SA Results.....

[MrsMB]

I know you guys aren't doctors...but anyone want to help talk me down from a ledge?

For those who didn't read my post... Last Thursday, I got a call with the nurse saying report results were " quite abnormal." I asked for numbers and was told they had sent them to medical records. I asked if it was worth a second SA and was told, "honey, with numbers that low...it won't change anything doing another one so soon." I get that numbers wouldn't drastically improve before 3 months, barring miracles, but still. After waiting until Tuesday for the official numbers, I called. I was told a different story that they hadn't been sent to records and that my doc was holding them. I asked them for numbers again and the nurse gave me another vague reason as to why I didn't have them, but told me she would call me RIGHT back. 4 hours later, she said she would have to mail them to me.

Now, I know our next step is to go to the Urologist. We have the information. Not sure as to when we will get that scheduled with Christmas around the corner. I know these results are abnormal. I have him now on a vitamin regimen recommended by the nurse and we will see the urologist....when he's ready. I think I just need to talk... Cause I feel a little scary right now...does this look impossible from a first SA standpoint?

Total Sperm: 63 million
concentration: 10.5 million/ml
Total Motility: 32% with 20% progressive
Morphology: 3%

[lms]

I'm sorry MrsMB. So many hugs to you. i wish I could give you some advice. Hopefully the vitamins will help and that he is able to get into the Urologist soon to figure everything out.

[shauni27]

I'm so sorry. I have no experience with this, but will continue sending you positive thoughts!

[megkat]

I'm obviously not a dr- but those numbers don't even look THAT bad to me! Not ideal, yes, but workable. For DH's SA, total sperm was like five million, with 0% morph.

And I don't love that they dismissed a second SA. We did one at the advice of our RE, and the second one showed 5% morph, which was way better.

I'm on my way to work right now, but later I'll see if I can get DH's actual numbers to speak more intelligently on the topic. But from (uneducated, not a dr) standpoint, I don't think things are as dire as they've made it out to be.

[HoneySpider]

Your nurse sounds like an ass

I don't think things look impossible. I would definitely do a second SA to confirm.

[MrsMB]

Thank you, ladies. I hate that they just wouldn't TALK to me about them, making DH and I sweat for days without knowing the actual results. I looked at the fax she received. Their office received the results on 12/5. I GET taking a few days to review them before getting back to us. But taking as long as they did AND refusing to discuss them with me was nothing short of "amazing."

[aprilsails]

I am crossing my fingers for you both. Those numbers don't sound like it's impossible. Wishing you both lots of better luck moving forward.

[miamigirl]

I'm so sorry, big hugs.

I would definitely push for a second SA. I'm not a doctor, but I am a biologist. In the SA, morphology and motility are determined by the person doing the observation, so it can be subjective. The same sample may have different results for two different observers. Of course, I'm not saying that it will definitely be better, but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

[MrsMB]

Dec 19, 2014 9:19:56 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

I'm so sorry, big hugs.

I would definitely push for a second SA. I'm not a doctor, but I am a biologist. In the SA, morphology and motility are determined by the person doing the observation, so it can be subjective. The same sample may have different results for two different observers. Of course, I'm not saying that it will definitely be better, but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

I think I"m going to wait until after his Urology consult to see about another one. But yeah, the nurse was very discouraging about the idea of a 2nd one...which of course made me freak. 

[HoneySpider]

Dec 19, 2014 9:33:00 GMT -5 MrsMB said:

Dec 19, 2014 9:19:56 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

I'm so sorry, big hugs.

I would definitely push for a second SA. I'm not a doctor, but I am a biologist. In the SA, morphology and motility are determined by the person doing the observation, so it can be subjective. The same sample may have different results for two different observers. Of course, I'm not saying that it will definitely be better, but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

I think I"m going to wait until after his Urology consult to see about another one. But yeah, the nurse was very discouraging about the idea of a 2nd one...which of course made me freak. 

This really bothers me. No matter what the results are, it's not up to the nurse to decide if you should get a 2nd one done, it's up to you and your H. Even if it does come back the same, at least you'll have that confirmation of what is going on and not be wondering if the results were a fluke, and that means something.

That nurse can suck it. 

[bcv513]

I don't know much about SA, but I agree that your nurse sounds like a jerk. If you want a second one done, get it. ((hugs))

[MrsMB]

Dec 19, 2014 9:36:40 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Dec 19, 2014 9:33:00 GMT -5 MrsMB said:

I think I"m going to wait until after his Urology consult to see about another one. But yeah, the nurse was very discouraging about the idea of a 2nd one...which of course made me freak. 

This really bothers me. No matter what the results are, it's not up to the nurse to decide if you should get a 2nd one done, it's up to you and your H. Even if it does come back the same, at least you'll have that confirmation of what is going on and not be wondering if the results were a fluke, and that means something.

That nurse can suck it. 

I know. I'm going to have to think about it. I'm also nervous about pushing him at this point for some personal reasons...but yes, you're right. It's not her decision. After Christmas, I might have a clearer head on the whole thing. 

[HoneySpider]

Dec 19, 2014 9:40:11 GMT -5 MrsMB said:

Dec 19, 2014 9:36:40 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

This really bothers me. No matter what the results are, it's not up to the nurse to decide if you should get a 2nd one done, it's up to you and your H. Even if it does come back the same, at least you'll have that confirmation of what is going on and not be wondering if the results were a fluke, and that means something.

That nurse can suck it. 

I know. I'm going to have to think about it. I'm also nervous about pushing him at this point for some personal reasons...but yes, you're right. It's not her decision. After Christmas, I might have a clearer head on the whole thing. 

Yeah you definitely don't have to decide now, just enjoy your holidays. Sorry you're dealing with this. 

[EllenGriswold]

These numbers absolutely DO NOT deserve that crazy reaction by the nurse! There are some concerns, but you and your doctors can work with these numbers. You are totally justified in feeling angry about the doctor's office, first in keeping the results from you, and second, the nurse that was completely unprofessional.

I would also definitely get a second analysis. At DH's first analysis his sperm concentration was 8.4 million/ml; 4 weeks later in a second analysis his concentration was 154 million/ml. His motility also improved from 19% to 44%. You absolutely should get a second analysis, although I understand not wanting to rush or push DH too hard.

We are going through a lot of the same things right now, so feel free to PM me or ask any questions.

[MrsMB]

EllenGriswold Thank you so much That means a lot.

[ginkgoleaf]

I think the nurse was a bit quick to rush in with her opinion. His numbers seem workable and you never know what a second SA might show.

[Mushe]

I don't have any experience with an SA, but definitely with kneejerk reactions from nurses! I hope you're able to speak with a doctor soon, and they order a second SA, which sounds like SOP. Big hugs to you!

[pantaloons55]

Nothing to add, as I know nothing, but plenty of hugs.

[daisy]

I don't have any advice or even know what the numbers mean but I wanted to offer good thoughts. I hope you guys get some answers soon.

[mskitkat]

That nurse also recommended her urologist H, right? That you should go see him? Honestly, she sounds entirely unprofessional.

Definitely seek the second SA. My H works in medical testing, and his experiences have been quite eye-opening for me in terms of what tests mean.

[awick14]

Urg I hate when nurses act like that.

((Hugs)) lady. I have no experience with a SA so I can't help with the numbers. I hope that you get more answers soon.

[megkat]

OK- so now I'm actually at my computer, with actual numbers to work from.

Every Dr. is going to handle things a little different, but this was my experience:
First SA was ordered by my OBGYN. She said that for someone DH's age, they would expect count to be somewhere from 125-150 million, but that anything over 40 million was "acceptable". DH's number was 5.5 million

For motility, they wanted it to be 50 or better- DH's was 55.

For morph, using the standard that they used to measure, they wanted it to be 30% (but for some measurement standards, 4% is actually the cutoff for normal, so you'll want clarification on that). DH's morph was 0%

Oh, and they wanted the concentration to be higher than 20- DH's was 2.2

They OB's office immediately referred us to an RE, who's VERY FIRST step was to order a second SA- so I'm really questioning them dismissing you. Unfortunately for us, the results were basically the same, maybe even a little worse (5.3 mil count, 28% motility, 5% morph, 2.1 concentration)

There's also a lot of debate about how clinically significant morphology really is, so I wouldn't let that one bother you too much right now.

Like I said- this was just my personal experience, and every dr will be different, but from what I can tell, things are unfortunately not great, but I honestly don't think they're nearly as bad as what the nurse has made them out to be. I'd be very curious to see what the urologist has to say. Is there a urologist nearby that specializes in male infertility? That's the route we went, and she was absolutely wonderful.

And so many good thoughts to your DH right now. Mine was pretty devastated when we got the results and he really really struggled with it. He actually cried the day we found out and told me how sorry he was that it was all his fault. That feeling of helplessness was just the worst, but I just tried to be as supportive as I could, and take his lead- I talked if he wanted to, and didn't press it if he didn't. It was a really difficult to for both of us though, so hugs to both of you

[MrsMB]

megkat I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your story. This is really helpful to hear about your journey. I found myself getting emotional for you guys...thank you for writing everything out. Many hugs to you!

I think we did find one nearby that says he specializes in fertility. I have given DH the information but will wait until after Christmas to bring it up again. Hoping we can get a good solution from them.

Anyways, thank you again. I really appreciate you!