Negative HPT but Im not sure - how long did it take to get a positive?

Hubby and I have been TTC our first child since December 07. I had a 'chemical' pregnancy in January 08 which left my hormones spinning until May - constant PMS and early preg symptoms just before bleeding. Over the last few months things have straightened out although the length of my cycle seems to have shifted and I can't pin down specifics like ovulation.
Right now (early Aug 08) I am around a week and a half overdue (by my calculations, around Week 6 if I am preg) and the early signs are coming on strong - very sore breasts, stuffy nose, constant need to pee, infrequent mild cramps, metal mouth, crashing fatigue, nausea if I go more than four hours between meals and just a "feeling". Yesterday I discovered that chicken soup smells revolting - who knew?
This morning, though, I did a HPT which came up negative. I did an early detection HPT a week ago, so today's was the follow up test.
I don't really understand the negative result, given my symptoms and lateness. This is not characteristic of what I experienced earlier this year, or a chemical pregnancy, but I'm worried by the apparent lack of hcg.
How long has it taken other people to get a positive HPT?

hi talutha

i'm not sure about the hpk because i haven't got to the stage of needing to do one yet (hopefully soon tho lol)...but if you're late maybe it's worth going to the dr's to get a BT?

PS welcome!

Thanks for the welcome! I'm still exploring the site, so I'll get around to an intro eventually.
After the miscarriage in Jan and my insistence that yes, there was actually something wrong with my cycles and no, it's not normal for me to get nauseated prior to my period, and several blood tests to rule out things like PCOS (plus several visits since for an injury) I kind of think my doc suspects me of hypochondria!
I'm waiting until I'm well and truly LATE before I front up for a BT. If I don't bleed in the next week I'll make an appointment I guess.
Just frustrating!
You should practice the whole POAS thing now - takes some good aiming!

I think the best thing would be to go get bloods done. You'd know for sure then.

My advice is to wait - I know it sucks! Bloods may not necessarily give you a result either way - they could come back inconclusive, which is what happened to me when I had my chemical pg a couple of months ago. But if you think you are 6 weeks, you should definitely be getting positive HPT by now. You may be earlier than 6 weeks, in which case waiting is the best option, as it may be too early yet to get good reading on HCG level.