Ovulation predictor kits. . . are they helpful?

[Atia_Julii]

I always thought these were totally reliable.  I always buy the Answer brand because I get 20 sticks for a decent price.  So, this month, I'm on a fertility drug, so I've had constant ultrasound monitoring as well as using OPKs.

This past Sunday, I received a positive on the OPK and that was a day I was also scheduled to have an ultrasound done.  The nurse did my ultrasound, and said there was no way I could have gotten a positive because my largest follicle was only 15 mm.  Okay. . .

So today I had another ultrasound, and my largest follicle as 24 mm, and I had a blood test done that confirmed an LH surge.  I decided to test myself as well this afternoon, and although two lines came up on the test, one was definitely darker than the other, which is a negative.

I'm just wondering if I've had faulty results the entire time I've been TTC?  I would have never known had I not been having ultrasound monitoring.  I would have been BDing like crazy last Sunday, and would have completely missed my ovulation!

Has anyone else experienced something like this?

[Atia_Julii]

Well, I had my IUI yesterday, and I am hoping and praying the timing of it was correct!  When I had my ultrasound done on Friday, I had a 24 mm follicle that hadn't released yet, and my blood work showed an LH surge.  Then that night, I did the HCG trigger shot.  I pray ovulation didn't happen until Saturday.  It has for sure happened now, as my temps are up.  

[Tanker Chic]

I can't stand opk's.  they have always confused the heck outta me.  I always had better luck with bbt charting.  since you are under the care of dr, I wouldn't bother with the opk's anymore.

good luck to you!!

[kikicoates78]

I also agree with lmcrt, clear blue digital is very accurate, my RE recommended it for me to use along with my fertility monitor for "back up" my monitor had been saying no peak fertility for months, as if I weren't ovulating, although my cycles were always perfect. Well the month we were doing u/s monitoring my monitor was reading me at low, well guess what I got a smiley on a Fri. night, the next morning follie was at 22, Sunday follie was gone so I indeed ovulated, my monitor never did catch it! BUT I did get my BFP that month ( after 5 yrs of ttc) Sooooo Good Luck, I am now 18 weeks!!
Ps.. We also had some minor male factor issues that required abstaining for a couple of days prior, but the best part is we didn't even have IUI that month :)

[lmcrt]

Oh in that case i would use the clear blue digitals

[Atia_Julii]

Yeah, that would work, except we have a minor male issue, so we are supposed to abstain unti insemination time! :-D

[lmcrt]

I never trusted any OPKS except except for the clearblue easy digital ones. I know they are expensive but weel worth it. However if you are being monitored I don't see any reason for you to spend the money on OPKS. I would just start BDing once you see a follie at 16mm. Then at least you know you are covered.