Cycle lengths varying between 28 and 42 days - so when to start using Clearblue digital OPK 7-day sticks??

[ChateauMargot]

Also, is it possible to only buy more test sticks, or do you have to buy a new digial OPK every month?

Sorry Attila I wasn't attacking you as a person, I'm sure you are lovely, it's just I don't agree with your view. It's ok to disagree isn't it?

I was quite upset by you some time ago where you replied to one of my posts and basically claimed that there was something wrong with me, I most certainly needed blood tests and using OPKs was pointless. I have found all of this to be untrue.

Since then every time I've seen you post, you've said similar things to others, and as I know how upsetting it can be to read these things, I just wanted to say that having long cycles is not always as disasterous or requiring of medical intervention as you make out.

I'm sorry to hear you have PCOS and long cycles. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that just because something is true for you, doesn't mean it's true for everyone else too.

Hello Attila and GetDown, I have met you both of other threads. (My non Christmas name is MummyAbroad)

I couldnt help wanting to comment on this, as GetDown has pointed out something that I have wanted to say for quite sometime about some of Attila's comments. Attlia, You also made many strongly worded comments to me on more than one occasion stating I had PCOS and belittling my use of OPK's and charts, which offended me.

I have since found out that my lack of periods was caused by Ashermans Syndrome and charting was one of the very things that enabled me to get doctors to take me seriously.

I hope you dont see this as another personal attack, I have seen other people thank you for your insight and helpful suggestions, so obviously your advice is useful to some, but I do want to point out that not all of your diagnosis are correct and it might be better to keep more of an open mind about peoples conditions. Not all long cycles are caused by PCOS, and charting and OPK's are beneficial to a lot of people.

ChateauMargot sorry for barging in on your thread, looks like you have had some really good advice already I hope you get lots more and that Attilla is able to answer your question about the source of anovulatory long cycle theory, I am curious too!

thanks MummyA I'm glad I'm not the only one who's been feeling this.

Hi Getdown

Apology accepted.

I do not personally mind people disagreeing with me as we are all entitled to our opinions. I do not wish for any rancour.

I did not have a good day at all yesterday. I am only trying to help others by the benefit of my experience after all as are you. As I did state originally I only named two possible causes of long cycles, of course there are others as Mummy has stated (I am very sorry to read you were subsequently diagnosed with Ashermans).

If any of my counsel makes anyone think that their irregular and or painful cycle does warrant further investigation then I have done my bit.

Personally speaking only what gets my goat is GPs telling me what I know to be incorrect like for instance that piece of misinformation, "endometriosis is not common".

My best wishes to you all.

A

MummyBells, no worries at all!

Attila, sorry to hear you had a bad day yesterday.

Thanks Attilla, I have had a hysteroscopy now with an AS specialist and so far it looks like the treatment has been very successful (still awaiting a confirmation sHG though.) I was "lucky" in that I managed to self diagnose it in time, AS is also described as "very rare" - it isnt, its just underdiagnosed. I guess this is why I feel strongly that you shouldnt put women off charting and using OPK's. They enabled me to see I had a normal cycle and cyclical pain when I should have been bleeding. I think that charting can also alert women to other conditions, including PCOS, so it is very useful. The more information women have to empower themselves with, the better in my view.

I am also sorry you had a bad day, and I agree entirely that GP's are rubbish, if I had followed their advice I would be at risk developing endometriosis and uterine cancer and would still be infertile Its a sad fact that women have to be their own advocates when seeking diagnosis for fertility related problems and health issues, but in many many places, that is the way it is.

Mummy

You are right in that Ashermans is very much underdiagnosed.

Knowledge is indeed power. Women certainly have to be their own best advocate when it comes to making treatment decisions.

With best wishes

A