Long cycles - what can I do??

[maximbella]

Ladies, I'd love some additional help and suggestions on anything that I can do. I'm CD21 today, haven't ovulated yet, and OPK's are fading and getting lighter, so I'm worried that O is a long way away leaving me with another really long cycle. I was supposed to have an ultrasound this cycle to check for blocked tubes, etc. but was traveling for my kids school vacation and missed the dates that this could be done because of the travel. I've added one full fat yogurt into my lunches, am eating eggs daily, and also have salmon 1-2 days per week. I've also added avocado back into my diet as I feel like I was losing some weight and have always eaten this daily for as long as I can remember.

I'm going to be going in for my u/s after AF this cycle and also asking for clomid/femera. However, I'm kind of at a loss here at this point... I'm almost 36, my girls are already going to be 6&8 should I conceive soon, and every day that passes is stressing me out more and more. Is there anything that I'm missing that you would suggest? I literally never take any medicine so I'm weary of adding in more things as I'm worried that it will delay me further, but if there's anything that's worked for any of you, could you please suggest?

[maximbella]

Pic of my opk's:




https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/24dd4d

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[atomic sagebrush]

Stress DOES delay O so while i know that is largely outside your control, it's not helping. I PROMISE that the days going by are not going to affect anything negatively and soon this will all be forgotten.

Do not worry about the lines on the OPK. Honestly if up to me, since they're only contributing to the tension (I suspect) I'd stop taking them and start BD every 4 days or every 3 days if you prefer. Re the OPK - it is normal for them to go darker and lighter and believe it or not if your hubby peed on those strips he'd get lines like that too LOL. Your body uses that hormone for other things aside form triggering ovulation!!

I do not want you to take any herbs or other medication. I think that will only delay things more. Get rid of the OPK's and start BD regularly.

[atomic sagebrush]

Ok just a quick question after looking at your OPK - are you testing in the morning and in the night? Most OPK are not meant to be used in the morning (doublecheck directions on box) and you'll get best results after lunch into afternoon, so testing morning and night may mean you have surged but missed it in your urine since the concentration peaks mid-day

[maximbella]

That makes a lot of sense, and I agree...I was going to not do any OPK's this cycle, but then I thought that I would stress myself out NOT knowing what's happening with my cycle and it would make me stress more. I swear, double edged sword!

I'm testing at 11am and then again either at around 6pm or 9pm, whenever I can get a hold for a 3 hour block. Is that throwing it off with the cheapies??

We are doing every 3 or 4 days, depending on how our schedules work with travel, etc. I'm planning on continuing that until I've confirmed O by temps.

[atomic sagebrush]

11 may be too early, 6-9 may be too late. Test between 1-3 as that's when the concentration is at its peak. I don't think you've Oed but it may help.

If you're BD every 3-4 days anyway you shouldn't do the OPK. I know it's a little bit stressful but really it isn't in the long term, because doing the OPK you're stressing over doing them all the time and also stressing over the results and STILL not knowing what's going on LOL

[maximbella]

That could not be more true!!! Good point!

Okay, so if I am testing, test once a day??

[maximbella]

Atomic, took my opk just now (1:30pm) after a 4 hour hold and FINALLY a positive!! I'm not sure what to make of it since I didn't test at the right times previously, so it could have been positive yesterday also. We BD last night. Should we again tonight? Also posting yesterday's test at bottom (cd21) which could have been positive but was at 11am and diluted urine. Thoughts?!






https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/24dd4d

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[maximbella]

Atomic, I got so excited I forgot to mention that you were right, and thank you for pointing out that I was testing at the wrong times!!

I'm having some cramping all day long today, so wonder if I'm already Oing? I have a feeling it would have been positive last night and we BD last night, but I can't be sure. Looking forward to your thoughts!

[onelastsway]

Atomic, I got so excited I forgot to mention that you were right, and thank you for pointing out that I was testing at the wrong times!!

I'm having some cramping all day long today, so wonder if I'm already Oing? I have a feeling it would have been positive last night and we BD last night, but I can't be sure. Looking forward to your thoughts!

Sounds like great timing if you BD last night. Good luck. I've totally given up on OPK - far too stressful - E4D is a great method as it takes the stress out of it - we managed to catch the egg with it last cycle but sadly it was a chemical so will be trying E4D again this cycle.

Hope you get your BFP.