Are OPKs even worth it??

[cakesandphotos]

So I'm using OPKs. I tried last month but never seemed to get a positive so I got frustrated. I started again this month and am taking photos and noting the dates to see how they change. I'm only on CD8 and I'm definitely getting lines. I know they have be darker than the control line but today's isn't far off. I only had a 23 day cycle last month so I guess maybe I ovulate on CD12 or something?
Can anyone give me some advice??

They don't look like positives yet. It may be that you have a very short surge - from now until cd16 (or until you get a positive) can you use them both morning and night?

If you sellotape them all in order (and mark the time/day next to each one) onto a white sheet of paper, it's helpful.

Also - are you using first morning urine or second morning urine when you take them on a morning? I would recommend trying both as sometimes one or the other works better for different people.

You can't know whether you have a long/normal/short luteal phase until you pinpoint ovulation so guessing when you ovulate based on your cycle length isn't necessarily going to be accurate I'm afraid

I did use them when ttc ds. I was frustrated at first. 28 day cycle, no issues, like clockwork. Used Clearblue, I think. Started testing around day 12 in cycle. Kept testing but nothing happened until day 17/18 on a 28 day cycle. Which I would never have expected. Made sure we dtd. DS born 40 weeks later.

I've been using FMU. I could take them at night too.
Is sticking them onto paper better than photographing them? I figured I might get evap lines if I kept them for too long.

My friend told me last month that she ovulated on day 18 but by that time in my cycle I wasn't even getting a hint of a line. These are by far the strongest I've had so far.

They dry a little darker but it's the best way I've found to keep a record and track of them - by having them all visible together, next to each other. Just make sure they're dry before you stick them on the paper

Don't use FMU - check the instructions but I think between 10am and 8pm is the best time to test.

Does this look positive or not quite?

I'd call that a positive

Yes looks positive to me. Keep testing for Q couple of days as sometimes you can have a long lh surge or two surges