Unprecedented late AF, symptoms and BFNs

[macheetah]

Hello all,
I'm posting here because I know many of you are informed in this area. Not actively TTC, but it's a possibility. I'm 43, have never -ever, ever, had a late period and now I'm 5 days late with 2 BFNs (latest one a FRER with FMU.)
I have done a lot of forum searches and have seen it end up both ways as reported late BFPs or anovulatory cycles.
Sadly I'm not charting. But....did have EWCM mid cycle. Had no AF symptoms at all - I usually get sore bbs, spotting and PMS. Nothing at all this month and CM has been creamy, I have weird bloaty cramps almost constantly, lost two lbs but my pants are tight at the belly, wake up with my stomach literally growling but nothing sounds good to eat.
I dread calling my obgyn for a blood test because the copayment is high, but how long should I continue to do home tests?
Thanks for any insight, and best wishes and much, much luck to all of you TTC!!

[Starfish11]

I wsh I could be more helpful in terms of personal experience. I do know that if my regular periods shifted this month and I was five days late I would get the blood test. I'd be too distracted to do anything else until I had a more definitive answer.

Good luck, mama!

[dejagerw]

It's possible to have had an anovulatory "cycle". Sometimes even with a mucus patch, your body doesn't actually ovulate. Have you ever charted? If so, try taking your temperature tomorrow morning. If it's low (like a pre ovulation temperature for you), then you probably haven't ovulated yet, and your period is still weeks away. If it's high (for you), then you probably have ovulated. In that case, you may be pregnant, or you just ovulated later than normal this cycle.