Not encouraging news/urologist (male infertility)

Thank you, I appreciate it,

Lisa

Lisa, I've been in your shoes. We now have a 2 1/2 year old son. He is the product of IUI using donor sperm. I had infertility issues also (didn't ovultate without drugs). My husband was initially opposed, but we talked about the process in depth and he changed his mind. Our 2 year old is his son in every way that matters. Just a thought.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss it.

Melissa

Hi Melissa,
I really appreciate you replying. I'm glad to hear from someone who did the IUI with donor sperm. Until we know everything, I don't know if we would have to go that route, but if that would be the case, I know who to come to with my questions :)

Were you doing any kind of treatment when you conceived the baby you're pregnant with now?

Lisa

Hey Lis, I spoke w/you a few weeks back.  First off, my condolences on your Grandma.   95 is a marvelous amount of time to have lived; she was a lucky woman to see all that she saw.  God Bless Her.  

As for the hubby, from my experience, your doc made all the right moves and the scrotal ultrasound right off the bat indicates this guy is on top of things quickly.  I know your priority is to get pregnant, however, if your hubby is not producing sperm it has further ramifications to his health that needs to be addressed first.   The dr. essentially works backward.  If the scrotum etc. is found to be ok, the blood tests will show if something's off in the pituatary gland, if that's off, they'll do an MRI of the gland itself to make sure that's fine.  If it's fine but not producing enough testosterone they'll supplement it with the shots like my hubby got.  If that happens and his numbers go up like ours did you can do the IUIs.   Male testosterone regulates more than just their sperm.  It is necessary for muscle and bone health.  The heart is of course a muscle and men do get osteoporosis just like women if their hormones are off.    Brittle bones are no fun.

As others have said, take a breath.  This TTC road is a long one and even the best docs need time to process tests and experiment with treatments; this will be a longer road than you were hoping for so re-arrange your thought process now so as not to get upset each month that goes by.   Also, take that time to save money, make money and investigate all the insurance possibilities.   There are folks here that have switched jobs to switch insurances for IVF, that stuff does happen.  As someone else said, there are egg or sperm donor options, embryo adoption and regular adoption.    I, too, was gently told to consider those possibilities from my docs since I was 43.5 at the time of my IUIs.  If you pray, pray for an open mind to all the possibilities while you investigate the options.  I hope you get what you want, but mostly I hope you two are healthy and happy.  First things first.   God Bless you at this time in your life.

Jackie,

What a beautiful, poignant, and informative post! I never even considered the health ramifications you mention. I appreciate you sharing this info. and a glimpse into the journey you've taken.

Hugs,

Hi Jackie,
Thanks so much for your reply, and help.

I didn't know that there could be health ramifications in a man by not producing sperm. But now I can see how...   Well I am not sure if the dr was going to do the ultrasound anyway, but he's been having some pains, so the dr wanted to make sure there wasn't a problem. 

The dr does seem competent, but he will be leaving the practice at the end of December (Moving to Texas and we are in Minnesota). Not sure how much we will know by then. So then we either switch to the other dr there, or go to the other urology office I had originally contacted (and still wouldn't have gotten into yet).

I don't do well with patience, but I guess I'll have to start trying.... Changing jobs isnt an option, and I already work for a large healthcare company here. I was stunned to see that IVF wasnt covered but I will cross that road if or when I would have to deal with it. All I can think I could do is sell my car for 1 cycle of trying, but that's about as much money as I think I could come up with. So trying not to freak out too much right now...

So thank you again for your information, I will let you know more once I know,

Lisa

Isnt' it amazing to see that the healthcare companies themselves don't cover these issues??  It would be so cost saving....similar to covering WLS in those that really need it so they don't have to pay for Diabetes, HPB, GERD drugs and complications.    I, too, work in healthcare, Healthcare Actuarial Consulting to be specific, so we work both ends; with insurers and the government in recommending and in analyzing programs.   My company insurance covered IUI's (unlimited).   I had 8!! over the course of 1.5 years.   Had they covered 1 or 2 IVF's they would have saved themselves thousands and me the emotional/spiritual and psychological issues I went through in that time period, not to mention that over-stimulated ovulation just plain HURTS.   Now I worry about the future potential of cancers from all those hormones I used in the IUIs.   They'll be paying out the gazoo if anything comes of that!  

Best of luck.