How many tests?

[Fraggle78]

Hi. I am very confused, so after a bit of advice...

We have been TTC for over a year. My cycles have been all over the place - no periods for 4 months, then long cycles, then nothing. After some investigations I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst which was removed 4 months ago.

Since the op my cycles have been all over the place again ( from 30 - 42 days ) and I have an appointment booked with the fertility consultant on Friday. I've been fairly certain that I haven't been ovulating, but have been doing tests anyway. Soo....on Sunday I had a very strong positive Ov test. The same again on Monday morning..and Monday evening. Out of interest I thought I'd POAS and got a quite faint positive. I repeated the test later in the evening and it was even fainter. I did two more this morning and they have both been positive (albeit it a bit faint).

I don't feel any different , other than very slight cramps which I have had on and off now for a week or so. I'm very conscious of not wasting the appointment on Friday if it can be used by someone else, but am I jumping to conclusions in assuming that I am pregnant finally? Any advice???

Thanks

Who did the initial investigations and what type of cyst was diagnosed?.

Have you had any blood tests done to see if PCOS or problems with the thyroid gland are present?. These can be a common cause of irregular of and or absent periods.

OPKs are next to useless when it comes to long cycles and use of them in such cases should be avoided. They do not help and can add to feelings of desperation to conceive.

I would certainly keep the apt Friday, this certainly warrants further investigation. Both of you should be tested further.

Sorry, should have said...all blood tests were fine when done by GP. Also had dye test when cyst was taken out and they were clear. I have raised the question of PCOS several times and been told that I have no signs, ditto for thyroid problems.

Can you recall which blood tests were done on which days?. Blood tests done on the wrong days can be meaningless in terms of the results.

Am glad to see that your tubes are patent (open) but a dye test would not address possible thyroid problems or cystic follicles on the ovaries if they are indeed there.

Who told you that there are no signs of PCOS or thyroid imbalance?.

The GP did the blood tests and did point out that they were a bit of a shot in the dark on some points because by then there hadn't been a period for several months. The hospital then did the ultrasound which found the cyst and seemed to think that there was no evidence of anything else. It was a multi loculated dermoid cyst ( I think).

I guess I will do some more pregnancy tests this week and go on Friday armed with the results. I just can't shake the feeling that although they are coming up positive they are actually wrong.

Thanks!

It sounds to me like you are pregnant! It's nigh on impossible to get a fake positive (the line won't show if there is no HCG) but you can get a chemical pregnancy - an embryo that tries to implant and produces a small amount of HCG, but it doesn't stick so the tests fade. I'd keep the appointment if I were you.

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking.... thanks to you both for helping point me in the right direction.