Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

I feel like I've asked this a million times, but I just don't feel like I've got a strong hold on what is going on --

I took clomid cd5-9. Then I'm supposed to use OPKs from cd11 until I get a smiley. I feel like this is too general. I'm cd14 and the lines on the OPKs aren't even remotely present and I feel like b/c I have PCOS I will never get a positive. Plus, I don't ovulate, so shouldn't I get a trigger to make me?

So now, I'm torn --
Should I call my doctor and ask about a trigger? Or should I ask to come in to see how I'm progressing? Or should I lie and say I had a smiley to get an appt? I just don't want this to be a waste of a cycle!!

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

You should be monitored on Clomid... sonos to check follicle size and whatnot... and its definitely not right for PCOS people to use OPKs... thats not an accurate predictor.

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

It really depends on your symptoms of PCOS..I dont have high LH levels so OPK's work for me but they should be used in conjunction with sono's...I would def get an appt...they usually have a CD10-12 to see if the follicles are developing...This cycle I went in on CD 2, CD 11 and CD 16...I have gotten a trigger my cycles so that I can time the IUI better...I would def make an appt to see where you are...are you doing TI or IUI? If you are doing an IUI I would def ask about a trigger.

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

I'm not really sure if OPKs will work for me -- We're doing TI for the first few cycles and if that doesn't work, we'll move to IUI. I'm gonna call Monday to see if I can get an appointment to check. I'm at CD 14 today.

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

I would def call and make an appt to check on your follicles... Did they do bloodwork to see if you do have high LH? OPK's may work and it doesnt hurt to try them out...

I am really surprised that ur RE is not monitoring you more closely like they should...which RE do you see?

Message edited 2/25/2012 6:45:28 PM.

Re: Questions-ovulation/clomid/steps

yeah if you have PCOS you should be monitored and not trust OPKs at all. especially since clomid might do nothing for you, and you might be wasting your time taking OPKs for a surge that will never happen if you dont respond to clomid. also if you do have high LH which is a common PCOS symptom then the OPKs will be all over the place for you (for example - i get DAYS and DAYS of +OPKs that doesn't reflect a true surge and does not result in ovulation). def talk to your RE.

as far as the trigger, you would need to be much more closely monitored to use that. they don't just tell you to use it when you get a +OPK, you have be monitored with blood and sono so that they can see dominant follicles, know that there aren't too many dominant follicles, and see that your bloodwork is normal and not showing a surge of your own. the theory your RE is going by is that if you use OPKs you will see the surge and ovulate whatever follicles clomid made for you. but although everyone is different, just based on personal experience, that is a really poor plan if you have PCOS.

Message edited 2/25/2012 7:07:45 PM.