The Superhero removes her mask...
*shew!* I got a little distracted from fighting crimes of infertility. Back to ME. There have been some developments since last we spoke, so I will lay them out.
Brad's SCSA results came back Thursday. To give a little background on this test, it is used to check for damage to a sperm's DNA structure, or "fragmentation". Simply put, DNA is arranged in a double helix or ladder configuration with side rails and rungs. If the rungs are broken, then the ladder is unsteady and won’t function properly. So anyhow, we had this test ordered a month ago and now we know where Brad stands.
Result Graph:
Normal Results would be <30% fragmentation
Average Results would be <15% fragmentation
Brad's Results are 5% fragmentation
The problem, most definitely, does not lie within Brad.
The next development in our quest to procreate came about in our consultation last Monday with RE#1. I was fully prepared for, and had composed a brilliant speech on, her suggesting that we jump to IVF/PGD. I expected that to come from her, since she had suggested it with our very first visit.
She did not suggest it this time.
She reviewed the results of my sonohystogram and compared the ultrasound results of my damnable cyst invasion (which I have developed once more this month). She took off her spectacles and clasped her hands together on the mahogany desk and said, "I want to do a laparoscopy on you very soon."
Now, she suspects I may have endometriosis. No, I do not have trouble "conceiving". However, I have every other symptom for endo. Will this repair my recurrent miscarrier status? Not likely. There aren't gobs of data on linking endometriosis to a higher rate of pregnancy loss, but many doctors have yet to agree that they are related. Nevertheless, I will be scheduling a lap in January.
So what does that bring us? A bunch more complications that come with being female. Right about now, I am thinking that I wish I had saved the receipt so I could return my reproductive tract for a better one... one where the box hadn't been previously opened or crushed. One that still has the original remote control. One that didn't shut off every time a thunderstorm approached. Oh yeah, and one that freaking WORKS correctly.
Brad's SCSA results came back Thursday. To give a little background on this test, it is used to check for damage to a sperm's DNA structure, or "fragmentation". Simply put, DNA is arranged in a double helix or ladder configuration with side rails and rungs. If the rungs are broken, then the ladder is unsteady and won’t function properly. So anyhow, we had this test ordered a month ago and now we know where Brad stands.
Result Graph:
Normal Results would be <30% fragmentation
Average Results would be <15% fragmentation
Brad's Results are 5% fragmentation
The problem, most definitely, does not lie within Brad.
The next development in our quest to procreate came about in our consultation last Monday with RE#1. I was fully prepared for, and had composed a brilliant speech on, her suggesting that we jump to IVF/PGD. I expected that to come from her, since she had suggested it with our very first visit.
She did not suggest it this time.
She reviewed the results of my sonohystogram and compared the ultrasound results of my damnable cyst invasion (which I have developed once more this month). She took off her spectacles and clasped her hands together on the mahogany desk and said, "I want to do a laparoscopy on you very soon."
Now, she suspects I may have endometriosis. No, I do not have trouble "conceiving". However, I have every other symptom for endo. Will this repair my recurrent miscarrier status? Not likely. There aren't gobs of data on linking endometriosis to a higher rate of pregnancy loss, but many doctors have yet to agree that they are related. Nevertheless, I will be scheduling a lap in January.
So what does that bring us? A bunch more complications that come with being female. Right about now, I am thinking that I wish I had saved the receipt so I could return my reproductive tract for a better one... one where the box hadn't been previously opened or crushed. One that still has the original remote control. One that didn't shut off every time a thunderstorm approached. Oh yeah, and one that freaking WORKS correctly.
7 Comments:
Good news on the sperm analysis .. sucks about the possible endo. I am sending you lots of prayers that they can get you straightened out soon!!!
I think you should go for a laproscope. I had one after three and half years of ttc (wish I had done it sooner). I had stage 4 endometrioisis. I had most of the "scars" and adhesions removed by laser. I then went on a 6 month course of zoladex which put me through menopause - it was terrible. I then had a followup laproscope which the scaring that remained where removed. Still not pregnant eight months later but glad I did the laproscope. I did not have a single symptom of it.
Serena
Good news about your hubby; sucky about the endo. I hope that if it is that, it's not too bad and that you'll know what you're dealing with and can fix it so you can go on about the business of getting that baby.
I wish I saved the receipt for my crappy ass system too.
xxxooo,
Emily
scrambledeggs
I've been waiting for your results. Very very good news to hear that Brad's fragmentation is 5%!!! That is excellent news. According to the place we went, they classified <15% as excellent fertility potential, 15-30% as good-fair, and >30 as poor. So he has EXCELLENT fertility potential. Since it is difficult/impossible to fix the DNA fragmentation, I'm glad to hear it, although it shifts the burden squarely back to you again. I was selfishly happy with our results for my own sake.
When do you think you'll have the lap done? I feel as though you've been jerked around by doctors for so long. You need some real answers ... I think you are on the right track and making progress in a reasonable fashion now, though.
Evelin
I can't even tell you how happy I am that THIS Dr actually decided to use her brain and wants to do the lap. Yeah for her!!! It's been a long time coming!
I'm thinking about selling my reproductive tract on ebay.
Congrats on the SCSA results and good luck with your lap!
Danae/Hardscrabble
Ollie, very very refreshing to hear you had such an intelligent-sounding dialogue emitting from said doctor. She's a keeper, isn't she? I have read (and will try to re-find) data that it is not the endo which increases risk of mc, it is the inflammation which accompanies endo that *could* increase the rejection of embryo. (if soundly substantiated, that would be an interesting thesis, no?)
(Please check m board again, as I will *bump* a message that might interest you regarding Oregon dr)
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