Digital OPK question

[fertilemyrtle]

Hey everyone,

Just been TTC for 2 months now (32 yrs. old, newly married, first pregnancy). Last month I tried Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Tests. My BFF used them to help her with insemination, and said they were the best (she's 14 weeks now, and we'd love kids near in age!).

I had a funky cycle last month (only 20 days - I'm usually around 30 days, but always within a small range - I've NEVER had a 20 day cycle before!), and started testing on day 11 through day 18. I never got a positive, but based on temps, FF thought perhaps I ovulated on Day 13.

I've read online that FMU is not the best to test with, but the Clearblue directions don't say that at all! In fact they suggest using first morning urine b/c they don't recommend using the test unless you haven't peed in 4 hours.

So, this month, I'm starting to test twice a day. In the morning and afternoon, holding my urine for as long as I can (can't usually make it 4 hours). Do you think this is smart?

Do you think I even ovulated last month? I'm wondering, because it was so funky, maybe I didn't even release an egg and that's why I never got a positive. I'm not sure why that super short cycle happened - anxiety and anticipation? the cold and mild stomach issue I'd had two weeks before? I don't know.

Of course, I'm worrying that something is wrong, even though I've just started trying. So, I'm hoping to get some thoughts from you all. thanks

And also, I keep trying to remember - whether I know when I ovulate or not, just keep having a lot of sex! If there's an egg in there, hopefully it will all work out

[HulaJenn]

If you were temping and FF gave you CHs I'd take that over any OPK results. It is def possible to miss the LH surge or to get an LH surge and not ovulate!
if you can afford to pee on an OPK twice a day I think that's great, but temp rise trumps OPKs so trust that and any fertile CM first.

[forthekids123]

I've heard it's easier for you to miss a LH serge on a digital opk. I think it's because you have a yes and a no (smile or no) instead of a progression of darker and darker line.

[Cherrie]

I used a cb digi opk.
this cycle I did it 3x's a day(it cost alot) and I used it morning, afternoon and just before 9pm. One morning I got a neg(or O) then that evening about 5:30pm I got a so I'd say, use a opk in the afternoon. You have a better chance on catching it about that time. But keep charting, it will really help you when combining them. Good luck

[CLH_X3]

I would recommend getting cheap OPKS ... doing them until you think your about to get a + and then use the digis as well...

its what I do... it cost less as well as i only end up using 2-3 digis as i get a smile with them when i think my cheap ones are +!

also i would recommend taking them about 2 pm and dont drink much in the morning!

[fertilemyrtle]

This is all really helpful - thank you!! It's reassuring to know likely there's nothing wrong with me, it's just the test.

I like the idea of getting cheaper OPKs and using them, as it sounds like you get a faint line that gives you a clue it might be happening. Anyone have a brand they recommend?

This whole process is curious! Here's my chart - last month FF thought I ovulated on day 13, this month it hasn't seemed to happen yet. I thought Day 13 was a little early last month, and turned out that cycle was totally weird. I'm thinking more that I might be ovulating this weekend.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/252387

[annaconda]

hey this thread is great - I'm delving into OPK myself next cycle so hopefully we can compare notes - my first time TTC as well, last month was #1 I've got long cycles though... 40 days

[karmab]

a note about DIGITAL opks. they use a different process, and they test a combination of estradiol and lh. therefore, if the directions say use fmu, that is why you do it with digitals. you should not use fmu with the regular opks, because there is a good chance of a false negative and even a slight chance of a false positive with fmu- it's just not the way opk's are meant to be used (except, as i said, the digi's) if you want to use digi's, use them as directed, with fmu if it says, and then if it were me, if i wanted to check it at other times of the day, i would use internet cheapies- although that's all i use- those digi's are too high dollar for me.