Any other DISers trying to concieve? Reread OP for the QOTD!

[WDWAurora]

It was morning, I think...we slept in on Saturday, so it was the first time of the day, which was later than normal. I'm reading that that was a bad time to test. Also, I've been drinking too much, according to what I've been reading, which may be diluting them.

It was visible, but nothing similar to the line at all, if that makes sense. I made DH confirm with me that it was nowhere near close enough to call similar. The one that had the most visible line was on day 11. I normally ovulate REALLY late, or don't, but this is my first cycle on Femara. All the tests were on different days (well, I took 2 yesterday).

 

[skuttle]

Aurora, this is only my 3rd month of using OPK's, but I did a lot of reading about them. You shouldn't test first thing in the morning. Also, you shouldn't drink any water for about 1-2 hours before you test. When I test, I test around 11am and then again around 5pm when I get home from work.

A positive, as I understand it, is when the test line is DARKER than the control line. My postives were always darker than the test lines. Around CD16 I'd get a dark line, but then CD17 is usually DARKER than the control line.

 

[WDWAurora]

Ugh, I don't know what to think. We did BD on day 9, so hopefully if it was early, that covered it. It definitely was nowhere near as dark as the other line, although it was darker than the other lines I've had. (Yes, I pulled all the nasty things out of the trash to check) I really wouldn't call the first line a dark line, even. It was just darker than the others, if that makes sense.

 

[GypsySue]

Yeah, you shouldn't test first thing in the morning. My RE has me test from 4 pm to 8 pm. I would test for another couple of days and if you don't get any lines, I would call your doctor--maybe there is something up with your LH levels?

I always get a couple of days of light lines and then the dark line will appear and then it will get lighter again. The dark line would be the positive. I know it is very frustrating to interpret the lines.

Also, I don't know where you buy your tests, but I get mine on the internet at earlypregnancytests.com--you can order a whole bunch of them and a bunch of pg tests for less than what you pay for one pack of tests at the store.

Good luck!!

 

[ChrizJen]

Ok, I need help from those who have used the ovulation kits. Today is day 13. I started testing on day 11. The first one I took was definitely not positive, but the second line was fairly visible. Since then, the lines have been less visible. Did I miss it? Please tell me that visible line was a fluke...If it wasn't, I O'd EARLY. Day 10 maybe? Ugh. I'm going to be destroyed if I screwed up the first month. I'm not doing well anyway, and this was like the one thing I had going for me, the hope for this month.....Ok, I'm going to stop freaking out before you guys have had a chance to answer.

I use the OPK's, and I have always done them first thing in the AM. I usually have some fluctuation with the results throughout the test period, but when I get a positive, I KNOW for sure it's a positive. There have been some months where I'll test in the AM, and the test line is JUST barely lighter than the control line, and so I test again in the afternoon and get a line that's as dark or darker.

Remember that in order for it to be positive, it HAS to be as dark or darker than the control line. It sounds like what you saw was probably just the normal fluctuation that you get during those days. It's hard to tell sometimes, but you'll know when it's positive.
AND, I don't usually show a positive until around day 15 or 16. (But that's just me...I have slightly longer than normal cycles.)

Hope everyone's having a good day. I'm just trying to stay sane...

 

[WDWAurora]

I use the OPK's, and I have always done them first thing in the AM. I usually have some fluctuation with the results throughout the test period, but when I get a positive, I KNOW for sure it's a positive. There have been some months where I'll test in the AM, and the test line is JUST barely lighter than the control line, and so I test again in the afternoon and get a line that's as dark or darker.

Remember that in order for it to be positive, it HAS to be as dark or darker than the control line. It sounds like what you saw was probably just the normal fluctuation that you get during those days. It's hard to tell sometimes, but you'll know when it's positive.
AND, I don't usually show a positive until around day 15 or 16. (But that's just me...I have slightly longer than normal cycles.)

Hope everyone's having a good day. I'm just trying to stay sane...

So if I'm reading you right, there should be some fluctuation, and it's not super odd to have darker one day, lighter the next, before ovulation? If I'm reading that right, it's a huge sigh of relief. It just really wouldn't make sense for me, on a medicated cycle, to have O'd on day 9 or 10. I mean, that's like the day I finished the meds, and the next day.

On a side note, I have felt horrible the past day or so. Major stomach issues, totally nauseated tonight (did I use the right word? I get confused on nauseous/nauseated), and joint pain. I'm thinking maybe my side effects finally kicked in. If it pays off, I'll take all of them and then some, though.

 

[ChrizJen]

So if I'm reading you right, there should be some fluctuation, and it's not super odd to have darker one day, lighter the next, before ovulation? If I'm reading that right, it's a huge sigh of relief. It just really wouldn't make sense for me, on a medicated cycle, to have O'd on day 9 or 10. I mean, that's like the day I finished the meds, and the next day.

On a side note, I have felt horrible the past day or so. Major stomach issues, totally nauseated tonight (did I use the right word? I get confused on nauseous/nauseated), and joint pain. I'm thinking maybe my side effects finally kicked in. If it pays off, I'll take all of them and then some, though.

YEP!! That's it exactly! I always have some slightly darker days mixed in with days where there is barely aline visible at all. Just keep doing them consistantly and you should eventually have one that's unmistakable.
I have noticed that the closer I get to the surge, though, it always seems to gradually get a little darker until I finally see the positive. Sounds like you were just seeing the regular fluctuation. I can't really comment on the side effects of the drugs, as I haven't really had any.
Good Luck!

 

[skuttle]

Aurora, I agree...when you get a positive OPK, you'll know it.

For anyone that is on or has been on Metformin....can I drink alcohol while taking it? My office Christmas party is saturday night and I was wondering if I could have a few glasses of wine. I've read mixed info about it. I woman I work with is on it purely for her diabetes, and I've gone to dinner with her and she's had a few glasses of wine. I don't plan on getting plastered, LOL! But I wouldn't mind having a glass or two at the party.

 

[ChrizJen]

I'm anxious to hear from DsnyLvr...Anyone heard from her?
DsnyLvr - If you're reading this, I hope things are going well, and pop in and say hi!

Hope everyone else is having a good week and staying warm...

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I'm anxious to hear from DsnyLvr...Anyone heard from her?
DsnyLvr - If you're reading this, I hope things are going well, and pop in and say hi!

Hope everyone else is having a good week and staying warm...

Hi, I'm here
I've just been super anxious lately. Majority of my m/s went away, but I still feel queasy and extremely hungry all the time. My 3rd u/s is tomorrow. i'm worried because I used to feel stretches and pulls and I haven't lately. Plus some m/s went away. I just everything is still OK. I feel less preg now than I did last week!
How's everyone doing?? I just haven't been up to computing lately, so I'm usually sleeping

 

[ChrizJen]

Thanks for the update, DznyLvr!
I'm sending pixie dust and keeping you in my thoughts.
I'm sure everything's good. Just try to take it easy and keep resting!
Let us know how u/s #3 goes! Here's some more pixie dust and a great big hug!

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I'm a little worried today. My sono is at 4pm and this morning I weighed myself and I lost 2 more lbs. My RE is going to be so pissed, he told me to not lose anymore weight. But I always feel sick. I hope this doesn't harm the baby. i'm so scared.

 

[helenabear]

Allison, I asked a friend of mine who was taking it and she was told no alcohol. I am not sure that is what all are recommended, but she was. Sorry

Good luck to all you using OPKs. I am glad that is something I never did. If it had ever come to that, my doctor would have just done the blood tests for me.

DznyLvr, good luck with the ultrasound today. I hope it goes well for you. As for weight loss, I hope you can find a way to gain. I lost about 6-8 pounds the first trimester and I didn't have much weight to lose. My clothes started falling off of me. I wound up eating things like peanutbutter to get extra calories in.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

SKuttle - I don't remember what they told me about drinking while taking Metformin. I don't drink, so I didn't pay attention.

DznyLvr - good lucjk today. I hope everything goes as well as last time!

 

[ChrizJen]

DznyLvr...Good luck today. I know it has to be difficult to eat when you're sick all the time. Is there anything at all that you can stomach when you're feeling yucky? Maybe try the peanut butter like Elaine suggested. It's good for you and it's an easy way to get calories. Or maybe your RE will have some suggestions on how to squeeze in some extra calories. Good luck this afternoon. I'm sure everything will be fine. Just try to take it easy today until the appt.

 

[AllyandJack]

Drinking and Metformin - from someone who IS a drinker.

Stay away from sweet things because, like everything else, it'll go right through you.

You'll get buzzed fast, so drink slow. I can drink a LOT. I had good training in law school. But, on the Metformin, I was really limited because it hits you hard.

Don't drink regularly. Metformin is hard on the liver, which is why you should have your enzymes tested now and then. Trying to have your liver process alcohol AND Metformin isn't recommended. But, enjoying alcohol now and then is fine.

Metformin seriously limited my fun time. I went out often and drank and, on the Met, I limited that. On the other hand, it cut down my bar bill since I got a nice buzz really fast.

DznyLvr, don't worry about the weight loss. Honestly, with Kate, I went from 5'10" 140lbs to 110lbs. Kate was a great size - 7lbs 3oz and totally healthy. I gained a few lbs back in between after I had to stop BFing (I lost another 5lbs from that and couldn't gain an ounce until I stopped). Now, I'm down to 118lbs because of the hyperemesis. As long as you're not getting dehydrated, the baby won't be harmed. I have these little test strips to check my urine for ketones. Tomorrow, I'm going to get my Zofran Pump to see if I can function. If I start spilling ketones, I'll get the IV pole. I hope that doesn't happen! But, like I said, Kate had no problems from my weight loss. Good luck with your scan! Let us know how it goes.

 

[ChrizJen]

Well, I've had spotting off and on today...
I stayed positive at first, thinking it was just a little and it would clear up. But it's been all day, everytime I go to the ladies room. Last time I went, there was a little on my pantyliner. I'm at work right now, or I would be crying my eyes out. I feel so discouraged and hopeless right now.

I was really hopeful, because I wasn't having any of the pre-AF cramping this month like I always have. In fact, i still really don't have any cramps. I'm frustrated and very emotional right now.

I think I'm going to get a pint of Ben and Jerry's, go home, and have a good cry. A friend invited me over, but I think I just want to be alone. She went through infertility too, and eventually chose to adopt. So she understands what I'm going through, but I really don't feel like going through the whole "song and dance". I just want to wallow in my misery. You know?

Sometimes I really wonder about the way things work. Why is it that a woman can pop out 5 babies and not give a rat's *** about any of them, but people who truly, desparately, with every ounce of their being want to be parents can't? I just want to SCREAM every time I hear a story on the news about another child being killed or mistreated.

UGH....
Sorry. Rant over. Thank you all in advance. I'm sorry I had to come here and vent. I just really can't "talk" about it in real life right now without screaming, and it helps to type out my feelings.
-Christal

 

[GypsySue]

Sorry, Christal Vent away, we understand. I think I will be there with you in a couple of days. It sucks. It really, really does.

 

[skuttle]

Oh Christal, I'm so very sorry. It sucks, it really really does. You just vent all you want. Typing it all out actually makes me feel better, too. When I was in junior high/high school, I had this "imaginary friend" that I always vented to by writing in a notebook. Writing has always helped me cope with things for some reason. And now, with the internet, being able to get feedback from some wonderful girls who, unfortunately, have been there/done that, helps me feel less alone. Ben and Jerry's..LOL! I had a pint after my chemical pregnancy!

Thanks for all the info on drinking while taking Metformin. I think I may just pass on the drinks. The last think I need is to get a quick buzz while I'm surrounded by people I work with, including my bosses!! That may end up being a bad thing!!

Dznylvr...I hope everything went well yesterday.

 

[helenabear]

Thanks for all the info on drinking while taking Metformin. I think I may just pass on the drinks. The last think I need is to get a quick buzz while I'm surrounded by people I work with, including my bosses!! That may end up being a bad thing!!

That just made me laugh!!!

Christal I am so very very sorry. Feel free to vent here all you want about it. I know it sucks... and I do think that ice cream is a good cure for the blues as well. Just hang in there and do come in here to "scream" or "cry" all you want

Carla, I didn't realize how bad it was for you with the weight loss. I know this might sound odd, but I hope you can gain it all back afterwards. I thought it was bad enough when I dropped weight... people kept asking me if I was okay or not (apparently I looked deathly ill and "withering away")