Chartstalk/Questions Week of 10/16

offtoneverland

This is a thread where anyone can feel free to request a chart stalk, second-guess FF's interpretation, or post TTC-related questions, regardless of where in your cycle you are. Sometimes FF is wrong. That's where we come in. Get your second opinion here! 

offtoneverland

Starting us off selfishly today. Anyone else have Wondfo batch W00160602-3, expiration date 06/2018? I'm pretty sure it's a bad batch. In posting this question, I'm going to have to admit that I tested too many times yesterday for only being 9dpo, but I know you all understand. 
Yesterday I got what looked like a faint positive within the time limit, but after it dried, it looked a little bit off (test line looked like 2 faint lines right next to each other), which made me wonder if it was legit. Anyways, I've since confirmed with about a million other wondfos and 2 FRERs (one with FMU today), all of which have been completely stark white negative, so I know now it was a bad test. I emailed Wondfo and let them know and asked if it had been reported as a bad batch. I tried googling it too and found some people speculating about the batch, but nothing definitive. 
I'm going to throw the rest of the tests away and will wallow in self pity for the rest of the day. And as this was my first time using Wondfos, I'll probably never use them again unless y'all can convince me that false positives don't happen on the regular.

SmashJam

@offtoneverland I have used Wondfos off and on throughout the years and have only had one set that gave me false negatives on OPKs. They might have been old but I saw a little black line appear at the bottom that tipped me off to something being weird and I confirmed something was up with a different result from a new batch. It hasn't been a consistent problem for me. 
ETA: Sorry for them messing with your head. No bueno. 

josie12367

@offtoneverland Yes, I don't really like Wondfos anymore. I get consistent evap and indent lines with them...and they're showing within the testing time. Which is weird because I never did have issues with this brand before. I just finished that batch so I can't verify the batch number, but maybe? I switched this time to Easy@Home tests which are just like Wondfos and have had no issues at all

holly321

@offtoneverland, I used wondfos with no issues for months (several batches, I have no self control). Then I had 2 bad batches in a row.  Several tests were very clearly "positive" it was devastating, and I am sorry it happened to you.

offtoneverland

@SmashJam @josie12367 @holly321 Thanks guys! From some of your responses it sounds like Wondfos might not be all that reliable. I was happy to get some cheap tests but don't think it's worth the mindf*** to have to wonder if the line is real or not. Sheesh! I understand having defective tests for sure...nothing is 100% perfect. But that test had a perfect light purple line right where it was supposed to. It didn't look weird until it had dried several hours later. How does that happen?!? It's so cruel!
By the way @holly321 when I googled defective Wondfos one of the results was a thread from you a couple of years ago! 

darkstar42

@offtoneverland For what it's worth, I've been using wondfos and have never had an evap or indent line. I was planning to order more of them when my current bag runs out.

jsnakehole

This is stirring up all the BSC. Those aren't BFNs, they're just defective!

offtoneverland

Good to know @darkstar42! I guess it's just luck of the draw then. I know a lot of people here use Wondfos...seems like some people love them and some people hate them. I'm not usually a very "lucky" person, so I figured if I got a faulty test it must be common, but perhaps it's not so common after all.

doula-mama

@offtoneverland also make sure you aren't getting the counterfeit tests. 

offtoneverland

@Sailing_Mama I got the tests from Amazon and they do say Wondfo on the packaging. I think as long as it says Wondfo it means it's legit, right?

doula-mama

@offtoneverland not necessarily. Search for 'counterfeit wondfo' on here and you'll find the list of reputable sellers

mrs_drc_rn

I just read through FF and wanted to get your opinions on the “at least three hours of sleep” rule. I took my first temp Monday morning. I worked last night, so I will try to take a nap today. Would you ladies log a BBT in the afternoon today (Tuesday) after napping or just wait until Wednesday morning so it’s a more consistent time? I may just be overthinking the whole thing, but I’m afraid my chart is never going to make sense with my crappy schedule. Thanks for any help ladies! 

lulu1180

@mrs_drc_rn FF has a FAQ for that situation
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/BBT-and-shift-work.html

mrs_drc_rn

@lulu1180 I read through it. It says to just take your temp when you get the most sleep, but then it says if you get at least three hours of sleep you can temp. That doesn’t seem like a lot of time, so I’m just wondering if I should temp after a three hour nap today or just not at all and do it Wednesday morning. I don’t know how much it’ll mess up my chart either way. 

josie12367

@mrs_drc_rn I would do both....take one after your nap, log it, and then add a note in the notes section describing your sleep situation....ie: "after three hour nap". Then take Wednesday's temp at the same time as Monday morning's. Since your chart looks at the whole picture, and not each individual temp, you still may see a pattern. You can always go back and disregard the nap temps if they just don't make sense later. 

mrs_drc_rn

@josie12367 thank you! I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to see a pattern. I’ll try both and see what happens!

holly321

@mrs_drc_rn, I think different people's temps can respond differently, to an extent.  I generally wake a lot when I sleep.  I usually would temp at 5:30, my normal wake time.  If I temp after 3 hours at 5, and then temp again at 5:30, (while still being in bed) there is generally a big difference, but the 5:30 temp is usually more accurate for me.  But, maybe I am the odd one.  So, like PP said, I would do both and see which seems to be more accurate.

nimmle

So I had my first known AO cycle last cycle which I'm sure is primarily due to stress. I'm trying to find things that I can do to help lower the risk that it will happen again this time. Currently I'm looking to some meditation and getting back into the gym to help relieve stress and also taking an iron supplement since I hear that can help lower the risk of AO. My current PNV doesn't have iron in it cause it's a gummy and I'm a baby, lol. Any other recommendations from you ladies to help increase my chances of O'ing this time? 

Katm89

@nimmle my last cycle was AO and I just kind of let it go... and focused on running and still temped but didn't really try and I ovulated just yesterday! At least I think so. My shift is pretty obvious, but you never know!

canucklehead123

@nimmle eat foods that support ovulation and egg quality - salmon, avocado, leafy greens, bone broth, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds etc.  

millpe

Hey friends! I have a question for those that have done/are doing acupuncture. What's the difference between fertility acupuncture and normal acupuncture?

I contacted a natural health clinic in my town that does acupuncture. They also advertise that they specialize in fertility, but they won't run anything through insurance (they said I could submit myself?). There is at least one place in town that does submit through insurance, but he doesn't specialize (or advertise) anything about fertility. 

Side note- I've also been suffering from headaches recently so I also want to try acupuncture for that. 

doxiemoxie212

Lurking 

@MrsMiller8588 I haven't had non-fertility acupuncture but I think it's probably something to do with knowledge of herbs in addition to knowledge of women's cycles and what the different things mean. My acupuncturist asked A TON of questions about my cycles (exactly what color is the spotting, what consistency, how often, how much), and she really studied my bbt charts. This all impacted what points she used for me and also what herbs she prescribed. Ideally with fertility acupuncture you start on CD1 or slightly after. My acupuncturist did different herbs and points for every "phase" (menstruation, follicular, ovulation, luteal, etc.). My main question would be does the non-fertility guy feel comfortable with all that kind of stuff. It's totally possible he does. 

dukestar5

Does anyone else experience PMS type symptoms way before AF arrives?  I usually start to feel symptoms (such as cramping, bloating, and gassiness) around 7DPO.  (My LP is around 13/14 days).  I'm wondering if it is relatively normal to have PMS symptoms that early before my period or whether it is an indication of low progesterone or something else.
I'm planning to ask my ob/gym at my next appt, but I thought I would ask here too as you ladies are a wealth of good information!

jrm_14

@dukestar5 The last 3 years, my PMS has progressively become earlier, more intense, and longer. I didn’t experience PMS until about 25.  I typically have noticeable mood shifts about a week before expected period. Cramping usually happens 3-4 days before, and eatallthecarbs and  consumeallthechocolate creeps up about a week before.
TL;DR:   I do but I don’t know if it is normal or not. And my last 2 progesterone levels were a bit questionable  soooo, there’s that, too. 

millpe

@dukestar5 what do you mean by PMS symptoms? I know some things are actually cause by the progesterone. I get sore boobs starting around 7dpo or so. Other than that I don't have much I associate with PMS besides spotting. And FWIW I've hadn't my progesterone checked twice and it's been good. 

mrs_drc_rn

@jrm_14 Same. The week before AF is due, I get really irritable and have horrible mood swings. Then the cramps set in a few days prior to AF. I don’t mind the consumeallthechocolate!

lulu1180

@dukestar5 What you are probably attributing to PMS is actually due to the progesterone like @MrsMiller8588 said.  I get a lot of the symptoms you mentioned starting around the same time and that's when progesterone is at it's peak.  I've had my progesterone checked and there were no issues.  So if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Katm89

Last cycle was AO. I had talked to my doctor about testing hormone levels but she told me she couldn't treat it while I was nursing so we never did it. Should I temp during the tww to see if I have issues with progesterone. **********TW********* my previous cycle I had a CP and did not track the tww temps, so I wondered if my temps were low if I could have prevented with progesterone...I think I can take progesterone while nursing, but not estrogen to help ovulation. Idk, the pro to not temping would be the tww going by faster. Opinions and thoughts welcome!

coco2787

I took an OPK on 10/18 and had a line that was almost as dark as the control line and took another test on 10/19 and got a definite positive.   Took a 3rd this morning and got another almost as dark as control line.  Based on that I'm assuming I ovulated today but haven't noticed the usual ovulation CM changes. Is it more likely that I'm ovulating tomorrow?  

lalala2004

@katm89 I think it's better to temp the whole cycle in general because the more data you have the better. I've seen women temp and think they've confirmed O, only to actually ovulate later. And personally when I was temping, I did it every day so it would stay a habit. 

Katm89

@lalala2004 Thanks! I will do that.
@Cfreymc usually you ovulate after the LH hormone is gone.. for me I always ovulated once my opks turned negative again.

holly321

@katm89, I second temping all month.  It can help you see if there is an issue with the luteal phase, keeps you in habit, and I have had my O date changed more than once.

SmashJam

@Cfreymc I put a lot of trust in that positive opk, but as I understand it doesn't the positive indicate ovulation somewhere between 12 and 36 hours after? Also, I do know its possible for you to gear up to ovulate and not, so maybe that is what happened? I know that I also use CM, CP and temp shift to decide the day it actually happened, as I often have two positives in a row, so if you haven't had your normal change maybe it will happen in a few days?

blackhottamales

I apologize if I should be able to find this by searching but I’m looking for opinions on IUIs. 
Ive been trying to lose weight and be more centered as we TTC. It’s been a long road but I think we are ready to get more aggressive. I was “diagnosed” with PCOS last December but I really like my OB and she’s a specialist in infertility. Based on people ‘s experiences would you recommend going to an RE for an IUI vs with my OB? 
I had a confirmed (via BW) ovulation cycle in July and then seem to be ovulating based on cycle length, BBT, and CM I seem to be ovulating on my own. 
Im just wondering what my next step is. 

spottedginger

@blackhottamales I am by no means an expert, but have many friends IRL and online who have been through treatments. Most of the time, people say see an RE. There are a lot of obs who are not very versed in fertility issues and who make questionable calls like placing patients on Clomid unmonitored. My OB office offers some fertility services, too. I think it depends on the individual dr and their expertise/ practice. Some OBs may have studied and practiced in fertility and be relatively competent, but all REs have studied it. I’m not sure if I am making sense anymore, but I hope this helps. 

darkstar42

@blackhottamales Maybe find out (if you haven't already) what the IUI protocol (which drugs, how would you be monitored, etc.) would be with your ob/gyn and see how that compares to what an RE would offer. I'm happy to compare notes!

holly321

TW How soon can you get a period after a d&c?  

adirat

@holly321 If I consider my d&e CD1, I got my period on CD29. Some women don't ovulate the cycle after d&c so their cycles may be shorter or longer than usual. 

starla

@holly321 That could've used a "TW."

holly321

@starla, my d&c was due to an overly thick endometrial lining, not loss, but I will add a TW.