opk's ??

racheyt0227

Since I am starting a small break from my RE after IUI # 4 bust to re-evaluate what we want to do (RE says odds are against us for iui to work & suggests moving on to IVF). I am wanting to take a couple of months off to try & see if there is the very slim chance I might ovulate on my own.

I have a CBEFM (but got rid f the test sticks ) & think this would be an expensive route to go. Are there cheap opk's to buy online such as the cheap pregnancy test strips? Any advice? I am diagnosed with Annovulation, so thats why I don't want to waste too much $$, but would like some idea of what is going on.

I also do not chart, so maybe thats something I should look into?? I've never done it either since we have just been wth the RE & I didn't need to do any of that on my end.

Do you think it's a lost cause to be doing these things? Any advice/thoughts would be very helpful. I just don't want to miss a chance if I do ovulate in the next couple of months.

MsGMChick

I think charting would be good for you. It gives so much information, especially on a break cycle. You don't want to just use OPKs, get a pos, but then never know if you really did O. Charting would tell you that, help with LPs, minimal shifts, etc.

Cheap OPKs are the same as HPTs. Amazon.com has wondfo OPKs.  

ukcats27

I definitely don't think it's a lost cause. You can get wondfo OPKs on Amazon. Since you  don't always ovulate on your own you may want to temp as well.  It's really not that bad but there are tutorials on fertility friend that are very informative.

lynn0926

I have had success with dollar tree OPKs. The only ones that have let me down are the digi clear blue.

SParkman80

I use the opk's from Amazon called Wondfo's. They are inexpensive. I have a hard time deciphering whether the test line is as dark as the control line so when I think I may be surging I double check with the clear blue easy smiley opk's.

I have no advice on if you should chart or not being anovulatory but if you would like to know for sure these next couple of months whether you are ovulating or not, I would recommend charting. I just like the peace of mind of what's going on. GL with whatever you decide!

limpetfan

MsGMChick:

I think charting would be good for you. It gives so much information, especially on a break cycle. You don't want to just use OPKs, get a pos, but then never know if you really did O. Charting would tell you that, help with LPs, minimal shifts, etc.

Cheap OPKs are the same as HPTs. Amazon.com has wondfo OPKs.  

All of this.  I chose not to chart during our 3 month break, and I spent a lot of that time wishing I had.  It takes so much of the guess work out of what's going on, and that makes it easier to plan the next cycle (when you're ready for it). 

I've always purchased OPKs from Amazon, FWIW.

 

racheyt0227

Thanks guys! I use the Wondfo strips, so I will get the opks from them as well. I'll also have to spend some time trying to figure out fertility friend. Do I need to start it CD 1? I am past CD 1 & since I dont ovulate/get my period on my own, wonder if I am in trouble. lol. Sorry for the newb questions re this.

genmalone

#1 - I ovulated for the 1st time last cycle.  It was a 44 day cycle and was the first time I O'd without meds in 2 years so it's possible.  I almost it was from doing 4 cycles back to back.

#2 - Charting is the way to go for me as OPKs don't work even on a medicated cycle.  Or maybe even use the combination of the 2. 

#3 - I would be more than happy to send you the sticks for the CBEFM.  I have one and haven't used it in forever.  I have a box and 1/2 of sticks that are, of course, sealed.

MsGMChick

racheyt0227:

Thanks guys! I use the Wondfo strips, so I will get the opks from them as well. I'll also have to spend some time trying to figure out fertility friend. Do I need to start it CD 1? I am past CD 1 & since I dont ovulate/get my period on my own, wonder if I am in trouble. lol. Sorry for the newb questions re this.

Usually you start on cd 1 but you can start anytime. My very first chart ever I started into my cycle and still caught the shift.  

racheyt0227

Can someone point me to the correct opk to get from wondfo? There seems to be a few didd ones.

MsGMChick

Ps- Congrats on being so close to your weight loss goal! 42lbs is amazing!!

Native+Girl

I agree, charting is your best bet, especially if you have PCOS. PCOSers typically have elevated LH, which is the hormone measured in OPKs, so we tend to get a lot of false positives. It would be fine to use them in conjunction with charting, but I wouldn't rely soley on OPKs.

MsGMChick

https://www.amazon.com/Step-Ovulation-Test-Strip-Pack/dp/B00286XB50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1327591218&sr=8-6 

 

racheyt0227

MsGMChick:

Ps- Congrats on being so close to your weight loss goal! 42lbs is amazing!!

 

Thank you. I am actually moving my weight goal down to 5 lower, but I want to get to my 1st goal! lol. I am almost at a healthy BMI as is! Very excited. I hope this will help me ovulate/regulate. 

racheyt0227

genmalone:

#1 - I ovulated for the 1st time last cycle.  It was a 44 day cycle and was the first time I O'd without meds in 2 years so it's possible.  I almost it was from doing 4 cycles back to back. That is fantastic news! Give me hope.

#2 - Charting is the way to go for me as OPKs don't work even on a medicated cycle.  Or maybe even use the combination of the 2. I think I will start with both to see how they do

#3 - I would be more than happy to send you the sticks for the CBEFM.  I have one and haven't used it in forever.  I have a box and 1/2 of sticks that are, of course, sealed. I would love that. I can pay for shipping, etc. I'll message you on FB.

racheyt0227

MsGMChick:

https://www.amazon.com/Step-Ovulation-Test-Strip-Pack/dp/B00286XB50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1327591218&sr=8-6 

 

 

Thank you! That is what I was figuring, but wanted to make sure. I appreciate everyone's help. This is so much easier with the RE taking care of everything!

violetmarie61516

MsGMChick:

I think charting would be good for you. It gives so much information, especially on a break cycle. You don't want to just use OPKs, get a pos, but then never know if you really did O. Charting would tell you that, help with LPs, minimal shifts, etc.

Cheap OPKs are the same as HPTs. Amazon.com has wondfo OPKs.  

This.  I was using OPK's which I always got a pos but you can not rely only on those.  I started charting this cycle before we start treatments while I'm waiting for my second opinion.  I have gotten so much information from temping and Fertility Friend.  You can click on my chart and see.  This is my first cycle temping but it's been so informative to actually know what's going on with my body even with the random "off" days.

I would at least give it a shot.  It's hard to get into a routine but well worth it if you can.

brideonjuly8

I've been backing up my CBEFM with cheapie internet OPKs just to be sure and they work really well for me.  Got a blaring + yesterday and today.  GL!

genmalone

racheyt0227:

genmalone:

#1 - I ovulated for the 1st time last cycle.  It was a 44 day cycle and was the first time I O'd without meds in 2 years so it's possible.  I almost it was from doing 4 cycles back to back. That is fantastic news! Give me hope.

#2 - Charting is the way to go for me as OPKs don't work even on a medicated cycle.  Or maybe even use the combination of the 2. I think I will start with both to see how they do

#3 - I would be more than happy to send you the sticks for the CBEFM.  I have one and haven't used it in forever.  I have a box and 1/2 of sticks that are, of course, sealed. I would love that. I can pay for shipping, etc. I'll message you on FB.

Great!  I'll check FB.