OPK timing?

[JulieB2]

Should I wait to start opking until i get other signs of impending O? I hate using up the sticks, they can get expensive when i KNOW im not near to o-ing. I usually have three or four days of EWCM before i O (or so the trend has been when i ovulate on clomid) and i usually dont o until cd 18 or so. I feel like im wasting sticks starting on cd11. I've done a couple this cycle so far. Im just now having some creamy/lotiony CM now.

What should i do? Suck it up and keep testing or wait a couple days and go from there?

[BC-DKNY]

if you're fairly certain of "approx" when you O, then you can adjust your test time accordingly. i used to do the same thing. i was a regular cd 14/15 O'er, so i never started testing before day 12.

[BC-Maura]

Hi Julie: I agree with Dina that you can start them later... were you starting on cd 11 based on your shortest cycle in 6 months or because your doctor said to start then (or for another reason)? In any event, if the pattern is to O later, why not save yourself some $$? The only thing I'd say is try to BMS whenever you see good cm, even if that means you start BMSing before you start OPKing!

Good luck and keep us posted+++++++++
Maura

[JulieB2]

Maura,

I've only ever ovulated on cd13 once. Heh...the rest of the time, including when i got pg with my dd was cd18 or later in her case.

I started on cd11 because thats when the clomid wont give a false positive. No other reason really. I resisted the urge to do it tonight (sheesh they are as bad as hpts).....Im having some really good lotiony (omg...asked me ten years ago if id be talking about my discharge to a group of folks ive never met and id have called you all NUTS!! lol) cm so i know O is a few days away. Since ive been tracking my cm consistantly and opking it makes it so much easier to interpret cm changes.

So, ill probably start on saturday if i can resist tomorrow night and if my cm doesnt change a great deal. Dh will be home tomorrow or saturday so he'll be in for it when he gets home regardless of other things

[BC-Maura]

LOL, Julie... sounds like dh will have a nice warm welcome... good luck and keep us posted!

++++++++++++
Maura

[BC-DKNY]

julie....thre's no subject that's "taboo" when you're TTC. but i hear what you're saying....it's amasing what we girls will talk about when looking for advice and su[port in the TTC world.

[Kristina921]

I guess I'm not good to give advise on this....Last time I used OPK, I started on CD8 lol! You are right, they are just as bad as hpt's. I get the cheap ones though so I buy about 50 at a time haha...I would start the BMS as soon as you see the good CM also. Can't hurt right? I know my DH wouldn't be complaining. The first time I was going to try clomid the doctor said to have BMS at least every other day from cd 10 to cd 20. I figure that is a pretty good spread. I think I will try for every day from whenever I get the ++opk until I get a ++hpt or AF! DH doesn't have any "issues" so I am going to go for it!

[JulieB2]

Originally Posted by Goldie

Julie...Have you done any US monitoring with any of your recent clomid cycles? I go for my first one ever on Wed. CD18. I am nervous about it being uncomfortable but I am excited to see if I have any good follies??

Goldie,

Nope. If it was up to my OB (which it isnt He'd monitor every cycle. I did the first clomid cycle and had some nice follies and my lining was nice and fluffy (just like the rest of me ). I ovulated and was able to catch my surge for timing etc. I got a BFN (obviously ) but i really cant afford the 250 a shot for each u/s. Sooooo, i declined the monitoring.

They will most likely do a transvaginal. The techs have always been wonderful (i had several when i had dermoid cysts and had my ovary removed) and will usually let you insert the wand yourself.

GOOD LUCK!! Im hoping for lots of nice big follies for you!!! Let us know how it goes!