Clearblue Fertility Monitor Support Group Buddies Vol 5!!

Oh how frustrating SBC and definitely have sat in waiting rooms similarily filled!!

aMuminwaiting - I know the desperation, but your Gp suggesting a month off ttc might reduce the stress for you and help you physically? Does stress affect cycle length - I don't know, but perhaps your Gp can suggest something to help? All the best with apt.

Littlefan - it is really hard, and I have got to the stage you have found yourself at several times on our long journey tcc'ing (still ttc'ing also for number 1). I totally agree how sex became mechanical for us, such that we had 2 months totally free from sex/baby making sex in the last two years, which really helped us.

littlefan going to the dr is a good step forwards. From my own experience (now having fertility treatment) I would share that:

• the Gp can order blood tests to check there is nothing physically wrong with things such as thyroid, hormone levels etc, as obviously they need addressing and no need for any fertility testing.
• you will need an up to date smear test,so worth booking one if due one soon.
• the Gp will order 2 blood tests known as day 3 and day 21 (though they will tell you when you need them depending on cycle length) to check your ovulation etc.
• the Gp may order a semen analysis after your physical blood tests are clear.
• When all blood tests back, the Gp may refer you to the hospital to see a gynae or order more tests first. They are all different!!

Also, talking about stress and relationships is really important. Personally, if you can afford to go private for counselling I would really recommend it, if you think you want to go to that stage of help - I say this only because I went through a nightmare getting ivf approved due to depression as an NHS diagnosis!! But I hope I am just a very rare example. Sorry for saying too much, feel free to ignore.

Boba scan went ok thanks, have a cyst with fluid but allowed to go to stimming phase, so scan again on Friday with hopefully some largish follicles and lots of them!!

littlefan I've felt the same way as you. It's horrible how TTC takes something that makes you feel so close to your DH and turns it into this mechanical and (for me at the moment) pretty painful experience. My GP told me when trying the second time to take a month off and she's said it again this time. But I am so desperate for my baby that I can't comprehend doing that. Its why this month of not knowing what the hell is going on down there I've been so obsessed about catching the elusive ovulation surge! For the past two days I've actually been less mental about it all but it's not because of anything I've forced on myself (which is impossible).
I've not got enough work coming in, the orders I do get are quite often lost or damaged by royal mail, my psoriasis has gone completely crazy and for the first time since I was little has appeared all over my face. My DHs family have fallen out with us because we don't want to be around DHs pregnant sister-in-law and my family just keep saying "your time will come, don't worry". I'm on CD45 and seeing my GP again on Thursday. One day I think I'm having a meltdown and the next day I'll feel ok.
I hope your GP gives you some help. And I hope you get some good days soon.

Hi, thanks for support. Stress levels went through roof at hosp today, as they had not given me the right form to have bloods done, so had to run all around hospital to get one then sat in pathology waiting room with a whole group of young and teenage pregnant girls with them all comparing notes and complaining about having to wait two months for scans - GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

littlefan absoultely the right place to vent (as above!). We all know how you feel, taking a month off TTC can sometimes help, or if you are able a week or weekend away of just self indulgence no strings attached is good. Going to the doctors is definitely a good start too, they can at least check your bloodwork - the gp is perfectly able to do this without referring you straight away.

Hope all are well - at least the sun has started to come out - spring is on it's way

It's been about 14 months of trying now and I have hit a wall. Had a huge fight with my husband last night and I know it came from the fact that this is all getting to me. I have never hated having sex so much as I do at the moment. What once was intimate, relaxed, passionate and romantic is now mechanical and pressured. We think it's time to go to the doctor but in addition to that I feel like I need to speak to someone to sort out my head. I am feeling so depressed and think my marriage is falling apart with the pressure and disappointment. My cycles are completely out of whack and I can't do anything about it.
Sorry - I know you are all probably in similar positions but i needed to vent - you guys were the better choice - before I head into a meeting with my boss - wanted to avoid spilling my guts there!
Thanks...

just wanted to say hi to all the ladies here, hope everyone is ok?

I'm now on cycle 4 (I think) of the monitor, on a high (day 8) today so will be trying over the next few days

dh will be going for his sperm analysis very soon (possible next week?)am hoping this proves ok so then it's just a matter of trying and waiting!

any more BFP's lately?

Thanks very much slightlybabycrazed, appreciate your help.

Hi mashpot. It's best to start using it on day one - which is basically just turning it on and pressing the m button in the middle of the time you are going to be getting up each day. If AF doesn't start until lunchtime or later then set the day one as the following day.

Good luck - if you want to join us add your stats! (Saturday is a low usage day, we weren't ignoring you!)

Keziah I have my first FC app on Tuesday and we are down to have IUI - seems almost pointless to mess with my hormones now and then have the whole hormone thing done anyway with the FC, but I'll just go with it for now. Typically it seems my body is reacting to the pituitary gland meds and now just getting low readings on the CBFM - I hope it hasn't completely thrown my cycle as I was up until now like clockwork for a few years

Hi all,

Sorry to ask a beginners question - I have just ordered a CBFM and wanted to know on what day you start using it on your first cycle with it?

First day of period, or after period? Can feel AF on the way - was obviously hoping I wouldn't need to buy the monitor - but just hoping it gets here in time to use for next month.

Thanks very much.

In School

Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD101
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD103
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD82
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD75
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD70
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD61
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD59
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD46
TinaO99 TTC#2, Cycle#2, CBFM Cycle 2, age 42, UCL 28, CD54
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #12, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 28, CD44
aMuminwaiting, CD42
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #17, CBFM Cycle 6, age 32, UCL 28-30, CD37
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 12, CBFM cycle 5 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD22
SlightlyBabyCrazed, TTC#1, Cycle #25, CBFM cycle 3, age 35, UCL 28-31, CD12
Tilly TTC#1, 3years, CBFM cycle 10, age 36, UCL 28-34, CD12
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #31, CBFM Cycle 19, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD10

Graduates

Emmylou30 BFP 22/10/10
MissLolita BFP 30/10/20
Notnearly BFP 6/11/10
StormBird BFP 10/11/10
AnytimeNow BFP 20/11/10
IloveKittyElise BFP 30/12/10
Boba BFP 07/01/11
Chocciechip BFP 11/01/11
Clockspotter BFP ??/02/11

Hi SBC - not had that test, but know I was at the top level for corticosteroids on one blood test and nothing was done about it. So it sounds good that you have a proactive endocrinologist and hopefully getting all your levels sorted will aid natural ttc.

Hi All

Am having a crummy time at mo, started taking the cabergoline tabs a couple of weeks ago and seems to have thrown my hormones into complete disarray - day 13, started cbfm sticks on day 8 - all low so far - not been like this before. Also received call from endocrinologist to say my corticosteroids are borderline high so now have to do a 48 hour dexamethasone test - yet again the instructions state not to TTC whilst using it!!

Have any of the other pcos sufferers here had this test done?

Amum I know what you mean about the using 20 sticks - i did the last two months, but I have read elsewhere that if you do every other day it won't cause major problems, especially when you are having long cycles. I have had the same thing happen with the lines showing on the stick but not the monitor - side effect of the PCSO unfortunately. I would suggest after my recent experience to try and push to see an endocrinologist - they are actually more expert in the world of PCOS I have found - after far too many years!

FX everybody - we are still getting graduates - it will be our turns soon

I can't use the monitor until I know when to reset it for day one. If I already am in the next cycle I have no way of knowing so I've been doing the other OPKs so I don't miss it. I know I have to just wait and wait now but when all you want is to b pregnant it's hard to be calm.
I have bad pains when I ovulate and I had those pains on the last few days of highs on the CBFM. Which made me think I was gearing up to it but it didn't happen.
I got hold of my aunt who thankfully is midwife and she thinks I probably did ovulate on CD39 and so now I need to wit for F to come in next couple of weeks. I just hope next month is shorter! I have to use a whole box of tests sticks every month.

I've been busy with work all morning but I will take your advice and walk the dog after lunch and try to think about anything else.

amuminwaiting you really need to use the monitor, it really is impossible to read the sticks without. when you say your body 'tried to release the egg on day 15 and it didnt happen' what happened that made you think this?

highs come from increased levels of oestrogen which are all relative and only indicate that ovulation is imminent with an LH surge. it sounds like you have might have had an annovulatory cycle and your hormone levels are a bit out of whack; the best thing might be to try and relax and just let nature takes its course and start using the monitor at the start of your next cycle?

Finally- day 60- and af here- no idea what is going on but so relieved to have started- ultrasound booked and can get blood tests done, must have missed a cycle as am bang on for timing otherwise.
Need hot water bottle........
Hi to all, x

I used one of the CBFM sticks on Tuesday and it was really dark but they're hard to read without using the actual monitor. So I got the clearblue Easy opk and Wednesday and Thursday both lines were dark but the one that shows a surge was ever so slightly lighter. And today it was very pale. So my long winded question is; is it possible my body tried again or actually succeeded in releasing an egg this late?

Has anyone ever ovulated as late as day 39+?! Is it even possible?

Last month my body tried to release the egg at about 15 days (which used to be the norm for me) but it didn't happen and I finally ovulated on CD29. I know my body tried again when I had highs CD11-27!!! Wednesday and Thursday I had a terrible pain on my left side (ovary area). Sorry I keep going on but my surgery aren't helping me and I just wish I had a device to see what's going on in there.

thanks boba82 i will do

cd42 BFN negative OPK no AF, feeling like complete crap.

boba82
yes i have pcos i normaly get my af between day 28 and 35 i am having some pregnancy symptoms but dont knw if it is the clomid af due sunday

Ok chocciechip thank you. Will give it a whirl when/if my next cycle begins.

amum If you don't have it already, this is the charting book most people recommend - TCOYF. She covers all the how-tos and has sample charts at the back that deviate from the 'norm' that might help you get some insight into what's going on. If you sign up with fertilityfriend, I think you can start charting immediately and just re-set your dates when AF comes. The only thing I would say about charting is don't get hung up on the detail and worry about whether your chart looks like anyone elses. The ONLY thing you should look for is a clear bi-phasic temp shift - this indicates ovulation has occured. The TCOYF book will talk about implantation dips etc etc which will have you pouring over your chart and fretting, but take the details with a big pinch of salt. I had beautiful 'implantation dips' at the right time in most of my cycles, but never got the BFP. A consultant told me that the only clinical value was the bi-phasic pattern.