Acupuncture

Catherine · Post by **Catherine** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:06 pm

Does anyone know much about the German study on IVF and acupuncture that came out earlier this year? I did acupuncture leading up to my EC&ET, and have just a couple treatments following. Has anyone else used acupuncture, or does anyone know the full details of the study? Thanks!

TracyJ · Post by **TracyJ** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 6:57 pm

Im bringing this to the top as I needed some advice on the subject. Im currently down reggie (9th day) 3rd attempt at IVF-ICSI. I've decided to try Acupuncture as so many have mentioned it on this site and elsewhere i thought I would give it a go. I had one last week and the chinese lady I see was a bit unsure with IVF and said she wouldnt do anything to interfere with the treatment and also wouldnt try me on any herbs. But afterwards I felt nothing!! I said at the beginning I would like to feel relaxed and stress free through the whole cycle so she said she would just do acupunture. The trouble is I dont want to spend loads of money on something I may not be benefitting from. Its not like having a bad back and you can feel and see the process. Has anyone got any suggestions on the subject. Much appreciated Tracy x

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 9:24 pm

Tracy, Catherine, Hi, I too tried acupuncture having read about it on these boards and it seeming to make a difference. We had our 4th (yes, I know!) go in March and, whereas in the past we've had 8-10 eggs and fairly poor quality embies for my age etc. this time I managed 25 eggs, 20 of which fertilised, and 9 made it to blastocyst. Unfortunately they didn't implant properly (I had a low positive), but I'm convinced acupuncture made a difference to the number and quality of eggs. I had acupuncture for a couple of months before treatment, and also took the herbs (in pill form). I recommended my acupuncturist to Dawn Blake who's now 12 weeks + PG and it was her 5th go. So it could well help, although like everything to do with IVF there are no guarantees. Good luck Alison x

TracyJ · Post by **TracyJ** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:32 am

Hi Alison Thanks for replying, thats amazing how many eggs you got. So what sort of areas did they work on, when I go back I want to be able to say can you work on this area because of !!!... only I think she is a little unsure with interfering with IVF. I surpose while i am down reggie its best to not stimulate the overies, but once i go on to the next stage its worth stimulating the overies area, would this be right? With the past 2 attempts which failed it was because of them not embedding, so I also wanted actuncture to help with being more relaxed and stress free, if possible that is, and maybe they may stick this time.. As you say no guarantees in this game. Thanks you, Tracy x

Nicola6 · Post by **Nicola6** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 9:33 am

Chaps, I had acupuncture during our 1st attempt at IVF and had a weak postive result. I was also taking the chinese medicine in tea form. Stopped for a bit and then started them both up again, got a v high FSH level so had to delay our next attempt at IVF and then GOT PG NATURALLY! I know, amazing, I feel like a complete fraud. I'm now 10 weeks pg. My consultant wasn't impressed with the research but who knows. My chinese lady (i'm still having acupuncture) thinks I'm having a girl. Good luck, Nicola.

Di · Post by Di » Mon Sep 22, 2003 9:40 am

I tried acupuncture and found it very realxing it but didn't find it helped with tmt - but did make a big difference to af - alot heavier than norm. I thought I'd give it a go this time but had to use a different acupuncturist and didn't feel as comfortable - aslo she gave me the herb tea to drink twice a day which made me puke as soon as I smelt it. Which I didn't think would do me any good so gave up! I've also tried a herbalist, aromatherapy and reiki - both times I've had a + I've not done anything extra. But I still figure if you can feel a benefit go with it! Di

TracyJ · Post by **TracyJ** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:48 pm

Nicola, thats wonderful news for you, you got PG naturally, thats just amazing. Good luck with your pregnancy... Di, thats how i want to feel, very relaxed after it, maybe next time i go I may not be so apprehensive about it and enjoy it instead. Thanks for your advice ladies Take Care Tracy x

Nikola · Post by **Nikola** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 4:08 pm

Hey Nicola, its Nikola with a 'k' You sly old devil you kept your pgness quiet!! Congratulations!!! You must be ecstatic. I wondered why you were, you were going to cycle about the same time as me (I test again on Thursday!). How are you feeling? Tell me all. love nikola.xx

SallyP · Post by **SallyP** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:43 am

Hey girls, have just nipped over from the other side and saw this post. I have severe endometriosis (lots of cysts, adhesions etc) and my DH has sperm problems. My first IVF/ICSI failed, then I saw a Chinese Acupuncture lady (found her through the British Acupuncture Council) who treated me with herbs (so vile!) and acupuncture in preparation for my second attempt. My periods were much less painful, but unfortunately some endo cysts had refilled, so before my second IVF I had surgery to drain the cysts again. I had acupuncture and herbs right until I started down regging, then had acupuncture only during down regging and stimming. I had my final treatment the day before ET, and am delighted to say I got a postive result and am now almost 21 weeks. I definitely think the acupuncture helped. My chinese lady said she thought I was having a boy, and the amnio has confirmed she's right! So I think it helped me, but for anyone considering having any therapy such as reflexology, acupuncture, etc, please make sure you see a properly qualified practitioner who is a member of a recognised governing body, such as Association of Reflexologists or British Acupuncture Council. love and best wishes to all, Sally x

TracyJ · Post by **TracyJ** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 9:07 pm

Thanks for that Sally, and what such good news for you. I will take away these thoughts and suggestions when I next see my lady. I did get her from the Council listing on the Web, and she seems to know what she is talking about, although maybe a bit scared with interfering with IVF with chineese herbs etc, but I will print this off and take it along with me Thanks again and best of luck to you Tracy x

Dawn Blake · Post by **Dawn Blake** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 7:25 am

Hi Catherine As you can imagine I am a MASSIVE fan of acupuncture! After 4 failed go's a lovely girl on here called Alison recommended Dr Zhu in Bromley/Beckenham (we live in the same area), and following his treatment and herbs I am now 13.5 weeks pregnant, with a bump starting to show!! Not only did it improve egg quality, but I found it really de-stressing, and I would fall asleep quite often during treatment - got to be a good thing! Wishing you the best of luck! D x

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