Chinese Accupuncture

[Blythe]

we are so focused and determined with TTC and very disciplined when it comes to supplements and googling stuff yet when it comes to what i eat i cannot control it. I am also soft....agree...Yucky!

since announcing new juice/smoothie fast this morning i have had beans and omelette and 2 x giant chocolate cookies.....today i don't like myself

 

[Briss]

I've been good so far, had latte, porridge and berries and got myself some smoked salmon, salad and nuts for later, I've got no chocolate in the office and am stuck here until midnight probably but if I feel I cant bear it I have some raisins and prunes, fingers crossed.

Met my old friend this morning, she is the only one left who is still TTC after 2 years. She is also the only one in her department who has not gone on at least one maternity leave, on top of that she is sharing an office with a bump who is about to go on her second maternity and wont shut up about how great her baby is…

I am experience what I previously thought was some sort of uterine twinges and I used to think that was implantation but obviously after 3 years it cant be that, today it actually occurred to me that this has nothing to do with uterus it's more likely to be in my bladder. I wonder what could be causing this, it's always in TWW

 

[Briss]

baishaoyao, baizhu, bohe, fuling, cancao, mudanpi, shanzhizi, xiakucao

that's the herbs Dr Z ticked on my list, I presume I am supposed to be taking them but it's not official prescription because she would not prescribe anything until she sees my bloods. So I do not think I will be taking these but thought I'd share. my previous doc had me on 18 herbs

 

[Briss]

just wanted to share an interesting article on DHEA, apparently DHEA levels decline not because of age but because of prolonged stress.

https://www.drdebe.com/dhea-the-real-story.html

it's also important to get off DHEA gradually to make sure that the body has recovered and is again making DHEA on its own.

 

[Blythe]

Thank you for posting link....very interesting.

to be honest the only thing i feel good taking [mentally rather than physically] is the COQ10 and possibly the folate....the rest of it im just not really comfortable taking but having read so many positive stories im doing it anyway. I often feel i am rolling a dice taking this, that and the other...last year i did soy for 3 months and read all sorts about messing around with oestrogen levels....but i have been considering it again regardless.

i have been taking the micronised DHEA for nearly 2 months so i will continue with DHEA for a while yet but certainly look to reduce dosage before quitting altogether....so that is good to know having read the article that cutting completely is not the best way forward. thank you

i have some electronic scales in the house and they give me a different reading depending on surface placed on. I am 11 st 13 lb [5.8'] [that is, i am in the kitchen, in the bathroom i am 5lb lighter] - i am happy around 10 st 7lb [happier 10st] so a stone and a half would make me happy. When i become pregnant i will embrace my softness and honestly wont give a s**t what i look like - skin/fat wise but whilst TTC i must not let myself go anymore into this abyss i seem to be going down. I am going to do some exercise today and go to sainsbury's and buy lots of fruit and veg. My back is starting to really play up again and i just feel old, like i am conking out...I must take control!

I have a little book called 'a barefoot doctors manual' it lists all chinese herbs, properties and usages with little pics too....Unfortunately it is not indexed so its a pain to find stuff. You can pick it up for peanuts on eBay as a modern reprint....having said that there is so much info on the web.

Dr Z could have used your last bloods as an interim guide to give you a prescription with the proviso you get them updated as soon as you are able. Obviously i suppose most opt to get them sorted with her at that extortionate rate!

 

[Briss]

Blythe, I agree, particularly with chinese herbs we have no idea what we are taking and how it affects our bodies, just have to hope for the best really. but after dr Z's comment and having really bad acne all along until I stopped the herbs, I am so uncomfortable going back on herbs. It took me 6 months to research coq10 and get comfortable with the dosage. I cant say I see any effect but again I am sure it is making me younger although I do get more grey hair every month, I am now so grey it's embarrassing if I do not have time to dye them. the only doc that paid any attention to me getting grey prematurely was the very first doc who got me bruised. I am actually thinking about getting back to her more and more. She might have gotten it right in the end but I wont let her touch my tummy she can do whatever she wants to the rest of my body.

about being fit, that's the thing because I've been in this state of mind that I am about to get pregnant I felt like I have to sacrifice my body to make this happen. but obviously pregnancy is not happening. I am getting used to feeling hungry most of the time, had yogurt for dinner last night no chocolate or any additional sugar all day! am having black sweet coffee for breakfast with nothing I just need to lose 1 st to get back into my normal weight. But obviously I will still be soft until I start exercising. what do you think about cross-trainers in 2WW? I had another session with my physiotherapist and my neck/head pain has disappeared. but she said until I make changes to my posture and become more active and move around a lot I will be getting it back from time to time I used spend my weekends walking about shops trying and buying things, now I just stay on my sofa. I do manage to save more money that way and I do not need any additional clothes (nothing makes me look good anyway) but I guess it's time to get back on my feet and just walk. My DH's removed most of out TV channels very cruel way to get me up and running so I have nothing to watch anyway

My DH on the hand took this "raising his testosterone levels" thing really seriously, our flat looks like gym, yesterday he did 4 hours on cross trainer!! and this morning went back to the gym again to carry on. he lifts weight every day and does all sort of exercises. he's beginning to look really good I have to say but i cant see any improvement in his sex drive though

I am thinking constantly about DHEA because I have DOR but I will raise this with my FS in May and show her my DHEA and testosterone levels hopefully she will be able to advise whether I should take it and how much and for how long. no point asking GP I think, wont be surprised if they have not hear of DHEA and that whole revolution going on out there. I am also concerned that all this publicity about DHEA might be coming from pharmaceutical companies who are sponsoring the research and they do not usually tell you anything about long term side effect and also explain how hormones work. My mum had to go on thyroid hormones for the rest of her life and it changed a lot of things that's when I realised that you cant play with hormone replacements, once your own hormones productions is blocked it might not be possible to restart it. And also with all the stress that I m constantly iunder taking stress hormone like DHEA is a bit scary.

I am also surprised dr Z did not see it might be a problem for smb to pay that much for bloods. the treatment will be costing at least 300+260 a month. i can afford it but just about and not for long. it's the additional cost of bloods that a killer really. and obviously the first appointment was a bit off putting i just have to trust she know what she is doing

 

[Blythe]

Blythe, I agree, particularly with chinese herbs we have no idea what we are taking and how it affects our bodies, just have to hope for the best really. but after dr Z's comment and having really bad acne all along until I stopped the herbs, I am so uncomfortable going back on herbs. It took me 6 months to research coq10 and get comfortable with the dosage. I cant say I see any effect but again I am sure it is making me younger although I do get more grey hair every month, I am now so grey it's embarrassing if I do not have time to dye them. the only doc that paid any attention to me getting grey prematurely was the very first doc who got me bruised. I am actually thinking about getting back to her more and more. She might have gotten it right in the end but I wont let her touch my tummy she can do whatever she wants to the rest of my body.

about being fit, that's the thing because I've been in this state of mind that I am about to get pregnant I felt like I have to sacrifice my body to make this happen. but obviously pregnancy is not happening. I am getting used to feeling hungry most of the time, had yogurt for dinner last night no chocolate or any additional sugar all day! am having black sweet coffee for breakfast with nothing I just need to lose 1 st to get back into my normal weight. But obviously I will still be soft until I start exercising. what do you think about cross-trainers in 2WW? I had another session with my physiotherapist and my neck/head pain has disappeared. but she said until I make changes to my posture and become more active and move around a lot I will be getting it back from time to time I used spend my weekends walking about shops trying and buying things, now I just stay on my sofa. I do manage to save more money that way and I do not need any additional clothes (nothing makes me look good anyway) but I guess it's time to get back on my feet and just walk. My DH's removed most of out TV channels very cruel way to get me up and running so I have nothing to watch anyway

My DH on the hand took this "raising his testosterone levels" thing really seriously, our flat looks like gym, yesterday he did 4 hours on cross trainer!! and this morning went back to the gym again to carry on. he lifts weight every day and does all sort of exercises. he's beginning to look really good I have to say but i cant see any improvement in his sex drive though

I am thinking constantly about DHEA because I have DOR but I will raise this with my FS in May and show her my DHEA and testosterone levels hopefully she will be able to advise whether I should take it and how much and for how long. no point asking GP I think, wont be surprised if they have not hear of DHEA and that whole revolution going on out there. I am also concerned that all this publicity about DHEA might be coming from pharmaceutical companies who are sponsoring the research and they do not usually tell you anything about long term side effect and also explain how hormones work. My mum had to go on thyroid hormones for the rest of her life and it changed a lot of things that's when I realised that you cant play with hormone replacements, once your own hormones productions is blocked it might not be possible to restart it. And also with all the stress that I m constantly iunder taking stress hormone like DHEA is a bit scary.

I am also surprised dr Z did not see it might be a problem for smb to pay that much for bloods. the treatment will be costing at least 300+260 a month. i can afford it but just about and not for long. it's the additional cost of bloods that a killer really. and obviously the first appointment was a bit off putting i just have to trust she know what she is doing

Hello Briss

cross trainer - 2WW - i dont think three would be anything wrong with that at all - get the blood pumping around without heavy impact we get when running. Having said that in TCM they advocate taking is easy during the 2WW....a daunting prospect when LTTTC. It was my intention to exercise today but i just cannot be bothered.

I have brought a ton of fruit and will stick to new plan tomorrow. losing weight and feeling good about my body is the one thing that will really make me feel good and it is something i can actually influence....unlike it would seem my ability to conceive

I brought Dr Z's book earlier today in a local bookshop so will have a look through later....i really think she had more than enough info on you inc. FSH, the fact you ovulate and have good temp patterns [in terms on prog at least] to have put together a prescription. whats the next step? do you go back when you have blood results? she should advise people of this ahead of booking i think.

where was your first doc located? is she local? it certainly sounds like she had a better idea of your pattern than the last lady....maybe go back but tell her she needs to take it easy.

my dh has also lost a ton of weight and actually looks great....he goes swimming every weekend and running....that used to be me...I was hot goddammit! i have decided to try BD every two days this cycle starting CD8 and trying to stretch it out a little longer with a bit less stress...what happens now is that i get a positive OPK and start flapping around like a chicken demanding sex and we have 3 BD over a 3/4 day period with stress and lots of pressure. we will see

i love that your dh has really gone for it....male pride is a wonderful thing i look forward to hearing about his SA results and improvements. FX

went out around balham earlier...nappy valley area and it was full of bumps.....hope it will be us soon

 

[Briss]

I am SO hungry!! second day with no chocolate, I only had 3 boiled eggs and a small yogurt today. just made myself some steamed cabbage with carrots and it tastes divine! (tells you something about how hungry I am) I keep a bite size piece of chocolate at hand in case i get desperate. I think if i can survive on very little for a week or two my body will get used to it and i will feel better

My DH discovered a cheaper way to gym - https://www.payasugym.com/ so I may join him next weekend, no need for annual fee, I used pay so much for virgin active. I remember burning more calories on cross trainer than any other machine.

Dr Z's list of bloods is really huge, but I agree why would I need to do another LH or AMH test? I had two LH tests they were both fine, I only recently had AMH it was done abroad but it tells you it's low what else do you need to know? I had 5 FSH tests most high isn't it enough? after all bloods are done she will analyse it and i guess will give me a prescription and make an appointment for acu.

My firs doc was very close in whilelyes in queensway. i cant make up my mind whether to go to her, she was not cheap either. my AF is sue next sunday and i think i might go to her then. it's gonna take a couple of cycles until I get bloods done.

your BD strategy sound really healthy, anyway even with all the charting and OPK I do not think we get it 100% right so your approach is the safest. I wish my hubby had higher sex drive. i barely manage to make him BD once before positive OPK

 

[Blythe]

well done you....thats so good particularly for a weekend day.

that gym site is good...it has my local athletics track on there....when my back is 100% better i will start running again during the first couple of weeks of cycle. when i became pregnant with my son i did qi gong once a week...and im convinced it helped and yet total lethargy prevents me doing it now...I am feeling very disappointed with myself. I had a total slump earlier and whilst looking in the mirror found it difficult to make out where my neck was, such was the build of lard around my chin. I have written down some positive words on a piece of paper and sellotaped it to my bedroom mirror....up at the top i have 'fresh food' 'strong' 'pregnant' 'focused' etc etc and on the bottom 'dead food (chocolate)', 'weakness' 'depressed' and other stuff like that....even just saying the right words out loud seems to help sometimes.

I was checking those classic formulas in the back of Zhai's book and they all seem to be available in pill format via ebay although no doubt she tinkers with them for each patient and changes them throughout cycle and of course hers will be top quality...im sure if there is a formula there you like the look of your old doc can dish them up for you at a fraction of the price.

 

[Briss]

I am really pleased with myself so far, had carrot juice for dinner but I feel hungry every minute, that's so tiring. I also did a bit of exercise (just lifting my legs with some weight on them). it'll get really tricky next week when I will be away, it's always hard to keep to your diet when abroad you never know what you can eat.

my local gym is 6 pounds per visit which is great i think.

Dr Z actually said the herbal formula is not going to change depending on where I am in my cycle, she will only change it once she sees my condition changes. It's a bit surprising that her formulas are so wide spread. maybe they are quite basic chinese formulas?

as soon as I said that my acne cleared I got a really nasty one on my chin, although it's not as bad as what i had before

I like your idea with positive words!

 

[shiseru]

Briss, interesting on your appt with Dr Z. The thing she said does make sense. Sometimes, my TCM will comment me or my DH of being too heaty and she will give us some herbs to rid of it. Apparently excessive heat is no good for TTC, I never why though i should do so when I visit her the next round.

Good job on your dieting, with a bit of exercising, you are sure to shed off some pounds! You don't need a lot of dieting really. I walked (since i was pregnant) and control my diet and I lost weight so it worked. When I was on low GI diet, I eat 5 x per day but all in small portion. I was never satisfied but it wouldn't starved me either but that was the key to losing weight!

Blythe, greata to know you started the diet plan too! I am sure you drop a size after a month if you keep this up! And ohh you might want to keep all chocolate in the drawer or you DH can hide them somewhere you can't find !

I had a scan on Sat, Folliclie size grown 2mm from 12.5mm to 14.5mm. Lining is only 7mm. OPK is negative. so I was told to go back for a scan on tomorrow CD12. So i BD on Sat night, and my BBT rise the next morning which is a post O temp (WTF)! Did I ovulate on small wimpy egg? So I emailed the doctor and told her about it. This morning my gynae emailed me saying I should go for a scan today, but damnit I am in office already!

Guess what? My BBT had a huge drop this morning. My OPK shows negative just like last night but the second line is visible though just not as dark as the control line. Hopefully Ovulation is nearing and I didn't miss my surge!

Argh I have this lousy feeling that this cycle is gonna be a bust... so annoying!

 

[Blythe]

Shiseru - i often get a temp spike (i got one today it is post o temp but i know i have not ovulated) pre ovulation so try not to worry too much..let us know how your scan goes today.

 

[Blythe]

I am really pleased with myself so far, had carrot juice for dinner but I feel hungry every minute, that's so tiring. I also did a bit of exercise (just lifting my legs with some weight on them). it'll get really tricky next week when I will be away, it's always hard to keep to your diet when abroad you never know what you can eat.

my local gym is 6 pounds per visit which is great i think.

Dr Z actually said the herbal formula is not going to change depending on where I am in my cycle, she will only change it once she sees my condition changes. It's a bit surprising that her formulas are so wide spread. maybe they are quite basic chinese formulas?

as soon as I said that my acne cleared I got a really nasty one on my chin, although it's not as bad as what i had before


I like your idea with positive words!

Dr Z has listed a bunch of classic chinese herbal formulas in the back of her book...for example


Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xue-Fu-Z...87?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item25792ddf5b

xiao yao tang
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anxiety-...AlternativeTherapies&var=&hash=item4171e51b9a

this really is a classic one - i used to take these years ago - they are commonly referred to as happy pills - i cannot recall if they worked or not but remember these being pointed at alot in chinese herbal clinics as a pick me up....

Liu wei di huang tang
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3x-Liu-W...ural_AlternativeTherapies&hash=item20c2f8c6cc

Tiao Jing Tang
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiao-Jin...ural_AlternativeTherapies&hash=item4ac3376c80

You Gui Wan
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pks-Yo...ural_AlternativeTherapies&hash=item4ac2a27b55

and so on......I suppose most docs start with a basic formula and add/subtract other herbs based on individual....

 

[Briss]

Shiseru, temp spikes before O are apparently sign of heat according to Dr Z

Blythe, I guess Dr Z did not want to share her secrets in the book and just listed these classic Chinese herbal formulas. I think Lewis' book has more info on herbs anyway but unfortunately it's not the herbs that are easy to find over here. My previous doc was giving me herbs which (at least half) I can find in Dr Z's book but not in Lewis' book.

FF is paying with my temp and moved my o back to CD12 for no apparent reason, how annoying. Still hungry… decided to take the stairs to my office (7th floor) every day. actually was out of breath when I got up here. just discovered that at my hotel I will get complementary access to gym and sauna, definitely taking my swim suit and trainers then

 

[alison29]

I am so proud of your will power briss...I will think of you not eating the bad stuff next time a craving takes hold. Mind over matter right? I too have cut the creamer out of coffee i had no idea how many extra calories i was consuming with it everyday.
HI Shiseru and Blythe...

 

[shiseru]

Hiya ladies!

I just came back from the scan, follicle size is 17.5mm, lining is 11.5 (perfect). I was told to get the HCG trigger tonight and IUI on Thursday, hopefully I don't ovulate before then since I am starting to get positive on the OPK!

Wonder if i can still do aerobics and yoga after the IUI?

 

[Blythe]

Hi alison

Shiseru - i would be inclined to give aerobics a miss..hope you hold off ovulating until thurs. can you BD before then or do they say no?

 

[alison29]

aerobics no yoga yes. Sounds promising though..

 

[Briss]

Shiseru - i agree with Blythe and Alison, I would not do aerobics around IUI and instead take it easy for a few days.

my willpower is being challenged every minute with all this complementary chocolate but I am pleased to report I am still on track, not even sugar in my tea! I had some breakfast/lunch type of meal during the flight (obviously skipped the desert) and now trying with all my might to ignore all the goodies they placed in my hotel room. I bought myself kefir (local dairy product which is supposed to be great for fixing digestive system and low on calories) and I drink it from time to time when I feel I cant deal with hunger anymore. it's not like I am starving myself I do eat but I am never satisfied…

it's only been 3 days, do not know how much longer I can hold on, it's just hard being constantly hungry and unsatisfied. but I guess I reached my limit, I literally have nothing I can wear any more, I either have to buy myself a whole new wardrobe 2 sizes (at least) up or lose weight. It's also annoying that most of my weight is around my tummy so I feel it every second it's so uncomfortable. but the main goal is to try to live without sugar. I was eating way too much of this stuff and I am sure it has some affect on fertility. Unfortunately after 3 days there is no visible difference, I would need to try and stick to it for at least a month to see any result.

 

[MalaMae]

Hi girls! Missed you!
Read all of your posts. I don't have much to report.
Have been dealing with family issues and in 1.5 week lost 6.6 lb (eating only 1 per day, I lost my appetite).
I'm not doing any temping, OPKs, saliva etc. Absolutely nothing! I have no idea when I will ovulate or ovulated ) we actually finally enjoy random BD and it feels great!
We are not thinking of IUI or IVF at all. I'm letting go and I feel so much more better