Acupuncture - Anyone else tried? I started today!

[SabrinaKat]

Just to let you know -- I did a course of acupuncuture (twice a week for four months) in preparation for IVF, but got pregnant naturally in June (am 28wks tomorrow); tried to do the tea/herbs, couldn't manage for more than a day or two, but it really relaxed me alot (also pre-IVF bloods showed I had an underactive thyroid and with a bit of western and eastern medicine mixed together, was successful (so far)!

best wishes

 

[Flipperty]

Just to let you know -- I did a course of acupuncuture (twice a week for four months) in preparation for IVF, but got pregnant naturally in June (am 28wks tomorrow); tried to do the tea/herbs, couldn't manage for more than a day or two, but it really relaxed me alot (also pre-IVF bloods showed I had an underactive thyroid and with a bit of western and eastern medicine mixed together, was successful (so far)!

best wishes

Wow, huge congratulations

SO pleased for you - IVF was going to be our next port of call, but when my sister told us what she'd heard about acupuncture we figured it was worth a try soooo a week ago today we started it. These positive responces are SO good to hear..

How long were you going before you fell pregnant and what medication were you taking? xxx

 

[Pinkorblue11]

It's great to see so many positive responses! My first appointment is next week and I can't wait.

Good luck to you, Flipperty!

I agree, this has really given me a boost after being treated so badly through the hospital and getting me feeling so low ...

Please keep us updated with your sessions pink or blue - will be good to hear how you find it.

When do you start? xx

I know what you mean about the hospital style of treatment..

I'll be more than happy to let you all know. I start on the 14th and then from there, I'll see how often I'll need to come back.

 

[SabrinaKat]

I went from Feb to May (acupuncture- 20 sessions), thryoid medication adjusted May, got pregnant in June, also did two sessions of reflexology in JUne; also, took the usual pre-pregnancy vitamins/folic acid -- but we had been trying since a mc in August 2009 (really trying since May/JUne 2010)....who knows whether it was the acunpuncture, but as I said, it really relaxed me and made me feel that I was doing something 'proactive' rather than just agonising every month!

best wishes

 

[Flipperty]

It's great to see so many positive responses! My first appointment is next week and I can't wait.

Good luck to you, Flipperty!

I agree, this has really given me a boost after being treated so badly through the hospital and getting me feeling so low ...

Please keep us updated with your sessions pink or blue - will be good to hear how you find it.

When do you start? xx

I know what you mean about the hospital style of treatment..

I'll be more than happy to let you all know. I start on the 14th and then from there, I'll see how often I'll need to come back.

Well good luck - I am sure you'll love it - please keep us updated on here

Have you been through hospital too? We feel we were really messed about - learnt more from the lovely people on here than i ever did at hospital... felt we were just a number....

 

[Flipperty]

I went from Feb to May (acupuncture- 20 sessions), thryoid medication adjusted May, got pregnant in June, also did two sessions of reflexology in JUne; also, took the usual pre-pregnancy vitamins/folic acid -- but we had been trying since a mc in August 2009 (really trying since May/JUne 2010)....who knows whether it was the acunpuncture, but as I said, it really relaxed me and made me feel that I was doing something 'proactive' rather than just agonising every month!

best wishes

We have just booked 6 sessions to start, they recommended 12... will just see how they go and go from there.

All my tests came back ok/normal so they say there is nothing to treat? They did put me on Clomid and then metformin, but all they did was give me side effects, totally mess up my cycles and shorten my periods to 2 days!


We have been ttc for approx 18 months now. We started at hospital March/April this year, finished when hubby told him what they thought to them at last appointment last month... Saw different gyne all but one time!

I agree totally this does make me feel I am doing something proactive too, so good to hear your story

 

[Nikki Leigh]

Nikki, if you don't mind sharing ( happy to talk via pm ) it'd be interesting to know what herbs you are on - not sure what she will suggest next week? Do you speak to you NHS GP about it? I go see my GP tomorrow and I will tell her I have started.

I'm actually not sure what herbs I'm on. She gives me powdered herbs that she say what they are (I haven't asked her). I take them twice daily (or 3x, depending on which I'm taking). I know they are supposed to regulate hormones, tonify the blood, and I also have been prescribed bu zhong yi chi wan tea pills. Now I know what I take from my naturapath, who works in tandem with my acupuncturist.

From the naturapath: Himalayan salt sole, two meds for adrenal fatigue, one dessicated thyroid med, vitamin d (5K iu), selenium, folic, another type of thyroid supplement, dessicated ovary supplement. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil, along with hemp oil, coconut oil. I take a LOT of meds, one-three times daily. One of the things I DON'T take any more is DHEA, pregnenolone, and CO10, as my lab results didn't indicate that I needed either.

 

[Pinkorblue11]

Well good luck - I am sure you'll love it - please keep us updated on here

Have you been through hospital too? We feel we were really messed about - learnt more from the lovely people on here than i ever did at hospital... felt we were just a number....

Thank you very much! I'm sure I will, the acupuncturist I spoke to sounded really sweet and I'm looking forward to her suggestions.

Yes, it wasn't fun and a very disappointing experience. They came down pretty harsh on us, especially DH, due to his diabetes. The bottom line was it's either IVF with ICSI or just be grateful for the children we have and focus on raising them. So, we decided to ditch the hospital and search for our own alternatives. We now have a sperm donor and with acupunture, it's just a matter of time.

 

[Flipperty]

Good luck for tomorrow Pink or blue, I go back for my 3rd session tomorrow, looking forward to it.

Let us know how you get on

 

[sarahincanada]

I had my first acupunture session on tuesday, and have another on friday I had a failed IVF cycle last month and so want to try it before and during my FET next month. She has a lot of experience with fertility acupunture and said if your nervous system is not working well its very hard to get pregnant. I hope it works! Im going 2x a week and then when its time for my blastocyst transfer I will go the day before and then the day of or next day.
good luck!

 

[moonstar2013]

I went last week monday and had my first acc appt. it was so relaxing and i fell asleep for a few minutes. i scheduled another appt for sunday... TTC #2. fx'ed we all get our

 

[Pinkorblue11]

Thanks, Flipperty! Enjoy your appointment today!

My appointment went great! I really like her, she's sweet and has a great sense of humor. It was super relaxing and the sensations were amazing! I'm doing a lot of good things, diet and exercise wise, but I'll need to avoid dairy and red meat. My spleen needs work, and there are some herbs she'd like me to take but wants to see if I'm pregnant or not first. So, the schedule is once a week for the next 6 weeks and then reassess. I can't wait until next week's appointment!

Yes, FX for all of us!

 

[mk8]

Hi ladies, great thread! Im thinking of tryin acu too. How did you go about finding a good acupuncturist? Did you all pick one who specialises in fertility and do you all go weekly?

 

[alison29]

Thanks, Flipperty! Enjoy your appointment today!

My appointment went great! I really like her, she's sweet and has a great sense of humor. It was super relaxing and the sensations were amazing! I'm doing a lot of good things, diet and exercise wise, but I'll need to avoid dairy and red meat. My spleen needs work, and there are some herbs she'd like me to take but wants to see if I'm pregnant or not first. So, the schedule is once a week for the next 6 weeks and then reassess. I can't wait until next week's appointment!

Yes, FX for all of us!

I have given up dairy for about a week now. I don't miss the stomach pain that is for sure or cheese really. I use rice milk it's good. I gave up gluten and wheat too. So what is the reason for you to give up red meat?

 

[LLbean]

doing acupuncture too. I feel better (less bloated) and definitely it is affecting my cycles as for the first time in a very very LONG time I was bleeding for only 3 days!!!! yes it was a lot and bright red, but 3 days and done deal

 

[alison29]

doing acupuncture too. I feel better (less bloated) and definitely it is affecting my cycles as for the first time in a very very LONG time I was bleeding for only 3 days!!!! yes it was a lot and bright red, but 3 days and done deal

I think it is supposed to be bright red with out clots (TMI) I think that is a great indicator of health. I go today. I wonder if she will notice a difference in my pulses. I have quit cheating as much with caffeine and taking my herbs and the diet changes since last time (2 weeks.) I will post if anything new.

 

[LLbean]

doing acupuncture too. I feel better (less bloated) and definitely it is affecting my cycles as for the first time in a very very LONG time I was bleeding for only 3 days!!!! yes it was a lot and bright red, but 3 days and done deal

I think it is supposed to be bright red with out clots (TMI) I think that is a great indicator of health. I go today. I wonder if she will notice a difference in my pulses. I have quit cheating as much with caffeine and taking my herbs and the diet changes since last time (2 weeks.) I will post if anything new.

yes bright red but I did have a few gloops too...really gross ones (TMI) as I could feel them

 

[hockey24]

I've been doing acupuncture for about 2 months now - twice a week. My periods are about the same length but super heavy! My doctor said that was good as my body was getting rid of all the old and preparing for a fresh new cycle. Who knows!!

I did notice my FSH level came down from 14.9 3 months ago to a few weeks ago without any other factors or cysts making it artificially low. Not sure if acupuncture helped with that but for me, it gave me a reason to keep going with it!

Made me a believer!!

 

[Flipperty]

Hiya Ladies - it's so good to see/hear of so many of us in this same boat - I wish us all the luck in the world

Well, my update is this:

I went a week as of yesterday for my 2nd acupuncture session - this was day 28 in my cycle ( before the NHS drugs this would have been the time I'd have been due my period, since the drugs they have been all over and much longer, but latterly 30/32 days.....)

As I had not started my period my acupuncture lady said not to start any herbs that week, but to see how things went the following week and to take a pregnancy test the following week if i had not started my period - yesterday was day 35 for me in my cycle, and I was due my 3rd acupuncture session.

I have been temp charting and Wednesday morning noted a significant drop in my BBT, I was really shocked to be honest haing never temp charted before, but I also felt a slight niggling lower back ache... so, I figured my period was coming, as I was due to my acupuncture session I was doing my pregnancy test anyway - It was a BFN I guess I knew it would be but I live in hope each month..... Felt a bit low, had a really good cry wondering why on earth we were not getting pregnant if there has been no reason at all found for us not to... but then told myself that starting afresh with the acupuncture this is a positive new step for us...

I knew this meant I would be started on the herbs after my session and when my period did come i would start the Tiao Jing Cu Yun Wan I have been given.

My acupuncture lady always goes over the week with me, how I have been etc, so i explained about my temp dip and she saw the chart and that I felt I was possibly soon to start my period.

I had my session which I felt was slightly 'different' I had an overwhelming kind of rush over me... it was so relaxing and I fell asleep! after she massaged me in a slightly different way....

I was given the herbs to take and told my period would come possibly in a while that day, sure enough it came within half an hour!

I started my Tiao Jing Cu Yun yesterday as I was to take these from the first day of my period for several days and the herbs I started today ( they are a bit nasty tasting to say the least! ! The things we'll do to get our babies eh! lol )

I have to say, since starting the acupuncture I feel so much more relaxed and so much less stressed!

I wish everyone good luck and sending lots of love, it's great to hear your stories too.

 

[Pinkorblue11]

I have given up dairy for about a week now. I don't miss the stomach pain that is for sure or cheese really. I use rice milk it's good. I gave up gluten and wheat too. So what is the reason for you to give up red meat?

Cheese is the one dairy product I will miss. That's great that you're stomach is no longer in pain. I've been wondering what to replace milk with, I was thinking almond or coconut, but I've never tried rice. I'll give rice milk a try. She said that red meat tends to hold dampness in the body and since my left side is still quite tender, not eating them may help. Instead focus on chicken and non predatory fish, like Talapia.

mk8~ I found my acupuncturist by doing a google search for them in my area. I liked her site the best and gave her a call for a free consultation. She specializes in women's health and has a lot of experience helping with fertility. I will be going weekly.

Flipperty~ Sorry about the bfn and AF flying in on you. I'm glad acupuncture is going very well for you and you're right, the things we do!

I have to say, I've only had one treatment but the difference is already noticeable for me. I couldn't stop smiling during and after the treatment, even my thoughts were different now, much more positive. I listen to yoga nidra at night to relax before bed, and lately, I've had a hard timing truly relaxing. After acupuncture, I was able to totally let go again and had the best night's sleep I've had in a while.