OPK Experts (updated)

PrivateOne

For this IVF cycle I have to use OPKs until I get my LH surge. Once that occurs I will know when to start my estrogen patches as prep.  This is a new protocol for me as I generally prep with bcps.  I was very excited to not have to be taking the bcps however this is proving more difficult.

So, my question for those that use OPKs roughly what CD are you getting your surge?  I am on CD17 and still no surge.  My cycle has always been regular (29 or 30 days) and when I used OPKs in the past I consistently got the surge day 15 or 16.  I'm at a loss at the moment as I feel that I won't get the surge at this point and I'll have to wait another month for my next IVF. And secretly I'm thinking my fertility is degrading rapidly given my age.  Such a frustrating and emotional time.   

ksgsmu

Everyone is different.... I ovulate on CD 12 so I get mine around CD10-CD11.  Are you testing more than once a day? I would call your clinic and talk to your nurse.

PrivateOne

I was only testing once a day initially, however by CD14 I switched to twice a day as I was getting antsy at not seeing any results.  I also screwed up prior to day 14 as I was testing with FMU. I totally forgot it should be done around noon and my clinics instructions didn't specify that either.  I really hope I didn't miss it. I'm having all the symptoms of impending ovulation just no signs on the test other than a very faint line.  I'm an emotional mess over it.    I definitely plan to call my nurse tomorrow if I don't get anything with my next test.

Samuelismomma

I test twice a day am and like at 6 pm. My re wanted fmu...most on here say that's not the best time..have you had any other signs of o? Ewcm, pain, etc. if not keep testing. I also want to say my positives are never as strong as the test line but they are positives, proved by ds and ultrasound. You might be O'ing I later do to bcp's good luck!

ksgsmu

yes opks (depending on the brand)  should be done with SMU.   I know I need to test mid morning and late afternoon for me to catch my surge.   They can always do blood work to see where your levels are....

Davie813

I test twice a day, once first thing in the morning (I know this isn't the best, but refuse to test at work), and once at around 6:00 pm.  Maybe because of this, I rarely get a line quite as strong as the control, either, but I do observe a fade-in and fade-out pattern that lets me know the surge did happen (also confirmed by DD and 7-dpo progesterone tests).

Hang in there!

hooligans4

I test at 10 and between 2:00 and 5:00. And line has to be as dark as the control.
At this point I think a call to your nurse is a good idea.

Davie813

hooligans4 said:

I test at 10 and between 2:00 and 5:00. And line has to be as dark as the control. At this point I think a call to your nurse is a good idea.

Yes.  By "hang in there," I meant "don't get discouraged," not "keep waiting indefinitely."

CaraH

With a 26 day cycle, I surge around day 10. But,it's very common for me to get a faint line for days before that surge. If your still getting that line, my guess is your surge is still coming. But, I would call no wander them know what's going on. Sorry this is so frustrating!

Mrs.McIrish

Just an FYI, I couldn't find a surge my first IVF which was the same as what you are doing. I normally surged around day 11-12 and nothing by day 17. I asked for a progesterone test and sure enough I had ovulated. I just missed it completely. So, I'd get p4 checked just to see where you are!

PrivateOne

Thanks ladies.  I'm definitely going to call tomorrow. I think I missed it somehow as I did have all the normal symptoms and signs.  I'm just mad at myself for being stupid and using FMU when I should know better, especially since it's important for my protocol that I get it right. Oh well.

Mrs.McIrish ... how are you doing?  I think we all could use an update

Pintobean39

I'm late but thought I'd give my 2 cents. I start testing cd8 and usually get my surge around cd11-14. I test SMU and about lunch and usually catch my surge. I'd def call the nurse, some people have a short surge and miss it easily.

Mrs.McIrish

PrivateOne said:

Thanks ladies.  I'm definitely going to call tomorrow. I think I missed it somehow as I did have all the normal symptoms and signs.  I'm just mad at myself for being stupid and using FMU when I should know better, especially since it's important for my protocol that I get it right. Oh well.

Mrs.McIrish ... how are you doing?  I think we all could use an update

Warning: Pg mentioned below:


I feel "weird" giving an update here but thanks for asking. All is well as of Friday's u/s with both babies. I am officially released from the RE tomorrow and can stop PIO. I'm going to see an MFM next Tues as my OB didn't seem to know about mthfr/lovenox which made me uneasy. After everything, I decided to transfer care to high risk so I don't have to be my own doctor anymore :-)

PrivateOne

Mrs.McIrish said:

PrivateOne said:

Thanks ladies.  I'm definitely going to call tomorrow. I think I missed it somehow as I did have all the normal symptoms and signs.  I'm just mad at myself for being stupid and using FMU when I should know better, especially since it's important for my protocol that I get it right. Oh well.

Mrs.McIrish ... how are you doing?  I think we all could use an update

Warning: Pg mentioned below:


I feel "weird" giving an update here but thanks for asking. All is well as of Friday's u/s with both babies. I am officially released from the RE tomorrow and can stop PIO. I'm going to see an MFM next Tues as my OB didn't seem to know about mthfr/lovenox which made me uneasy. After everything, I decided to transfer care to high risk so I don't have to be my own doctor anymore :-)

Please don't feel weird. I know what you mean, but I asked and am thrilled to hear you are doing so well. Wishing you continued good health from now until those little babies are born.

PrivateOne

Can I just add that in 5 years of my TTC I never missed capturing a surge when I was testing during those cycles.  I think I just f'd it up this time, which is unfortunate as it is part of my protocol prep.  I'm sure I can get b/w done and hopefully the nurse doesn't make a big issue out of it when I call.  I only need to do the patches for seven days before my period.  I know when it's due so we should be able to easily figure out when I should start applying them..

BeckyP005

Oh no...hope everything will be OK. Jeez I haven't done an OPK in 3 years I barely remember. So no helping you there

CaraH

@PrivateOne‌ - Sounds like a good plan. And, it's easy to forget details when you haven't done it for awhile and have so many other things on your mind. Weirdly, I could never catch my surge with SMU. I have to use FMU to get it. When we first started ttc, I thought maybe I wasn't ovulating. And then my OB told me to try FMU (and if that didn't work, afternoon). Apparently, I'm not alone in my weirdness! We'll, on that one anyway.

Samuelismomma

They should be able to figure it out. I spotted with my period and had to call the nurse and say I didn't know what day of my period I was on...lol so I could take clomid...:) see you feel smarter now don't you!

PrivateOne

Talked to the nurse this morning and she's having me go in for a progesterone check tomorrow and we'll see what the number is and go from there.

#IVFprepIdiotRightHere

~X(

Davie813

PrivateOne said:

Talked to the nurse this morning and she's having me go in for a progesterone check tomorrow and we'll see what the number is and go from there.

#IVFprepIdiotRightHere

~X(

#UmNoJustWayTooMuchOnYourMind

Glad you're going in tomorrow.  I hope the timing works out so you can go ahead with the estrogen patches as planned.  FX for you!

kindershlitz

Late to the party. Good luck with your appointment. My surges for the last few months were 19,21, 16, 18, 18. So I tend to have them later I guess

PrivateOne

UPDATE:

Just got the call from the office and everything looks ok and I have not ovulated yet.  All my numbers are inline and we've got eggs cooking based on my estrodial amounts.  Such a relief that everything is just delayed this month.  Have to go back on Friday for another blood check and I'll prolly be surging by then and can proceed with my protocol. 

Just a side note. I've been quite "stressed" this month.  I never much thought that stress levels and/or our own thoughts truly control our body cycles, even though I know they say it does.  This to me is proof that there is quite a bit of truth in it.  So ladies, let's all take a chill pill and try to stay calm while we TTC.

>-

tlc35

PrivateOne said:

UPDATE:

Just got the call from the office and everything looks ok and I have not ovulated yet.  All my numbers are inline and we've got eggs cooking based on my estrodial amounts.  Such a relief that everything is just delayed this month.  Have to go back on Friday for another blood check and I'll prolly be surging by then and can proceed with my protocol. 

Just a side note. I've been quite "stressed" this month.  I never much thought that stress levels and/or our own thoughts truly control our body cycles, even though I know they say it does.  This to me is proof that there is quite a bit of truth in it.  So ladies, let's all take a chill pill and try to stay calm while we TTC.

>-

So glad that all is on track!

Samuelismomma

So happy everything's back on track! Good luck!

CaraH

Oh good!

Radiantly

Oh I'm learning stress has a huge impact on my ovulation too! Also, I didn't realize that first pee of the day is bad!? My OPK said to do that. It was clear blue digital.

URMySunshine77

I'm happy to read your update. Thanks for the reminder about not stressing.