Acupuncture

[Soulmate]

I just started doing acupuncture after TTC for almost a year and a half. I am really enjoying it and like it much better than western medicine (TTC or otherwise). I thought I would start this thread to share acupuncture stories. Personally, I would love details from those who are preggo and it worked or those not preggo and it didn't work. I am not using any ART just yet.

I really like it because I have a lot of thyroid/anemia symptoms but bloodwork always comes back normal (though I do have Hasimoto's Thyroidosis). I really like the TCM dr. because he treats the symptoms regardless of any bloodwork. Each symptom has a meaning and can be treated so I can finally feel normal. For TTC he is going to try to lengthen my LP (11 days currently) and try to get me ovulate closer to CD14 (CD21ish currently) and level out my immune system (from the Hasimotos).

My sessions cost $65 (initial session = $85) and I go 3x/cycle. I take powder herbs pre-O ($20 for 16 day supply) and herbs in pill form in my LP ($8 for the whole LP).

I know a lot of us gals do it and others are interested...lets all share!

[Scooter]

Soulmate, I know you've already heard my story but I thought I'd post it for others reading this.

I had accupuncture for just over 2 months, late May through July. I tried the herbs at first but felt uncomfortable taking them with the Western medications. So I switched to just accupuncture, and we quadrupled the number of needles used. We did both front and back. Since I was unexplained, she just focused on doing points that would help my body, energy, and immune system be normal & balanced. I went to a clinic at an accupuncture school and paid $20 for a 2 hour session.

It was extremely relaxing, and she was so great I only felt a thump on my skin when the needles went in, no real pain. Some spots are a little painful just because they are sensitive--like some spots in the feet for example. But most were ok, even in the stomach or head!

I only went for 2 months because then I got pregnant. :D I was also using ART, but I do believe the accupuncture had something to do with it.

[Soulmate]

Scooter You probably went to the same school my acupuncturist went to as he went to school in your area.

My appts. are *not* relaxing (I feel like a weirdo since everyone I've heard says they are relaxing). My dr. looks for me to have zings and zangs. Like this one he puts in my inner right ankle sends a shock into my heel. There is one that he puts near my ovaries that makes it feel like deep AF cramps. I never feel the actual needle. He said that one was in like an inch and a half and I couldn't feel it (I should have that is why it was in so far, he was trying to get me to feel it). All of the points besides my ovaries feel kinda neat. That you can have something go in one place and and feel it somewhere completely different. My first appt. he put a needle in my leg and I felt the one in my scalp zing.

My chart is already reflecting the acupuncture and I've only had 2 sessions.

For others...how many cycles did you go through acupunture before you got pregnant (or not gotten pregnant)? How long were you trying?

[Heather719]

Hi ladies-

I have been going to acupuncture of almost a year now and have had great results. A little history- I have PCOS and don't generally ovulate on my own. I started to go to acu to try to get my mind and body more inline as well as to try to help me ovulate. Prior to going to acu, I had been pregnant once, but had an early miscarriage. When I started going to acu, I wasn't responding as well to the Clomid and was basically looking for anything to help out. I started seeing my acupuncturist in Oct of '04- and I O'd Oct, Nov and December. :) That third cycle was the charm and I got pregnant. Unfortunately I had another early miscarriage. My ob/gyn ordered Repeat Pregnancy Loss testing and we determined that I have a blood clotting and autoimmune issue causing me to loss my pregnancies.

I have continued to go to the acupuncturist this past year, with the encouragment of my RE. I respond very well to all the ovulation drugs and I do credit acupuncture for that. We are still trying to figure out the proper balance of meds to help me keep a pregnancy and I know that acupuncture is only going to be a help in that regard.

When I first started going to acu, I went once a week for a month. Since then, I go twice a month. My acupuncturist seems to be a bit different then most in that he doesn't try to synch up my appointments with my cycle. Acupuncture typically never hurts- if a needle does give me discomfort, it is immediately removed and reinserted. Most of the time, I nap during my appointments. ;)

I really can't say enough good things about acupuncture- I encourage everyone to get it a shot.

best of luck,
Heather

[Scooter]

Soulmate, this area has so many schools, I was shocked! There must be 10 different TCM schools here. But you never know, it could have been the same one. Don't worry, I always had those zings and zangs, too. I didn't get any ovary ones needles, the stomach ones were centered and near the navel. The ones I remember having the most zing were in the webbing of my hand, in the muscle just below my elbows, and the corresponding place just below my knees. It was like an electric current through my whole arm/leg. Those are the ones that made me feel like I'd just been to the gym, after the appt. And plenty of other spots she would twist the needles until I felt something. But all those feelings only lasted a couple minutes & after that I would just focus on meditating/relaxing.

[Soulmate]

scarlatav
I am quite anxious to go and thinking about canceling the appt.

I was able to conceive twice, but miscarried both and hoping accupuncture can somehow help me. Please don't cancel the appointment! I too have repeat pregnancy loss (RPL) and acupuncture can help that too. My guy is treating my immune system too which is partly to blame for the losses. I don't think that acupuncture alone can prevent m/c from immunological causes (antibodies) so I take a baby aspirin a day and I'm starting on Folgard once I ovulate. But they definitely can help balance out the immune system and balance your hormones which can also cause m/c. I also suspect weak ovulation for my m/c's. It is a lot of money but it is definitely worth the try. Explain your concerns to the acupuncturist. My guy loaned me a book called "The Infertility Cure" which talked all about various fertility issues including RPL. It was written almost to an audience of acupuncturists and definitely mentioned interventions to help prevent the m/c's.

Scooter I had no idea there were so many! How nice to get such a discounted rate. I'm glad you are getting the same feelings I am and that my guy is not a sadist ;) .

[shouldaeloped]

I am so glad you started this thread!

I have been considering acupuncture for several weeks now and haven't done anything about it. mostly because I didn't know where to start. I think you have all answered my main questions but I still have one. . . is it important to find an acupuncturist that specializes in infertility?

I have two recommendations but neither specializes and I have been a little hesitant.

Now that I have heard these stories, for the second time actually, I think I am definitely going to get off my rear end and call this week.

thanks again!

[Elle]

I would be very interested in going for accupuncture. How do you find a certified accupuncturist?

[Soulmate]

shouldaeloped Others can chime in on this one but I don't think one needs to *specialize* in infertility per say but definitely have experience. Most do since infertility is a huge reason why people go to an acupuncturist. I just re-read you post. You want them to list infertility as one of their areas of treatment. If they haven't really treated many people with infertility they could really screw up your cycles. I would look around for someone else who lists infertility/reproductive issues as one of their areas of treatment.

elle I did a google search under "acupuncture [city name]" and read up on the person on their website. You can probably get a good idea of fees too from the various websites. I'm sure there is some organization too that lists certified acupuncturists.

[Heather719]

Hi Ladies- you can also try the Acu Finder website (http://www.acufinder.com) too. Or simply ask your ob/gyn or RE- they may have recommendations for you.

[heidi0622]

Some of you here already know my story about acupuncture, but I'll repeat it here...

I TTC'd for a year (and had one early m/c during that year) before starting acupuncture. My DH and I initially saw an RE and had the basic testing done. All of the tests came back normal, so we fell into the "unexplained" category. I was hesitant at that point to pursue aggressive medical treatments (since I didn't know what exactly they would be treating), so I decided to pursue acupuncture.

My acupuncturist told me I had to give it three months for the acupuncture to work. I didn't notice a huge difference the first two cycles. My O date was the same and my LP length was pretty normal as well. The main difference I noticed is that I felt my ovulation was stronger (I felt O pains and saw more distinct ovulation signs). I also was taking a cocktail of herbs during those cycles. After my second cycle of acupuncture, I got impatient and decided to start a low dose of Clomid. I did not take any herbs while I was on the Clomid.

I got pg my first cycle on Clomid. While I did not get pg with acupuncture alone, I truly believe the acupuncture helped the Clomid work the first cycle.

I am 14 weeks pg now and will be continuing acupuncture throughout my pgcy. I have had an extremely easy pgcy so far (knocking on wood right now though...). In all seriousness, I think part of the reason I have had so few symptoms is due to the acupuncture. I discuss the symptoms with my acupuncturist each week...for example, I have had some lightheadedness and he puts the needles in a few extra points and immediately after my appt, I feel a difference.

During the first trimester, acupuncture focuses on "holding" the pgcy in. Acupuncture can help decrease the chance of m/c. Granted...I want to treat that subject lightly...it does not completely guarantee that you will never m/c. Later on in pgcy, it helps with all of the various aches and pains and can help prepare your body for labor.

Anyway to answer a few of the questions that have come up in this thread...

Payments: I pd. for a full 24 weeks upfront for IF treatments, so I pd. $2675 for 30 treatments. 2x/week for the first 6 weeks, 1x/week for the next 18 weeks. Once I got pg, he switched my IF treatments to pgcy treatments. I have now run through that and just pd another $2300 to cover the rest of my pgcy and 12 weeks postpartum treatment. My insurance covers NONE of it. I have just used my FSA, so that it is tax-deductible.

Pain and relaxation: The only pain that I have experienced is when he puts the needles in my ears. There is a quick pinching pain, but once the needles are in, I feel absolutely no pain. I usually do not even notice when puts the needles in other points. I usually am able to relax pretty well at each appt. I fall asleep a lot more now than I did before I was pg.

Finding my acupuncturist: Not many people IRL knew about my IF struggles, so I couldn't really ask around for recommendations. I went to acupuncture.com and called a few on the list. I talked to a few of them over the phone and went with the one I felt most comfortable with. Most acupuncturists should offer a free phone or first consultation.

Okay...sorry about the novel. Obviously, this is a subject that I feel pretty strongly about...how some of this novel will help some of you.

[Soulmate]

1. Did you tell your RE that you were getting accupuncture? If so, what was the reaction? I am going au naturale so a RE is not involved. When I did go to one he never mentioned acupuncture. I would say if he/she flat out objects to it...find another RE. They should be open to anything and everything that will get you pregnant (IMO).


2. For those of you on Folgard, how long do you take this? Through entire pregnancy if it occurs? And with the prenatal vitamin? I have not started Folgard yet. I plan to take it after O and I am pretty sure throughout your pregnancy. I would ask my obgyn once I got pregnant. You would take it with your prenatal as well.


3. Did you girls chart while getting accupuncture?I totally am. My chart is a little wacky right now or else I'd share. I want to see for sure how my cycle is responding to the acupuncture. Are my temps more stable, am I Oing sooner, etc.

[angelgirl8]

i wanted to add in my experiences, too.

i started acupuncture right around the start of my second IVF (i think it was about 6 weeks before my retrieval) so i did it all through my month of birth control and then through my month of fertility drugs.

i wish i had started it sooner, though!

with the acupuncture, there was a really clear difference in the side effects that i experienced from the drugs. i definitely felt more relaxed in general and i responded better to the meds.

we changed things a little with my second IVF protocol and i added acupuncture, so i can't say the acupuncture was the only reason the 2nd IVF worked, but i believe it was a big reason.

i felt really comfortable with my acupuncturist and she was really knowledgable about all things TTC and she looked at my charts and everything. just by feeling my pulses she was able to tell me how i was feeling without me even telling her!

as for price: each session was $90, which was pretty standard in NYC. my insurance paid for a certain percentage of each session so that helped.

i went once a week and changed the dates around nearer to the retrieval and transfer. i never took the herbs because my acupuncturist really didn't wanted to mix them with the other fertility meds i was taking. if i was doing a non-medicated cycle i would have taken them, though!

[Soulmate]

Scarlatav The full moon thing is based on the belief that women's cycles are regulated by the moon. There is a whole technique out there called Luna Therapy to help regulate cycles. My acupuncturist is trying to shorten my cycles...bringing AF sooner...by helping me ovulate sooner. Acupuncturist can also help bring AF for those who do not ovulate or have incredibly long cycles. Mine had a patient who did not ovulate (meaning no AF on her own either) and got her to ovulate and have 30 day cycles. This all takes a few cycles to accomplish though. I don't think they can "bring on AF" instantly like medical drs can. I would say that your cycles may be a bit wacky as a result of the miscarriage and having patience may be the only thing you can do right now. Does she know what phase you are in you cycle? They can often tell by your pulse.

[paisleydays]

I've been doing acu for about 3.5 months now, and I am so glad that I have. I originally went in because I had a high fsh diagnosis and my old RE said acu was the only thing I could about it.

My acupuncturist is fantastic and her practice specializs in infertility. She referred me to a new RE, and talks with him frequently. After a month or so of acu, she worried that something was not right and she sent me to get my adrenals checked. It turns out that I am hypothyroid and have been for years! No MD (or RE for that matter) had ever checked my thyroid before.

I just completed a clomid challenge this cycle, and my FSH has gone from 17 to 7. I really believe it has been the acu & thyroid meds that have given me the go ahead for an IVF cycle.:D

As far as your period changing, it definitely should. My TMI example is that I used to have really dark red blood with lots of clots, what I've now learned is symtpom of blood stagnation. Since acu, my blood is bright red & very few clots. Someone upthread mentioned the Infertility Cure and I completely agree. It is a fascinating book and has lots of good info even if you don't go to an acupuncturist. The author, Randine Lewis, has a clinic in Austin. I think she also has a referral service for other infertility specialists.

[CityGirl]

Thought I would chime in with my experience so far:

Dh and I have been TTC since Nov '04, off the pill since June '04. Since coming off the pill I've had very long and mostly annovulatory cycles. I started seeing a TCM doctor in May of this year. I can't recall exactly, but her diagnosis was liver chi stagnation and cold uterus. Our focus has been on getting my body to ovulate, and then to shorten my cycles to my norm (about 35 days). I've been going in weekly for acupuncture, doing daily moxabution at home to warm my belly, and taking herbs (started in pill form, but now a loose tea that I brew).

I was told that it would take three cycles to see results. At day 26 of my third cycle, when I had truely given up hope, I finally ovulated. I ovulated on day 26 of this (my 4th) cycle as well, the first time since coming off the pill that I've ovulated in back-to-back cycles.

As a wonderful side effect, my acupuncturist has been treating me for IBS and anxiety. It seems the two are very much linked for me. Since starting treatment, my symptoms have all but vanished. Yay!

Finally, as this is getting long, I am a huge needle phobe. I faint at blood draws, shots, and ear piercings. It took me a while to work up the nerve to check out acupuncture because of this. At the start I could only take one of two needles, and just for a few seconds. It took about 4 sessions to get used to it, but now I take a full course of 12-20 needles, and leave them in for a half hour to cook. I love it, and hope to keep going after getting a BFP. I highly suggest trying it.

[Soulmate]

Just wanted to drop by and give an update. I started acupuncture on 9/11/05 and got my BFP today! I haven't been pregnant in 13 months and the first cycle with acupuncture helped me get pregnant.

[Tandis]

Congratulations Soulmate! I know how difficult this has been for you, so I was very excited to see you got a BFP :D

I know this thread is a little old, but I didn't see anything more recent about acupuncture. I have my first appt. on Monday - can someone tell me what to expect?

I've taken a break from everything TTC related, so I'm a little excited/nervous/dreading getting back into it.

Thanks!

[Soulmate]

Hey Tandis!! *waving* Good luck at TTC again.

My first appointment he asked a whole bunch of questions. Be prepared to answer questions about bowel movements, dreams, and waking up in the middle of the night (to pee or otherwise). He/she needs to classify you and all of those questions develop a pattern upon which they treat you. Also definitely bring any charts if you have them. Mine found them incredibly useful and could definitely read them. They may feel your pulse and look at your tounge too. After that he put a few needles in me based on where I was in my cycle. It was a little difficult to answer some of his questions because Western medicine has taught me to ignore so much ("oh that is normal don't worry about it") but it gets easier with each appointment.

[Scarlatav]

I need someone's assistance. I went back to my RE and he told us that we would be successful with injectables. I ordered all the drugs and I am now waiting for AF to arrive. I am still getting acupuncture treatments.

AF has been quite erratic and I'm not sure what's causing it, perhaps the miscarriages, perhaps the acupuncture, I am just not sure.:confused:

Has anyone been on injectables and acupuncture at the same time?

[jasma]

I'm glad I found this thread! I've been TTC for 6 months now. I have a doctor's appt. for next month, but I've been considering acupuncture to see if it will help. My health insurance (BC/BS) gives a 25% discount at many places here in the Boston area. I'm also interested in the herbal treatments, as some people seem to have luck with them.

I'll post back if/when I give it a try. Thanks to everyone who's posted-- great feedback & info!:D

[angelgirl8]

scarlatav...i did my last IVF cycle with acupuncture and found that it really helped with the drug side effects.

[Tandis]

Soulmate - Thanks for getting back to me. :) I had my appt yesterday, and it went pretty much like that. It was quite amazing because she knew some of my symptoms before I even told her and she said I fell quite distinctly into the one category with some of a couple others. So now I'm on two different herb supplements.

Another question I have for everyone - did anyone else bleed afterwards? I had a little blood at a couple sites, but quite a bit from the one she stuck in at the edge of my hairline. Didn't expect the blood.

Scarlatav - My acupuncturist is a huge fan of that book - insists all her patients own a copy. She studied under Randine Lewis and knows the woman personally, so she really follows a lot of what she has to say in the book. It's quite interesting.

[Soulmate]

Tandis I bled after my most recent appointment. Enough that I needed to hold the cotton ball there for a couple of seconds. I am pregnant though and attributed it to that (higher blood volume) and am on baby aspirin (blood thinner). I think it is normal because mine always checked me for a little blood after removing the needles.

My acupuncturist also recommended "The Infertility Cure". He let me borrow it and it was very interesting.

[Scarlatav]

???'s for those who have had acupuncture.

I am continuing with my acupuncturist and see her once a week. She always checks my tongue and pulse and indicates that my tongue has scalloped edges. She stresses to me how important diet is. She gave me a list of foods I should be eating. I go to Whole Foods weekly and buy there soups that are made with the veggies she recommends. Unfortunately, my diet sucks otherwise! I am trying to improve but I don't know what else to do. Did anyone else change their diet and if so what changes did you make? Any help would be greatly appreciated. She thinks my blood is stagnant and my liver and kidney Chi is off. :eek:

I have been getting acupuncture since Sept 28, 2005.

[Soulmate]

My tongue is scalloped too. I never really made any changes to my diet. He suggested I eat seaweed and more red meat, etc but could never really do it (not vegitarian, just don't like meat that much). I think the only thing I did was add a bit of honey each day to my tea. My blood was deficient and I was Yin deficient (never told me exactly what organ). But I have an amazingly hard time altering my diet for any reason.

[CityGirl]

I'm supposed to be eating warm foods like soups and rice, and staying away from dairy and cold foods like salad. I didn't make a drastic change, but now that its winter, the warm food thing is easy.

Several weeks ago I was feeling really sluggish & foggy headed. My practitioner asked if I had been eating more dairy than usual, and sure enough I had. I cut down and the symptoms went away.

[Tandis]

I also had to cut out dairy and cold foods (both temperature wise, and those considered "cold"), and eat more organic and natural foods. My acupuncturist insisted I purchase the book "Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis, and study it. My problems are kidney yang deficiency, liver yang rising, and spleen qi deficiency, so I looked up those sections of the book and followed what the author had to say as far as the foods go.

I also purchased "The tao of healthy eating" by Bob Flaws, which has been really helpful in figuring out which foods are considered "cold," and those that are warming.

One good side effect of this is that I've lost eight pounds in three weeks, due to a healthy eating style, and pretty much giving up sugar and dairy.

Good luck!

[Patience]

Hi ladies! I'm so glad to find this thread. I'm currently doing acupuncture and taking some herbal medicine. My problem is anovulatory cycles, so my acupuncturist is trying to make sure I do ovulate. I was told that I'm suffering from a blood and yin deficiency. I've also been told to not eat "cold" food like salad and raw vegetables too often. I'm not on Clomid yet because I'm a bit leery of the side effects. Are any of you just doing acupuncture without western medication?

[Soulmate]

Patience I used only acupuncture. I tried Clomid for 3 cycles but did not like it at all. The s/e were not bad but it just felt artificial to me. But I also ovulate regularly on my own. However my acupuncturist worked with many women who did not ovulate at all and got them to a 30ish day cycles and pregnant without western medication.

[Patience]

Thanks for answering Soulmate. It gives me hope to know that acupuncture helped you get pregnant. :)

[chloechloe]

I also tried accupuncture after 2+years of ttc and got pregnant! I now have a 15 month old baby!!! just dropping off some baby dust......

[Patience]

chloechloe, how long were you on acupuncture treatments before you got pregnant? Thanks for the baby dust!

[chloechloe]

Patience---I did it faithfully for four months. I also used Vitex, and the last thing is the month I got pregnant I refused to think any negative thoughts. After two years I would always think...well I don't want to get my hopes up....or why am I doing this because I won't be pregnant anyways. The month I got pregnant (which was a VERY stressful month, work wise) I would think postive things....I would visualize the egg growing, maturing, being released, being fertilized, growing and then when I did the EPT, it was to confirm my pregnancy. I really the postive thoughts helped too! Hope that helps! Feel free to PM me!

[Toonces]

I'm so happy to find this thread! I had my first acupuncture treatment for fertility last night. The acupuncturist works out of my OB's office. I'm BF'ing my DD and am O'ing late & have a short LP. After evaluating me, the acupuncturist said that if I saw her 2 times/week, she thinks I'd be PG within 1-2 months. She doesn't think it's necessary to see me that often though, so I'm going once/week for now to see how that works. She also wants to see my FF charts b/c she said she can determine a lot from my temps.

[Soulmate]

Good luck to you catgirl. Come back and tell us if it works for you!

[Toonces]

TY, Soulmate! I've only had 2 acupuncture treatments and have already noticed a big difference in my temps & my CM. My temps are a lot more steady - my chart used to look like a roller coaster, and I have very fertile CM. I'm still O'ing late. I'm on CD14, no + OPK yet and my fertility monitor is midline. I'll post back when I get PG (fingers crossed!). :)

[Toonces]

This past cycle I ended up O'ing on CD16 instead of CD21-25. It only took two acupuncture treatments to move up my O date. I had two more treatments after O, called "come to mama" and "come to mama/retain the fetus", and... I'm pregnant!! I can't believe it only took 4 treatments. I'm going to keep going once/week maybe just through 1st trimester - I like the idea of the "retain the fetus" treatment. :)

[angelgirl8]

congratulations catgirl!!

[Soulmate]

Congratulations Catgirl!! It doesn't work for everyone...but when it works...it really works!

[Toonces]

Thank you! :)

[jasma]

Congratulations Catgirl! I'm so glad to hear it's working! I went for my first treatment last week and was really surprised that I felt results right after. Not quite cramping, but sort of. I also noticed a difference in CM a few days after. I've been taking a break from temping, so I'm not sure if that has changed.

My acupuncturist recommends that I visit once a week for the next two months and then re-evaluate. At that point, I'll either (hopefully) be pregnant or it will be the one year point and I'll be in good shape to face "Western" testing.

[Toonces]

That's great jasma! I noticed an immediate change in my CM, too. I had way more fertile CM the cycle with acupuncture than before, so I knew the acupuncture was doing something. My acupuncturist recommended the once/week schedule, too. Hopefully you'll never get to the point that you need 2 times/week! Best of luck to you!

[mayham]

This thread is so helpful! I'm researching places now for acupuncture and would like to start soon. Right now we're at about the year mark for ttc, and I'd like to do acupuncture for a little bit before seeing an RE.

jasma - i noticed you're in MA. Would you recommend your acupuncturist? I'm looking for something in the Boston area. TIA!

[kazata]

This thread has been very helpful and I think I'm ready to take the plunge and try acupuncture (despite that I have a terrible fear of needles - anyone else have to overcome this?) I stopped by an acupuncturist's office last week just to check out prices and find out what this particular one's experience was with fertility issues, and was pleasantly surprised when the acupuncturist herself took time to sit down and talk with me, right then and there (and profusely apologized for only having 5 minutes because she had a patient coming in - no problem, as I had dropped by unannounced) if all my doctors were so pleasant and took time out of their day to talk with me when I dropped by I would be ecstatic!

But I was kind of weirded out when while talking to me, just by looking at my face (her words "pale, dry skin") and my tongue (again "pale" I think), she concluded that I am probably frequently tired, and that I get light-headed or dizzy when I stand up. The thing is, it's ALL TRUE, but still, I found it strange, I mean, yeah, I guess there is something strange about sticking needles in you to cure you, but I still didn't expect it to feel hokey. I guess, I just almost felt like she was about to read my aura, or my palm. I don't want a psychic, I thought I would be the one to tell her "I feel tired a lot, and I get dizzy when I stand up" and then she would say, oh, okay, we can use these acupuncture points to correct that, not that she would be able to tell things about me from my face. But, on the other hand, she was right, so is there something to it? Those of you that pursued acupuncture, did you have this experience?

[Toonces]

LOL kazata! Yep, I had a very similar experience and thought the exact same thing that you did. How did she know so much about me just by looking at me?? My issues were my skin was colorless and my hair was thin on top. :) I'm still trying to figure out how I got PG from this!! Regarding your fear of needles... I'm not a big fan of them either, but they really don't hurt. There were a couple, esp on top of my head, that were mildly uncomfortable, but nothing like getting a shot or anything. Most of them I didn't feel at all. I did get a couple of hives the first time I went and she said that was common and it was the histamines leaving my body. It didn't happen after that. Best of luck to you!! :D

One fact I forgot to mention earlier... my acupuncturist told me that she has a 90% pregnancy success rate and 75% of those go to delivery!! :eek: She even helped one woman who went through three failed IVF attempts and she got PG 5 months later with the help of acupuncture. Something to be said for all of this.

[kazata]

Yep, I was just thinking, well, I'm pale because I've been holed up working and haven't gone in the sun....and my skin is dry because I didn't put lotion on after my shower this morning....if I come back tomorrow with a sunburn and moisturizer will I suddenly no longer be dizzy/tired?

Anyway, I'm glad to know it wasn't just me, or something strange about this particular doc....

[tenofcups]

But, on the other hand, she was right, so is there something to it? Those of you that pursued acupuncture, did you have this experience?

Think of it this way: Eastern medicine uses a different approach than Western medicine, but in some ways it's comparable. If you go to your regular doctor's office, they might not look at your tongue and take your pulse in the same that your acupuncturist will, but they will do different tests and check different things to come up with a diagnosis and/or treatment.

You wouldn't think anything of it if your doc tested your thyroid, found it sluggish and said that accounts for your fatigue and weight gain, would you?
Same principle with acupuncture; they're just looking at factors that Western medicine generally doesn't.

I've been going for acupuncture for about 3 months now for fertility issues AND ongoing pain and other problems, so we haven't been able to focus just on fertility. I'm not (YET!) pregnant, but I've felt a large difference in my other problems -- problems that doctors have been unable to help or explain for years so I'm very happy with my progress!

[kazata]

tenofcups I like that way of looking at it - that definitely helps. The thing is I was totally prepared for having to accept a different methodology, but I guess I didn't expect such a quick diagnosis, but I like your explanation.


General Question: Lots of people have quoted high success rates - do you think those are specific to a particular acupuncturist, or for acupuncture in general - in other words, how important is the specific practitioner. (Does that make sense?)

[tenofcups]

I'm not an expert by any means (!), but I would imagine a little of both. It doesn't matter how good the practioner if what they're practicing is bunk. But I also think it would have to depend on the acupuncturist to some extent and there must be good and bad ones, the same as there are good and bad practioners of anything.

BUT I also think (and this is purely my opinion!) that by its nature acupuncture would likely attract people are especially interested in it because it's not that common and I don't think it's all that easy to learn about and become proficient in, at least not in the United States. So I'd have to imagine that to want to practice it and study it, someone would have to have a real ongoing interest to begin with.

To be effective, an acupuncturist would need to have a technical proficiency--where are the best places to put those needles in as well as being able to evaluate what the problem is to begin with. Beyond that, I imagine some are more gifted than others in being able to diagnose well and instinctively know the best treatment or be prepared to do research to find the best treatment.

And beyond that, I imagine there are some you'd click with and others you wouldn't like as much. I really like the woman I'm going to. I feel that she's well educated in this and I know that she continues to think about me after our appointments, because often she'll come in and share something she's learned during the week that's relevant to my treatment. I also feel that she really *cares* about me and my success in what we're trying to do; that I'm not "just" a patient.

[Toonces]

ITA with tenofcups. The only thing I'd add is I think the patient/client also has to be open minded to this type of treatment. If someone goes in thinking, "This is voo doo stuff that won't work", then it might not. I think mind over matter plays a role in this to a certain extent. It obviously can't be the only driving factor, but it doesn't hurt to be open minded and receptive.

[Soulmate]

kazata Even though acupuncture can seem like mumbo jumbo, it was soooo nice to finally be taken seriously. I've been to so many western doctors for my fatigue, they check my thyroid and iron, tell me everything is fine and send me on my way. Because a blood test found nothing wrong I was supposed to be fine. But I wasn't. When I went to the acupuncturist these symptoms fit into a very real category for them and was treatable. It seems weird, but it is very effective and has been around for longer than western medicine.
Lots of people have quoted high success rates - do you think those are specific to a particular acupuncturist, or for acupuncture in general - in other words, how important is the specific practitioner.Overall, acupuncture has been found very successful in treating IF. Many REs will also prescribe acupuncture treatment to follow along with western-style treatment. Also, individual practitioners will have their own success rates. Mine has an overall success rate of 70% but he just started treating IF in the past 2 years or so.

[kazata]

Thanks again. I absolutely feel open-minded to try acupuncture, and frankly, was a bit surprised at my own reaction (when I told DH that I was surprised, his response was "well you knew it was going to be hokey" - well, no, I didn't think I would react that way, because I did feel open to it and want to believe in it working). Anyway it's reassuring to hear other's experiences and feelings, and also nice to confirm that there is still some basis for the diagnosis.

[gator97]

kazata- you are not alone. My acupuncturist is a friend of mine so I'm quite used to the Eastern Medicine train of thought. However, I've never pursued it before (just had my first treatment on Tuesday). And while I truly believe in it, it does feel weird to start. I've never had an exam where they listen to my pulse on the right, then the left, then together and then ask me all these seemingly random questions about bleeding gums, gray hair, etc. And I started laughing when she looked at my tongue.

We are so used to Western Medicine that it feels bizarre at first because it is so different. But it is so nice to have the body looked at as a whole instead of separate parts (trying to convince my asthma doc that my endometriosis impacts the asthma was interesting!).

[tenofcups]

But it is so nice to have the body looked at as a whole instead of separate parts (trying to convince my asthma doc that my endometriosis impacts the asthma was interesting!).

YES, YES, YES! I have a bizarre assortment of problems that I am thoroughly convinced are all connected, but trying to get ANY doctor to acknowledge that is like pulling teeth. My acupuncturist works on all of them and often notes that she's working on *one* point for *multiple* problems that I have, further reinforcement in my mind that they are all connected.

[CityGirl]

kazata - forgive me for quoting myself from page 3 of this thread, but I'm too lazy to retype. I had to deal with some SEVERE needle phobia in my TTC journey, and acupuncture was an amazing catalyst for that.



Finally, as this is getting long, I am a huge needle phobe. I faint at blood draws, shots, and ear piercings. It took me a while to work up the nerve to check out acupuncture because of this. At the start I could only take one of two needles, and just for a few seconds. It took about 4 sessions to get used to it, but now I take a full course of 12-20 needles, and leave them in for a half hour to cook. I love it, and hope to keep going after getting a BFP. I highly suggest trying it.

Since typing this I've been diagnose hypothyroid, and have a lifetime of regular bloodwork to look forward to. Before acupuncture, having to deal with all those needles would've turned me into an anxious mess. Now, I know I can handle it no problem.

[Scooter]

I think the "hokiness" aspect of it just has to do with our own frame of reference. If we go into it thinking that the only real way to diagnose things is how Western doctors do it, any other method is going to seem like smoke & mirrors. Yes, their standards are strange to us for checking symptoms & the symptoms they look for, definitely nothing a Western doctor would normally care about! And the diagnoses--hot & cold, metal, wood, etc...all those categories seem ridiculous to our Western ears.

I think for me what helped was the way I was looking at it. I told myself it really didn't matter why it worked, I just believed that it did. (and btw it actually did work, 2 months in.) And I also thought of it this way: for whatever reasons over the thousands of years it's been practiced, accupuncturists have learned that certain symptoms seem to be tied together, and certain points seem to help with those symptom groupings. So everytime I had to stick out my tongue or have them tell me my pulse felt "tinny" I would tell myself that these are their own ways of grouping together symptoms. After all, grouping together symptoms is also how Western doctors diagnose, so they're not so different in that respect.

As far as the Western viewpoint, there are theories out there suggesting that accupuncture is actually stimulating the nervous system, which affects the body in various not-yet-understood ways, and that could be how it works. So if you're still not comfortable with the hokiness, it may be comforting to think of it as their non-Western way of describing how it affects the nervous system. And it has definitely been shown to help with IVF patients in several studies, so much so that my RE now recommends it to her IVF patients and insurance companies may soon start providing some coverage for it in conjuction with IVF. And my RE is a very cautious, empirical thinker. ;) Good luck!

[CityGirl]

kazata- You may also want to find out where your practitioner stands on Western Medicine. In the beginning my acupuncturist gave me the traditional Eastern daignosis of Liver Qi Stagnation, but also recognized that the symptoms I was having were indicative of a Western daignosis of hypothyroid. She was the one who pushed me to get tested and treated for that through an endocrinologist. I really feel like I am being treated in a very thorough manner, using all my option, ya know?

[jesvet]

As far as the Western viewpoint, there are theories out there suggesting that accupuncture is actually stimulating the nervous system, which affects the body in various not-yet-understood ways, and that could be how it works. So if you're still not comfortable with the hokiness, it may be comforting to think of it as their non-Western way of describing how it affects the nervous system.

I've been studying acupuncture in veterinary medicine- different subjects but same principles. It feels weird at first but what Scooter said is so true- and there have been many papers published on the topic that actually do correlate acupuncture points to nerve bundles, myofascial planes, and nerve channels. So if it helps you believe in it, think of it as a sophisticated nerve conduction treatment. ;)

[kazata]

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling much more positive and very excited about pursuing acupuncture. I've decided that the initial consultation will help too, as I will be able to ask lots of questions to understand why/how she knows certain things and also be able to go through my symptoms etc. I have to remember that this was just a couple minute initial sort of reaction as to what she thought might be potential problems.

[CTs_Punkin]

Bumping up this thread.... perhaps you have more stories out there for another acupuncture newbie?

Thanks!

[kazata]

I guess I should come back and update. I am seeing an acupuncturist regularly. I ended up switching from the first practitioner that I saw, because she gave me a weird vibe, didn't explain what she was doing and didn't seem concerned with where I was in my cycle, even though I was trying to get pregnant. The acupuncturist I switched to is very caring, explains everything thoroughly and gives me a good feeling, which was important to me. Although I haven't gotten pregnant yet, part of the reason I wanted to try acupuncture was to see if I could get pg on my own, before doing the lap recommended by my RE, when I didn't, I felt comfortable going forward with the lap and it turns out that I had to have my right tube removed because of a congenital defect which was causing it to fill with fluid. According to my RE this could have been preventing me from getting pg (even if I ovulated from the left as the fluid is harmful). So long story short - I don't think it was the acu. that failed me and I will be continuing it (I've already talked with my acu. about getting me to try to ovulate from the left). In fact, I think the acu. helped greatly with my surgery (both relaxing me beforehand and getting my energy level back after - it wasn't until my acu appointment after surgery that I felt my energy level go back towards normal). Oh and even though I'm a complete needle-phobe, the acu. needles don't bother me at all.

[Maxicat]

I went to acupuncture and now I am 31 weeks pg. I had been told by 3 RE's that I had a very very small chance of getting pg or staying pg.
After I got my +bfp I kept going until I was 12 weeks. I think that really helped in my keeping the baby and her healthy growth.
I love Dr. Li Liu. I am probably her biggest fan.

Good luck

[CTs_Punkin]

Mexicat Congrats! How fantastic. I'm hoping that it will work for me too. If nothing else, I've lost ~10lbs on the diet she put me on and I'm way more relaxed about everything!!

[tipsy]

I'm a believer! Last month I visited a friend out of state who had AF issues. Her accupuncturist helped clear up most of her issues, so I saw him three times while I was there. I had a mc 6 weeks ago and hadn't gotten AF since. TWO HOURS after my appointment AF started!! I couldn't believe it!

I found someone in my hometown (there aren't many to choose from) and went to her for the first time today. She follows the classic style of accupuncture, much different than the guy I went to a few weeks ago. The classic style focuses more on getting your whole body balanced rather than treating specific issues. I was really hoping to get some fertility type treatments before getting pregnant and also during to maintain the pregnancy. Do you think I should go to someone who focuses more on fertility?

[Toonces]

tipsy ~ The classic style of acu probably won't hurt anything. If I were in your shoes I'd give that a shot for a couple of months, going weekly if possible. If you're charting and don't notice a change in your temps, when you O, CM, etc., then I'd go back to the fertility specialist. The one I saw works out of my OB's office a couple of times/week, but she also has her own practice where she gives classic acu.

[Scooter]

Tipsy, I think it can depend on your situation. We were "unexplained" why we weren't getting pg, so there wasn't much for the accupuncurist to focus on fertility-wise. Everything was fine. She did a few points for fertility, but focused the majority of the treatments on having my whole body balanced as you put it, and balancing my immune system. Worked for me. :) But if you have a specific issue, like RPL, and you feel the doctor isn't addressing it, I'd just try it for a couple months before checking out another doctor.

[pocahontas]

Hi ladies...I just finished my 5th accupunture session and I am really loving the accupuncturist I chose. (I've had accupuncture before with an MD and that was a totally "different" experience than this one :rolleyes: ) Anyhoo, I was just wondering for those of you who had successful pregnancies after accupuncture, did you go ONCE a week or TWICE? I ask because my accupuncturist suggested TWICE a week when we first started but it is so pricey that I just started with once a week which is faaaar easier on my pocket. I was curious though if anyone else just did one session a week or if I really do need to up it to two and just grin and bare it? Anyone?

[Toonces]

Anyhoo, I was just wondering for those of you who had successful pregnancies after accupuncture, did you go ONCE a week or TWICE?

I think I went 2 times before O and 3 times after. I didn't go twice/week, except maybe once and I think that was after O. My acu recommended once/week for 2 months and then to step it up if I wasn't PG by then. I got PG during the first month of acu. Best of luck to you! Glad you're having a good experience so far.

[pocket]

I just made an appointment to see Lifang Liang for infertility acupuncture in two weeks! I can't wait!

[Soulmate]

pocahontas My acupuncturist had me come in at least twice/week pre-O (I can't remember exactly) and probably less post-O. He was trying to get me to O earlier so he was being pretty aggressive. He only charged me for 1x/week though. There would be no way I could afford to pay each session. Also, I did the herbs which I think also helped a lot. I got pregnant the 1st cycle of acupuncture after TTCing for 16 cycles. And I actually Oed later than normal that cycle!

My rationale for the cost was that clomid didn't work for me and my next step was injectibles. The acupuncture, no matter how often I went, would be way cheaper than injectibles.

[pocahontas]

My rationale for the cost was that clomid didn't work for me and my next step was injectibles. The acupuncture, no matter how often I went, would be way cheaper than injectibles.
Hmmm...great point! I haven't gotten to the Clomid stage yet (although my RE already gave me a Rx). But it was my accupunturist who suggested I think over possibly trying an IUI "au natural" without the Clomid...just doing accupunture in conjunction and see what happens. But yep...my RE already gave me the drill about it being on to injectibles if Clomid doesn't do the trick. :rolleyes: I hope I am as blessed as you and Catgirl since this will be my first FULL cycle with accupuncture (as I started mid-cycle last month). I know one thing for sure...it has already helped me lose 7 pounds and not sure how much in inches but I can feel it in my looser fitting pants and my eating habits are weirdly changing to where I cannot tolerate sweets like I could. So I can't complain about that!

GOOD LUCK POCKET!

[Byrd's Boogie]

Hello! I'm wondering if anyone has an recomendations for an acupuncturist in Northern VA. I posted this in the MD/DC/VA thread, but so far no response.

TIA!

[tipsy]

catgirl1007 & ScooterThanks for the advice regarding classical accupuncture. I think I'll stick with it for now. I'm going mainly to prep my body for being pregnant and to help maintain the pregnancy (had a mc 7 wks ago). I also have a clotting disorder, which caused the mc and was hoping the accupuncture could help thin out my blood.

[Soulmate]

I also have a clotting disorder, which caused the mc and was hoping the accupuncture could help thin out my blood.I had the same thing (thyroid antibodies) and my acupuncturist added a focus on my immune system post-O. The points were near my elbows. Please also make sure you are taking baby aspirin or some other regimen. M/c's are horrible and I would hate for anyone to have to go through that again.

[BrownEyedGirl]

What do the thyriod antibodies have to do with fertility? I have Hashimoto's and we are TTC now...is there something that I need to worry about?

[pocahontas]

Piggybacking on that question with another: How would one know if they had an issue with thyroid antibodies? Is there a test that I can specifically request that would tell me if this is something I would need to be concerned with? (Or should there just be obvious symptoms I'd be seeing and if I don't have them then I probably don't need to be tested?)

[tipsy]

BrownEyedGirl I'd never heard of Hashimoto's so I searched online for mc & Hashimoto. It fits in with a group of clotting disorders that are associated with mc. If you are ttc, you need to discuss this with your doctor. You should start taking a baby aspirin everyday even before you get pregnant and possibly Folgard (a folic acid supplement). Your doctor may even put you on blood thinners during the pregnancy.

Unfortunately I don't know much about it. Just got my test results back and was referred to a specialist, but won't meet with him until the end of November to discuss. Most of the info I got is from different pregnancy boards. Baby aspirin, Folgard and herperin/lovenox (blood thinners) are the standard treatment. Definitely get checked out. There are lots of things you can do to prevent this type of mc.

pocahontas Sometimes people find out through a family history of clotting disorders and get tested. In my case, after I had the mc, a friend said I should look into getting tested. She knew two other women that had multiple miscarriages and there were a lot of similarities with what happened to me.

Unfortunately my insurance wouldn't cover the testing until I had a second mc. That's a big sign for the clotting/antibody disorders - multiple mc. DH and I paid for the tests out of pocket. I still haven't gotten a bill, but it will probably be around $1500.

[jodylovesscotty]

I had a m/c in June and when I went to the RE to start a workup that was one of the first things they did. I had tests done and found out I have Factor V Leiden (blood clotting disorder) among others. So I was put on a baby asprin a day, B6 and B12, and then when I get pregnant again I will have to do shots of Heparin. I think everyone should fight to get this tested through your insurance. This isn't a disorder to be taken lightly for many reasons other than pregnancy. For instance you should never be on birth control and many other drugs if you have blood clotting disorders.

[Soulmate]

What do the thyriod antibodies have to do with fertility? I have Hashimoto's and we are TTC now...is there something that I need to worry about?Hashimotos is what I had (antibodies but normal TSH). I took a baby aspirin 1x/day and Folgard. Folgard actually helps when you have a certain protein deficiency (not related to food) that inhibits your body from absorbing enough folic acid. My RE was an idiot and there was no way I'd get him to test for the deficency so I took it upon myself to take the Folgard. I swore to myself that I'd do everything I could to prevent another m/c. You can get it w/o a script from Walgreens but you have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter. I think Walgreens.com has it online. It is just an amped up B Complex vitamin. I took the baby aspirin until 36 weeks and the Folgard through my 1st trimester. I am so glad you read this though! I could save you from the heartache of a m/c. ETA I know people IRL who had multiple children while they had thyroid antibodies and never had a m/c. Luck of the draw I guess.


Piggybacking on that question with another: How would one know if they had an issue with thyroid antibodies? Is there a test that I can specifically request that would tell me if this is something I would need to be concerned with? (Or should there just be obvious symptoms I'd be seeing and if I don't have them then I probably don't need to be tested?)Nope no symptoms other than multiple m/c's :( I learned about the thyroid antibodies from the WC. You'd also want to ask to get Lupus antibodies tested as well. There are so many to test for but ANA, ACA, APA's are the three main "first level", then thyroid/lupus antibodies, and others. I stopped once I found the thyroid antibodies so I don't know of the others. The dr's I encountered didn't know anything beyond the first level. Even my RE who did IVF! When the test came back + I asked him what that meant (I already knew) and he said, "I don't know, you asked me to run it"!


BrownEyedGirl I'd never heard of Hashimoto's so I searched online for mc & Hashimoto. It fits in with a group of clotting disorders that are associated with mc. If you are ttc, you need to discuss this with your doctor. You should start taking a baby aspirin everyday even before you get pregnant and possibly Folgard (a folic acid supplement). Your doctor may even put you on blood thinners during the pregnancy.

Unfortunately I don't know much about it. Just got my test results back and was referred to a specialist, but won't meet with him until the end of November to discuss. Most of the info I got is from different pregnancy boards. Baby aspirin, Folgard and herperin/lovenox (blood thinners) are the standard treatment. Definitely get checked out. There are lots of things you can do to prevent this type of mc.When you have any type of antibody it is basically your body fighting off your baby as if it were a germ since he/she is technically a foriegn body. Thyroid antibodies for example are antibodies fighting and killing your thyroid but it is an indicator that other immune issues are at hand that are attacking the baby. That is why my acupuncturist focused on my immune system. Here is an article (http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:z-OM7V3v3oMJ:www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm%3Fdocid%3D13740+immune+system+balance+sup plement&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5) about nutrient that keep the immune system in balance. I also took fish oil supplements during TTC and throughout my pregnancy. Fish oil is also a blood thinner plus it has amazing benefits for the developing baby.

I just wanted to add that baby aspirin is perfectly safe during pregnancy (regular strength is a big time no-no).

[BrownEyedGirl]

So what doctor should I talk to about this? Family doc, OB/GYN, endocrinologist, etc.

On another note...I just saw my new acupuncturist yesterday. I like him better than my last lady. I also got some horrific herbs to make a "tea" that I had to take last night, this morning, tonight,and tomorrow morning. I don't know if I've ever tasted anything quite as nasty! I just keep chanting, "for the baby, for the baby, for the baby" until I've chugged it all.

[Soulmate]

So what doctor should I talk to about this? Family doc, OB/GYN, endocrinologist, etc. From my experience, a family doc and obgyn wouldn't know what you are talking about. The obgyn would know about APA, ACAs, etc but not necessarily thyroid antibodies. My endo knew about them, knew what to do, but kinda minimized everything even after 3 m/c's. He basically said that you can't for sure blame the m/c's on the antibodies but once I treated it I carried to term :rolleyes: To be honest I self-treated because no one really knew what I was talking about.


On another note...I just saw my new acupuncturist yesterday. I like him better than my last lady. I also got some horrific herbs to make a "tea" that I had to take last night, this morning, tonight,and tomorrow morning. I don't know if I've ever tasted anything quite as nasty! I just keep chanting, "for the baby, for the baby, for the baby" until I've chugged it all.Good god those herbs are disgusting aren't they! I only did the raw herbs after I got pregnant and it tasted like vomit and had to stop at 5 weeks when m/s kicked in. I could only handle the powder herbs long term...dirt tastes so much better than vomit!

[BrownEyedGirl]

So has anyone had an acupuncturist that doesn't speak English? My guy seems really good, but it's sort of frustrating since I can't talk directly to him. Should I just not worry about it and let the man do his job.

Here's his info (http://acufinder.com/acupuncturists_detail.php?pid=2168)

[Soulmate]

He has amazing credentials! I would consider yourself very fortunate. I would say that if he doesn't need to understand you to do his job...then he doesn't need to understand you KWIM? With his experience I would think that he could just look at you, and even if you were a mile away and he was blindfolded, he'd be able to treat you ;)

[Toonces]

ITA with Soulmate. He sounds awesome! It's at least worth giving him a try. Once they know what you're there for, there's really no need for a lot of conversation anyway. My acu and I just make small talk out of kindness sake.

[papergirl]

I have my first appointment on Friday so I will report back. I am feeling very hopeful but not too excited at plopping down $150 for the first visit. You gotta love NY prices. I also just purchased the book I see being referenced. It'd be great to get it early this week so I can read up before my appointment but we'll see.

[CTs_Punkin]

Good luck Bumble - I think $150 might be average for a first visit, as that is what my clinic charges for an inital consultation, then each visit after is $70.

[pocahontas]

Good luck Bumble - I think $150 might be average for a first visit, as that is what my clinic charges for an inital consultation, then each visit after is $70.WHOA! :eek: It is RARE when NY prices are actually cheaper than Bmore prices, and I guess this would be that one occasion. I sure wish I only paid $150 for my first visit. Mine was $230 and then 80 bucks a pop thereafter. :( :mad:

[BrownEyedGirl]

Soulmate and CatGirl Thanks for the reassurance. I've seen him three times now. It's a little weird not being able to talk to him, but he seems to pretty much rock. And I suppose I don't have to worry about him saying something stupid :P

I think $150 is probably a pretty average first visit. The first person I went to was $130 first visit and $80 thereafter. Now I only paid $88 for the first visit and $58 thereafter...I feel extremely lucky!!

[pocket]

I had acupuncture for the first time last Thursday:


This morning I had acupuncture with Dr. Lifang Liang. http://www.lifangliang.com/drliang.html

I really didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard it was relaxing, I’d heard it wasn’t painful. I was surprised that she spent oven an hour taking my history. Initial intake was with an acupuncture intern, but Dr. Liang came in halfway through and we just started over. We started at the very beginning when I started taking bcp in 1992. Talk about thorough! She seemed very hopeful, though I did hear her mutter “that’s very bad” more than once. I do love to hear fertility docs exclaim “You’re so young!” when they hear I am 34. It’s the only time anyone but my mom says that to me. We discussed my bowels, we discussed the side effects of the Lupron. She seemed concerned about the side effects which was also new. She took my pulse, which was “slippery” and looked at my tongue which was “white, red at the tip and swollen”. I explained what treatments I have coming up and what I am doing right now. She seemed to think that needle aspiration was a good next step and said that I shouldn’t take the Lupron for too long. Then we scheduled my sessions, and I was relieved that she has late hours. I won’t have to miss work for acupuncture. And then I went into the room, and removed my pants, socks and shoes and lay down on the table. They gave me a sheet to cover myself with, but it was weird – too narrow. Like 2 ft wide. Dr. Liang came into the room, and inserted 2 needles in my knees, 2 in my ovaries, 2 in my hands and one in between my eyebrows which felt really weird. I lay there with that weird feeling in between by eyebrows and then I fell asleep. I was awakened by a tight pain in my right ovary like a stitch in my side. I took deep breaths and it faded away and then we were down and Lyn the Acupuncturist came in to remove the needles. It cost $194 including the herbs. Ouch. I’ve heard the herbs are really nasty tasting. They certainly smell foul and I’ll report back on that later tonight.

Again, this kid had better be F’ing cute.

Herbs: Imagine Turkish coffee but made with powdered chamomile flowers, dirt and made with water from an old vase of flowers that’s been sitting around for more than a week. That’s what the TCM fertility herbs taste like. It’s seriously nasty and also has an unpleasant mouthfeel. Lucky, lucky me


Update: the herbs are still really foul tasting. I make them with ½ c of boiling water, stir it around, drop an ice cube in and throw it back as fast as possible. I have also tried it with a juice chaser and tonight I will try it with a straw. Also, the herbs are $40/bottle, but I am not sure how long that will last me. I’m hoping a month. The sessions themselves cost $90 and the initial session cost $150. Ugh.

[Toonces]

BrownEyedGirl ~ I just saw your post about dogs and pregnancy and had to come in here and say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Do you think the acu was the trick for you? Oh, and see what you have to look forward to... 2:10am, 39 weeks PG and up with reflux. :p :) It's worth it though.

How's everyone else doing?

[BrownEyedGirl]

Catgirl...Thanks, and ha ha ha. I'm sure it's bad enough being 39 weeks pregnant, and being up at 2:10, but to add in the reflux is just torture I'm sure!

I truly thing acupuncture did it for me. I was seeing someone else before seeing Dr. Gu and I don't think she was very good. The thing that made me switch was when i told her that I hadn't ovulated yet (day 20 something) and she said that if I didn't start my period soon, she would do the needle work to start it...even without ovulating. Since everyone knows you have to have a 28 day cycle to get pregnant [snark]. Well, I dropped her and on day 26 I ovulated. I saw Dr. Gu three times and i'm pregnant now.

So, my advice to anyone looking for an acupuncturist for fertility issues...interview them. See what their goals are for you. If it's only a 28 day cycle, run like the wind.

[pocahontas]

Catgirl...Thanks, and ha ha ha. I'm sure it's bad enough being 39 weeks pregnant, and being up at 2:10, but to add in the reflux is just torture I'm sure!

I truly thing acupuncture did it for me. I was seeing someone else before seeing Dr. Gu and I don't think she was very good. The thing that made me switch was when i told her that I hadn't ovulated yet (day 20 something) and she said that if I didn't start my period soon, she would do the needle work to start it...even without ovulating. Since everyone knows you have to have a 28 day cycle to get pregnant [snark]. Well, I dropped her and on day 26 I ovulated. I saw Dr. Gu three times and i'm pregnant now.

So, my advice to anyone looking for an acupuncturist for fertility issues...interview them. See what their goals are for you. If it's only a 28 day cycle, run like the wind.CONGRATS BROWNEYEDGIRL! I am curious...had you been trying long or just a couple months?

Sidenote: Did anyone's accu put them on a strict diet? (I'm talking no refined sugar, no dairy and no gluten?)

[CTs_Punkin]

pocahontas My Acupuncturist put me on a VERY strict diet -
No refined wheat, no sugar, no alcohol, no caffeen, no dairy. I've lost about 19 pounds in the last 3 months, which I have been trying unsuccessfully to lose for the last 4 years....

I'm in my first IUI cycle - so I'll let you know if it worked or not!!

Just so you know, I was VERY strict for the first month or two, and I'm still pretty good about it, but have small amounts of forbidden items every now and then.

Good luck with your next cycle.

[BrownEyedGirl]

I went off BC in May (Mother's day actually) and we had been trying since July. I was charting as well.

Neither of my acupuncturists said anything about my diet.

[CTs_Punkin]

My acupunturist put me on a diet because of the symptoms I had when I went to see her. Everyone is different, so what worked for me may not work for everyone. I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure, so they are trying to make me as healthy as possible to make my remaining eggs as healthy as possible. Hope that makes sense.

[taffers]

I just returned from my first acupuncture appointment, and I really liked it! Well, I didn't really like the needle part...not that it really hurt, but that sensation you get is uncomfortable.

I really liked my acupuncturist. She was very knowledgeable and had a very positive attitude. I feel really positive that this may really help me.

She combines acupunture with herbal treatments, suctioning and even a long massage...whoo hoo!

For 3 weeks, she wants me to go 2 times a week then I go once a week (I think). Thank goodness my insurance covers 24 treatments per year...this could get expensive!

She didn't put me on a diet, but she asked a lot of questions regarding diet and definitely stressed the importance of a good diet and overall health for TTC.

[pocahontas]

She combines acupunture with herbal treatments, suctioning and even a long massage...whoo hoo!
TAFFERS...what exactly is suctioning? I haven't heard of that yet...something my accupuncturist doesn't do, I guess. Also, if you don't mind sharing...what ins. do you have? It is rare when ins. covers accupunture since that isn't considered "traditional" medicine and the only reason mine was covered in the past (and not currently) is because it was done by an MD. (Now I have a L.Ac.) I would LOVE to get ins. to cover it (esp. since DH is starting treatments after Thanksgiving)...so I may need to look into what you have (if it is offered in my state 'cuz I am not sure where you are located). TIA.

[taffers]

TAFFERS...what exactly is suctioning? Also, if you don't mind sharing...what ins. do you have?

Honestly, I don't know exactly what suctioning is, and I couldn't see what she used to do it because it was on my back. It's something circular, and then she pumps it so it suctions to your skin. It leaves a big red circle on your back for a few days! Did you ever see all those pictures of celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow in US, In Touch, etc. where they had red circles on their back? That was from this treatment. I need to research it because I don't even know what the purpose is. I was wondering if anyone here had done it.

I have Blue Cross PPO, which I assume is in every state (I'm in CA)? It's through my DH's company. I think 70% of 24 treatments are covered based on my acupunturist's representations...she currently treats someone else from DH's company so she knew exactly what they cover. I did look it up prior to going, and it said acupunture was covered, but I didn't know the specifics like she did...I *hope* she's right!!

[pocahontas]

WOW...I have the same ins. (except in my state it's called Carefirst...so maybe it is a little different just for that reason. :confused: Who knows!) All I know is I was PO'ed when I found out they didn't cover accupunture this time. :mad:
Honestly, I don't know exactly what suctioning is, and I couldn't see what she used to do it because it was on my back. It's something circular, and then she pumps it so it suctions to your skin. It leaves a big red circle on your back for a few days! Did you ever see all those pictures of celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow in US, In Touch, etc. where they had red circles on their back? That was from this treatment. I need to research it because I don't even know what the purpose is. I was wondering if anyone here had done it.

I have Blue Cross PPO, which I assume is in every state (I'm in CA)? It's through my DH's company. I think 70% of 24 treatments are covered based on my acupunturist's representations...she currently treats someone else from DH's company so she knew exactly what they cover. I did look it up prior to going, and it said acupunture was covered, but I didn't know the specifics like she did...I *hope* she's right!!

[taffers]

WOW...I have the same ins. (except in my state it's called Carefirst...so maybe it is a little different just for that reason. :confused: Who knows!) All I know is I was PO'ed when I found out they didn't cover accupunture this time. :mad:

How annoying!!! They BETTER cover mine. I never quite understand the explanation of benefits in the brochure, but from what I understood, it's covered...and then when my acupunturist said it is, I took her word for it...so we'll see once I get a bill! :rolleyes:

[papergirl]

Pocahontas - $250 for the consult. Yikes!! But if it works then it seems like a small price, you know? My weekly visits thereafter have been $90. My Dr. wanted me to come in twice a week but I had to veto that since I just can’t imagine swinging that price.

Browneye’s – Congratulations! When did you start seeing your Dr. and how often were you going per cycle? I know you said you had three visits but I’m not sure if that was in one cycle or what.

[melg]

Honestly, I don't know exactly what suctioning is, and I couldn't see what she used to do it because it was on my back. It's something circular, and then she pumps it so it suctions to your skin. It leaves a big red circle on your back for a few days! Did you ever see all those pictures of celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow in US, In Touch, etc. where they had red circles on their back? That was from this treatment. I need to research it because I don't even know what the purpose is. I was wondering if anyone here had done it.

I have Blue Cross PPO, which I assume is in every state (I'm in CA)? It's through my DH's company. I think 70% of 24 treatments are covered based on my acupunturist's representations...she currently treats someone else from DH's company so she knew exactly what they cover. I did look it up prior to going, and it said acupunture was covered, but I didn't know the specifics like she did...I *hope* she's right!!


This is usually called Cupping. Not sure really what it is, but I heard Paltrow talk about it on Oprah a while ago. I think they warm glass cups and then as they cool they suck onto your skin. I am intrigued!
Taffers keep telling us about it :) Good luck!

[taffers]

This is usually called Cupping. Not sure really what it is, but I heard Paltrow talk about it on Oprah a while ago. I think they warm glass cups and then as they cool they suck onto your skin. I am intrigued!
Taffers keep telling us about it :) Good luck!

Shows how much I know...I didn't even know what it was called!

But mine must have been different because it wasn't a glass cup, it wasn't warm, and she was pumping something that was making it suck to my skin. It's probably all the same, just different ways of doing it.

Last time I went (my 2nd time) it was just acupressure...no acupunture or cupping, but I have another appointment on Thursday so I'll let you know if I get "cupped" again! ;)

[raven077]

Dunno if any of you ladies are still here.. but with regards to the Cupping.. I'm having Acupuncture for my back problems currently, and my gal did the Cupping procedure for the first time today. They are bell-shaped, glass cups that attach to a pump. Apparently, they can also be used in conjunction with fire somehow. I'd have to look that one up though.)

But for my condition, she used them after the needles as sort of a deep-tissue massage and to get the blood pumping. It was interesting. Don't know if it's meant for the same thing with Fertility.

Now for my question: my acupuncturist knows that we're TTC.. so before O, she's being aggressive with my back treatment. (I guess what she's doing wouldn't be good for an embryo so she's going to back off after I O). But I'm wondering if some of what she's doing could also aid in fertility? She's only working on the back of my body, i.e. back, legs, feet and wrists. The other day, I had a little bit of brownish/pinkish tinged EWCF and I've never had mid-cycle spotting before. Do you think it could be a direct correlation?

[Toonces]

I definitely think what she's doing aids in your fertility. I only recd a few acu treatments and I O'd earlier and had more symptoms of O. I also had hyperemesis and I think (who knows for sure?) that the acu caused my progesterone level to increase to make a sticky pregnancy and that's what caused my m/s. I didn't have hyperemesis with my first pregnancy.

Best of luck to you! Let us know when you get PG. :)

[Soulmate]

Now for my question: my acupuncturist knows that we're TTC.. so before O, she's being aggressive with my back treatment. (I guess what she's doing wouldn't be good for an embryo so she's going to back off after I O). But I'm wondering if some of what she's doing could also aid in fertility? She's only working on the back of my body, i.e. back, legs, feet and wrists. The other day, I had a little bit of brownish/pinkish tinged EWCF and I've never had mid-cycle spotting before. Do you think it could be a direct correlation?Doing treatment on your back can effect fertility. Although I didn't get needles in my back, my acupuncturist noticed my lower back tattoo (lower than normal low back tattoos) and mentioned it's effect on fertility. He said that tattoos can effect the same points acupuncture treats and he said mine is in on points that effects my reproductive organs. So yes, there is a chance it is effecting your fertility.

catgirl I love the quote in your siggie...so true :D

[Toonces]

Soulmate ~ Thanks! :) And I like your avatar - too funny! Regarding your tattoo... that's interesting. I have a lower back tattoo too and my acu didn't mention anything. I wonder if it's not low enough to effect fertility. Kind of cool that it could though.

[Scooter]

But I'm wondering if some of what she's doing could also aid in fertility? She's only working on the back of my body, i.e. back, legs, feet and wrists. The way acupuncture works isn't quite like Western medicine. It's not like the fertility-related points are all in ovary area or anything. The way TCM goes about it is by giving you an overall, Chinese diagnosis. (Infertility is a symptom of this diagnosed problem, not a diagnosis in and of itself like in Western medicine.)

The idea is to get you at optimum health, at which point you would also be most fertile. So I would expect any acupuncture being used to treat a system-wide issue is going to assist in fertility to some extent.

[raven077]

Thanks for the scoop, ladies! It's all definitely very interesting stuff. Apparently there are issues with my Spleen and my body is very "damp" in addition to the back problems. So I hope that she can work everything out in conjunction with the kinesiology/chiropractic that I'm having done. And as a happy side-effect, maybe I'll get a BFP sooner than I think. :)

Thanks again.

[docoNY]

bump

we are in cycle #8 for TTC #2 and think I need to start going for acupuncture but trying to get DH on board to so need some more success stories if anyone has them :D

[BrownEyedGirl]

I went to an acupuncturist for a couple of months. She was probably in her fifties and vulgar and not very zen-like (basically she didn't fit the stereotype I had in my head). I wasn't getting warm fuzzy feelings from her and I wasn't real convinced by her...so I found someone else. He was very authentic...so much so that he had an interpreter. He did acupuncture work on me and had me drink this absolutely horrendously horrible "tea". I was pregnant a month later.

[docoNY]

I went to an acupuncturist for a couple of months. She was probably in her fifties and vulgar and not very zen-like (basically she didn't fit the stereotype I had in my head). I wasn't getting warm fuzzy feelings from her and I wasn't real convinced by her...so I found someone else. He was very authentic...so much so that he had an interpreter. He did acupuncture work on me and had me drink this absolutely horrendously horrible "tea". I was pregnant a month later.

congrats future July mom from an 'old' July mom ;)
that story is actually pretty amusing and I needed the giggle

[docoNY]

ok - I have made the plunge I have an apt on Friday morning - the acupunturist I found specializes in fertility and seemed really nice when I talked to her :)

[Toonces]

Yay! You go Deirdre! Looking forward to seeing the next Irish name you choose. :)

[raven077]

Definitely let us know, Dierdre. I'm not yet, but again, I'm not going specifically for fertility.

Best of luck!

[docoNY]

Definitely let us know, Dierdre. I'm not yet, but again, I'm not going specifically for fertility.

Best of luck!
thanks!!


Yay! You go Deirdre! Looking forward to seeing the next Irish name you choose. :)

I have my list of names for boys no clue on a name for a girl if we were to have a 2nd one!

*update* so I have gone 3x - 2x for acupuncture and 1 time to pick up herbs.. I started going right after I ovulated so AF is due today/tomorrow - we had bad timing this month so it wouldn't have taken a miracle for it to have worked.. she said it could be 3/4 months - I am just dying for AF to get here so I can start a new fresh cycle!

the needles aren't bad and its nice having relaxing time to myself.. I will update as time goes by!

[docoNY]

*update*

I GOT A BFP!!

timing wise things weren't the best this month - lets just say it was a 1 shot deal 3 days before I ovulated - I didn't even test till today (18 DPO) and only did it for the hell of it.. almost fell over when I got the digital pregnant ASAP

I am totally a believer! We were trying for months - multiple times during my fertile time and we would get 'highs' per fertilityfriend.com and then I have a 'low' month and I am pg - still in shock!

I was going pretty much 1x a week and drinking herbs and have NO regrets :)

[sea74]

Okay, I need to make a phone call tomorrow and see what places takes my insurance! Congrats to you!

[Soulmate]

Congrats DocoNY! It is really amazing when it works isn't it!?

[raven077]

Deirdre, congrats! That's so fantastic!

[curlywig]

I've also been going for the last 3 weeks or so. Started seeing her the week before O. She gave me a tea that isn't great, but totally bearable. No luck this month as AF just appeared, but I'm going to stick with it for a few more to see. We're now 8 months in to trying...

It is very relaxing though. So far, I've fallen asleep each time I've been there!

[Toonces]

Deirdre ~ I'm so happy for you!! Congratulations! H&H 9 months to you!

curlywig ~ I'm sorry AF appeared, but I'm glad you're having other good results from acu. My acupuncturist said it could take a few months to get PG with acu. Sending you baby dust!

[docoNY]

Thanks everyone! :) it still boggles my mind!

curlywig we were on cycle 9 or something - was losing count! and she had told me it would take 3 months but I would estimate that I have been going about 6wks. I did the herbs too which are 'interesting' but like I said I have no regrets and it was nice to relax since I rarely do that with a toddler/work, etc.. good luck

sea74 it can't hurt especially if you can go thru your insurance! some IVF docs even want you to go!

[sea74]

I’m SO freaking irritated right now. My BCBS insurance covers acupuncture treatments. So I go on the Web site and there are NO participating acupuncturists in my STATE! So, I call BCBS and they said they could do a “in for out” meaning if I find an acupuncturist who is willing to work with my insurance company than they will okay it since there are none in my area. Then the woman from the insurance company asks me why I feel I need to see one. Well, there’s NO CHANCE I’m telling her it’s because I’m TTC, then they’d shoot it right down so I told her was for back pain.

So now I have to call an acupuncturist and see if they will work with the insurance company. This particular one I have in mind is near my RE office and they do a lot of fertility work. I’m wondering if they will work w/me and not tell the stupid insurance company it’s for TTC. I’m waiting for them to call me back.

Of those of you who have done the treatments, did your insurance cover it?

[pocahontas]

Of those of you who have done the treatments, did your insurance cover it?NO WAY, JOSE!

Well, I take that back...I've been to 3 accupuncturists. The first was an actual MD (holistic doctor) and because she was an MD participating with BCBS my visits to her were covered and she coded the accupuncture into that. But this was 2 years ago and I was not TTC. Fast forward to the past 9 months and I've seen 2 accupuncturists who are highly degreed and all (Dipl.Ac and Masters in Acc.) but because they are not MDs there is ZERO, ZIP, ZILCH, NADA in the way of insurance coverage.

[jjsanner]

I just wanted to share my accupuncture story....

We had been "unexplained" IF for about 18 months. Over the course of treatment through my RE, we did 6 clomid cycles and 1 clomid/IUI cycle. We also suffered two chemical pregnancies. Around this time I started seeing an accupuncturist after reading all of the positive reviews from this thread. I was freaked at first because I have historically been terrified of needles, but after my first visit I was completely hooked! The needles didn't hurt at all, and after all of the IF stress we had dealt with, the relaxation I felt was worth way more than the $85/visit I was forking over. I also did the herbs, as suggested.

I was going weekly for the first month and then cut in back to bi-weekly after that, simply because it was getting to be really expensive. I don't think we did any treatment cycles for the first two months I was seeing her (the accupuncturist), but we were gearing up for our first injectibles cycle. In fact, I had pre-ordered all of the drugs and was simply awaiting AF. Lo and behold, I finally got my BFP and am now almost 17 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby (gender to be determined at our u/s in two weeks!). I think all in all I had been having accupuncture treatments for about 3 months. I am a firm believer that accupuncture had a very big part in getting me pregnant and staying pregnant this time. I would highly encourage anyone who is dealing with IF to seek treatment. It really does work :D .

[docoNY]

jjsanner I am sorry you had to go through such a long ordeal but so happy to hear the good news!

sea my insurance has some sort of coverage - I would pay $30 a visit but it would have to be someone on their list and I wanted to make sure I got someone geared towards fertility which I couldn't tell from the list. So I didn't take them up on it. There was one near me and I couldn't even find it on the street - it looked like was someones apartment!?

[sea74]

My Insurance DOES cover treatments but the center I called said they would NOT work w/my insurance company to cover me. They said as a matter of principal they don't like insurance companies so they won't work with them. :( I totally understand where they are coming from but paying out of pocket when it's a covered and when I'm already going to be paying THOUSANDS for our fertility treatments is just a little much for us :(

Poca Where did you find your holistic doctor? Where can I find a "traditional" doctor who is takes BCBS but also does accupuncture?

[Toonces]

sea74 ~ Our ins did not cover my treatments. Can you ask the acu center if you can make partial payments, then file the ins claim on your own and make final payment to the acu center after you receive reimbursement? I'd imagine if you're paying something, the acu center would take you on as a client (hopefully they would!).

jjsanner ~ That is an amazing story! I'm very happy that acu worked for you. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is healthy and enjoyable. :)

[raven077]

sea, that's what I was going to suggest.. let your insurance carrier know that the acupuncturist that you want to see won't participate (i.e. filing claims) but that you would be able to pay directly to them and file the forms for reimbursement.. see if that flies and get it noted on your file, just in case.

I'm on my DH's insurance, Guardian, and while accupuncture is SUPPOSED to be covered, they haven't paid squat so far this year for that OR my chiro visits. Plus, I'm still fighting with them over my last 6 visits from 2006. They're supposed to pay for 30 visits (chiro and accup both count toward the 30).

<vent> I had to stop both appointments because I can't afford $134 twice a week or even once a week anymore now after having paid out-of-pocket for the whole winter and the majority of last year. It's ridiculous. Why is DH's company paying for coverage that's being denied? I'm so frustrated I could scream. And that practice is out-of-network so it's not like they're even paying 100%! They're only paying for 80%! Augh! :mad: </vent>

[pocahontas]

Poca Where did you find your holistic doctor? Where can I find a "traditional" doctor who is takes BCBS but also does accupuncture?
My MIL recommended her after seeing my bouts of sickness (a non-fertility related reason I went to accu the first time.) But I don't know of any traditional docs who take BCBS AND do accupuncture. The closest thing I've ever seen is a CMD (Chinese Medical Doctor with a medical degree from China) who practices medicine here in my area and is a L.Ac.

[helen22]

DocoNY, would you mind passing on your accupuncturist's name and contact info? I saw from your profile info (is there a proper term for those things? that show # of posts and location?) that you're also in NY - I'm a bit overwhelmed by the number of accupuncturists here and would love to go to one that is a referral. I just started reading this thread - congrats to you on your recent BFP!

[docoNY]

hi helen22
I just sent you a PM with the info - good luck!

[helen22]

thank you!!

[lissy]

A question for you ladies. I'm planning on going to my first RE visit in July. After reading all of the posts about acupuncture, I'm thinking about trying it. Should I wait until after I see the RE? Would it make a difference if I went before? What do you think? Thanks!

[pocahontas]

It could go either way but FWIW I went AFTER my RE visit simply because I wanted a dx from my RE so I could give the accu something to work with rather than walking in and just saying, "I haven't gotten pregnant." I preferred being able to say, "I have fibroids and endo and haven't gotten pregnant in X amount of time". But that's just me...I'm sure some folx have gone before.

[asilversun]

You could do either, though your acupuncturist will probably appreciate having as much info as possible. My BIL is actually an acupuncturist and I asked him this very question and that's what he told me. Good luck!

[j*east]

lissy, I'd go sooner, because for me the acupuncture is so relaxing in and of itself. Also, I have no diagnosis--we're unexplained IF--so going to the RE may not give you any answers. Plus, it can take a cycle or two to develop your diagnosis, and IMO, that's valuable time to spend getting de-stressed at acupuncture. :)

[docoNY]

lissy I would go sooner too - like pp said - its relaxing and it can't hurt to try it out! good luck! and maybe you won't need a RE :)

[lissy]

Thanks ladies for your responses! I'm actually looking forward to it since I keep hearing how relaxing it is. :)

[ivory]

I started acupuncture recently after 2 miscarriages. I've had 2 sessions, and I'm really liking it. My RE recommended it (they have an acupuncturist who works out of their office one day/week) in part because of all my stress and anxiety about ttcing again.

Want to know my favorite thing about my acupuncturist? She and her colleagues totally use FAM. She asked for my charts at the first appt and I said, "Oh no, I didn't bring them. I keep bringing them to appointments, and noone wants to see them." And she said, "Well, your acupuncturist wants to see them!"

Now I'm nearing the end of the 2ww, so here's my question: did you continue acupuncture while pregnant? I have an appointment today, and of course I'll tell her I might be pg, but is it safe in very early pregnancy? As you can imagine, I'm quite nervous about anything affecting a pregnancy.

[j*east]

Now I'm nearing the end of the 2ww, so here's my question: did you continue acupuncture while pregnant? I have an appointment today, and of course I'll tell her I might be pg, but is it safe in very early pregnancy? As you can imagine, I'm quite nervous about anything affecting a pregnancy.

It's completely safe and many continue through pregnancy. Acupuncture really can't hurt you except for occasional bruising from the needles. Other than that, it's really low risk. Your acup'ist will use different points, most likely, at different times in your cycle. Enjoy!

[Soulmate]

Ivory I had multiple m/c's as well and continued acupuncture through my first trimester as well as taking some truly nasty vomit tasting herbs to help sustain the pregnancy (specific to immunity issues which I have) to week 5 (couldn't keep drinking it past then). He tried to treat morning sickness but it never helped. I even had this little pin taped to my earlobe that I was supposed to stim. I can't remember if that was for the m/c or for morning sickness. But it is perfectly safe and really helps you feel like you are doing absolutely everything you can to hold onto your baby.

[ivory]

Thanks Soulmate and j*east--that is reassuring. I did have my appt today, and some of the points hurt more than I've experienced before.

[alootikki]

Can acupuncture cause delayed ovulation / anovulatory cycles?

I'm a little frustrated right now. I started acupuncture this cycle, and have had three sessions. I've also been taking the (nasty) herbs twice a day. I normally ovulate between CD13-16, and now I'm on CD20 and nothing. Literally the only thing different this cycle is the acu and herbs - I've been relaxed, no work stress, etc.

I guess I am wondering if it's acupuncture that just doesn't work for me, or if it's the particular acupuncurist I'm going to. He gets rave reviews in my city(and another CC-er used him too), but I haven't felt totally connected with him, and now I feel like this delayed O / possible anovulatory thing is due to the herbs, maybe?

On my second visit, he said that the treatment was to try to get me to O earlier - which didn't make sense to me since I don't have a delayed O to begin with! He also told me that my overall temps are too low (my coverline is typically 97.6) - which I think is just genetic (my dad also has low body temperature). Finally, he's never explained exactly what the herbs are supposed to do, and hasn't asked me about my overall diet at all either. :confused:

I'm just so frustrated - I tried acupuncture because we weren't getting pregnant with perfect timing and no other known issues (we have gotten pregnant before and I m/c), and I feel like it's screwing up my pretty regular, solid cycle! Has anyone else experienced this? Am I being too impatient, do you think this is a coincidence, or what?!

[Soulmate]

First of all...Congratulations ivory! I am sending you super sticky vibes!

alootikki The cycle I conceived and my first full cycle with acupuncture my coverline was 97.6 and I ovulated the latest ever to that point. I have late ovulation (CD21) but my O was only about 2 days later than normal though. A 97.6 coverline is not bad at all if the temps are relatively flat. My acupuncturist was actually trying to lower my pre-O temps and did so successfully that cycle. My coverline was normally 97.8 or so. Mine never asked me about my diet nor did he ask me to alter it (I eat like crap). But I think delaying O that much is not a good thing and he may have something a bit wrong in his diagnosis. I know my body is incredibly sensitive to supplements and I cannot take EPO or even B-complex vitamins or it will seriously delay my O so it is likely the herbs may be effecting you. I'd talk to him about it and if he doesn't give you a satisfying answer or remedy I'd look for a new one especially since you don't feel 100% comfortable with him.

[alootikki]

Thanks Soulmate for your response! I'm not going to my acu appointment today because I woke up with a stomach bug - I called him to tell him, and then told him that I'm worried the treatment or herbs are having an adverse effect because I haven't O'ed yet, and what did he think could be going on? His response - a very brusque "I have no idea". Well, that makes my decision to drop him that much easier. :mad: I still have to go back to the office and get receipts for my insurance reimbursement - not looking forward to that!

[JJP]

Wow, how unhelpful! It sounds like you need to find someone who is more understanding.

I am seeing an acupuncturist to help with IVF, and she asks quite a few diet, exercise, and lifestyle questions. She also loaned me the book "The Infertility Cure" which is quite interesting. She is the only acupuncturist I've seen, so I don't know how normal this is. Good luck finding someone new!

[mcgwigan]

OK, t'm toying with the idea of trying accupuncture, but my insurance only covers 50% of 10 visits, then I'm on my own.

My questions are: How often did you go to the accupuncturist and has anyone with MF had success that you know of. I know that the stress issue is the big thing with accupuncture, but I'm looking for those accpuncture/MF success stories.

[pocahontas]

MCGWIGAN...do you think you could convince your DH to do accupuncture since your issue is MF? I think it might be more beneficial for him although I wouldn't discourage you from going for treatment too. I got my DH to try 3-4 sessions even though we are not MF and he did enjoy it.
P.S. Got your PM and will get back to you shortly.

[j*east]

Hi mcgwigan!

I go once every week or two. Nothing's happening yet, but it feels nice. :) I can pay for mine with my FSA most of the time, and when I can't, it's $65 a session, which isn't too bad.

As for MF...my DH checked out OK. He went to acupuncture once and liked it, but it's not really his thing, so he hasn't been back.

I think you'll feel the most impact in the first few sessions, so maybe (if you only want to do the 10 sessions) plan them during important treatment cycles?

[mcgwigan]

Poca Thanks- The thought of having DH do acupuncture crossed my mind, but I really don't think I'd be able to get him to go, especially with the good weather months being his busy months for work, he complains about having to go spit in a cup once a month as it is.:rolleyes: I'm waiting to see how this cycle went before I bring up anything like that with him. I'll probably really get on his case to stop smoking !! Maybe he can get accupuncture for that- we'll slip the fertility issue in there!:)

[NotDesperate]

bump

[helen22]

not sure what info you're looking for with the bump, but just thought I would come back and mention that I had a great experience with accupuncture.

also regarding DH, since that was the last topic discussed in this thread - I did the herbs as well as the needles, and my accupuncturist prescribed herbs for DH as well based on my description of him (he had such low counts that the dr recommended we go straight to IUI - but then inexplicably got a BFP before we went that route).

I thought the accupuncture sessions themselves were really wonderful - intense and relaxing all at once.

[hiphopgirl]

Thanks to NotDesperate for bumping this thread. I'd never seen it before. I've been thinking about going, and now seeing this thread it feels like the stars are telling me to go ASAP.

My question just regards the timing of when I should go. I expect to O in the next 7 days. Is it okay to go after O or do they prefer to see you at the beginning of your cycle? I'm not sure how hard it is to get an appointment so I am just assuming that it will be awhile before I can get in.

[Soulmate]

hiphopgirl My first appointment was after O. He didn't start specialized treatment until AF came but focused on "holding in" any potential pregnancy (I had multiple m/c's). I would assume that those treatments would also help increase progesterone which would also benefit the next cycle. The herbs were standard and not specialized to my specific treatment (pills and not custom mixed herbs). But I conceived my son my first time Oing using acupuncture in my 16th cycle TTC.

I will say, for those looking to go, that you have a choice with regard to pain. My acupuncturist said that hard-core traditional acupuncture is really painful but much more effective. The more pain the more effective it is (not saying if it is not painful it is not effective as all acupuncture is effective). I went a moderate route as pain does not bother me. When I say pain, it is more discomfort and some points will feel like you have a slight muscle cramp or electric shock feeling. You do not feel the needles at all but will feel the effects the needles are having on the meridian. If you have a decent threshold for pain it would probably be worth talking about with your acupuncturist.

Also to add that a lot of people do not know. Your acupuncturist can tell when you are pregnant before it will register on an HPT *and* tell you the gender. It has to do with how your pulse feels and which side of your body it feels that way (left is boy I think).

[Amie]

I'm not sure if I have posted here before, but in case I haven't...

I had to do fertility treatments with both of my kids but much more with my first. Anyway, after 1.5 years trying to get pg with conventional drugs I added acupuncture. That next month I got PG with my son.

This time around I had had two chemical pregnancies and so I decided to go back. I joked with my acupuncture doc that I needed him to 'keep me pregnant' - that month I conceived again and now I'm 19 weeks!

I truly believe in it!

[hiphopgirl]

Soulmate - Thanks, that helps a lot. I have had 2 m/c so "holding it in" is a big deal for me. I figure even if I don't need it to get me pregnant, I might still consider it to help me stay that way.

Amie - I loved your story too. I think I'm a believer before my first appointment.

[Heather719]

Hi Ladies-

I posted my glowing recommendation for acu on the first page and wanted to post a quick update. After my 3rd m/c, I conceived my son (now a very busy toddler) with the help of acu alone! I truly cannot say enough good things about acupuncture.

And now- it seems, there is a study to help back my recommendation up, esp for those dealing with IF. Read the article here (http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1246954/study_acupuncture_improves_ivf_success/).

I hope all those struggling have as positive as an outcome as I did.

-Heather

[Golightly]

Hi everyone.

My husband and I have been TTC for 10 months now.

DH has done an SA and the results were within normal limits (his motility was 50% but his count was double the normal at over 80 million.)

I did an HSG and my tubes are wide open for business. My cycles tend to be long (between 34-40 days) and I usually ovulate around day 22. Basically, borderline...

DH, OB/GYN, and myself agreed to start Clomid at one year (in two months.)

After yet another failed cycle. I really feel like I need to do something else. I've heard really positive things about acupuncture and have a friend who had great success with it after a miscarriage (she only did acupuncture, no drugs or ART).

I would really like to give it a try for the next two months and see if it helps before we go to the Clomid.

My husband is resistant to spend $300 a month (for weekly treatments.) He agreed to it if I can produce references and success rates for the practitioner I want to use.

I hoping for some advice about how to choose a acupuncturist, what to ask and where to find this "proof" my DH needs.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Cheers!

[Soulmate]

Golightly Your situation sounds identical to mine but DH was never tested so I have no idea what his issue was. I ovulated ~CD21 with a 10-11 day LP. I tried 3 cycles of Clomid and my HSG was clear as well. It took me 16 cycles to conceive DS and did so on the first cycle using acupuncture. I justified the cost because my next step w/o acupuncture would have been injectibles and those run ~$1500/cycle I believe. I also couldn't justify ART emotionally because there was nothing really wrong with me (O'ing that late is a hormone issue but you don't always need drugs to fix that).

If DH is really hard pressed against acupuncture I highly highly highly recommend googling "The Fertility Diet". I think it is a book too but you can find bullet points on the 'net. But since cutting out almost all refined sugar (I was a candy freak pre-DS), switching to full fat cheese and cutting it out significantly, and adding honey to my tea instead of sugar my O date changed from CD21 faithfully to CD18 and my LP has lengthened to 11/12 days. I never would have thought changing such little things would have impacted my cycles in such a big way or else I would have tried that before going to the acupuncturist. But that diet is mostly for those with ovulation issues.

ETA: Go to a acupuncturist that has a specialty in infertility. Other than that I have no idea as my area has very few acupuncturists so pickings were slim.

[Golightly]

Thanks so much for your input. It does sound like we have similar cycles.

I was actually really surprised that my doctor's office called back with two names. I guess they recently affiliated with a midwife practice and they recommended these acupuncture practices.

I've spent the last several hours digging up research about how acupuncture stimulates the circulation and can help regulate hormones. I have terrible circulation, and rosacea (a skin condition) that can also be related to circulation.

I think that just the fact that my doctor actually had someone to refer to me will help. I would much rather do this than start down the scary, slippery slope of drugs and ART.

So now I have two names from my doctor and one that I found on my own. I've been calling them asking about what their practice entails and how much of their practice is devoted to fertility issues.

I will definitely check out the fertility diet. Thanks!

[hiphopgirl]

GoLightly - I just started going a couple of weeks ago. I found out that I have LPD (was never diagnosed by OB with this affliction). She recommended that I read "The Infertility Cure". I just finished it last week. I think you will learn a lot about Acupuncture and the benefits by reading the book. You will also learn about things that you can do re: diet/lifestyle that can help increase your chances. They also talk a lot about Clomid and how Clomid is actually counterproductive for certain things even though it is given to everyone. I highly, highly suggest you read the book before going on Clomid if for nothing else. I'm not pregnant yet, so I'm not a case study for the book, but it has given me the confidence to believe that I can get pregnant on my own without drugs. Of course if I'm still not pregnant a few months from now I may be singing a different tune ;)

[Scooter]

Figured I should come back and update on our 2nd attempt at acpuncture. We started TTC#2 with fertility treatments in November, and were unsuccessful. Apparently even on injectable meds I have really short LPs (it was 8 days). We took a little break, I started acupuncture with herbs in January and then dropped the herbs in February while we started the injectables again. Tried hCG shots in the LP, but it looked like the cycle was about to end early again so I panicked and started progesterone. Got my BFP a few days later. I don't think it was just the progesterone, I truly believe that acupuncture helped this time just like it helped us conceive DD. Plus, in the November cycle I had some pretty intense side effects while taking the stims--like a few days of debilitating nausea--and while doing the acupuncture I only felt a couple twinges of queasiness. Barely any side effects from the meds, really.

Also, I should add that I have kept going, and right away after my BFP I lost my appetite. After literally 10 minutes of lying on the acupuncture table, I was so hungry that I couldn't meditate. All I could do was make long lists of the food I would eat when I got home. When he came back to take the needles out, he said, "Take your time getting up" and I replied "I can't, I have to rush out of here and go to a restaurant." Which I honestly did. Luckily, the points for nausea are also good for creating a welcoming womb environment for the baby and for supporting early pregnancy.

[Golightly]

I just had my first acupuncture treatment yesterday. I already had a preliminary appointment to do an in-take and discuss my history and symptoms but we didn't do a treatment that day.

I thought it might be helpful for anyone else wondering considering this if I re-posted the entry from my LiveJournal.

Acupuncture Appointment #2 3.10.2008

I had my first real treatment yesterday.

I have to admit to being a little bit nervous about it. my practitioner (I'll call him P) was great, he actually reminds me more a western medical doctor. He wears button down shirts and nice pants and shoes and just sort of has that doctor demeanor about him.

I got there and the receptionist showed me into a room with a massage-type table on it. She told me to take off my shoes and socks and get on the table on my back. Then she turned on some music... It was birds and gongs and drums and probably too loud. I concentrated on trying to relax.

P came in and asked me if anything was bothering me specifically, I mentioned that my lower back was tight and that I had been having some numbness in my left big toe.

He spent several minutes "listening" to the pulse in my wrist on either hand. Then he put in the first needles. He started on my left hand and put one in my wrist and one in that sensitive area between your thumb and index finger. It felt like a mosquito bite and then nothing. Except for that sensitive area on my right hand. That one pinched going in and I stayed very "aware" of it throughout the treatment. When he was finished I had a needle in each foot (maybe two, I couldn't see) two in each hand and one on my forehead.

P said he was going to "let me be" for a while and left the room. I knew that now was the time to relax and really get into my body. I was really curious about what I would feel.

I closed my eyes and my brain was quickly crowded with the sounds of a cacophony of gongs and birds and drums. Note to self: definitely make a point of asking for either different music or to turn the gongs down. In between tracks, I could hear the soothing reception area music (Enya) and quiet voices talking and much preferred that.

I eventually managed to get past it and started to concentrate on the points that were being stimulated. The really pinchy one in my right hand felt very heavy. I didn't feel anything in the other points right away, but after a few minutes I felt an area of energy or something... a kind of flush, but cool feeling, that spread out over the the surrounding area. I especially liked that sensation on my forehead.

I have no idea how much time passed before P came back. He discussed my diet a little bit and said that from the notes I gave him at my last appointment I was on the right track. I need to eliminate all refined carbs and white flour, as well as really limit all carbs anyway. I need to switch to all organic, hormone-free foods (eggs, dairy, meat, etc.) and should really limit dairy. he also said that I should try to eat warm food.

P said that the pattern he was treating was Ki Yan, or Kidney Yang Deficiency. Ki Yan is related to my short luteal phase, long follicular phase, my cold hands/feet (and the fact I'm usually just cold in general.)

Next, P added a number of other needles to the ones already in place. He added one more to each wrist, another to each foot, inside my calf and the inside of my knee. He put two low on my abdomen and another one in my head somewhere. I'm interested to find out which points he was using, but I couldn't see them all. Again, he left to "let me be."

I took a few more minutes to block out the gongs, birds, and drums and then I focused on getting back into my body to pay attention to what was going on. Again, that point on my right hand was the most "active." I also felt that entire limb going cold. P said this was not unusual (he doesn't like to use "normal.")

You know that feeling when you're floating on your back in a pool for a long time and you feel like your arms and feet aren't attached any more and that they are just floating away from you? I felt like that in my arms. I also picked up on something of a perceived rolling motion up my legs into my abdomen, mostly on my left side. I still had that nice, flush/cool sensation on my forehead. Except for the cold and numb right hand, everything was very very subtle. I had to really pay attention to notice anything at all. While I couldn't feel actual needles, I was very aware of the areas where they were placed.

I don't know if it was the awful music, or the lights being on, or just me being hyper-aware. But I never felt incredibly relaxed. I was comfortable, but not blissed out like during a massage or facial or anything. My brain was pretty active, but I think partly due to the pre-yoga class meditation group I did, I was able to keep all the brain activity focused on my body.

I did notice that as I laid there I felt my body temperature drop and I was cold by the end (I was feeling too warm at the beginning.) Next time I'm going to take the receptionist up on her offer to turn on a heating pad in the table.

Again, I have no idea how much time passed before P came back in and began to remove the needles. As he removed the needles, he wiped the spot with a cool pad (alcohol or something, most likely.) I couldn't feel them coming out, but I noticed that I continued to have the tingling sensation there, like there was a bug biting me or something was itching me.

He took the one out of my forehead and dabbed it several extra times and then gently touched the top of my head several times. If there was a needle in my scalp, I had no idea he put it there. For some reason, it was very soothing and I felt like he was really considering my whole person for a minute there.

(Bet y'all didn't guess I could be so "crunchy," huh?)

P said that he wants me to call him as soon as I ovulate because he'll have some herbs for me. He told me to set up a weekly time for regular acupuncture treatments as well. Everything he was saying basically was hinting that I need to settle in for the long haul. I think that he is actually excited about working with someone who is trying to conceive naturally. The bulk of his patients are doing various forms of ART or fertility drugs.

After he left the room I actually checked all over to make sure there weren't any needles still in me as I put my shoes on. I still felt that weird pricking, itching sensation at all the needle points. It wasn't enough to bother me, I just noticed it.

I took a moment and did a quick assessment... For once, my face and cheeks didn't feel hot and uncomfortable (because of my severe rosecea.) That one point on my right hand hurt a little. I suddenly had crazy post-nasal drip. I felt a little out of it.

I also felt very "quiet." I knew that DH and my mom were both anxious to hear what my treatment was like and that I had promised to call them on my way home, but I really didn't feel like talking to anyone. Nor did I have any words to really describe the experience at that point. Everything was feelings and sensations, no words.

By the time I got home, the post-nasal drip was still pretty bad and my throat was getting sore, I had the beginning of a bruise on the right hand point and I still felt the itchy, bitey sensations at each point.

After dinner I crashed on the couch and realized that I was really tired, like I'd just run a 5K or something. You know, that good, slightly slow, tired feeling? By 10:00 I couldn't keep my eyes open and went to bed and slept like an absolute baby.

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and more crazy post-nasal drip. I also have some new, rather large pustules (sorry, totally gross) on my cheeks and the rosecea seems redder and more inflamed than ever. I also have nice bruise at the point on my right hand and my legs felt a little heavy and tired.

Overall, I feel calm though. I think that the post-nasal issues are probably all the gunk draining from my sinuses which are usually in a constant state of minor congestion (whether this is due to the acupuncture or the nasal irrigator P has me using every day, I don't know.) I also think (and hope) that my skin is bringing all the bad stuff up to the surface to clear. I definitely feel less burning and flushing in my cheeks. They are actually cool to the touch for a change.

I still feel the occasional tingle where the needles where. More so as I've been typing this and thinking about the treatment.

- Cycle-wise, I woke up the morning of the treatment to a big temp drop and very clear CM... on day 12. I need to remember to do an OPK to see if I actually ovulated 10 days early. How crazy would that be!? I mentioned it to P and he said "see, I don't even have to touch you!" He was kidding of course. But we'll see. My temp was back to regular pre-O (not elevated) levels this morning, so who knows.

And I think that's it. Aside from the not so great music, I feel great about my practitioner and really positive about this experience. I'm especially feeling warm and fuzzy about the concept of focusing on my health and wellness, which in turn will create a nice little nest for our hopeful baby. I've shifted my focus from just getting pregnant, to encouraging a natural, healthy pregnancy. Honestly, part of me almost hopes I don't get lucky this cycle so that I'll have a chance to let some of the changes I'm instituting take hold first.

ETA:
On a hunch, I just did an OPK test... and it was positive for LH surge. On day 13! The earliest I have every ovulated so far has been day 20, so this is pretty interesting. Since my temp dipped the morning before my first acu appointment, I highly doubt that my session yesterday brought this on... but who knows.

Now I just need to watch for a temp rise and then call P.

[Golightly]

Sorry!

I just realized how long-winded this is... Let me know if I should delete.

[Soulmate]

That sounds awesome GoLightly if you are ovulating that early. It sounds like, overall, a really good experience. I would mention the post-nasal drip and aggravated rosacia next time as it may alter his diagnosis and/or what points he uses. I hope this is it for you and if not you get a bit more healthier.

[Twylla]

I tried acupuncture. I really really wanted it to work, but it didn't.

What it did help me with was the side-effects of the clomid. By the time I started acupuncture, 2-3 times a week, We were in a last ditch attempt with clomid, then ready for the IVF waitlist. Acupucture did relax me, and helped with a few other general problems I had. For me, it didn't improve the quality or quantity of cervical mucus (clomid dries it up, and I was on a LOT), but it might have helped the clomid, since I did ovulate. (Of course, I was so dry, nothing was swimming anywhere in there!)

Do I regret trying it? Nope. It wasn't a bad experience, and it truly did relax me. We planned for me to go back prior to starting IVF meds, but... a BFP snuck up on us after stopping all meds, all treatments, and had accepted that IVF was the right procedure for us. Just thought I'd put in my two cents. :)

[Golightly]

It was a great experience.

Honestly, I think that the ovulation started before the treatment.

I do think that the treatment brought the bigger pustules on with my Rosecea, but I haven't felt my face flush since the treatment. I think that it's a little like cystic acne and it gets a little worse as everything deep down works it's way to the surface, before it gets better.

However, the post-nasal drip has turned into a miserable sinus infection. I didn't sleep at all last night, even with my head all propped up.

And now, that I've ovulated and there's a chance that we conceived, I really don't want to take anything. Does anyone have any suggestions that might bring a little relief?

[Soulmate]

GoLightly You can take anything you want right now and it will be safe. The baby doesn't attach to your bloodstream until like 18DPO so well after a BFP. But if you don't want to do that you can use saline nose spray. Actually your best bet is a Neti Pot (http://www.sinucleanse.com/netipotlanding.htm?source=google&group=neti&campaign=1) which is a bit weird but is said to practically cure allergies and sinusitis with regular use (my claim nothing scientific ;) ). But saline helps "disinfect" and cleanse your sinuses in whichever way you get it up there.

Twylla I'm sorry acupuncture didn't work but holy cow! Congratulations on your little miracle baby. I guess he/she wanted to be conceived their way. Maybe they will be that opinionated once they get here ;)

[Golightly]

Soulmate
Thanks for your input. I have actually been using a NeilMed nasal irrigation kit, which does the same thing as the neti pot, but with a squirt bottle... the problem is that all kinds of saline goes up, but not much is coming out for some reason. I honestly think that this contributed to the excess mucous that caused post-nasal drip that could have been exacerbated by my acupuncture treatment and then progressed to a lovely, bright yellow-green snotty sinus infection. (sorry, really gross.)

I called my acupuncturist (he has to do my post-ovulation herbs anyway) and he is going to do a second mixture for this sinus issue and we scheduled an acupuncture treatment for tomorrow in case I'm still this miserable.

Because we're really working to extend my LP and get my hormones in balance he asked me not to take any drugs.

Good to know that drugs are safe until implantation. I'm going to try to go all natural tonight and tomorrow. If things are still awful tomorrow night, I'm all over the NyQuil.

[Twylla]

Golightly I had a nasty sinus infection last week, shortly after getting a BFP. I was in such roug shape my doc put me on an anti-biotic, so if it keeps up, a call to the doc can't hurt!

Soulmate Thanks! I think you're right... I'm bracing for one stubborm baby! :D

[JessicaT]

I had my first acupuncture appointment last night. My practicioner specializes in fertility. I don't like saying infertility, since I'm only on my 5th cycle and don't have a diagnosis of anything, but I had noticed my LP was a little short and just had a feeling that getting pregnant was going to take a long time.

My appointment was about an hour of interview, looking at my tongue and feeling my pulse, and then a half hour of acupuncture. After the interview, I asked her if I had anything treatable, and she said that I sounded pretty much like classic kidney yang deficiency. I looked that up when I got home and it was pretty accurate - basically a total description of my general state of being - it was pretty fascinating. I read the list of symptoms to my husband and he was also shocked, since he thought acupuncture is pretty much all hocus pocus. He was already supportive, but now he is super supportive - it really converted him!

So, I feel pretty good about this decision, it seems to validate my suspicion that things were not quite right and offers a treatment plan.

She didn't really say too much about diet, other than eating organic, lots of vegetables and whole grains, which I already do, and avoiding sugar, which I'm already trying to do and struggling with. From my reading it seems that kidney yang is usually recommended to eat warm foods, so I'm not sure if she's just trying not to give me way too much information at the first session or something. I usually eat a lot of cold meals though so I'm going to have to work on that too. Anyone else with kidney yang deficiency that has more specific advice?

The actual acupuncture was interesting - it was kind of hard to relax as I could feel the needles in my wrists. They didn't hurt - one was a little stingy and the other one made my hand icy cold. The other ones (ankles, belly, scalp) I couldn't feel at all.

[Twylla]

Jessica... no suggestions, as I had just the opposite: a yin deficiency! lol. I'm glad you're feeling positive about treatments!

[tunibell]

Intrigued by the very promising changes that have been happening in Golightly's cycles since beginning acupuncture, I decided to make an appointment with a TCM practitioner. DH and I have been trying to get the second kiddo on board for almost a year now, with no success. I generally O late in the cycle (earliest ever is Day 18; my DD was conceived on Day 19, and Day 20 is my earliest postpartum O) and have a brutally short LP - I've never had a charted one past 9 days, and postpartum they are more like 7-8 days. Plus, I appear to have a calcified "remnant of conception" (tissue, placenta, etc) hanging out in my uterus, possibly acting like an IUD and inflamming the whole business (I am having it removed next month). On top of all of this, I've had unbelievable anxiety ever since starting to wean my DD, and I have an injury to my spine (from running) that has been hanging around for a year.

I'm not sure what I expected, but I must say that my first time was a wild, wild ride. I would not really describe the experience as relaxing - it was almost electrifying. When the practitioner put the two final needles in my left ear, I felt an unbelievable surge of pure panic flood my whole body, like it was rushing from my head to my toes. It was fairly freaksome, but subsided after a minute or two (which was good, because for a moment there I wasn't sure I'd be able to stay!). The other interesting part was all the action around the points above my ovaries - at times, it almost felt like I was being kicked in the ovary. I was diagnosed with Heart and Liver Stagnation, and am taking herbs (not as ad as I thought) and am planning to return weekly.

[JessicaT]

I never updated after my first acupuncture appointment - this week is my fourth. I started taking herbs during week two and they were pretty bad - they first week they tasted like mud and the second week they tasted like extra bitter mud, I think she changed up the formula a little. Having really low expectations for the herbs definitely helped.

So, the exciting news is that it definitely worked because I am pregnant! I was not expecting to get pregnant on the first acupuncture cycle, so I am basically in shock.

I think I'm going to continue until we hear the heartbeat. I mean who can really say it was definitely the acupuncture, right? Maybe it was something else or just luck this month. But it definitely did not hurt and an irrational part of me thinks my practicioner is a magician.

[Soulmate]

I'm not sure what I expected, but I must say that my first time was a wild, wild ride. I would not really describe the experience as relaxing - it was almost electrifying. When the practitioner put the two final needles in my left ear, I felt an unbelievable surge of pure panic flood my whole body, like it was rushing from my head to my toes. It was fairly freaksome, but subsided after a minute or two (which was good, because for a moment there I wasn't sure I'd be able to stay!). The other interesting part was all the action around the points above my ovaries - at times, it almost felt like I was being kicked in the ovary. I was diagnosed with Heart and Liver Stagnation, and am taking herbs (not as ad as I thought) and am planning to return weekly.I know it was unsettling but it means the acupuncturist is being aggressive which is good and probably what you needed. I hope it ends well for you.

Congratulations JessicaT! I had a similar experience. I was expecting it to just show an effect in 3 cycles but I wound up pregnant in the first.

[docoNY]

this is a flyby post - just in case someone was reading in here & on the fence about starting acupuncture

I started it probably this time last year and got pg in the first round/cycle - I did have a mc but don't relate that to acupuncture at all.. we had been trying for 10m prior to that

I was allowed to try right away again after the mc and I went weekly to my acupuncturist over a 10-12 wk period or so and was pg again by the 3rd cycle after the mc (due 6/20) so I feel very positive about the whole experince

AND I just sent a friend that has been trying for 6m to my acupuncturist and she is pg already! its early of course but she enjoyed the process like me and hoping for the best for her

and congrats to you too JessicaT

[JessicaT]

I went to see my acupuncturist tonight and she said my pulse was slippery - aka pregnant. Crazy! So weird to have an actual real-life person confirm this. I'm starting to think the hpt's are faking me out since I have no other pregnancy symptoms other than my apparently slippery pulse.

soulmate - that's exactly what i expected! at least 3 cycles.

[Soulmate]

JessicaT She can also tell you the gender now if you want to know.

[JessicaT]

soulmate - Really! That I did not know. I will definitely ask next week!

[Golightly]

Congratulations to JessicaT!

Tunibell, I'm psyched that I helped you make a decision about acupuncture! the first time you do it, it is very strange, isn't? I actually napped yesterday though.

I just started cycle three with acupuncture and herbs. My charts are still looking great so maybe this will be the one!

I was pretty frustrated that we didn't get lucky this last cycle. My practitioner reminded me that he's really pleased with my progress.

He also pointed that there are three parts to TCM and fertility. The first part is up to me and my lifestyle with diet, getting enough rest, managing stress, etc. The second part is up to him and everything that he does for me. The third part is up to nature. He pointed out that we can control 2/3 of the process, but that last bit is out of our hands.

For some reason that was reassuring.

[Eight]

Just another proponent of acupuncture chiming in. I started treatments in March, coincidentally at the beginning of my cycle (just dumb luck that is when the appt fell).

I had had a miscarriage in December at about 8/9 weeks. I started using the CBEFM in January, my first cycle after the m/c. For the first two cycles, I would get peak readings at day 18/19 and my cycles were getting longer than ever before. For the third cycle, I started acupuncture and herbs (in capsule form, easy to take!). I got peak readings on day 14/15 and got pregnant.

I always spot several days before I get my period and was hoping acupuncture would help with that, but somehow I managed to get pregnant, even though I started spotting at about 10 days past ovulation (estimated) and am still spotting off and on (and my progesterone levels are fine), so who knows.

I really think the acupuncture eased my anxiety...in fact, I really want to schedule some treatments now b/c I still have a lot of anxiety just from the previous m/c.

Ok, this is long and rambling, but my point is, I found acupuncture useful to me and my peace of mind. And it seemed to help regulate my cycles just like Golightly mentioned (granted after one time, but the switch was startling. I had one high day and then bam, two peaks).

[hiphopgirl]

JessicaT - Congratulations. That is quite a success story.

GoLightly - I know what you mean. That last 1/3 (the nature part) is what's killing me. Here's hoping that nature is on our side soon :)

[Golightly]

hiphopgirl, Amen, sister.

[Kelly's Girl]

Does anyone have updates?

I had my first acupuncture appointment yesterday, and I'm totally in awe. He told me my cervix was tilted (it is) and scarred (from 2x laser surgery) and that my left ovary may have cysts (it's never produced an egg.) Wow! He also said my body was out of sync and perhaps my over-active immune system was causing my m/c. He put me on some balancing herbs and I'm going back on Monday. I already can't wait! He said that he will be able to tell a change soon, and that he fully believes this will help me conceive and keep #2!

Thanks Golightly for the suggestion in my other thread. I would never have thought of acupuncture, and now I'm certain that this is the thing for me!

[NotDesperate]

Kelly's Girl, that is amazing! I hope you get great results~


Question: Does anyone know if acupuncture can help a man increase his sperm count? My DH got results of his SA and the count was really low but morphology and motility were good. I was considering the acupuncturist for me but all my tests are coming back great so maybe if we spend the money, it should be for DH. I know it would be good for his stress and making him relax which would help but can acupuncture help specifically to increase sperm count? TIA :)

[Soulmate]

NotDesperate I am 90% sure it can but it is definitely worth a call to the acupuncturist. With either TCM (herbs to help issues) and/or acupuncture I'm sure they can address the low count.

[akacharlotte]

The practictioner I consulted with wants to see me 3-4 timesa week. At $75/visit that is more than I care to spend per week. I haven't made an appointment because of the amount of visits. For those that have done acupuncture or are currently undergoing treatment, how often are you being treated?

[richgal]

akacharlotte -- I go 1-2 times per week, depending on where I am in my cycle.

[adamseve]

I've had a positive experience with acupuncture and TCM and would highly recommend it.

As for # of visits, I go 1x/week. 3 or 4x seems like a lot, but I guess it all depends on your needs.

[NotDesperate]

Thanks Soulmate!

[Soulmate]

The practictioner I consulted with wants to see me 3-4 timesa week. At $75/visit that is more than I care to spend per week. I haven't made an appointment because of the amount of visits. For those that have done acupuncture or are currently undergoing treatment, how often are you being treated?Mine wanted me to go about that much pre-O to get my O date sooner and then I tapered to about 1x/wk during my LP. My acupuncturist was cool though because he didn't charge me each visit and I think I paid for just 1 visit/week.

[Heather719]

Hi Ladies- bumping this up to share a new study (http://living.health.com/2008/11/21/cant-get-pregnant-try-acupuncture/)that shows undergoing acupuncture treatments in conjunction with IVF may lead to 26% more pregnancies.

[NotDesperate]

oooooo thanks for posting!

[Kelly's Girl]

I should have followed up on this thread. I went once a week up until when I *think* I o'ed, and then I think once after that. And I got pg! (Went a total of about 4 times.)

Heather, thanks for bumping this and posting that study!

[ktnkids]

*bump*

Just wondering if anyone is still around. I'm considering the acu after TTCing for 3 years and 3 m/cs. I don't really want to do injectibles and all of that b/c my body has gotten pg in the past and acu was reccomended by someone @ work.

[Twylla]

*bump*

Just wondering if anyone is still around. I'm considering the acu after TTCing for 3 years and 3 m/cs. I don't really want to do injectibles and all of that b/c my body has gotten pg in the past and acu was reccomended by someone @ work.

I'm so sorry you've been going through so much. I did TTC for 3 years, but never had to go through a mc. I tried some accupuncture, as recommended by my RE. It didn't make a difference to me in terms of TTC, but it did help in other ways now that I think back to it. It helped me to relax, which is nice, but more importantly, it allowed me to feel proactive about things. This was before we'd made the decision to try IVF, and I NEEDED to feel like I was doing something. The major drawback for us was the cost, and we stopped when we went on the IVF waitlist since we wanted to save some $$ for acu during the IVF process .

Good luck!

[ktnkids]

Thanks Twylla! I feel like I'm being proactive in doing this. We've already decided on not doing injectibles or IVF so this would likely be one of the more expensive things I'd be doing.

[hope0805]

ktnkids ~ I did acu while going through IF treatment and can give some perspective to the extent you are asking for it. We did not have to do IVF but I did it through several unmedicated cycles and then two Clomid/IUI cycles. I cannot say whether it made a bit of difference with TTC but it did make me feel proactive and overall, better. You should check your insurance and the state laws on acupuncture and other non-traditional therapy - I am in VA and my insurance says it will only cover acu when provided by an M.D. (at least here very few acupuncturists are M.D.s) but the law here is that an insurance company cannot deny coverage for services provided by a practitioner licensed to perform the service by the state. So 50% of my appointments are covered, which helps with the cost. Also, if you are really looking at this from a TTC perspective rather than just overall health, you should inquire as to the extent to which the acupuncturist is trained in infertility/female health issues. Some are - and will do different needle placements at different points in your cycle - while some are not. With those that are not, the risk is that some of the points they use could be dangerous to a pregnancy-in-progress before you know you are pregnant (i.e., you don't want to be encouraging 'downward' blood flow towards your uterus when you have an embryo attempting to implant, sort of like the same reason they say no foot massages during the first trimester). Good luck, and just remember, the fact that you decide to try it doesn't mean you have to stick with it!

[j*east]

I think acu helped us to conceive after 20 months because I felt healthier and more relaxed overall. BUT...we started acupuncture around 1/2007 and didn't conceive until 11/2007, so it was not an overnight success. I think it's one of many factors that helped us, but who knows. It definitely felt good and reduced my stress level, so I recommend it to anyone.

[ktnkids]

Hope and J*east-thanks for the input.

I'm pretty sure acu isn't covered by my insurance but I will check. The acu-ist I'm thinking of going to was recommended to me by someone who went thru IVF and everything and her RE recommended her as she's done a lot of fertility treatments. I'm also hoping it may help w/ my well-being. Altho I don't feel overly stressed I do get pretty pissed and jealous @ all the preggos I work w/ (there's about 15).

[Twylla]

Hope and J*east-thanks for the input.

I'm pretty sure acu isn't covered by my insurance but I will check. The acu-ist I'm thinking of going to was recommended to me by someone who went thru IVF and everything and her RE recommended her as she's done a lot of fertility treatments. I'm also hoping it may help w/ my well-being. Altho I don't feel overly stressed I do get pretty pissed and jealous @ all the preggos I work w/ (there's about 15).

Your feelings of jealousy are completely normal, I promise. The green monster is possibly the worst part of putting on a happy face. I'm glad you're not feeling stressed though. It sounds like you've found a good acu'ist for yourself, and I hope it helps you. I went crazy around other preggos too.... hopefully they all go on mat leave soon so you can relax. ;)

[Scooter]

bump