Friday, May 16, 2008

not sure what to do

My current RE doesn't do any of the testing I'd like to get done. I want my DH to get a sperm DNA test but he doesn't do it. I want to know for sure if it's me or him. I realize either way that there really isn't a fix for either of us but it sure would be nice to know what the cause of our crappy embryo's was. I mean what's the point in my cycling again? My embryo's are going to be abnormal yet again. I don't even know why I'm doing this...why? why do I feel the need? In the off chance that this might be it? I mean come on, who am I fooling, it won't work just like all the others.

I just don't know what to do. I might cancel this cycle all together.

I feel so lost and alone.

12 comments:

D. said...

I am glad your RE wants to try the microflare protocol. It sounds to me like it is definitely worth a try. Do you plan on starting right away or do you think you need a break?

I think it is really great news that you asked for an adoption packet. Doesn't mean you have to stop IVF just because you do that. Just another great way to get a beautiful baby!

Anonymous said...

What about CCRM?

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles. It sounds very painful, both physically and emotionally. I'm just starting my 1st cycle of IVF, but I'm in a much different situation, as I'm 43, so my big problem is age, and you are young. Also, I already have a 6 y.o. daughter (and a previous miscarriage). It's important to know that you don't have to be chipper all the time and it's okay to be sad.
Many friends of mine have adopted and have beautiful children. Also, one friend of mine was told at age 48 that she absolutely could never have children, they went ahead with the process to adopt a wonderful Chinese little girl baby, and just 3 months before they were scheduled to go over to pick her up, my friend found out she was pregnant. They still adopted the girl, and then later adopted 2 little boys from Africa. It's good that you can get this procedure done through your church.
Right now I am drinking some raspberry and ginger tea for the nausea that is coming with my IVF medicines. I wish you good luck in your journey and hope your wishes come true.
Nancy

Erin said...

DE? Maybe you need donor sperm?

Bee Cee said...

Have you looked at this site? http://www.scsadiagnostics.com/, they do sperm DNA testing through the post.

Not sure if it helps but I thought I would mention it.

I am trying the microflare for my next try (number 5).

Good luck with your next step.

Staci said...

I just stumbled across your blog doing a search for something.

I dont' know if the SCSA test is really worth bothering with. My DH had it done (his result was in the fair to poor fertility category which was no big surprise since he has male factor infertility). Most Dr.'s I've talked to say they've seen patients with DNA fragmentation as high as 65% not only have children but have twins. They feel ICSI largely bypasses and DNA fragmentation issues.

I think what would be more useful for you is CGH testing on your eggs or embryos. Check out SIRM's website (www.haveababy.com). If you go to the patient discussion boards there are articles about CGH pinned at the top.

Amy said...

Staci-Actually ICSI does not bypass DNA fragmentation. If there is something wrong with the DNA in a sperm it can lead to abnormal embryo's. All ICSI bypasses is motility & morphology issues since those are the only two things you can see under a microscope.

I've posted on the SIRM forums quite a few times as well as consulted via phone with different RE's over the US. DH and I decided that for now we are not going to pay the extra money (plane and hotel tickets) to go out of state (since ins covers the rest)Instead we are putting the money towards adoption.

Honestly we know our embryo's are chromosomally abnormal. All CGH or PGD will do is confirm they are abnormal. my current
RE's embryologists look into the cell not just at the cell numbers and size. They look as far as to see how many nuclei are in each cell. EAch cell should have 1. My embryo's either have more then 1 in each cell or none at all. both of which are chromosomally abnormal and not very likely to survive to implantation let alone make it 9 months. Thanks for your advise though.

Anonymous said...

I also found your blog by accident - Apart from how many cycles you've tried , I could have written this blog myself ! I just completed my 2nd ICSI cycle ( antagonist ) both cycles give us loads of eggs, 1/2 become embryo's but then they are all too fragmented for use. Last time our best was %60 frag. BUT, this time we did get 2 that were under 20 % frag but had only become 2 cells. They are on board now but I dont really hold too much hope for them - saying that though I am talking to them every day & encouraging them to divide LOL.

My FS says the sperm DNA test is a waste of time & I think what drives me up the wall the most is that they really don't have the answers when I ask why is this happening ? I truely believe them too ! It seems that AC really is alot of guess work & process of different drugs, different protocols. Cost sooooooo much, financially, emotionally, socially.

Do you know any one in our situation who has gone on to have better embryo results ? I cant seem to find ANYONE. that is except the girls who have gone on to donor eggs !

I would dearly love your feed back-

my email address is alyeast@hotmail.com

all the very best of luck to you, Aly X

pickles said...

I also found your blog by accident - Apart from how many cycles you've tried , I could have written this blog myself ! I just completed my 2nd ICSI cycle ( antagonist ) both cycles give us loads of eggs, 1/2 become embryo's but then they are all too fragmented for use. Last time our best was %60 frag. BUT, this time we did get 2 that were under 20 % frag but had only become 2 cells. They are on board now but I dont really hold too much hope for them - saying that though I am talking to them every day & encouraging them to divide LOL.

My FS says the sperm DNA test is a waste of time & I think what drives me up the wall the most is that they really don't have the answers when I ask why is this happening ? I truely believe them too ! It seems that AC really is alot of guess work & process of different drugs, different protocols. Cost sooooooo much, financially, emotionally, socially.

Do you know any one in our situation who has gone on to have better embryo results ? I cant seem to find ANYONE. that is except the girls who have gone on to donor eggs !

I would dearly love your feed back-

my email address is alyeast@hotmail.com

all the very best of luck to you, Aly X

Amy said...

Pickles-I have seen woman go on to have better embryo quality. Some woman get better quality embryo's by trying a new protocol. others will simply switch doctors (new lab) and that makes all the difference. I have a friend who had 3 FET's where her embryo's failed to thaw. (froze at day 5) she switched clinics and the new clinic froze at day 2 or 3. Those embryo's survived the thaw and made it to day 5. She got pregnant (this is after 5 fresh IVF's and 3 FET's) unfortunately she is having a m/c though.

Anyhow, I would probably either try a new protocol or switch labs. On the other hand I have friends who have fragmentation problems and they haven't been able to get better quality yet so it can go either way.

I hope both of us get pregnant soon!!

George said...

I've heard the DNA testing doens't really give any good info - sadly. We considered it, but opted not to due to cost and lack of concrete info coming out of it. I've got every finger/toe crossed for you guys!!!

Anonymous said...

I would love to know if anyone has gotten pregnant and given birth with dna frag over 55%. I think the SCSA test is good so that you know what the issue is. We are on our 2nd cycle and the doc thinks the first one failed because he waited until day 5 of the embryos's lives because he thought they were strong enough. New protocal will be to implant third day. I am 39 and filling my DH with tons of anti oxitants - any thoughts?