Cycle day 14, no surge?

Aeml1985 · April 2014

We are doing a clomid IUI this cycle and timing ovulation with OPK's since I'm 3 hours from the RE (too far for frequent ultrasounds) and I haven't had a positive yet and it's freaking me out. The timing for my OPK's hasn't been the best, I've worked some night shifts so I haven't been able to take them exactly the same time everyday but they've all been between 10am-3pm. My last 3 cycles have been 30 days but I have no idea when I actually ovulated, I just know that on cd24 my progesterone has been more than 10 ergo I ovulated. Is it possible that my surge is still on the way?

cls78 · April 2014

My third and last clomid cycle I ovulated later then the first two. This is one of the reasons it is so important to get monitored on clomid or any fertility drug. I hope you are at least going in on cd3 every cycle to make sure you are clear of cyst and to do a afc count. Also it is really important to take clomid at the same time. I always set the alarm on my phone.

BunnyBerry · April 2014

Ditto PP.

To answer your question - it is definitely possible that your surge is still on its way. In a 30 day cycle, O could easily come anywhere from CD 12 - CD18, and even a day or two later if you have a shorter luteal phase. Also, there's never a guarantee that your cycles will all be 30 days; using meds can affect it, too.

That said, it is also possible to miss the LH surge when testing 1x/day. Hopefully O is still to come this cycle, but if not, then maybe you can ask your doctor about another option for next time - maybe using more OPKs closer to O time, or getting monitoring at a local office (maybe your RE would cooperate with a local GYN?).

I guess while on Clomid, temping and even cervical mucous are not good indicators, unfortunately. Hope you see your OPK+ very soon!!

Milagros315 · April 2014

Ditto PPs. This is a good example of why it's a bad idea to take fertility drugs without proper monitoring. Aside from all of the health risks, you don't know if it's actually working the way it's supposed to. You're putting all of this extra crap in your body and you don't even know if it's worth it because you don't know if/when you're ovulating.

I apologize if that sounds harsh. I understand that IF testing and monitoring is time consuming and stressful, especially when you have a long commute. However, you are not doing yourself any favors by cutting corners.

Many clinics will work with their patients to set up some sort of distance monitoring. I don't know much about it because fortunately my commute is only about 45-60 minutes each way, but I know they will do it. For next cycle, I would see if your doctor will do something like that. Maybe there is another RE or OB that will be able to perform the necessary ultrasounds and send the reports to your doctor for review.

At the very least, you should be testing twice a day at the same time each day. Right when you get up and around lunch time for example. I recommend using the Clearblue Digitals (the regular, not advanced). They're "expensive", but so is a wasted cycle. Good luck!

pmpknbride · April 2014

I didn't have monitored cycles for clomid, I didn't know better at the time, but looking back this scenario is exactly why I wish I did. For me, on my first dose of 50mg I didn't ovulate until CD 28, missed it completely, only realized because of my BBT. I did two more cycles with 50mg and had no response. I stepped up to 100mg and O'ed on CD21, BFN, my last cycle of 100mg had no O. I obviously was very resistant to clomid and built up a tolerance to it, monitoring would have been awesome to see what was actually going on in there and see that it just wasn't working, saving a lot of time and a lot of heart ache.

lebradford · April 2014

Is it possible that your surge is still on the way? Yes. For instance, I ovulated on CD 26 last cycle on Clomid. However, I was having ultrasounds so I knew I wasn't responding, adjusted my meds, had more monitoring, and was reassured that I was getting close.

The second paragraph was redacted for snark. The summary is to get monitored and take your Clomid at the same time every day.

Aeml1985 · April 2014

Thank you to everyone who answered my question. Those of you who lectured on the monitoring; I've been a part of this community for well over a year and should have known that was coming.

In alberta there are only 2 fertility clinics, both with LONG wait lists and not enough doctors. Neither clinic monitors with ultrasounds for IUI unless you are using injects OR have an LH higher than 10 on cd3 (obviously because OPK's wouldn't work then). I guess I should have included that information in my original post to avoid having people assume I'm cutting corners because I'm lazy.

I also started in my OP that I work shift work, meaning its impossible to test at the same time everyday (after a 12 hour shift it's really hard to stay awake until 10am to test), and because I'm a nurse I can't always get to the bathroom at work at the same time everyday. So thank you to those who made me feel like I'm doing a bad job, I'm doing the best I can in a broken system....

Aeml1985 · April 2014

I test 2x a day, once with clear blue and once with eBay cheapies

Milagros315 · April 2014

BlueJoan said:

I only use OPK around 10am and 4pm. Any earlier/later my urine is too diluted. I drink more water at home. I am usually able to catch it since my surge is usually only for one day. I can get a negative stick one evening, near positive the next morning, positive that night and negative again in the morning.

I don't think anyone meant for you to feel bad. We just worry and want to make sure no one takes unnecessary risks.

Nope, no one meant to make you feel bad. As I said in my post, I'm sorry that my response was going to sound harsh. I also said that I understand how difficult IF testing and treatment can be. That doesn't change the fact that proper monitoring is really important. I'm sorry that you don't have access to the care that you need. While I'm not in the same position, I do know what it feels like when it seems like there is nothing that can be done to fix my pain and problems. I'm sorry you feel that way too.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what else we can tell you. You just have to do the best you can with the circumstances you are in and hope for the best. It sounds like you're doing that already and I really wish you the best of luck.

Although, FWIW - if I could get proper monitoring by switching to an injects cycle I would do it in a heartbeat. I would much rather spend a bit more time and money to ensure that we were giving ourselves the best chance possible.

Milagros315 · April 2014

BlueJoan said:
Milagros315 - I hope you don't think that was aimed at you or anyone in particular. I think everyone gave her solid advice. I just hate hurt feelings. I'm such a softie.

Oh no - I just quoted you because I agree with what you said

Aeml1985 · May 2014

CD18, finally had my surge, IUI tomorrow afternoon fingers crossed! It's going to be a long 14 days

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