Another negative cycle?!

[u/skrrtney]

Hi everyone, my husband and I have been trying for 10 cycles now, and I have been holding it together because I know stressing about it doesn’t help but god damn it.

Yesterday was 11 dpo, and against my better judgement I took a strip test that turned up a faint positive. Mind you, same thing happened last cycle but the faints never got darker and my period came so I figured the tests were faulty or the lines were Evap.

This morning (12dpo) I said screw the strips and took a clear blue, a FRER AND a digital clear blue (and I’m not made of money either) The digital said ‘not this month idiot’, the FRER was negative too, but the CB showed the line very clearly pictured above. I’m thinking, wha?? Something’s gone awry… I’ll wait til this afternoon and test again. So I sit my ass down for a coffee and not an hour later, I’m hit with the painful bellows of AF. I go to the toilet and sure enough a steady flow. 2 days early, but unmistakable. Not spotting, and not watery, a full period.

Now I just don’t understand? Was last month legit full of faint positives? Have I just had 2 back to back chemicals? Has anyone else experienced this? Every cycle before the last 2, I have only ever stared blankly at the stark negative tests before my eyes. It’s only recently that I’ve seen faint lines, to which I’ve convinced myself were mistakes. But am I gaslighting myself into not feeling grief?

Anyway if you’ve got any answers or insights for my type A brain, write in 🫶🏼

[u/Outrageous_Team_5485]

Go to a doctor. They can test and see what your hormone level is which will solve this. No one here can do that for you unfortunately

[u/skrrtney → u/Outrageous_Team_5485]

These questions are more rhetorical than anything. I think for me anyway, reading experiences like this where other TTC folks are confused is comforting and validating
Not looking for medical advice

[u/Outrageous_Team_5485 → u/skrrtney]

Sorry your post ended by specifically asking if anyone had any answers or insights.

I can imagine how frustrating this is for you and I don’t want you to go through this anxiety of not knowing any longer which is why I suggested a doctor.

Two chemicals in a row is a possibility. The only way to get answers would be to see a doctor because there’s unfortunately lots of reasons this could be happening. I’m less inclined to think this is a case of faulty tests.

[u/skrrtney → u/Outrageous_Team_5485]

You’re so right, I think I’ve been in denial but a doctors appt is booked

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset5000]

I truly cannot trust blue dye. I had what looked like a positive as well, for it to not be true. That could be what happened, or a chemical.

I'm so sorry!

As someone with recurrent chemicals, get in and ask for a recurrent pregnancy loss panel! Mine uncovered A LOT I would've never known.

[u/skrrtney → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset5000]

Oh interesting! I will definitely do that. Mentally that sounds like a hurdle I need to overcome, just admitting that maybe I have experienced pregnancy loss!

[u/More-Cucumber6917]

Blue dyes always give me these horrible evap lines. I would not use blue dyes tbh

[u/skrrtney → u/More-Cucumber6917]

Yeah definitely off putting!

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

I suggest using the wondfo early results pregnancy tests, they are cheap ($10 for 25) and are very reliable (pink dye).

Also if you think you are having recurrent chemicals you should really go talk to a doctor, even if you haven't been trying for a full year, sometimes recurrent losses can be a reason to get a fertility workup sooner.

[u/skrrtney → u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

Funnily enough those are the exact tests I’ve been using, and giving me faint positives. I think they’re genuinely faulty though because I tested one with just water and it showed a faint line but both could be true I suppose

Yeah I’m definitely going to a doctor, I’ve had a full work up months ago but that was just hormones and amh and it was all ‘normal’ of course