Advice on Clearblue Advanced Fertility Monitor

[YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut]

This is my first month using the CBAFM. So far I've had a couple of lows, seven highs, and no peak.

The thing is: I'm pretty sure I've already ovulated! A few days ago (on CD 13) I had what I thought might be ovulation pains. I took a cheapie OPK in the afternoon and got a very strong and clear positive. But the next day, I got another high on the monitor. I had been looking at the lines on the test sticks (I know it says not to!) and I was getting two lines, but now only one.

My temp went up on CD14 and CD15 - this suggests that CD13 was in fact my ovulation day. Would you get a positive on an OPK if you actually took it during ovulation?

I know that because the monitor didn't detect a peak, it will ask me for tests every day until it's done 20 tests. This seems a huge waste of money when I know it's missed the peak anyway! Can I just give it old sticks to keep it happy?

I'm hoping it will be more useful next month - it was so expensive and if it's not going to detect the peak then what's the point??

I've got a CBAFM too & I've had quite a few issues with mine, mainly due to the length of my cycle though to be honest. Last cycle I used cheap OPKs alongside the monitor as for some reason I just don't trust it. That being said, the peak on the monitor did marry up with my positive OPKs so I guess it does work. I'm assuming you're using your monitor first thing in the morning? If you are I can't think of any reason why it missed your ovulation

I am using it first thing, yes.

I did read a suggestion that it's not uncommon to get no peak in the first month, so maybe it's just that. My main worry is that maybe I have a really short surge, and so it didn't catch it? I suppose I will see what happens.

My main question, I guess, is whether I can just keep giving it an old stick for the rest of the cycle? After tomorrow, I would be into a new pack of 10'sticks, and it seems like such a waste to use them all when I know it's not going to detect anything now!

I remember reading that too, something about the monitor getting used to your levels? I think you can feed it old sticks, or no sticks at all if you prefer. I stopped giving it sticks & I'm sure it just said 'missed test' and gave an automatic low reading. You need to have 10 tests from the same pack each time you use it so try not to use anymore (they cost a fortune don't they!). I rang the CB helpline when I was having trouble with mine & they were really helpful. Might be worth giving them a call if you have concerns?