Clearblue Fertility Monitor Support Group Buddies Vol 5!!

[boba82]

Ladies from Vol4 - welcome to our new home.

Hi,

Usually lurking on this board but not always posting.

Looking for a wee bit of advice as I am becoming increasingly worried about my cycles.

If I can be irritating and give a little commentary of my last 3 cycles to explain.

1. Not using CBFM yet. Used Fertility Friend and temping, had a temp shift, so likely ovulated. Cycle 28 days.

1. Began using CBFM, had about ten days at high, never a peak. Bizarre cycle lasted about 40 days ?!?! Was thinking its ok monitor needs to get to know me.

1. Current cycle using monitor, now on day 20, been high 7 days! Again looks like I'm not getting a peak.

I'm worried because Im not getting a peak, before using the monitor I tried opks never detected a surge.

Am clinging to the hope that maybe my LH surge is a short one?

Should I be overly concerned?

Also as a bit of background (sorry to be going on - but a high level of neurosis is developing about this!)

Came off the depo injection - 18 months (the time it says to be worst case scenario of wearing off)

Came of the pill - 8 months ago.

Any suggestions? Honesty being good as is anything that might make me feel better :)

Thank You for reading this!

Hi suffering

On the cycle which lasted 40 days, how many sticks did the monitor ask for, and on what days? If you ovulated it is likely it wasa around day 26 of your cycle (apparently no matter how long your cycle in the majority of cycles ovulation occurs 14 days prior to the next starating) so maybe the monitor missed it.

I cant help you on the missing peak thing (other than the above - maybe you werent 'sticking' by 26?) but as far as the highs go i think everyone gets it. i think the trouble is with the high detection is that oestrogen rises gradually during the first part of your cycle and eventually triggers ovulation; i think its about the monitor taking time to 'know' when that threshold oestrogen level is that triggers the LH surge...in short the 'high' days are fairly meaningless until you're a seasoned customer.

I would suggest going to the GP on this - make sure you choose a sympathetic and intelligent one (total waste of time going to one of those old dears that are about to be put out to pasture they are always skeptical about things like the CBFM and dont actually get that its based on scientifically sound principles).

Good luck and let us know how you are doing

Liz xxx

suffering I agree with kitty. I'd go to GP & maybe next month don't start POAS until CD12 or something so you will be able to catch your peak days. GP should be able to do some basic bloods to check hormone levels for you too. Good luck.

kitty best of luck for your scan next Wed.

Lychees Hope the injecting went ok? Good luck for tomo, keeping everything crossed for you! x

Hi Ladies

Boba Wishing you all the best for Friday.

I am sort of OK. Have been feeling very very down this month and can't seem to shake it. The post Christmas blues aren't helping either.

Suffering I think a trip to the GP's may be in order too. I've just checked on NHS choices website and it suggests that it should take 3 months to a year for your periods to return after using Depo. As it's been 18 months, it might be worth getting your GP to start the basic blood tests eg progesterone and LH/FSH. Also, it shouldn't take more than 6 months for you periods to return to normal after coming off the pill. Therefore I think you are completely within your rights to ask the GP to investigate.

With respect to CBFM it doesn't always pick up the LH surge. I understand it's accurate in detecting it in about 90% of ovulatory women. However, the NICE guidelines do say that LH urine test kits are more accurate at detecting imminent ovulation than patient home charting is at confirming ovulation has occurred. Presumably, there is more chance of user error when charting. Therefore, I would be inclined to trust the CBFM slightly more than charting.

Agree with kitty wrt choosing a GP. Maybe look for one with an interest in women's health? Lots of GP's do have specialist interests. If you look on NHS choices at the GPs in your practice it will give you their full qualifications, including any specialist diplomas they have done.

DFSRH = Diploma in Family Planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health. A doctor with this will have a better understanding of how the contraceptives you've been using actually work, and what is normal and not. My DH has this qualification and he would definitely start investigations on a woman in your position. The guidelines are six months after coming off the pill, but my DH told me he wouldn't be so strict on this criteria as the pill is immediately reversible and he would definitely expect periods to have returned before the six month point.

DRCOG = Diploma Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - again a GP with this additional qualification may be a lot more sympathetic as they'd have done quite a lot of obs and gynae during their training. The GP I'm under has this and she's been very good and sympathetic.

I'd also try to pick a "younger" GP as well. Fertility is a contemporary area in medicine and a lot of older GPs would have gone through medical school 30 years ago when it was in its infancy and fertility would have hardly been on the syllabus.

Sorry you're down KC

Afternoon All. Injection wasn't too bad last night. DH offered to do it if I chickened out but it was painless. However, I expected to get my peak this morning .. and nothing. The stick had two dark lines on it but my CBFM gave me another low[?]. Anyway, I just hope the trigger did something.

Suffering, there has been at least one case here of a lady getting all highs on the cycle she got her BFP on. Also, of short LH surges not detected.

I'm starting to think that my peaks [I have had them every month except for this one] didn't necessarily indicate that I was ovulating .... none of my day 21 results have indicated natural ovulation. And I've been chatting to two other ladies who definitely haven't been ovulating but got LH surges and peaks on the CBFM and regular-ish periods. Really need some PMA for tomorrow. I'm already thinking about a second go at IUI even though we haven't had the first go yet ... what am I like?!?

Hugs to KC ... the post Xmas blues really don't help.

Good luck for your scans, Kitty and Boba.

Hi Ladies,

Long time no speak! I have been lurking though to keep up with everyone#s stories.

I'm 28 weeks now, c-section booked for 38 weeks so 10 weeks to go.

Anyway, just wanted to send hugs to all who need them and to say a big congrats to boba xxxxxxxx

Lychees I was exactly the same & rememeber I had positively ruled myself out this month. It's so hard to stay upbeat through this when every month is another let down. I think we start to expect failure, I know exactly how you are feeling. I somehow got lucky this month & I'm hoping the same for you hun. First time lucky and all that . . .

P.S on the ovulation front. I presume your periods are quite regular? I thought that if you got periods then that meant you were ovulating? Have I just embarrassed myself?

Thanks Harry, OMG I can't believe that's you 28 weeks already. Good luck. x

Boba and Lychees Thanks for hugs. Definitely needed.

Lychees, Boba is right. If your periods are quite regular you are likely to be ovulating. Have they told you what your progesterone levels are?

Have scrolled up and see that your cycle is 30 - 35 days. Is there a chance they are doing the progesterone test too early? What day do you normally peak on and what day have they been doing the bloods on?

Please try not to worry too much. There could be another explanation AND you are all set for IUI tomorrow too, which is really exciting. I am sure your egg is just waiting patiently. Best of luck!!!! FX for you

Suffering I really hope I didn't seem overly negative in my reply to you. I've just re-read it and I am sorry if I did. Best of luck with your GP!

hello ladies

I'm new on here, just started using the monitor last month so on my second cycle. I'm 42 and am desperate to have a second baby (my first is now 19!)

I lost a baby last september (very early/chemical?) and am now stressed with worrying I won't be able to conceive a healthy baby because of my age

I had lost of highs and 2 peak days on the monitor first month and was stupidly expecting to conceive but started my period at the weekend :-(

hope i can join your group and I'm so pleased for those of you who are already pregnant :-)

Tina

Welcome Tina.

I am really sorry to hear about your miscarriage. We're all here to support each other on the bumpy journey trying to conceive, so you are more than welcome to joint in!

Lychees "The stick had two dark lines on it but my CBFM gave me another low"

Do you think your monitor is actually working properly? 2 dark lines shows high LH and low oestrogen. Exactly what I'd expect to see during the LH surge.

thanks for the welcome KnackeredCow I hope I have something positive to report soon!

Tina :-)

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. Most helpful. And knackered, not at all negative.

I think Im a bit reluctant to go to the Dr as I expect them to be like - You've not been trying for a year yet - so long see you then. And Im 27 so they might be like ah wait and see and come back in a year or so.

Also I do seem to be having periods, they have returned. Just that they can be a little variant in length (25, 27, 29, 28, 40). Just noticed the pattern there of them becoming longer. Its more the elusive LH I'm worried about to be honest. And a peculiar mid cycle bleed I am getting in the middle of the month for 3 days. Though not every month.

Someone had asked about the 40 day cycle, I went back down to low at about day 25 - exactly when I had used the whole box! And again this month I appear to be using the whole box, day 21 still high.

Hello Harry - so encouraging to hear from you. I can't remember, is this your 1st? Do you know the gender? Do come back and let us know all the details

Will post properly tomorrow - just a quick scan read tonight and bed now.... am shattered and low with how long it has taken to get nowhere,

• but will say KC - big hug for you xxx and you are now our official resident expert of CBFM, research guru and source of all knowledge - ok!!

Hi Tina. Welcome to our thread.

Just a quick one from me today ... I had my IUI. It was uncomfortable but okay [like a smear]. Now there is little I can do except for to use my progesterone pessaries [nice ] and hope. It's going to seem like the longest 2ww ever.

Catch up with you ladies soon.

Good luck Lychees got everything crossed for you...take it easy X

Hello Tina welcome to the lovely thread .

Waves hello to everybody hope all doing ok.

Hi All

Suffering In all honesty I think the GP would be sympathetic, but wouldn't investigate yet unless you fib are economical with the truth about how long you have been trying. But that said, I suppose that's not possible as it will be on your medical records when you had your last pill prescription. Of course you could say that you didn't use every packet in the last prescription

Ah, thanks Keziah. > I just currently have far too much time on my hands.

Keziah I'm really saddened to hear that things are still not progressing for you

Lychees I really hope this is your month.

Lots and lots of luck to knackeredcow this month!!

Hi Keziah

I havent been on here for a while, i generally pop in and out.

I noticed on the stats that ours are quite similar. I was just wondering how are you keeping yourself motivated as im really struggling. I just keep thinking how much longer are we going to do this for, puttong our lives on hold. It has got to end at some point??

Just noticed thath these haven;t been done for a while so thought I'd update so ...

Today's stats:

In School
wantbaby TTC#1, Cycle #11, CBFM cycle 6, age 38, UCL 30, CD57
Twowoulddo TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM cycle 1?, Aged 31, UCL 31, CD52
Rosieposey TTC#5, Cycle #12, CBFM Cycle 6, age 38, UCL 29-35, CD44
Ses TTC#2, cycle #6, CBFM cycle 8, age 37, UCL 28-30, CD37
Missyraines TTC#1, Cycle #14, CBFM Cycle 9, age 33, UCL 32, CD33
CrazyAlien TTC#1, Cycle #6 CBFM Cycle 2 age 28 UCL 31-35??! CD25
Lychees TTC#2, Cycle #15, CBFM cycle 11, Aged 36, UCL 30-35, CD23
PinkCustard TTC#2, Cycle #13, CBFM Cycle 8, age 34, UCL 30-32, CD21
Arabella36 TTC#2, Cycle #1, CBFM Cycle 4, Age34, UCL29, CD21
Keziah TTC#1, Cycle #29, CBFM Cycle 17, age 35, ucl 28-31, CD20
ZebedeetheZebra TTC#2, age 43, UCL TMI!, CD18
KnackeredCow TTC#1, Cycle #16, CBFM Cycle 5, age 31, UCL 29, CD18
Roastie TTC#1, Cycle #23, CBFM Cycle 2, age 32, UCL 29, CD12
Littlefan TTC#1, Cycle 11, CBFM cycle 4 , age 32, UCL 32-38, CD11
Fr00tbat TTC#1, Cycle 7, CBFM Cycle 3, age 32, UCL 30-38 (av 34), CD10
Clockspotter TTC#2, Cycle #6, CBFM Cycle 1, age 38, UCL 29-31, CD8

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

Thanks for all the good luck wishes ladies.

KC, I'm not sure if my CBFM is playing up. I will have to check next cycle as I decided not to carry on poas as I ran out and there didn't seem much point when I'm on a stimulated cycle. On another note, wouldn't twins be lovely though ? ... we can always dream. Good luck for this cycle.

Keziah sorry to hear that things aren't moving forwards for you .

Thanks for the PMA, Boba.

Harry can't believe you're already 28 weeks. Glad it's all going well.

Roastie, I can't remember but have you been for tests yet?

Hope everyone else is okay.

Roastie - yes similar stats. I think Boba's amazing bfp has really encouraged me as she had to wait so long. Sure others have to, just she is on this thread and it is recent so in my brain!

Dh and I are both struggling = so decided Jan is a month off ttc, in the hope it gives me some motivation and energy for next month!! At least it has reduced stress as I know I will not be pregnant.

Roastie have you had fertility testing, or doing that (it took us 11months) and if so what has been suggested. We need ICSI but are having problems (v complicated and causing more stress than anything else) being allowed to cycle at all!! So = natural miracle would be most welcome. It is hard.

Boba - Dying to know how you got on yesterday? Hope it went well XX

Hi All and happy weekend xxxx

Boba, hope your scan went okay.