Acupuncture & IVF

LucyC · Post by **LucyC** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:08 pm

Hi sita,
My brief history - Had chemo at 18yrs old and resulted in damaged ovaries but not completely dead, also have blocked tubes on both sides (can you believe my bad luck!) So ivf was my only option, my first attempt i was on full doses due to a high fsh level and produced 4 eggs but only 2 were viable but had -ive result, 2nd attempt only produced 2 eggs of good quality both implanted but -ive result again. 3rd attempt we decided to use donor eggs and implanted 2 with another -ive result but had 5 good eggs to freeze hence my next FET in 4 weeks.
This is the first time i've had accupuncture and it's helped me to relax alot, in fact the evening of treatment i'm so relaxed i have the deepest sleep ever! i've also been doing gentle yoga (sun salutation is supposed to be very good for the uterus) and deep breathing exercises with visualisation tecniques( these also help me to relax and focus) i'm also taking a good prenatal suppliment, evening primrose and mini aspirin. Alot of this is suggested in zeta wests book which is an excellent read! as you've probably heard from this website. Am also eating very healthy and mostly organic foods ( although it's expensive)
I hope you have a good number of eggs collected this time, am sending you lots of PMA your way!
Love LucyC x x

Sita · Post by **Sita** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:31 pm

Dear Lucy,

Thank you again for your response. I really admire your strength and courage. You seem to have gone through so much. I am sure you will have success and there will defintetly be light at the end of the tunnel.

It is useful to know about the benefits of acupuncture. Thank you for sharing your experience. Stress has a lot to do with how a cycle works and it is reassuring to know that acupuncture also helps to de-stress.

Yes, I have also heard of Yoga and breething exercises. I may enroll myself at the local gym for this as well based on your advise. I am willing to try out anything that helps. I guess that is all we can do !! We must try and try and hope for the best. It is all in God's hands and I will defintely pray for you as well.

Wishing you all the very and keeping everything crossed for a successful FET

Love,
Sita

dave jo24 · Post by **dave jo24** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:59 pm

hi girls,
have any of you considered bowen therapy?i hadnt heard of it until recently.i am waiting to see if i can egg share after 2 failed ivf cycles.it is a gentle non invasive treatment.my therapist says you can continue with it throughout ivf.i dont know if it will help,but it has regulated my periods,and my thyroid which has been unstable for 11 years!

032323 · Post by **032323** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:12 pm

HI GUYS

HAD OUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENT TODAY AND I MUST SAY IT WAS A VERY RELAXING EXPERIENCE - FELT VERY SLEEPY AFTERWARDS. I REALLY HOPE IT HELPS WITH OUR 5TH TRY WHICH STARTS NEXT MONTH.

DAVE JO24 - WHAT IS BOWEN THERAPY??

CAZx

kikiraf · Post by **kikiraf** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:34 pm

Hello to all,

I am fairly new to all of this, I had my ET 8 days ago and I am waiting for my beta on 22-03. This has been the longest 8 days of my life and the scariest i might add. I am an emotional wreck these last few days, i think its just getting closer to the date and its getting me more worried.

I wanted to let you ladies know that I am an acupuncturist, I am very happy to see you guys trying it. It is an incredible form of medicine and it really does work!

If anyone has any questions regarding acupuncture please feel free to ask. I am currently treating 6 IVF patients (+ myself) . I have had postive outcomes with a majority of my patients. I hope it works for all of you.

Its also a great form of relaxation after all these scary injections and doctors visits.

I wish you all the best,

kristine

032323 · Post by **032323** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:18 pm

HI KRISTINE

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY GOOD LUCK FOR A BFP!!!!!

AS YOU PROBABLY READ - HAD MY FIRST ACU TODAY WHICH WAS GREAT - ONLY THING IS THE ACUPUNCTURIST WAS CHINESE SO DIDNT QUITE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING SHE SAID - I LEFT WITH ABOUT 5 - 6 LITTLE STICKY PADS WITH METAL DOTS ON WHICH SHE PUT AROUND VARIOUS PLACES OF MY EAR?? SHE TOLD ME TO LEAVE THEM ON FOR A WEEK I THINK? WHAT WOULD THIS BE FOR?? I THINK SHE SAID I HAD TO PROD THEM OCCASIONALLY??

THANKS
CAZx

kikiraf · Post by **kikiraf** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:53 pm

Hi Caz,

Im glad you went for acupuncture..did u enjoy it?

The little sticky's in your ear are either metal or seeds. These are certain points that are also on your body,but we choose the ear when we send our patients home with these sticky's to constantly stimulate the points througout the week. I dont know which points she has used for you. It all depends on where you are along on your cycle. But most likely she is stimuating blood flow to your uterus and regulating the hormones, and trying to relax your overal stress level.

I would suggest to rub them at least 3-5 times a day and if they fall off during showers dont be worried, she can replace them for you next time most likely she will choose your other ear.

Best of luck.
kristine

tinaviju · Post by **tinaviju** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:09 am

Hi Caz &Kikiraf,
I also had my first accupuncture today.Hope you can help me with some doubts. My doc can't speak English much ,so there was some communication problems.She checked my b.p,color of tongue,asked some questions and then began.I didn't even feel the needles,but didn't feel any different after that.She gave me some chinese herbs and pills to start taking.I wanted to know if these are okay with the medication for ivf.I am just doing a frozen cycle ,so will not be taking stimulating medication.She wants me come to her twice a week till the transfer and then do it before and after the transfer,I don't know if twice a week is really needed or is she doing that just to make money.She charged me 140$ today and each visit after that will be 85$.Is that real high or normal price?She said if i get pregnant she wants me to continue till the 4 th month.That sounded strange to me as I don't know if it is safe.Is she just trying to make money by telling patients they have to come and see her.Also she doesn't know much about how ivf is done.

She asked me to explain the ivf procedure to her!All she knows is that accupuncture should be done before and after the transfer.All this makes me little shaky about her.She told me to come back this Friday.I said I'll see if I am free.Your help will be greatly appreciated as I am confused now.Thanks,Tina

kikiraf · Post by **kikiraf** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:21 am

Tina,

I am so glad you posted your questions. From what you have told me i dont believe she is the right acupuncturist for you. I would never trust anyone with my body especially if they were not totally educated on IVF cycles.

The chinese herbs can be very beneficial if she knows what shes doing, but if shes not familiar with your cycle (in my point of view ) this may potentialy cause problems. You should see an acupuncturist who is familiar with IVF cycles and protocal because it is vital to your cycle.
If i were in your shoes i would ask your Dr. who he refers his patients to for acupuncture. The price you were charged is not outrageous but it is on the higher scale. Twice a week is also good but it really depends on what the issues of infertility are. I usually stick to once a week with most of my patients, considering it can get a bit expensive.

as for seeing her till you are 4 months pregnant, well thats sort of not required. when we use acupuncture for infertility it is usually prior to pregnancy, other than that we may treat the patient for pregnancy issues for example morning sickness or pain...etc.

I hope i was helpful to you and your doubts have been confirmed.
I wish you good luck,

kristine

LucyC · Post by **LucyC** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:49 pm

Hi Kristine
Nice to see you on this thread, told you you would come in handy as we're all unsure of what we're doing with accupuncture

Wishing you the very best of luck for a BFP!!!
Sending you lots of PMA!!!
Try to relax, big deep breaths.
Lots of Love
LucyC x x

tinaviju · Post by **tinaviju** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:57 pm

Thanks Kristine for your reply,
I have decided to shop around for other accupuncturists before sticking with her.I don't feel even 80% okay with her.Most importantly I can't communicate with her.It is very difficult.Your insight and knowledge about the subject was really helpful.Did you do the accupuncture on yourself,or did someone else do it on you?What is the normal accupuncture protocol you follow on an ivf patient or Fet patient?
If I have any other quesions I know who to ask!I'm sorry I think I may be becoming a bother!

Take care,All the best for your test date!I will keep you in my prayers.

kikiraf · Post by **kikiraf** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:04 pm

Hello everyone,

Lucy-

thank you for the positive thoughts and prayers. I am freaking out today, i think today has been the worst day for me since the 2ww began. I mean non stop emotional uproars. Outbutrst of tears, just wondering to my self if this is just a defense mechanism or am i just being negative.
Im at the point where i just want to know if its positive or negative so that i can continue to live my life without being in fear.

Tina-

Thank you for your thoughts. I am glad i was of help to you. Feel free to ask any questions, you will not be bothering me in any way.
It actually makes me feel good when i become of help.

Goodluck everyone

kristine

Sita · Post by **Sita** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 12:09 am

Dear Kristine,

I wish you all the very best !! Hope you have a BFP and lots of smiles

The 2ww can be so difficult and emotional. Please try and be calm.

I have been reading all your advise and they are invaluable to those of us who are keen to try acupuncture. I spoke to my acupunturist over the phone before making an appointment. He seemed like a nice gentleman who knew about the IVF procedure.

Do you recommend a session just before and after the egg transfer ? Do you know if acupunture works well for girls who have polycystic ovaries ?

One of my friend's sister has a bad expericne with Chinese medication. She was having treatment for polycystic ovaries and things went very wrong. She felt quite sick and started having facial hair etc. I think she was taking oral tablets. When she went back to the clinic, they dismissed all responsibilty. From the sounds of it, I think this was not a reputable clinic. I think this is a unfortunate experience but it happend to her. I am a bit scared after hearing this and not keen to take any oral tablets.

Will really appreciate your advice when you have a moment to spare. I really wish you lived in my area. I would be booking an appointment to seee you traight away

.

I know you have the big test date on your mind now. I wish you all the very best. My fingers are crossed for you.

Tina, I wish you all the very best as well. I hope you get a find a good acupuncturist in your area who will boost your confidence in the process. Good luck my dear

Love,
Sita

LucyC · Post by **LucyC** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:10 pm

Hi everyone

Kristine - I know , the 2ww is such a difficult time, and is the longest 2 wks of your life! The only thing you can do is to try and keep your mind occupied as much as possible with lots of dvd's , magazines and crosswords etc. Also try deep breathing just through your nose, keeping your mouth shut and counting up to 4 breathing inwards and then 4 again breathing outwards, try this lying down on the couch or bed for 10mins in the morning and again in the evening, try to blank your mind and concentrate on the breath, this is a good tecnique to calm the mind and body and has the added benefit if allowing healthy bloodflow to the uterus. Hope this helps. When is your test date?

Tina - good luck in finding a decent accupuncturist, I spoke to a few on my search and as soon as i spoke to the one i use, i knew i would be comfortable with her even though she was a little more further to travel to than the rest of them. So it pays to shop about a bit and go with your instinct

Hi to everyone else!

Love LucyC x x

sml · Post by **sml** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:39 pm

Hi Ladies,

I did acupuncture throughout my first IVF cycle and plan to continue to do so during my next one. It really helped me relax (I had no mood swings during injections and only had them during the 2ww, when I did not have acu). For those of you who have been asking about optimal times to have treatment, I've been on Zita West's Assisted Fertility Care plan and this is the schedule she recommends:

One session during down regulation (nasal spray)
Two sessions during stims (1 per week)
One session bewteen EC and ET
One session 8-10 days after ET (very important)

It's wonderful to have Kristine's expertise on this thread and though I'm not an expert, I completely agree with her that it is CRUCIAL to find an acupuncturist familiar with IVF protocals. There are many of them out there (in fact, the surgeon who did the EC also used acupuncture during the procedure on me!). Good luck to all of you with your search and your treatments!

sml

Acupuncture & IVF

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