I need some advice ladies!!

lyssaroony

Today is CD4 and yesterday I had some serious nausea/backaches, etc. I spotted for 4 days before AF and still bleeding today although lighter. All BFNs since around 7dpo. So yesterday out of curiosity I took a Dollar Tree OPT. T line looked kind of dark but I thought surely it was too early for O. So I just took another one and it looks + to me. Is it possible to O so early after what I thought was around CD15 last month. I don't chart or temp and I'm wanting a better shot at getting pregnant this month! Help!

happyktmom

I'd say it would be possible you are approaching O'ing, but it's always best to chart.  I love Glow and Fertility Friend.  Temps are the best way to go, it's just an added bonus to do temps AND checking CM if you're comfortable doing it.  OPK's don't work for every body, ie. if you have PCOS so it's always best to use a secondary symptom.   Good luck! 

KLake42

Can you try another brand?  I know that Dollar Store pregnancy tests are good, but I haven't heard anything about OPKs.  We have some level of LH throughout the cycle, and some of us have moderate LH surges for several days before ovulating.  You'll want a OPK that tells when you really are peaking.

Sporty1216

Yeah--I'd buy a name brand OPK to double check the result. I get ya on not wanting to miss a chance!

lyssaroony

Thanks so much ladies! I'm tempted to buy the CB 20 test pack but it's $35! I basically told DH we'll be BDing every other day at least for the rest of the month. LOL

thistle8677

The clearblue digital opk is the way to go, if you can do it. I also buy Wondfo's online which are cheap for a bulk amount. I use both so that I can see the Wondfo's getting darker, and that's when I use the clearblue digital...this way I don't need many clearblue test sticks, and I can reuse the holder for the next month.
Good luck to you. Are you temping as well?

lyssaroony

That's a good idea. Kind of what I tried to do last month but with dollar tree and clearblue. I don't temp because #1 I don't get it and #2 I would get so obsessive with it. I might try it though. I need to get a thermometer.

lyssaroony

So I bought Clearblue OPK and got empty circle last night. Stupid Dollar Tree tests....

Goldsgirl9

Clear Blue OPK is by far the best. It's usually right on with my cm and ovulation pain. I tried First Response for a couple months and it was a waste of money cause you can't reuse the test once you get a positive for O and I had two that went bad.

lyssaroony

Yeah that would suck. I'm just going to test every night until I run out since I started it last night. In June I had to have o'd early (I'm thinking cd8-cd12) because I got a BFP on July 5th. Unfortunately it was a CP. Then last month I think I o'd around CD15. So I don't want to miss it. I read up on temping and I just don't think I want to get into obsessing over that. Lol

emsmama15

Good luck @lissaroony.  I'm just going to say this and then go back to minding my business - temping is the ONLY way you can confirm you actually o'd.  OPKs are predictions of when ovulation is imminent, but you won't know when/if you ovulated unless you temp. 

Goldsgirl9

@lyssaroony I've never tempt'd because I know my neurotic self and just didn't want the added pressure, so I totally get it but emsmama15 is correct. It is the only way to confirm O. If my ovulation was kind of wacky I would probably temp until I saw a pattern.

MntnGirl

My OV was regular when I was using OPKs and tracking temp and I stopped, but you all have convinced me to start temping again. Not just for OV, but also for PG (2WW).

C_Girlie

Good luck this cycle. But if AF shows up start temping, it will put your mind at ease

lyssaroony

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies! I really didn't want to get hyper obsessed with tempting but I may have to just bite the bullet and start doing it. DH Thanks excessive to even do OPK. So I'm sure he'll really think I'm crazy if I start temping. LOL

lyssaroony

Ok so I'm CD6 and I got a flashing smiley on CB just now. Last month it was around CD10 or 11 before I got my first flashy. So I may have to go get a Basal Thermometer tomorrow!

emsmama15

Good luck @lyssaroony!  Ask any questions you have.  Fertility Friend also has some excellent tutorials on temping and charting...

carrieandr

@lyssaroony, I just read through this thread and wanted to mention a couple of things. 

You will always get a blank circle the first day that you use the Clearblue opk. It needs two readings in order to measure an increase in hormone. 

The directions say to test using FMU (first morning urine).

And I saw that you started testing on CD4. The directions tell you when to start testing, based on your cycle length. The earliest day it gives is CD5, which is for a 21 day cycle. (Just trying to save you some money.)

I read everything there is about the Clearblue opk the month I got 7 or 8 flashing smileys, so I thought I'd pass the info along. Good luck!

lyssaroony

Yeah I read that too. So my confusion is why does it say it tests for a surge but to start testing on a certain day? To me it seems if there's a surge it won't matter when you start testing. We are BDing every other day anyway so I'm praying we're covered!

lyssaroony

I couldn't edit my last comment so I have to just add. So should I use the remainder of my tests in the morning or just keep doing it in the afternoon?

lyssaroony

ALSO, my cycles range from 23 to 37 days. My body is crazy! Lol

Sporty1216

I'm curious about the FMU instructions too. My OB recommended afternoon...

emsmama15

I haven't been involved in this conversation, but I'd test in the morning if that's what the directions say.  I'd also base your start day for taking OPKs on your shortest cycle.  Do you know how long your luteal phase is?  I'd subtract that from 23 (your shortest cycle) and start doing OPKs a couple days before that day.  If that makes sense?

carrieandr

I agree with @emsmama15 regarding following the directions for that specific test.  If it says FMU, I use FMU.  If I were you, I'd use FMU until you get a peak. Once you get a high reading, you can test more than once a day, so you won't be screwing anything up.

As far as what day to start, I assume they give you a day based on the length of your cycle so that you don't start too late to catch it and you don't take unnecessary tests. They are expensive.

jilligan14

I actually once got a solid smiley (peak) on the first day I used a new ClearBlue test so I don't think the blank circle in the beginning rule always applies. I did O that cycle too so it was for real. I also always use the FMU because I simply can't hold my pee in for hours during the day and never get an accurate reading unless it's in the morning.

lyssaroony

Well I went ahead and tested this afternoon as usual and got a flashy again. I may need to buy a new kit anyway if I don't get solid smiley soon. Wondering if I should test with FMU tomorrow and every FMU after until solid. Why do you all think?
And I'm clueless about luteal phase length. I have FF app and I've been putting info in (except BBT which I haven't done yet). I do have some EWCM today too!

EDIT: I just did a calculation for my last luteal phase and it came up with 14.

carrieandr

Interesting, @jilligan14.  I got a late start this month because I was out of town. I got a blank circle on Clearblue and what looks like a peak on FRER.

emsmama15

I would follow the directions @lyssaroony.  If it says first morning urine, I'd definitely switch to that.  I never used the digital OPKs.  I'm a Wondfo gal because I liked how they fade in so I could predict (a little) when I may ovulate.  If your LP is 14 days, and you subtract that from a 23 day cycle, you'd ovulate on CD 9, so if you're going to have a short cycle again, that would explain the flashing smiley.

Good luck!

lyssaroony

Thanks for all the info everyone! Tomorrow is CD10 so I'm going to try with FMU. Maybe I'll get a solid. Well see!