Tell me what could cause spotting at 8dpo

[JenRN]

Here's my chart in case anyone wants to see: http://www.tcoyf.com/forum/chart.asp?id=jvf1014

We use condoms, I mostly chart to see if I ovulate and when my period will come, since I have long, irregular cycles. The missing temps are either related to working the night before or me simply forgetting to temp.

This cycle has been crazy: Vacation to a different time zone CD8-11. DD stopped nursing while we were away, last nursing session was CD7 (though she was down to nursing once or twice a day, if that). In an effort to be healthier, I started taking vitamins (prenatals, vitamin D, krill oil) and trying to eat better overall, but vacation and Thanksgiving kind of ruined my diet. I didn't always remember to mark it on my chart, but I've been taking them most days.

My temps at the start of the cycle were higher than normal, but settled down to my normal around CD 18. I got a temp shift on CD22, which is early for me (the last two cycles were CD41 and CD37), but I figured with stopping nursing and starting taking vitamins, it might be the reason. TCOYF didn't recognize it, so I "overrode" and marked it as ovulation. I'm not 100% sure I ovulated on CD21, but the temp shift seems legit, and I normally don't get a bunch of "confirming" symptoms.

Today, I woke up to brown spotting. My LP is normally 13 days, so it shouldn't be the start of AF.

We last made love 2 days ago, I suppose it could be from that? It was a pretty, ahem, vigorous session. I had to be on progesterone with DD, maybe its low progesterone? TCOYF of course made sure to notify me that "spotting at this point could indicate a pregnancy." Ugh...

I've had some weird symptoms-  heartburn yesterday, crazy dizzy/overheated with any kind of physical exertion. A pregnancy wouldn't be the end of the world, but I'd prefer to wait awhile (DD just started sleeping through the night in her own bed, husband just started studying for his CPA, I won't have short-term disability insurance until 2012, etc.)

Any and all ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!

[AdinaL]

Those could all be pregnancy symptoms.  Especially the spotting.  I can't view your chart, it says I don't have permission, but it sounds like it is a good possibility. :)

[JenRN]

Sorry, I chart with the TCOYF software - I *think* I fixed it so that anyone can view it now, not just TCOYF members.

AdinaL, that's what I'm worried about. I'd say that I'm just imagining the symptoms of the past few days, but until this morning I didn't even consider the possibility that I might be pregnant. Thanks for the input!

Anyone know of other reasons (besides implantation bleeding) that could cause the spotting?

[AdinaL]

I can see it now. :)  And you have a pretty classic implantation temp dip, followed by spotting. Nothing you can do but wait for a bit, and I hope you get whatever answer you want.   Keep us posted. 

[tolovemercy]

Agreed.  If you were ttc, I'd tell you this chart looks promising.   

[JenRN]

The spotting stopped. Felt slightly crampy and bloated yesterday, and my breasts felt a little "full" despite not having nursed my DD in 3+ weeks. Not sure how much of it is real and how much is all in my head. :)

Time will tell - period due in T-4 days. I'll update when I know.

[JenRN]

Well, the spotting started up again last night (still brown). Which makes me think its probably not implantation bleeding - I think I've read somewhere that if it occurs more than once, its not implantation bleeding. Of course my husband made sure to comment that my boobs seemed bigger, and I'm still crazy bloated and way fatigued for no legitamite reason.

I'm guessing my hormones are out of whack from stopping breastfeeding?? Low progesterone, or something? Sometimes I wish my body would make more sense...

[JenRN]

I just started my period, after only a 10 day LP. Guess that explains the spotting. I am the queen of charts that look consistent for a pregnancy but not actually pregnant. Two cycles ago I had a triphasic chart.

Thanks for the input ladies!