if you haven’t got your miracle yet I hope it happens for you soon xx