Any temping experts fancy having a look at my chart?

[Vap0]

Hi

Thanks for taking the time to look. Would this suggest I ovulated? My opks say no as they only went about a third as dark as the control line. I definitely didn't miss it with the opks as I checked each time I went for a wee on the important dates. This is my 1st month charting and am struggling a little.

[MrsPCR]

I don't know vap0. I want temping long enough to check. Plus for me, first month was opk ov predicted CD14, months 2 & 3 was ov CD13 confirmed by temp and month 4 was ov CD14 by temp so for me I was clearly very regular so it was relatively safe to assume temp rise was the rise I was waiting for. But I remember the disappointment of no rise in CD13 and thinks oh god we still have to dtd again haha!

I found my opk only worked with FMU. Rest of time I'd only get suggestion of a build up.

[Vap0]

Hi

Back again with an updated chart. There has been a bit of a dip today which i think means if it dips further then there is no chance of a bfp this month. Is that right?
lbocs yep, I've been using opk's for well over a year and know all about how to use them. I also tested every time I went to the loo over the important days and limited liquid intake too but they just didn't work this last couple of months. I am on a new batch which I don't think are as sensitive as my old ones, either that or I'm not Producing the same amount of hormones as I have in the past which is a very likely possibility after my mc as they tend to mess you up.
mrspcr ha, that was one of the best things ever when I had my bfp, not having to have timed sex again!

[MrsPCR]

You're 8dpo. A dip could be a sign of implantation so fingers crossed it goes right back up tomorrow. Your dots aren't filled; did you take at a slightly different time? I found taking mine half an hour later as soon as I woke made quite a difference.

Remember how skewiff my chart was! Just keep your fingers crossed it goes back up.

Fwiw, I genuinely did not think we had done it that month. I was convinced we hadn't and didn't think my chart was that great (forgetting that actually the chart has nothing to do with it!) a previous month I had 'implantation' dip with spotting 5 days before AF so convinced myself it was the same again.

Fingers crossed and you are not out until the red witch rears her ugly head! Good luck! When is AF due? Will you test before?

[MrsPCR]

Any news Vap0?

[RoseBud2015]

Vap Sorry for missing your messages from the other week- I tested on 16th and got BFN- then had a mini-meltdown . But I'm back on it now CD10, EWCM and severe ovary pain AND a nearly pos opk this morn so I am quietly optimist that I might ov again this cycle!

Your chart is looking good and as PCR mentioned that dip could be implantation. You seem to have stopped taking your temp at the same time recently too (noted by the open circle each day since CD19) I'm assuming you are a teacher and enjoying the lie-ins like me Only problem is it will be making your chart less accurate so keep that in mind too!

[RoseBud2015]

Here are my charts from this cycle and last cycle for you to compare yours to. In August I ov'ed between CD20 and 22 (confirmed via blood test) but FF didn't confirm it!

www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5790c0

[Vap0]

Hi all
I'm not a teacher but dp is
I have this week off though
The times were different because I added all of the 1st half of the month at the same time on one day which was at about lunch time I think
I've been quite good at temping at the same time each day
Sorry I've been gone
I have had a major breakdown this weekend/early week, my hormones have turned me into someone else. I don't recognise this person and DP doesn't either. It's only since coming out of the other side of it that I realise my behaviour was crazy and unacceptable but at the time the tears/breakdowns/anger seemed so justified.
So af arrived a few days ago and has ended now, thankfully, and as af has gone I have returned to my normal personality
I think if I turn into that dark awful character too often DP won't be able to take it. I'm getting scared of that. So we are now in cycle 27
So I have a day 21 blood test booked for this month and I asked the Dr about his opinion on temping and he sat on the fence and wouldn't give me an answer either way. He said it "can" indicate ovulation but isn't reliable enough and the only way to know for sure is with a blood test.
So this month I'm temping, have a blood test booked and have 2 types of opks (one set clear blue which were £38 for 20 sticks, what a bloody rip off)
So we will certainly know if ovulation happens this month and will know If any of these other forms of testing are correct.
I've also managed to get my IVF referral appointment booked for the end of January
And have been researching IVF abroad as that is what we will do if the UK list is extensive as I'm expecting
I'm not expecting anything to happen without help. It took 24 cycles to get pregnant the 1st time which resulted in an early miscarriage and now everything is all messed up again. Another 2 years is too long to wait for this to happen again and I think I'll turn into a total loop If I have to wait that much longer
rose how did you get on? Have you poas opk? Everything crossed for you!
One thing I have noticed from temping is that I am noticaby warmer/colder at certain times of the month and never realised there was any correlation between this and where I was in my cycle. It is very enlightening. Also, I liked the early warning about af, I saw a dip in the morning and then af arrived later that morning. Very handy and think I'll keep temping even if the blood test proves it wrong as it's nice to know the day af will arrive before it does.

[MrsPCR]

Sorry to hear this Vap0 good luck with all your opks! Fingers crossed it's worth it. I know back in the summer, clear blue were doing trials on one of their fertility monitors. Might be worth having a look at their website as that's a month free testing. And from what I heard, if you didn't succeed during trial month they sent another month for free. Good luck.

[RoseBud2015]

Hi Vap Sorry AF got you but at least you know you ov'ed and had a good length luteral phase! I also like the fact that you tell with temping when you are going to get AF so don't waste loads of money on tests.

I got this opk yest morn along with painful ovaries and EWCM so I think I'm about to ov on my own again although desperately trying not to get my hopes up! But never had one this dark before! We are doing SMEP this cycle- likely to be our last before we start IVF abroad! X

[Vap0]

Omg rose that's brilliant! I think I've only ever had 3 like that! Hope it is a success for you before the abroad IVF! Which clinic are you looking into abroad? I've been researching one in Prague as we could fly direct and costs are £1,700 for everything! Amazing prices. We are thinking of having an IVF holiday at Easter where we can have all tests done and dp can have a sample frozen and I can go back on my own as and when necessary (dp will struggle to come back at the right time due to school). We went out with my nieces today 3yo and 6mts, we have had such a lovely time, although now they are gone I'm feeling all sad again that I won't ever get that for myself.
Thanks for the info mrspcr I'll have a look at their website now...

[RoseBud2015]

We are 100% decided on Reprofit in Czech- I have heard nothing but great things about them, their success rates are amazing and their prices cannot be beaten! In all of our dealings with them so far, they have been swift and very efficient so I feel very comfortable and confident in their hands. We are just waiting to hear which protocol and drugs they are recommending to us. I have very severe PCOS and DH has low sperm count so conceiving naturally is highly unlikely. Even our consultant said "if I were you in your position with those results, I wouldn't be wasting time and would be moving straight to IVF" That spoke volumes to me!

Currently we are either looking at before Christmas if we can fit a cycle in before they break for the holiday, or if not then January. DH and I have both spoken to our employers and are lucky to discover that both have IVF policies allowing us paid time off (I'm a teacher, he works for a global company).

So FF confirmed ov today- but it confirmed it for the day before my pos opk, on CD9!! I'm struggling to believe that- I think I ov'ed on CD10 or 11 as my ovary pain has now turned into cramping so I'm convinced FF will change the date when I have added a couple of extra temps. I will just keep doing SMEP until I am sure FF has it right!

Which clinic in Prague are you looking at? Gennet? How is your new temp chart looking- lets have a peek! x

[Vap0]

Hi, chart attached.
I had been reading all about reprofit but see you can only fly direct from London so was thinking Prague may be easier. Although I'd love it if you keep in touch with your experience as I had a good read through the reprofit website and likes the sound of it all.
Very interesting you could get time off as a teacher. DP is a teacher too so he should be able to come with me. That's a relief. Although I don't know if he will want to ask for it as he is on a temporary contract and we don't want to jeopardise his position. But good to know. I also work for a global company but am terrified about asking any questions about it. My company would most likely find a reason to get rid of me if they knew what I was planning, let alone taking time off. I'm one of only 6 in the uk sales team and so to lose one is a massive thing for the company. I think I'll just take holidays as it removes questions and also more questions in the event of disappointment.

[RoseBud2015]

It may be worth having a thorough look at policies on the internet first- we were sure DH's company would be the same as you are describing, but when I did some research online it turned out they have a well-publicised policy for fertility treatment. He then phoned HR without giving his name to double check that it was the case before letting his boss know. He is lucky that they are being very supportive and it turns out that there is another guy in his team currently doing the same thing!

Your chart is looking nice and steady so far! Here is mine: //www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5790c0

[Vap0]

Still learning these charts and don't know how you've shared your chart like that? I just screen shot them.
Also, that dip at 7dpo last month for you would have had me excited thinking it was an implantation dip. Or would it have needed to be more of a dip if it was implantation?
I mentioned it to dp about you getting time off as a teacher and he doesn't want to do it. I don't blame him, I won't be telling my work either. Even though we are a global company there are very few people employed, I think there are only about 100-150 people in the UK. Also, we can get his part all done over Easter and I can go back as and when needed using holidays and he can join me at the weekend if it coincides. I know it's different for everyone what will work best and I know for us telling fewer people will keep the pressure to a minimum. We haven't told any family about our impending IVF consultation with nhs or our thoughts about going abroad to do it. I don't want the attention about it. The only family member I told was my sil because she was on about going out for a night out and I've run out of excuses, my real reason is I don't want to hear her talk about babies all night and quiz me on what we are doing and so to get her off my back told her and her response was "you'll get pregnant really soon now if you've had a miscarriage" urm, not helpful, and not true, although I have read that often is the case but not when it's taken you 2 years to get to that point before hand and things are all messed up again.
Have you had phone call appointments with your clinic then? Is the 1st appointment to have scans etc? Or will you have done all of that in the UK before going? How long will you go over for? Will they still have people you can call over Xmas if they do the transfer before hand? Do you think you'll be able to have your transfer before Xmas? We discussed this at length yesterday (going abroad) and DP is on the same page now. Hoping like mad we are successful before we start the process but it's unlikely. We are unexplained with our infertility, dp's sample was very good according to the dr. I was all clear too (from hycosy) according to the dr but just don't tend to ovulate much.

[RoseBud2015]

Yeah the dip on 7dpo last cycle got me very excited and carried away, along with tingly boobs I was beginning to think that was it for me. Then when I got the BFN and my temp started dropping I had an absolutely meltdown! Just couldn't stop crying! I want to make sure I don't put myself in that position again so trying not to get carried away this cycle and instead I'm preparing myself mentally for IVF.

I can see why your DP doesn't want to risk taking the time off- If I was on a temp contract, I would feel the same. I've been in the same permanent position for 10 years so I know they will cut me some slack as I have rarely had time off.

I'm the same as you in terms of attention about fertility problems and IVF- I have told my Mum and a couple of my closest friends (and now HR) but other than that I plan to keep it all to myself- the worst thing about fertility problems is the constant comments, questions and sympathetic looks. I cant be dealing with it! Your SIL sounds infuriating!

So far everything with Reprofit has been done through email. If I have the scans in Czech I will need to be there for 11 days. If I have the scans in the UK and then fly out, I can be there for a week. And if we do a freeze-all cycle I will only need to be there for a few days so it will all depend on the protocol they suggest and the time in the school term that they want me to go over there as to what we choose to do. In theory as I've ov'ed really early this cycle, I could have an IVF cycle including transfer before Christmas but we haven't decided whether to do this yet or not.

Have you tried clomid to try and make you ov more regularly? Or Femara?

[Vap0]

I'm not surprised that cycle had you excited! I think I would have been too. I. So sorry it was a crap month for you. I think we've all been there with a month where it is almost certain and then the bloody red witch gets us again .
It's a tough decision to make about when you should do it all, I'm sure the dr's will end up making that decision for you with waiting times and drugs etc.
You'll wish you never asked that question about clomid when you read this essay....apologies in advance....
I've never been given anything at all to help ttc, my dr's drive me insane, I was referred to the infertility dept at the hospital where they just keep sending me away saying we need to give it more time. I 1st saw them after at least a year of ttc, I'd been on depo and so had not had af for at least 9 months from what I remember. Then I bled off and on very very strangely (40 days on, 10 days off, 25 days in, 4 days off, 20 days on 20 days off etc etc) that went on for about 6 months then things seemed to stabilise to a kind of normal cycle of between 25-35 days. I think it was when things had stabilised when I 1st went and they said they wanted us to keep trying. I had a hycosy which took months to come through. He said all was fine. He said that I had increased fertility after a hycosy but I hadn't ovulated in years, I asked him if it would help me ovulate and he said no, so clearly no increased fertility when you need a bloody egg to get fertilised in the 1st place. He told me I wasn't ovulating because I was over my 30 bmi. Bollocks is all I have to say to that. So he sent me away. I wasn't much over my bmi at all, perhaps about half a stone. The depo has screwed me up beyond belief. They should put far better warning systems in place for that contraceptive. I went back after another 3 months (I think) and I still wasn't ovulating. He booked me another appointment in another 3 months to put me on clomid if I hadn't ovulated and I had just ovulated out of the blue. Wow! I wasn't going to tell him as wanted assistance then but dp insisted. So then he sent us away for 6 months as he said that now I've just ovulated they need to leave me for a year of trying from now. Basically saying that all of the trying we had been doing before wasn't counted anymore. So we went back after 6 months of ovulating and they said they will put me on the IVF waiting list but not until January. So I have my appointment booked for Jan 18th. I've now convinced dp that we will not be telling them about the miscarriage in August as it was early and most people wouldn't have even known they were pregnant if they hadn't been obsessively testing like us crazy ttc-ers. So no help what so ever. We have had tests, a SA for him and a hycosy for me and a couple of swabs (but no bloods as they were all done when my cycle was mad and so didn't mean anything). I have a blood test this month booked through my gp as the hospital won't speak with me before January, to see if I ovulate. Even though I'm not sure if I've been ovulating since the miscarriage I'm going to tell them I have been as I can't risk them delaying it any further. When we go in Jan I'll be asking about private tries and how many you can have without losing your nhs tries. Depending on the list when we go back (when we saw them last in June (I think) they said it was 3 months for 1st appointment) will decide on what we do ref private treatment. If I can get an appointment quick we will see what we can do here before venturing abroad. But I'm expecting they will come up with some reason why they won't help me so I'm just happy dp is on board with the Czech treatment. DP now has plans of the 1st visit for scans, SA sample to be frozen and scoping the place out and will be a good opportunity for a bit of inter railing which he has always wanted to do. Then I can have bloods and scans here and go there for egg retrieval and transfer there and if I have to will be able to go on my own.
I've learnt a lot about all of this IVF abroad stuff recently. I had read all about it a year ago but hoped it wouldn't come to that. Wish we had just bitten the bullet a year or 2 ago and done it so life hadn't been on hold like it is at the minute.
Is a freeze all cycle just as good with end results?
Can they simulate a cycle for you to have egg retrieval on a particular day? I don't know anything about this side of things. I'm just wondering as that will make it so much easier with work and time off etc.
Best of luck with what ever you decide. I'm looking forward to hearing what you decide to do and how it goes

[Vap0]

P.s. Our trip there will be over the Easter holidays which fall early next year so at least if the next hospital appointment is a flop then we have a date to look forward to

[RoseBud2015]

Wow the experience you have had is, quite simply, TERRIBLE! I think you are right, given your experiences so far, to omit the information about your mc (I am so sorry that must have been awful particularly after such a long journey to get to that stage ). Lets hope they start to get the ball moving in January!

Have you considered going privately for clomid/femara? I think it costs £200 ish per cycle privately. Might be worth some investigation in the meantime if you can afford it.

A freeze-all cycle actually has a higher success rate than a fresh cycle in terms of stats! No they cant stimulate me for a particular day I don't think- although they can induce a bleed if needed but now that I seem to ov'ing on my own (since taking 150mg clomid) they shouldn't need to do that- fingers crossed!

[Vap0]

Yes! We have thought about a private clomid cycle if I need it. This month we have our clear blue ov test with the flashing smiley faces, cheap opk's, temping and a blood test so will know for certain if I ovulate. If I don't ovulate we will go for clomid privately, just hoping for some answers this month. The dr said that bloods are the only certain way of knowing if you ovulate but at least we will know if the temping and opk's are correct. Don't think I'd want to be on clomid over Xmas though. I think we will most likely hold off until Jan. im sure I'll change my mind if I don't ovulate this month as will just want to get things going if we can Very proactive month for us this month! Decisions will be made! Although, I say that, this morning I had my 1st flashing smiley face, not sure if you've used them but blank circle means low fertility, flashing smiley face means high fertility and static smiley face means peak fertility and arrived back this evening early from work hoping to dtd and dp is tired and wants to do it later! Argh! I reminded him that this tiredness will most likely be costing us £2k. I'm sure we will manage to dtd a bit later. No rush I suppose. Can't wait to see the flashing smiley face again tomorrow
The frozen all cycle sounds great! Fantastic news about statistics! How long have you been on clomid for? Did they work you up to 150 from 50? Did you ovulate at all with the lower doses? How long haven't you been ovulating for? It's mad how many people just don't ovulate. I can't believe how common it is. All those contraceptives we have all taken for years and never needed to bother and think of all of the chemicals and hormones we have filling our bodies with! I won't be going back onto any form of contraceptive until we have 2 children. That will probably be never...
I'm so pleased you agree about not telling them about mc. Dp thought I was being stupid saying that I didn't want to tell them but after explaining and persuading him for weeks/months he finally agrees. I'm sure it will be for the best saying nothing.

[RoseBud2015]

So I was diagnosed with severe PCOS at 15 years old and told that I am unlikely to ever conceive naturally. When I turned 30 I suddenly realised I wanted to start a family and DH and I started TTC 15 months ago (before this I hadn't been fussed at all!) and within 4 months I was referred by my GP to the fertility clinic because my PCOS was so severe. I had blood tests every week for over 2 months to prove that I wasn't ov'ing and eventually a scan confirmed that my ovaries were both completely covered in cysts and were unlikely to have ever ov'ed.

I had to do a lot of pushing and chasing to get to this stage but eventually I got prescribed clomid. I took my first cycle (50mg) in May which failed spectacularly. In July my dose was upped to 100mg which also failed.
Then in August it was upped again to 150mg but I had to abandon that cycle after 4 of the 5 days of meds because it made me very ill and I had really bad visual disturbance! I thought my chances were over but then I ov'ed on CD22 that cycle, confirmed by a scan and blood test! Woop!

However I was told I must not take clomid again because it can cause permanent and serious eye sight problems in people who get severe side effects like me Then by some miracle I ov'ed by myself last cycle on CD20 (the first cycle after clomid) and again this cycle on CD9/10. It seems that the 150mg kick-started my cycles!

My consultant still believes that we have very little chance of conceiving naturally because of my condition alongside my DHs low sperm count, and has strongly recommended that we go straight to IVF now. However while we are waiting, I figure there is no harm in trying naturally! We did SMEP strictly this cycle and i'm now 6DPO so we will see! I also managed to persuade my consultant to give me a prescription for Femara (an alternative to clomid) which I haven't tried yet but will next cycle if IVF isn't happening until January.

[RoseBud2015]

I'll be interested to see how you find the clear blue opks- I've always wondered about those but didn't want to spend the money if they were no good!

Oh and I completely agree with you- I was on the pill for 15 years and I will not be going back on it again! I think it had a part to play in my cycles being so long and irregular alongside PCOS. I'll get a coil fitted next time!

Definitely think you are making the right decision about the mc- what good can it possibly do telling them? The only likely response is "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that but at least it shows you can get pregnant naturally, go away and try for a bit longer" These NHS clinics will do anything to delay the process if you let them!

[Vap0]

I'm so sorry to hear your ovaries are covered in cysts, this has made me really sad reading about it. I'm so pleased you have magically started ovulating on your own, that is amazing. Such a shame you can't have clomid again but I'd imagine eye sight is more important, or I think it would be for me. I've not heard of femara before, will that be less intense on your eye sight and side effects? So when will you be testing? What kind of test will you use?
I've always thought I'm not shelling out for expensive tests but I've now decided ic's aren't good enough for me. When I had my bfp I had to get it confirmed by a frer and so have decided I will use a frer on 10dpo on each cycle and then I will know either way, I think I was 10dpo when I had my bfp and it was quite clear. I'm a bit crazy and have kept the test in my sock drawer. After a few months of ic opk's not doing anything and the temping suggesting I did in fact ovulate and after a total meltdown last week dp decided we would try these. If they work I'll probably keep buying them. For £30 per month for frer and CB opk I'm happy to pay it for peace of mind. I've done all the cheapest out there and they haven't worked so off we go spending the cash. Will keep you updated

[Vap0]

Hi Rose
How are you getting on? You must be about 10dpo by now are you? When might you test? Did you manage to dtd on all the right days?
I just had my 1st static smiley face on CB ovulation kit
Very excited!
Although look at my opk
I don't get it with my opk's, I just don't think I have much in the way of hormones so they don't get very dark. Got a blood test this months that will confirm if any of the methods are correct for me, CB ovulation kit, ic opk, temping.

[RoseBud2015]

Hi Vap

So the Femara does exactly the same job as clomid but it has a lot less side effects. It's not registered as a "fertility drug" in the UK so I had to really push to get it from my clinic but in the USA it's used in exactly the same way and gets the same success rate! I'm 11DPO today and my temp is nearly at the coverline so I'm going to predict AF will be here by Monday and will avoid the heartbreak of POAS! I had a little cry to DH yesterday about it, and we've decided I'm definitely going to take Femara next cycle and see what happens!

Here's my chart: www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5790c0 My temps have been lower this cycle compared to last which is concerning me! I will get follicle tracking scans on Femara in the same way as I did on Clomid so it will also benefit us with being able to time DTD really well.

That's really interesting about the ic opks in comparison to the cb opks! Woop for immienent ov! You have certainly kept your DP busy! Great effort! lol I'll be keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you. How is your DP finding the DTD-athon!?

[Vap0]

Hi
Any news on af? What days will you be taking your femara? Does being on clomid or femara mess with your emotions?
Just had a look at your chart, your cycles are a bit mad. Such a long one last month and what looks like will be a short one this month. Must be infuriating everything changing so much each month. What a nightmare trying to plan things.

So, I've heard this set of ic opks are duff, lots of mn ladies have been complaining about them (the ones with the green handle with writing on) saying they don't give positives. I'm so cross these are being sold when they don't work. Very frustrating for everyone who has them.

Here is today's chart, when does FF draw the cover line for you? I'm presuming from this chart that I ovulate yesterday. What do you think? FF still has me down to Ov on Monday?

Dtd has been bloody hard work. DP has had enough. We didn't manage to do it yesterday. It's such a crap pressurised environment. I'm gutted we didn't manage to dtd on Ov day but am pleased it's all over for a this month.