I just started using OPK's last cycle and noticed that they became "almost" positive for a couple of days then went to negative and AF arrived exactly 2 weeks later. This cycle it looks like the same thing is happening. The last two days they have been noticably darker but not quite positive, I took one a couple of hours ago and it is starting to fade. I have read that it is recommended to hold your urine for 4 hours before testing but that is completely impossible for me, 2 hours is seriously straining. Could this be effecting my test results? Should I count these "almost" positives as positive or is it more probable that I am not ovulating? I know temping would be the only way to really determine if I O'd but with my schedule and constantly getting up at night I don't think it would work. Any info would be appreciated

I've never used an OPK, but it sounds like that might be what's happening...you can't hold it long enough to get a strong positive. I wonder if the digital ones would work any better for you?

You could also just try temping and see what happens. I was a bit incosistant with mine (I work 3 12hr shifts, so I sleep in on days off and get up @ 5am on work days), but FF still saw my thermal shift and pinpointed ovulation this month. As long as you're not up for long periods in the night, it should still be worth a try. Good luck!

That's a really good question.  I would tend to lean towards saying no though b/c I have definitely gotten a positive without holding it four hours - including when the urine was nearly clear b/c I had so much water to drink.  Plus the reason they say not to use FMU is because it is typically too concentrated to pick up a true positive, so you want some dilution for an accurate test.  Also, I tend to get the nearly positive then almost nothing tests BEFORE I get a real positivie.  It's weird how it darkens up day after day then disappears and then comes back with a vengence, but it happens to me almost every month.  It could be that you have a short surge and you are not catching it if you are only testing 1x per day.  I only get +s in the afternoons, never in the morning but some women are the opposite.  I guess my advice is keep BDing and keep testing!

well, it is darker again this morning (which is 5pm for me) so maybe I just have a slow increase? We have been and will continue to BD every day or two. DH Doesn't seem to mind :-).

that could very well be.  I know I typically do not O until CD18.  And it's funny how our DHs never seem to mind :)

Sorry to hear this Karissa, but I also never got a "real" strong positive on my OPK`s when I used them for two month. Thats the reason why I will not longer use them. It's also really hard for me to hold my urine for 4 hours but I did it. I also tested twice a day (at 11 am and 6-7pm).
I got 3 days a second line and then the rest days there was nothing except the control line. Very frustrating :(
Maybe you will test with a Digi - Many Ladies got good results with the Clearblue Digi. HTH :)

I ordered some digital tests today so i'll try those when i'm not sure. I also ordered a BBT thermometer so I can start temping. I just want to know i'm ovulating so I know there is at least a chance of concieving each month.

I personally did not like the regular OPK's (dye's) because I felt that it was a guessing game. I NEVER got a really dark line, so I didnt know if it just detected my LH surge or if I didnt POAS long enough, or if I didnt wait long enough inbetween potty breaks, etc... So I ended up purchasing the Clear Blue Digital OPK & got a my little :) and wont go back to the questionable regualr dye OPK's. Also, it is recommended with the Clear Blue to use FMU... Perfect. I have luckily not had to test twice to catch the +, and I have gotten my :) in the mornings. My temps have confirmed the "O" as well, so I know that it works!

Have you tried the OTHER Methods? I use the mucus test and let me sa that when I get 1 to 2 inch long threads I am definately a go and that was true for the last three. I wish I had not MC'ed, but at least this method works until you hit my age when that production goes WAY down. I have been trying for years for #4.

Another way I know is the Middle Spotting there is German word for it but it actually means middle of the cycle.

I wish you the best.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I WILL figure this out, eventually, hopefully