So, I started using OPKs for the first time this month, and now I'm getting discouraged. Yesterday was CD14, and I am still only getting the control line. I thought by now the test line would at least be starting to come in. Isn't the test line supposed to gradually appear and get darker over a day or two as you get closer to ovulation? Or will it just appear one day, and I will know I'm ovulating?

I think the reason I'm confused is that I was sure I would have ovulated by now. Last month I actually felt my O, and it was around CD 12 or 13. My RE has also told me my O isn't as strong as it should be, and that led me to believe I was Oing early. I started testing on CD10 this month to be sure I didn't miss it. Now I'm starting to get worried that I'm not going to O.

Any advice or suggestions? Am I just worrying over nothing?

Thanks for your help. As always, I appreciate you guys more than you can know!

Holly

Hi Holly,

Well that is the thing with OPK's. Not to discourage you from using them b/c I know they work great for some people but from my personal experience of using them (for 5 months) I found them to be inaccurate and unreliable in my specific case. Try not to get discouraged , I know it is scary and frustrating but to give you some hoep I wante to tell you taht I found out just because the OPK did not show a line it does not mean you are not ovulating. Some times I would just get a lite line the whole time and sometimes nothing at all!! But don't loose hope yet, it could be that you ovulated very early in your cycle or that you will late this month. Also make sure you are testing at the same time every day and wait four hours w/o going to the bathroom before you test. Just so you know hen I finally went to the RE he advised me that the OPK's were not working b/c my cycles were off probably b/c of my miscarriage and was now ovulating on day 5 of my cycle instead of day 12-14 like I used to. I testing on day 10, so by then ovulation ship had already sailed! So you see your cycle may just be a bit off and that's all. Have you had b/w done on day 21 of your cycle?? This can confirm for sure if you have ovulated or not. If you are not-Don't worry there's plenty of stuff out there to assist with ovulation and if you have low levels RE can also give you something for that too. Are you taking any fertility drugs right now?? Perhaps you can call you nurse and tell her what is happening and she can schedule the b/w on day 21 if they have not already done that for you. Don't worry too much remember that stress can also effect ovulation. Hang in there and I hope everything works out Holly!!!! Please keep us posted!!!! I am praying for you!!!

Baby Dust and +++++++++++==Vibes blowing your way !!!

deluka/kathy

Thanks Kathy. I am beginning to realize nothing about this IF journey is going to be easy. It's a good thing I'm determined. I did have day 21 b/w done back in October. It verified I did ovulate that month. My RE had me on some med to decrease the amount of stress hormones I produce - go figure, I'm stressed out...who isn't? - but I've had to stop taking it due to other meds I'm taking for a stomach infection. I was supposed to start that again (as well as another med to strengthen my O) in January, but it's been pushed back to February already because the other meds I'm taking have been extended...There are just so many issues, and they all seem to effect one another. It's very frustrating. I'm going to try to take it easy and keep on testing. I guess if I don't have any luck, I'll try to schedule another b/w for day 21 of my next cycle and we can take it from there. No wonder they say not to waste any time. I feel like we can be at this for several more years...

Hi Holly,

Well determination is what we need to get through all this IF crapola!! It is always something isn't it, I am so sorry about your stomach infection, that sounds yucky!! I hope you are feeling better with that. I hope all your issues get squared away real soon so you can get the BFP you desearve!!! I get scared that it will take years too, even though it is hard to do ( and days it does not work) I really try to focus on today. It never does me any good to look at yesteday or too far into the future when it comes to IF. Hang in there Holly, it is going to happen for you I just know it will!!!!!

((BIG HUGS)))) and +++++++++++++VIBES to you!!!!!

kathy

I hope you're right Kathy - but not just for me...I hope it works for all of us. Thanks so much for your concerns. The stomach infection is nothing serious, it is just something that has been causing me serious heartburn, and the meds I'm on should take care of it. My Re just doesn't want to proceed while I'm treating that. He wants everything to be optimal, which makes sense. I think I'm just starting to freak myself out with these OPK's. I've been really careful about testing the same time each day (5:30 PM), and I try my best to hold my bladder for as long as I can before testing. I just don't understand why I'm not seeing the test line yet :dizzy: . Yesterday I actually had to do three tests because the first two didn't even produce the control line :mad: . I'm starting to wonder if there will always be something in our way. First we thought it was his low counts. Then we found out my tube was blocked. I had surgery to get it unblocked, but we found out it is abnormal. Then we have the problems with weak ovulation. Now the OPK's are causing me to think I might not even be ovulating anymore. When does it just click and work?!

I'm sorry. I'm starting to rant. That won't help. It does feel better getting all my concerns out though. Thank you for being here and for listening. It makes a world of difference.

Holly

Hi Holly!
I have used the OPKs a lot!!!! I would recommend the ClearBlue Easy Digital. They are a little more expensive than the regular ones, but well worth it to me! They either show a cirlce or a circle which means no surge or a circle with a smiley face which means a LH surge. The reason I like them better is because I don't need to mess around with trying to figure out the lines and which one is darker and all that jazz!!! So, just thought I'd share. Best of luck to you!
cmarie

Hey Holly,

You and Dh have been through so much! With the low count, blocked tube weak ovulation and stomach problems no waonder your frustated. The whole IF thing is just so draining. I feel like it drains the life out of me sometimes. I do still think that you may have ovulated early this month. I guess I had something smiliar to "weak ovulation." my RE called it pre-mature ovulation not sure if exactly the same but I ovulate too early and for some reason they can't stop it from happening this makes it hard to fertilize my eggs. At least that what they tell me.

Maybe if you change the time you test, maybe first morning urine. That may help. Either way I just don't hold too much faith on those OPK's they can be wrong at least that is what my RE had told me. He advised me not to use them at all and that he would tell me when I was ovulating based on u/s and b/w. Is your RE doing u/s and b/w?? I know how discouraging it all is and we put so much into this and sometimes I feel we get so little out of it. But in the long run it will be worth it. It sounds like you are getting good care it just may take more time. I dread using the TIME word but I guess we don't get to decide. Hang in there and I hope you get the line on your next OPK test I know it brings ease to our minds when we see it. Please keep me posted, if you decide to have the 21 day b/w I would like to know what it says.

Take care!!!

kathy

Hi Holly,

How did you make out on your OPK test yesterday?? Did you decide to test at 5:30 or this morning??? You sounded a bit down yesterday and I was just thinking about you today. I hope your doing ok and when you have a minute drop us a line to let us know how you are.

((hugs)))

kathy

Hey Kathy :wave:

You are so sweet - thank you for thinking of me! Yesterday's OPK was the same, just the control line - still no O in sight. I was pretty down yesterday, but I'm in a better mood today. I've decided to call my RE's office and ask for CD21 b/w this cycle. I think that was a good idea you had and figured why wait? I didn't do the test in the morning though because the instructions specifically say the best time to test is between 10 - 8 and that you shouldn't use the first morning pee. So I figured I'd stick with the time I've been using since I am almost always home at that time of day anyway. I'm really hoping things will start falling into place for us. I don't know how long I can endure wondering if I will ever be a mom. Thank you again so much for your encouragement, Kathy. I could never get through all of this without you (and everyone else here) and your concern/knowledge/support/understanding. You guys truly are the best! :cool:

Thanks for the recomendation Cmarie. I'll have to take a look at the Clear Blue Easy ones the next time I am at the store. The ones I'm using now were actually given to me by a friend (she already has her 2 little angels and won't be needing them anymore - had no trouble conceiving at all :rolleyes: ) and she had ordered them from the internet. They are a little more work because you don't POAS but you actually pee in a cup and then dip the stick. It ended up being to my advantage though when the 2 tests failed to work because I still had the pee in the cup instead of having to fill my bladder again and worry about the results being messed up...Anyway, thank you for the info, I will definitely check them out when I run out of these. ;)

~~~BABY DUST TO ALL OF US~~~~

Holly

:wave: Hi Holly!!!

So glad your better today!!! Those darn OPK's!! I am glad you are going to do the 21 day b/w. At least you will know for sure then :) You know that we all are pulling for you. I know you do the same for all of us :) all the time!! I often wonder when we will get to be a mom's too. I would give anything just to know so I can deal with whatever it is I have to face. You know what I mean?? This month we are not doing anything b/c I am having the lap done sometime in January. It has been so long since I didn't have any kind of tx that I don't know what to do with myself right now :dizzy: Oh well I am hoping that the lap will give me some answers. Please keep us posted on your b/w next week. I hope everything goes well!!!

((HUGS))

kathy

Kathy,

Boy do I know what you mean about just wanting to know what the future holds. It's like, I could take anything fate throws at me as long as I know it will result in me being a mom. But I hate to think of going through all of this (and so many people have gone through so much more, I know) not knowing if it's going to work or not. I'm not going to dwell on that today though. I'm really trying to stay positive...

I have a call into my RE's office to see about the CD21 b/w. I hope they call me back and can mail the order to me on time. I have to report for jury duty next week :yawn: :rolleyes: so I doubt I will be able to drive to the office to go pick it up. I guess time will tell...Anyway, my internet usage will probably be sporadic next week with jury duty and all, but I will definitely let you know as soon as I find anything out.

Do you have a date scheduled yet for your lap? Are you getting nervous? Try not to - it will be a piece of cake. The hardest thing for me honestly was drinking the bowel prep the night before. Everything else is up to the drs and they know what they're doing ;) Good luck to you!! Make sure you keep me posted on that.

Holly :wave:

Hi again,

Jury duty...yuck!! Well the good thing is it will be change in the routine and will keep your mind busy. Just let us know how it went when you have a chance :)

My lap is "tentatively" scheduled for Jan. 9th but pre-op visit with RE is next Wed. I recently moved to the middle of no where so I also have an appt. in "the city" to get a 2nd opinion on what he thinks my IF issues are. We only have one RE in my entire county! Can you believe that!! So we really have slim pickn's :(

Anyway thanks for the encouragement I am a bit nervous but I know I'm bit of a baby when it comes to this kind of stuff. Dh and are are going away for New Years and staying at a Bed and Breakfast so I am looking forward to that. Hope you and DH enjoy your New Years!!!

kathy

Hi there,

Still no surge on the OPK's :rolleyes: . I'm also still waiting for my RE's office to call me back about going for the CD21 b/w. I'm starting to think they won't be able to get the order to me on time. I'm really trying not to get down again. Maybe I should try not to think about it.

Kathy, your lap is really coming up fast! You will be just fine, I know it. I hope you and your DH enjoy your little getaway for the New Years! I think we are spending it with his mom and twin sisters because it's also their birthdays and they just moved back to PA from TX a few months ago :D . The holidays have been special with them back in town, so it should be fun. I just wish we could surprise them with news of a pg. That would really be special.

Praying 2007 is the year for all of us!

Holly

Hi There,

God I hate that your OPK still does not show the line!!! It is so frustating and I am really sorry :( These RE's offices too they are sometimes so inconsiderate about what we are going through UGH!! I really hope they call you soon. If you can, may you can call again, have you spoken to a live person or had to leave a message?? Do they know that your OPK's are not showing anything?? I would keep calling. I know my office thinks I am a pest because I call alot but hey they make the BIG bucks for what they do and they should be available when you need them. It only takes them a few minutes to do the order. Is it that you have to go to a lab or does your RE office do the b/w??? Try not to get down, I know it's hard but don't worry everything will be ok. I still think maybe you already did earlier in your cycle. I know how nice it would be to be able to tell your family you guys are pregnant and I can only pray you will get to do that really soon. Hang in there we are all here for you :)

I will probably won't be on the board a lot over the weekend but I will try to check in from time to time. When I start getting down I try doing research on IF, some how it makes me feel better to feel like I am doing something. if there is anything you can do today to keep your mind busy that is what I would do. Ofcourse you have all of us here to keep you from getting down!!! Enjoy your family this weekend, it must be so nice to have DH's sisters back in town :) We live very far from family now. I am from FL and all my family lives there and we just move to AL a year ago for DH's job. Sometimes it makes it hard but I am getting more accustomed. We are going to TN this weekend, that is the good thing about living in the middle of the country I get to see the other states :)

Anyway, please hang in there ok :) You are a sweetheart and I hate to see you sad. Whatever happens this month with your cycle we will all be here for you ok. Sending lots of prayers and +++++++++vibes your way.

XOXO
kathy

I finally got a faint second line on the OPK today :blob_fire :blob_fire . I guess we will wait for it to get a little darker and then try tomorrow evening or Sunday...see how it goes. 2ww here we come! ;)

Congrats on the second line! I hope it gets darker and darker. I hate those darn opk those especially since i O on CD21. :) ... I cant believe your drs office hasn't called you back yet.... oh well... happy bd'ing!!!

Good luck Holly

Hi Holly,

I'm just reading this thread a little late but congrats on finally getting a second line! I hate those OPKs too, they are so confusing.:dizzy: Sounds like it should be darker today thoguh and you will ovulate this weekend. Good luck, baby dust!

Lori

THANKS GUYS!! I was starting to hate the OPKs myself :mad: , but now I am feeling sooo much more positive about them :cool: . It feels good knowing when my O will come instead of just guessing around days 10 to 14. I wonder why it is later in the cycle though if it is weak. I guess one doesn't have anything to do with the other.

Kathy~I forgot to answer your question...guess I was so excited about the 2nd line ;) . I normally just go to a local hospital for the b/w, but with CD21 being Wednesday and Monday being a holiday (slow mail), I would have to drive 1/2 hour to my RE's office first to pick the order up for the b/w...with jury duty, that could be pretty tough. Guess it won't matter anyway since they never called me back :rolleyes: and I'm starting to see that 2nd line :D . They close at noon on Fridays so I wasn't too hopeful to hear from them anyway. We kind of have slim pickins around here too, but I'm thankful mine is so close and a small office so I see my RE every visit and never have to wait long. Thanks for all your support Kathy, I really appreciate it ;) .

Here's hoping for a darker 2nd line today so we can have some BMS :D

Holly~

Congratulations, Holly. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Lots of love,
-Jenn