PCOS- False Positive with OPKs? Advice?

rachelleck

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am so sorry for sounding scatter brained. 

I am CD 21. All I really want to do is go see my lil niece. She is 11 weeks old lives about 3 hours away, and I'm hoping to see her before I have to go back to work once school starts. I was planning on going today, but if I haven't O'ed yet I would like to stay home and in close proximity to my DH. 

As far as OPKs go, I have been using both the Wondfos and the Clear Blues. I have been getting a positive with the Wondfos since CD 15, and a flashing smiley face for High fertility but no peak yet since CD 12. I actually opened up a second box of Clear Blues and used its monitor as well (yes I am being that silly), so this morning my old monitor still gave me the flashing smiley face and the new monitor gave me the Low Fertility sign. My Wondfo still shows a positive.

I effed up on taking my BBT bc we went on vacation CD 5-9. I have been taking it since we got back though. I don't know if I trust it. I know that this would be the best way to tell if I have or haven't O'ed yet.

I personally feel like I could have O'ed over the weekend. Between the OPKs and looking at my CM I feel like those were the best days. I also tend to act like a hypochondriac, but I swear I felt like I was having cramping on the left side where my follicle was. 

I took clomid CD 5-9 and on CD 12 I had one follicle at 14 mm. I had blood drawn today to test my progesterone levels, and it could take as long as a week before I find out the results. 

I do understand that because of the clomid and the pcos my LH levels may be different anyway. I did read the fine print on the Clear Blue box and understand that I may not receive accurate readings. 

I know this is our first cycle TTC and I am overly excited. I am just starting to feel a little pressure because I don't want it to be my fault if we get a BFN this month. I know it's out of my hands, but still. Who doesn't wish that they'd get a BFP after the first month?

So I guess my questions are (FINALLY, sorry): 

1) Has anyone experienced anything similar (whether or not you have PCOS)?

2) If you were getting the same readings on the OPKs, would you risk leaving town? If I go I would leave today and come home Saturday. We BDed CDs 11,12,14-17, and 20.

Thank you again! 

rachelleck

Shit, I wrote a novel. Sorry!

KatzKiss

Unfortunately, since you took Clomid, it's going to be difficult to know when you ovulated. And without BBT, even harder. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. Personally, I would go, keep tracking your temps and cross your fingers that you had good timing. Hopefully next month will be easier to read. Good luck!

rachelleck

Thank you @KatzKiss!

renbee

I'm guessing you taking unmonitored clomid, because otherwise you would know exactly when you ovulated.

renbee

hereistreble said:

I assume you aren't being monitored on the Clo since you are questioning when you will ovulate.

Jinx @hereistreble‌ !

delujm0

I don't know much about your specific issue...just wanted to drop in and say that if you want to go see your niece you should go.  The meds are probably effing with your temps and possibly your OPKs, and in your position, i'd just continue living my life and continue having sex at least once every other day and hope for the best.

 

I was also under the impression that a monitored clomid cycle included almost constant ultrasounds, so you should know excatly when ovulation occurs in that case...if that is not your situation, i'd run to an RE for this.  clomid is effective, but not without risks - one of which is difficulty concieving down the road due to thinning uterine lining.  i wouldn't use it for my first pregnancy unless i was absolutely out of other options, especially if i wanted to have more than one child eventually.

rachelleck

I'm currently going to an OB, I think I have to be referred to an RE before I can see one. I was diagnosed with PCOS in May, and on BC until we decided to TTC (a different practice diagnosed me through bloodwork, ultrasound, symptoms). I had an u/s CD 12, and they told me to come back for bloodwork CD 21. I called back after my original follicle scan and asked if I should have another in a few days after reading up on here, and they told me just to BD EOD and come in for the bloodwork. Other than not having a follow up follicle scan I love the practice I'm going to. Per the bloodwork I'll find out if I O'ed or not, but I want to know now and not later. 

Thank you @hereistreble @Aaren91011 @NellyBluth

rachelleck

Thank you @delujm0 I am almost done packing my bag! If this cycle doesn't work out, I'll be talking to my OB about the concerns I've had this time. I'm still hoping for the best!

nittanyllama

But even with PCOS... why the clomid right off the bat?

delujm0

I feel like enough people think at this point that Clomid is "that stuff you take that makes you get pregnant faster," so they're too quick to request it.  I'll admit that before coming to this board and reading the newbie blog, i too had thought to myself, "eh i'll try to do this naturally for 4-5 months and then just ask my OBGYN for some Clomid."

 

I don't think people realize that after Clomid works for you once, it's actually possible that you can NEVER get pregnant again because of thinned uterine lining.  Additional Clomid isn't going to help you when TTC #2 if that happens to you.  You could very easily be screwing yourself just because you're impatient.  I think a lot of OBGYNs prescribe it without explaining the risks...i know a person that used it to get pregnant (only needed it for one month, but it was from an OBGYN - she had TTC for a year first and never ovulated or got a period - she should have gone to an RE, i know now).

 

I love scheduling everything out too, and i'd love there to be a pill i could take that would get me pregnant faster, but not at the risk that my first child might also be my last.  Unless i had TTC on my own for 12 months, and then worked with an RE to examine other options, there is no way on earth i would take Clomid.  I guess if you KNOW that this pregnancy will be your last you can go for it...but that still doesn't sound like a good decision to me.

renbee

delujm0 said:

I feel like enough people think at this point that Clomid is "that stuff you take that makes you get pregnant faster," so they're too quick to request it.  I'll admit that before coming to this board and reading the newbie blog, i too had thought to myself, "eh i'll try to do this naturally for 4-5 months and then just ask my OBGYN for some Clomid."

 

I don't think people realize that after Clomid works for you once, it's actually possible that you can NEVER get pregnant again because of thinned uterine lining.  Additional Clomid isn't going to help you when TTC #2 if that happens to you.  You could very easily be screwing yourself just because you're impatient.  I think a lot of OBGYNs prescribe it without explaining the risks...i know a person that used it to get pregnant (only needed it for one month, but it was from an OBGYN - she had TTC for a year first and never ovulated or got a period - she should have gone to an RE, i know now).

 

I love scheduling everything out too, and i'd love there to be a pill i could take that would get me pregnant faster, but not at the risk that my first child might also be my last.  Unless i had TTC on my own for 12 months, and then worked with an RE to examine other options, there is no way on earth i would take Clomid.  I guess if you KNOW that this pregnancy will be your last you can go for it...but that still doesn't sound like a good decision to me.

This seems a little extreme...I mean I guess anything is "possible" but that seems unlikely if you are using Clomid properly (being monitored by an RE, don't take it for too many cycles). I certainly wouldn't jump to using Clomid my first cycle (I have PCOS and haven't moved to that option yet), but it can be a very useful treatment. 

garnetandgoldgrace

I was diagnosed with PCOS in May as well but decided to see what I could do on my own first. 

I just didn't want to jump directly to meds right away. 

After 75 days with no O or AF... I finally took the Provera my doc prescribed me during my appt. (she actually wanted me to take it after 30 days but I resisted...)

I totally get the anxious feeling you have, Rachel. I am honestly surprised you are already on Clomid. I have a lot of hurdles to jump before I decide to do that. Have you had an HSG done?

Either way, good luck. Go see your niece and enjoy your time with her  

renbee

GhostMonkey said:

Aaren91011 said:

delujm0 said:

I feel like enough people think at this point that Clomid is "that stuff you take that makes you get pregnant faster," so they're too quick to request it.  I'll admit that before coming to this board and reading the newbie blog, i too had thought to myself, "eh i'll try to do this naturally for 4-5 months and then just ask my OBGYN for some Clomid."

 

I don't think people realize that after Clomid works for you once, it's actually possible that you can NEVER get pregnant again because of thinned uterine lining.  Additional Clomid isn't going to help you when TTC #2 if that happens to you.  You could very easily be screwing yourself just because you're impatient.  I think a lot of OBGYNs prescribe it without explaining the risks...i know a person that used it to get pregnant (only needed it for one month, but it was from an OBGYN - she had TTC for a year first and never ovulated or got a period - she should have gone to an RE, i know now).

 

I love scheduling everything out too, and i'd love there to be a pill i could take that would get me pregnant faster, but not at the risk that my first child might also be my last.  Unless i had TTC on my own for 12 months, and then worked with an RE to examine other options, there is no way on earth i would take Clomid.  I guess if you KNOW that this pregnancy will be your last you can go for it...but that still doesn't sound like a good decision to me.

This seems a little extreme...I mean I guess anything is "possible" but that seems unlikely if you are using Clomid properly (being monitored by an RE, don't take it for too many cycles). I certainly wouldn't jump to using Clomid my first cycle (I have PCOS and haven't moved to that option yet), but it can be a very useful treatment. 

That can happen, and blindly giving 6 months worth is the way to do that.

And it may not ever work the first time if your lining is thinned. I was pulled off Clomid after my 1st cycle because it thinned my lining so much that it would have made it very unlikely for me to achieve pregnancy with it.



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I totally agree that it can have some horrible consequences if taken unmonitored with a doctor that doesn't know what they're doing. Luckily @GhostMonkey‌ your doctor monitored you and saw right away that it wasn't a good option for you.

Just seemed like @delujm0‌ was stating that if you use clomid to conceive your first child, you won't be able to have a 2nd or will have trouble having a 2nd. I think I know what she was trying to say - that unmonitored clomid is extremely dangerous and can negatively impact your fertility. But it's not accurate to say that taking clomid for your first will automatically result in TTTC down the road IF you are properly monitored and treated. Just wanted to make sure that the distinction was made for those considering clomid at the appropriate time.

rachelleck

Thank you all for your comments and concerns! I have been enjoying time with my niece so it's taken a while to respond.

I am not sure why my OB decided to start out with the clomid this first cycle. I guess based on my labs she decided that was the way to start this first cycle. When I was diagnosed in May, I had been off the pill for over a year. I had used OPKs but never bbt at that point because we weren't trying. A friend of mine had gotten KTFU and gave me her unused OPKs. I had never received a +OPK during that time. We weren't trying but we weren't necessarily preventing TTC at that point. In 9 months the only reason I had two cycles were because I had been given provera each time. My old OB wanted me to call if I went over 45 days without AF.

I understand that an OB is not a specialist at fertility, and when I go back for my next appt I will be talking to her about an RE referral. I love my OB, and was happy with taking the clomid because I thought I was going to be more closely monitered than I was. I would've been more comfortable with a second ultrasound, and was frustrated that I wasn't given one. I'll find out the blood test results soon enough at this point. As far as uterine lining goes, I wasn't given a measurement or anything, but she said it looked "really healthy" during my ultrasound.

I completely understand the risks associated with clomid, and am aware that it isn't a "get pregnant pill". I didn't go into my OB's office requesting it. I have done my research and have friends with PCOS who do and don't have success stories TTC with and without clomid or any fertility help. I didn't go into this blind, nor did I go into TTC with a timed agenda. I know that this could take a while, and that it is never guaranteed I'll get pregnant. It's just hard to not get my hopes up. I'd love it if I could be a first cycle success story. Who wouldn't?

My big question for those of you with PCOS that have used or are using OPKs is do you feel like they are giving you accurate information or are they a waste of time? I understand that my hormones could affect the accuracy of the OPKs.

I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to respond and voice your concerns. It helps me prepare the right questions to ask my doctor as I'm on this journey.

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The user and all related content has been deleted.

garnetandgoldgrace

My big question for those of you with PCOS that have used or are using OPKs is do you feel like they are giving you accurate information or are they a waste of time? I understand that my hormones could affect the accuracy of the OPKs. I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to respond and voice your concerns. It helps me prepare the right questions to ask my doctor as I'm on this journey.

Waste of time in my opinion. PCOS gives natural LH surges sooo... I get a lot of false positives.

KingLED

autumngrace said:

My big question for those of you with PCOS that have used or are using OPKs is do you feel like they are giving you accurate information or are they a waste of time? I understand that my hormones could affect the accuracy of the OPKs.

I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to respond and voice your concerns. It helps me prepare the right questions to ask my doctor as I'm on this journey.

Waste of time in my opinion. PCOS gives natural LH surges sooo... I get a lot of false positives.

That's not a false positive, it's an LH surge that led to a correctly positive OPK but didn't lead to ovulation. OPKs only detect an LH surge, not ovulation.

Wine&Cupcakes

OP, I don't think anyone is suggesting that you are totally blind going into this, but rather are questioning how you proceed with it.

Personally, I wouldn't take any fertility treatments from anyone other than an RE as they are fertility specialists. Furthermore, you are wasting your time with any sort of fertility treatment until and unless certain baseline tests and procedures have been performed. For example, did your DH have an SA? These treatments won't be as effective if he has an issue with his sperm. Did you have an HSG? Good luck getting pregnant if your tubes are blocked.

The point is, Clomid is a potentially harmful drug that does have a recommended max of 6 doses. Why waste cycles by having improper testing and monitoring? If I were you, I would refuse all treatment pending an RE referral, which you should demand. If you are unwilling to do this then yea, I think you are being impatient. We all want to get pregnant quickly but you shouldn't do it at the expense of your future fertility.

delujm0

Wine&Cupcakes said:

OP, I don't think anyone is suggesting that you are totally blind going into this, but rather are questioning how you proceed with it. Personally, I wouldn't take any fertility treatments from anyone other than an RE as they are fertility specialists. Furthermore, you are wasting your time with any sort of fertility treatment until and unless certain baseline tests and procedures have been performed. For example, did your DH have an SA? These treatments won't be as effective if he has an issue with his sperm. Did you have an HSG? Good luck getting pregnant if your tubes are blocked. The point is, Clomid is a potentially harmful drug that does have a recommended max of 6 doses. Why waste cycles by having improper testing and monitoring? If I were you, I would refuse all treatment pending an RE referral, which you should demand. If you are unwilling to do this then yea, I think you are being impatient. We all want to get pregnant quickly but you shouldn't do it at the expense of your future fertility.

This is exactly what i was trying to say yesterday, it just didn't come out correctly (words are hard sometimes).  if Clomid was my ONLY option, and i was being seen by an RE and properly monitored, yes, i'd use it.  But under any other circumstances, it's pretty risky.  why take that risk when you haven't ruled out every other option?