Advice needed..

[mnicole]

I am not sure that this is the right forum to look in, but, I figure who better to ask about pregnancy tests, than the seasoned testers!!
So, I had bought a bulk package of LH and HCG strip tests online, I am wondering how they compare with the drugstore brand tests, using your experience? Long story short-22 week stillbirth delivery last April, cycles ALL out of whack until-->natural miscarriage early November, since then I have had 2 normal 28 day cycles. I am now on CD 36...I have done 3 of the HCG strips (2 using evening urine, one morning urine), all showing no second line (I figure if the naked eye can't see it, it's not there).
So, now i am having a personal battle with whether or not to buy a drug store brand. First Response has always been a favourite of mine, as well as the Clear Blue digital. If, in your ladies experience, the internet cheapie strips work just as fine, I will hold off on buying a drugstore brand. If anyone recommends trying the drugstore brand after 3 negative cheapies, then I will feel more inclined to do so. Basically, I have been holding off because I have convinced myself it will read negative, which then brings up the bigger issue of WTF is wrong with my body?!?! (No Dr.'s appts avail. until mid March).
Input ladies??? Much appreciated

 

[Mjane84]

Hey dear,

Boy, you've been through the ringer! For me personally, I always held off on buying a store brand test until I got a hint of a line on an IC. Well, I shouldn't say always. In the beginning, I'd go straight to the big guns and spent waaaaay too much money doing so.

Not sure what is going on with your cycle, but I wish you the best of luck!

 

[sjwebb]

First off let me say how sorry I am for your losses...

Second, sometimes the strips work better for some people. I've heard people get positives of those before anything else. I was the complete opposite. If you think you might still be pregnant, it wouldn't hurt to go get a drugstore brand. If its still negative, thats okay. Its COMPLETELY normal for a woman to miss her period every now and then...it can be stress or sickness related.

 

[mnicole]

Thank you for the replies! They have been helpful. This is my first time doing the internet cheapie sticks, and I only have them because they came with the LH testers I wanted. I've never had any qualms about buying a drugstore brand before, it was usually the first thing I would run out to buy, but this time I decided to chill, and just try the cheap tests I already had. That being said, I am now anything BUT chill, being 8 days late. I am still not going to let mtself run to the pharmacy though until tomorrow. My longest cycle in the past was 36 days, and today marks day 36 of this cycle...so, if nothing comes by tomorrow, I may be running to the drugstore after work. There is just something SO heartbreaking about those 99% accuracy early response tests telling you you're not pregnant, even if you know you aren't. I haven't felt any tell tale symptoms at this point, just extreme exhaustion and some back aches and cramping. The cramping, I'm sure, is due to the fact I haven't been able to have a good bowel movement since Saturday (sorry, waaaay TMI there). So, I will try to remain strong and wait for AF's arrival. Hopefully sooner than later.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

I can only talk for the UK own brand tests but I'm sure they're all similar.

I found if you bought own brand cheap tests (so like ones that are maybe $4/5) they were the exact same strips as the ICs but just in a plastic box and maybe cut a bit wider.

In my opinion a good mix is ICs for when you're just impatient and want to test and test lots. And then FRERs for when you're suspicious and want a definite yes/no.

The own brands are just cheapies and you're playing extra for the box and plastic casing in my opinion. Xxx

Good luck Hun. Xxx