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Original poster

Johnathan Ramsay - experiences please

56 replies

Ocean456 · 14/05/2021 18:07

Hi all

We are thinking of going to see Mr Ramsay based on two poor semen analysis, most recent has normal count but 29% progressive motility and 2% normal forms.

Please can you tell me your experience with Mr Ramsay and particularly if anyone has a partner with low morphology/motility please can you tell me the types of treatments he prescribes?

Thank you

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MissHoney85 · 14/05/2021 19:03

No personal experience of Mr Ramsay (though I've heard good things), but are you sure those figures are that bad? I'm no expert but afaik 2% morphology is pretty normal and 29% motility isn't that far outside the normal range.

Original poster
Ocean456 · 14/05/2021 19:27

Thank you MissHoney, we have been trying for 2 and half years and this is the only ‘lead’ we have...everything else is ‘normal’...we are hoping to improve the sperm as much as possible before IVF, maybe even try natural conception for a few months

The sperm analysis also said there was high viscosity and incomplete liquefaction, I’m not entirely sure of the significance of these things but the comment on the analysis said ‘refer to urologist’. The analysis was done through the NHS and the earliest we can get a GP appointment to discuss referral is mid-June, no idea when we would actually get to see a urologist so we are going privately and hopefully he can explain what it all means

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MissHoney85 · 14/05/2021 19:43

Ah ok. Definitely worth a shot! We used a supplement called FH Pro for Men (there's a women's version too) which worked really well for us. Expensive but cheaper than IVF! Good luck 🍀

Original poster
Ocean456 · 14/05/2021 20:07

Thank you MissHoney Are you pregnant after taking it? Can I ask please how long it took to work and can I ask please what your partner’s semen analysis was like and if comparable to my DH? Positive stories from people in the same situation give me so much hope 💗

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MissHoney85 · 14/05/2021 20:37

Currently feeding my 5 month old daughter! My DH's stats were worse than yours, and low count. We took the supplements for about 3 months I think. A change in my DH's diet also helped - he had been ignoring a gluten intolerance and related IBS. There is always hope!

ForeverAintEnough12 · 14/05/2021 21:08

@MissHoney85 did you have a natural conception in the end?

MissHoney85 · 14/05/2021 21:21

Yes 🙂 after 2 years of trying and a failed round of IVF!

Original poster
Ocean456 · 14/05/2021 23:00

That’s amazing MissHoney we have bought the supplement this evening x

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thislittlebird · 15/05/2021 12:06

Amazing story @MissHoney85.

@Ocean456 we're going to see him on May 26. DH has 9% motility at his last test, normal count and slightly low morphology but his last morphology was fine. Hoping we can improve his results before moving to IVF.

Original poster
Ocean456 · 15/05/2021 20:24

Sounds good thislittlebird, do you think you’ll try naturally first or go straight to IVF? I was thinking to freeze my eggs and try naturally for a while then do IVF if natural conception fails...I’m not sure if I’m just delaying the inevitable though

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limesoda · 17/05/2021 17:08

We had a brilliant experience with him in that he didn't actually prescribe anything. DH has azoospermia and he diagnosed the cause in less than a minute. We asked about supplements and he said they would do nothing to help our situation, which I found really reassuring.

Good luck!

thislittlebird · 17/05/2021 17:32

@limesoda that’s really great, can I ask how he did that? Lifestyle? Exam? We have low motility too, hoping he can help.

I can’t wait to see him because between the NHS and the private clinic I’m trying to make an appointment with no one seems to want to help, so I’m relieved we’ve booked in with him.

limesoda · 18/05/2021 12:13

@thislittlebird it was an exam.

I'm so pleased we went to him, its just made the whole process a lot more straightforward because we know what options are open to us.

Good luck!

Original poster
Ocean456 · 18/05/2021 18:22

Thanks all, we have an appointment with him next Friday, I'm glad we have one as today has been exhausting, gone round in circles 100 times on what we should do next, whether to wait or do IVF etc, I hope he will help us with some clarity on it all.

Good luck everyone x

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Janefx40 · 18/05/2021 19:34

We saw Mr Ramsay in January after my DP had a disastrous DNA fragmentation test. He was absolutely wonderful. In the end it turned out our original test (done through an IVF clinic) was actually wrong. He was so honest with us and so kind. He basically told us that if those results were correct we shouldn't proceed with IVF. He said if we were friends of his, he would want someone to be honest and tell us that.

He did lots of re-tests and all was fine in the end. Turned out the test was wrong but thought he was fab.

It is pricey tho because the tests that he may ask you to do aren't cheap so be prepared for that

Best of luck xxx

thislittlebird · 18/05/2021 23:53

@Ocean456 ours is next Wednesday! It feels good when you finally get these appointments booked in, like someone might actually help/guide you. How long have you guys been trying?

Sorry, I missed your last message. I think we’re aiming to move to IVF by the summer or autumn. We’ve been trying for two years in October and I’m about to turn 38, I don’t want to leave it much longer. So IVF is the next stop for us, but we’ll keep trying naturally in the meantime.

@Janefx40 that’s great. That’s why we’re going pre-IVF, I can’t afford to waste rounds you know? I was pleased with how his secretary told me the costs for the tests go front (roughly anyway).

@limesoda thanks! That’s good to hear.

Original poster
Ocean456 · 19/05/2021 09:54

@thislittlebird Yes, I do feel more positive to have the appointment too, we are booked in for next Friday, it helps you to feel there might be a way forward to this...We have been trying for 2 and half years.

We are also aiming to move to IVF by July or September. I'm 36 but my AMH is low so I don't want to spend too long trying naturally and miss my chance...

@Janefx40 Thanks, this is really helpful and good to know.

@limesoda That's amazing that with an exam Dr Ramsay diagnosed the issue straight away, DH has never been examined so it's good to know Dr Ramsay's investigations are so much more thorough.

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thislittlebird · 19/05/2021 19:05

@Ocean456 we’re coming up to 2 years in October but I’m 38 this weekend so need to get moving, never expected it to take so long really. My AMH is good, it’s 36, but my progesterone is very low. Doctors don’t seem interested because of the high AMH, they seem to think it’s all fine despite the low motility of my husband Hmm

Got an appointment with Mr Ramsay and then one with a doctor at the Lister in early June. Hoping to get going after our holiday in July, so maybe August/September, and a few pounds of weight loss ideally.

Biscoffin · 21/05/2021 19:02

We saw Jonathan Ramsay back in 2017 and 2018. My husband had a zero sperm count, azoospermia.

I’m now pregnant with our second child, natural conceptions both times.

Jonathan Ramsay gave us more information in our first consult than we’d had in the previous two years with the NHS and a round of IVF.

Not only is he a talented surgeon and a brilliant urologist, he generally comes across as a kind person.

I would always recommend him where male infertility is a factor. There’s a great male infertility support Facebook group which is worth searching for if it’s something your partner is interested in.

Cyberworrier · 22/05/2021 23:10

@Biscoffin that’s wonderful you have had two children in spite of your husbands azoospermia. Is it too possible to ask what happened on your fertility journey? Apologies if it’s too personal to ask.
And best wishes to everyone on this thread.

Biscoffin · 22/05/2021 23:22

@Cyberworrier - not too personal, behind the pseudo-anonymity of an online chat forum. Smile

We had several visits with Mr Ramsay, which included various tests. Mr Ramsay diagnosed obstructive azoospermia on one side, and non obstructive azoospermia on the other testicle. He operated, and miraculously, was able to remove the obstruction whilst also storing some good quality sperm in case it was needed for IVF.

The removal of the blockage, whilst it hasn’t always been plain sailing, has resulted in two natural conceptions.

As I’m sure anyone can imagine, we are extremely grateful to Mr Ramsay.

Biscoffin · 22/05/2021 23:24

I should add before we saw Mr Ramsay, the NHS GP told my husband he would never father his own children. The GP referred us to gynaecology to ensure there were no female factor fertility issues and then we were sent straight for IVF. My husband was never considered during the NHS pathway - horrendous really, and desperately sad.

Cyberworrier · 22/05/2021 23:53

Thank you @Biscoffin for telling your story. It’s really heartwarming to hear. Especially after what you were told. It’s all just such a labyrinth isn’t it? We are seeing another consultant privately for my DH for azoospermia, very early in the process but it’s interesting and lessens the sense of isolation to hear other people’s stories. Best wishes to you.

thislittlebird · 26/05/2021 19:29

We saw Mr Ramsay today. He was very nice, examined DH and sent him off for tests and scans. He dictated a letter to the consultant we’re seeing next week while we were there. Fingers crossed the results will help us address any issues before we get to the stage of having IVF/ICSI.

Original poster
Ocean456 · 26/05/2021 21:12

Biscoffin What an incredible story, thank you so much for sharing it

thislittlebird Thank you so much for sharing your update. I was interested to see how you got on. We have an appointment with Mr Ramsay on Friday, can I ask please if he discusses the sperm analysis results in detail? Does he do any tests there and then? Does he refer your DH to a consultant in the same organisation? Also, do you think it is useful to accompany DH...I have a work meeting that is proving difficult to get out of and I'm not sure whether I need to go, ideally I would...

Thank you so much thislittlebird for any advice you have x x x

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