CBFM: Who uses/used one? Advice?

PinkCamino

I'm not temping this cycle but using a CBFM instead. I drove really far to pick it up and I'm sorta excited in a totally geeky "this is a new TTC technology" kind of way.

I've got my test sticks ready and am planning to hit the M button tomorrow morning around 9am.

Anyone have experience with this thing to share?

PinkCamino

Greeneyes842 said:

I have one, but personally I don't think they're worth the money since I would get positive OPKs on the same day as the monitor (just to test out).  I would also get 5-6 days of high before my two peak days, so that wasn't really helpful for me in terms of timing sex.

If it's not a new monitor, then make sure you reset it since it stores the last 6 cycles.  You can also only test once a day usually with FMU, which I also don't think is ideal for detecting LH, but I've never had an issue getting a peak reading.  You can stop testing after you get the first peak reading since the second peak day and following high day are all automated no matter what your test stick says. You'll save money this way since the test sticks are expensive.

If this is your first cycle using it, it will have you start testing on CD 6 until it learns your cycle better. GL.

It's new but I bought it from someone. She got KU before she got the chance to use it. It came with 10 sticks and I'm hoping that since my cycles are textbook 26 days with CD13ish O I wont have to break into a second pack.

We're not really using it because of O issues. It's more to take the stress of temping away. My DH had an epic melt down last week and told me he can't handle temping, OPKs and the like. He did say that the machine not being to tell me exactly when I O makes him feel better. So, we're aiming for EOD starting on the 2nd high day.

Out of curiosity what's your typical O? And, when did your high days usually start?

BookishMomma

I have one and have used it the last 2 times I've gotten KU. So it worked well for me. Unfortunately I miscarried both times, but it's not the machine's fault (though I wish j could blame it, then at least I'd have SOMETHING to blame).

Don't be surprised if you get like 10 days of highs and no peaks your first cycle using it. That's what happened to me and apparently it's pretty common.

BookishMomma

PS, I also got it to take the stress of temping away. I do think it helps me not obsess as much.

FutureMrsWright2012

My cycles have always been like clockwork, so it was good about detecting my peak days. Like PP's have said, it will have you start testing well before when you think you usually O and then tell you to keep testing at least the day after until your cycle starts again. Those test strips are so expensive though! Towards the end, I stopped even really "listening" to the machine and just used it to read the test strip around when I knew I was going to O. I ended up giving mine away to a TN/GP'er because my egg quality is crap, so it was something to obsess over that was never going to work out for me. Hope you have better luck!

MrsG80inTN

I used one for months but it was before my endo removal surgery and I think my O was being impacted by that (I wasn't temping at that time either)... Of the 6 months I used it I only got an O reading once and I had to pee on a stick for like 20 days a month.  So, for me it was annoying, but I think I'd feel different now after the endo surgery.  hope it goes well for you though Pink!

peregrinefalconx

Hi!
Yes, I used one previously and have started back up again a couple of days ago with AF. After MC2, my cycle switched to 42 days (which is the limit of what the monitor can actually monitor) and had no idea when I was Oing. The first month we used it, I got pregnant (although he didn't stay with us). We did do it for like 20 days in a row (so not fun) just to make sure, but it shows your 4 high fertility days and 2 peak days. The little egg did inspire my husband and he still talks about it. I'm looking forward to the little egg again. I wouldn't be married to the monitor's reading (like only try on those 6 days), but like I said, we neurotically were covering all our bases--it just made me feel more in control. Like I was *doing* something with some guidance.

[I cannot chart bc I have a very disrupted sleep cycle and] Instead of trying to get first urine of the morning, I would pee in a cup after my longest amount of sleep, typically around 1 am. I was consistent with that timing. 

I did use their helpline twice. The first time I got a great lady, the second time, a pouty girl. If you are not happy, I think they will refund you within 3 months of purchase. All in all, I have been happy with it. I have not had luck with OPKs (at least during that long cycle) and the monitor was recommended by my RE.

PS. I read the manual about 15 times. You will enjoy the complication with your geeky mind. You can't really "save" the test strips as they are only accurate if you use the strips in groups of 10. As in, you can't only use 7, and save 3 for next time with a new box. It can't get an accurate reading that way.