Chart stalk/Questions Week of 1/8

darkstar42 · January 2018

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!

crookshanks10 · January 2018

@darkstar42 Thank you for creating this! I'm loving your JLaw gif (: Now for a question... which I think you'll be able to help me with, you have lots of good advice! I'm using OPKs for the first time. On 1/6 PM I got my first(?) positive, on 1/7 AM I got an even darker positive, and I tested again 1/8 11AM and got a still dark positive. My DH and I HIO 1/6 and 1/7. I know everyday is not recommended, so since we have already HIO 2 days in a row, should we continue? Should I continue taking OPKs? Please forgive my lack of knowledge. You all are my only real source of trusted info. at this point.

jrm_14 · January 2018

@meladams10 I believe daily HIO is not recommended for known MFI issues. Otherwise, it should be okay if you’re both up to the challenge.

Was the first positive as dark as the control line and the second was was darker than the control line? (I’m assuming Easy@home or Wondofo)

As a positive OPK only indicates an LH surge that hypothetically/hopefully precedes O, I would personally keep HIO for a couple of days.

In the beginning, once I received a true +OPK, I kept testing until I received a negative. By doing that and temping, I was able to pinpoint about how long, on average, it takes me to O after the first +OPK. After seeing a good, consistent pattern over about 6 cycles, I stopped OPKS after the second positive, and kept HIO until after the suspected O date.

I think that I saw in another thread that you are going to start temping next cycle. I stated mid-cycle so I had a few weeks to work out the kinks of temping at the right time and establishing the habit before the first full cycle.

Tracking daily CM is also super helpful for many ladies. If you’re teally adventurous, CP is also more data. @josie12367 tracks positioning, I believe.

Sorry for for the long answer. Hopefully I didn’t leave you more confused!

darkstar42 · January 2018

@meladams10 Basically, what @jrm_14 said! I temped and used opks to get a sense of how soon before O I would get a first positive opk (usually about 36 hours before, for me). Right now I'd keep using opks until they're negative again to get a sense of how long your LH surge lasts. Once you start temping you can put all the data together. Tracking cm is also super useful. I've been tracking cp as well for the last couple cycles, but I haven't found it as reliable as cm, temps, and opks. When we're not doing IUI cycles, MH and I usually HIO every day during the FW. I think every day is only problematic with low sperm count, but I could be wrong!

crookshanks10 · January 2018

@jrm_14 Thank you for such a detailed answer! I'm currently using First Response tests. My first positive looked to be just as dark as the control line and my second positive was much darker than the control line, so maybe that was actually my first true positive. I will definitely start temping. Is temperature supposed to be taken at the same time each morning or does that not matter?

crookshanks10 · January 2018

@darkstar42 Thank you!! I need to get on the temperature grind!

darkstar42 · January 2018

@meladams10 Yep, it's best to temp at a consistent time. For me, as long as I temp within the same hour range every morning I can still easily see the temp shift at O. Once you start temping you'll get a sense of how sensitive you are to changes in temping time.

crookshanks10 · January 2018

@darkstar42 Ah okay, that's good to know!

zamoraspin · January 2018

@meladams10 @jrm_14 Gave a great response. Yes, temps should be taken the same time every morning, temp as soon as you wake up and hopefully that is a pretty consistent time. I will also add that while others may have found patterns with how long their LH surge is and how long after that they see a temp rise, mine has varied pretty broadly since I started tracking last March. I have had anywhere from zero positive OPK one cycle (but a clear temp shift and change in CM), to three days of positive OPKs in another cycle, and I've also seen a temp rise the day anywhere from the day after a first positive OPK to three days after my last positive OPK. So, bodies can be weird. As to OPK brands I have used Wondfo/Easy @ Home with good success (have also dabbled with iProven with more limited success but they do have more consistent dye lots). The nice thing about the very cheap OPKs is that you can use them more than once a day and not break the bank. OPK brand is definitely a matter of personal preference though.

crookshanks10 · January 2018

@zamora_spin Thank you! My weekday wake-up time is the same but the weekend's I would have to set an alarm to wake up to temp, as I sleep an extra hour or two. I'm glad to know that variation can occur. I was on BC for about 9 years so I'm unsure of how long it will take my body to regulate. Our bodies are so weird!! I think next cycle I will buy some OPKs that you suggested offline! I definitely have had better luck with the pink dye tests than the blue.

elothair · January 2018

Alright my fellow IF warriors - I need some guidance.

I have made an appointment with my GP for next week as we are now on cycle 11(plus 4 months ntnp) with no results and because I’m approaching AMA I want to get a jump on things if my doctor will allow it and give me an early RE referral (I know technically I have one more cycle before being considered IF)

What do I need to be asking for as far as initial tests? Is an RE referral a first step or is that something to save after my GP runs tests? Anyone have specific experience in the Canadian system since it seems we do thing a bit different up here often?

I never really thought I’d actually get to this point so while I’ve followed advice/questions threads I’ve apparently repressed a lot of information that I should have hung onto.

DH is also going to be 40 this year and I assume a SA wouldn’t be a bad step to take - any ideas if he has to go our GP for this, or would it go through the RE?

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and am hoping for some clarity and guidance and I know some of you are unfortunately really well versed in all this.

Edited for clarity

chopchop25 · January 2018

This has been super informative!

I started w/ OPK and my second line only lasted, even faintly for about a 24h window. Is that not the norm? I'd just been aiming for at least EOD leading up to second line, and day we saw the second line. Would love any advice if I've got this all wrong.

It'll also be interesting to see how temping aligns this month!

darkstar42 · January 2018

@elothair I'm not familiar with the Canadian system (paging @nitnat007!), but I'd say to find out if the RE will accept testing done by your ob/gyn or if they need to do all tests themselves. You don't want to have to repeat tests! MH asked his GP for a referral for an SA, and that worked out fine, but again, make sure the RE doesn't want to do this themselves. The first round of tests is usually cd 3 bloodwork (estradiol, FSH, and LH, if I'm remembering correctly) and then bloodwork at 8 dpo (prolactin, progesterone, and AMH). You'll likely need an HSG as well, to see if your tubes are clear and make sure there are no uterine abnormalities.

Sorry you find yourself dealing with this, but you're in the best of company here. *hugs*

jrm_14 · January 2018

@elothair @darkstar42 covered the basis well. Depending on the extent of NTNP, some doctors will count a few of those towards the 12. ((Hugs)). Sorry that you find yourself asking these questions. No one ever wants to think “let’s remeber all these things for later for when I need an RE referral.”

doula-mama · January 2018

@elothair I’m Canadian and dealing with IF so feel free to ask and I’ll help if I can. One thing to note is that we have different coverage across the provinces, so your decision may be impacted by that. For example, Ontario covers IVF big B.C. doesn’t.
Since you aren’t paying for the tests, I’d get your H in for a semen analysis right away - that can impact your decision for whether you go to an obgyn or RE (most REs work in fertility clinics only, and coverage can be more tricky with them - although some stuff will still be covered). If you find out there is male factor infertility, I’d skip the obgyn.
If your H checks out okay, I’d get in with an obgyn - the waits are usually far shorter and you will never have to pay for anything they order. Depending on what they discover, and your comfort level, you may decide to do medicated cycles with them. Some do monitoring but a lot don’t - I’m personally doing letrozole with no monitoring other than a progesterone check on my first cycle to make sure I was responding. If you do go to an obgyn, you can also ask for a referral early on - it starts the process which can take months, but at least you aren’t stuck doing nothing.
Hope that helps - and my inbox is always open if you want to chat

offtoneverland · January 2018

@chopchop25 Not sure I'm understanding your question completely, but with OPKs, a positive is when both lines are the same darkness (or the test line is darker than the control). Any light pink line doesn't count as a positive. So if you're getting faint lines, you either haven't ovulated yet or you're past ovulation (I can't remember where you're at in your cycle right now). I apologize if I misunderstood your question and this isn't what you were asking!

chopchop25 · January 2018

@offtoneverland I think my brain is just Friday afternoon mush, sorry about that but really appreciate you trying to interpret! Last month I did have one day w two solid lines, but it was just that day. In reading above I was starting to worry it lasted longer than that for most people! Didn’t ever have a day with the second line darker than the first.
All the instructions basically say to hurry up when you see that second line, but could it mean that you’ve missed the window?

offtoneverland · January 2018

@chopchop25 Oh, gotcha! Some people have a really short LH surge, meaning they might only see one positive, even if they're testing multiple times a day. Do you only test once a day? Once the line starts getting darker, or you start seeing more fertile signs, you can test twice a day if you want to try to figure out how long your surge is. I don't think it's really necessary to do that though if you don't want to. I don't really know if there's a true "norm;" it seems to vary widely. My first cycle using OPKs, I only got one positive even though I tested 2-3 times per day, so I thought I might have a short surge. But then the cycles after that, I've gotten positives for 2-3 days in a row. Bodies are weird.

As long as you're seeing a positive though, that's a great sign and gives you an indicator so you can get good timing.

chopchop25 · January 2018

Thanks @offtoneverland! You’re the best!

coco2787 · January 2018

@chopchop25, yes it's normal to only get a positive OPK for 24 hours.

elothair · January 2018

@darkstar42 Definitely do not want to repeat tests so that's super good to know. And thank you for the test info - I want to go in prepared so I can request specifics if need be because I've read stories from so many ladies with useless doctors. I like to think mine's pretty good (and has been up to this point) but since this is new territory I like to have ammo. I definitely know I'm in good company here - so much support and knowledge which I am so super grateful for!

@jrm_14 That's exactly it - I deluded myself into assuming I wouldn't need this knowledge!

@Sailing_Mama Thank you for that, that was super helpful! I am in BC and I'm pretty sure IVF is off the table anyways for DH - I am almost certain he won't be willing to do that level of intervention. Do you know if he can just go to a walk-in clinic and request a SA? He doesn't have a family doctor so relies on walk-ins but I think I could probably get my GP to take him on (which I would prefer but he is resistant to because he doesn't love doctors) if needed. I may take you up on your inbox offer as I come across issues, which I'm sure I will! Thank you so much!

emmasemm · January 2018

@elothair sorry you’ve come to this point but you will find a wealth of support and information here no matter what you find (including if unexplained)

As another source you might want to have a listen to the podcast below on preparing for a first RE appointment - even if you don’t go yet it should have some hints.

https://beatinfertility.co/first-fertility-clinic-visit/

Also there is a Canadian podcast called Fertility Friday that I listen to - but she’s very very detailed on each topic including more natural fertility methods if that’s what your DH is more comfortable with

offtoneverland · January 2018

@emmasemm Thank you for that link to the podcast! I'm preparing for my first RE appointment in 2 weeks so I will definitely be giving that a listen to get as much info as possible before my appointment.
@elothair I'm sorry you find yourself at this point having to figure out what step comes next. I'm wishing you luck at your appointments and hope you won't find yourself needing to see an RE.

emmasemm · January 2018

@offtoneverland I can also recommend creatingafamily.org for lots of resources and information
They also have hundreds of podcasts. I drive minimum two hours each day, so I’ve got through a *lot* of IF podcasts in the last few years!
ETA sorry you’re also needing to see an RE, but hopefully they can give you some quick answers and help you on the road to success very soon!

***tw both Beat Infertility and creatingafamily have good info on RPL Testing in several episodes endtw***

nitnat007 · January 2018

@elothair Sorry that I’m late to seeing this. The other ladies have definitely been on point with giving you some advice and completely agree with what they have said. One of the first things I would recommend doing is reaching out to your RE office and seeing what thief processes and wait times are. I have a 6-8 month wait list here as there is only one RE office in the province. So I immediate put us on the list. A referral from our family doctor was not needed for this. And then I requested blood tests from my family doc. Have a HSG scheduled and DH has a SA done. All of this is covered under Provincial Health so not a big deal if we have to run these again. The only thing I couldn’t get done was AMH, this can only be requested by an RE for some reason. This may be different in BC. I haven’t gone through an obgyn at all.

I am am sorry that you find yourself in this position but please do feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all!! Always here to help out. *hugs*

doula-mama · January 2018

@elothair What @nitnat007 said reminded me... if you do a referral through another doctor, most of the fertility clinics here do free consults. If you refer yourself, there is generally a fee (maybe $100?). Are you close to Vancouver? I have a few recommendations if you are

elothair · January 2018

@emmasemm Thank you! I will be binge listening to that tomorrow!
@offtoneverland Thank you - at least I know I have the option of an RE. It sucks to need it but nice to know there are ways to feel like you have some bit of control.
@nitnat007 That is good to know - I will look into the local REs to see what the waits are!
@Sailing_Mama Yes - I’m the suburbs of Vancouver! Recommendations welcome!

Chart stalk/Questions Week of 1/8

Re: Chart stalk/Questions Week of 1/8

Choose Another Board

Search Boards