Acupuncture and/or Yoga...
Acupuncture and/or Yoga...
I've been on line and read some things that can supposedly help w/ IVF cycles--such as acupuncture and yoga. I was wondering if anyone has tried this in conjunction w/ their cycles and what they think of it. I tend to be a little skepitcal, but after 3 failed IUIs and 3 failed IVF's I might consider trying one of these things if it seems to work. Most of what I read says there's nothing to positively to show whether or not it helps... But if someone has a positve story then I am all ears.
Hi. I don't know if I have any answers for you, but wanted to let you know that I am also looking at alternative medicine for answers. I have had numerous failed IUI's, 2 BFP's by IUI with 2 miscarriages and 1 IVF cycle with a BFN. My cousin is a Chinese Medicine practitioner in Jackson Hole and is telling me I really need to look at it. I located a practitioner where I live and am planning a consult. Apparently the combination of herbs, accupuncture and yoga has been very successful for hundreds of years. I did a google search of infertility and chinese medicine and founds lots to read. I agree that at this point, I am open to anything! Lots and lots of luck to you!!
Good luck w/ the consult. Let me know how it goes. I have a Chinese friend who lives in NYC and her aunt (from China) does this sort of thing. I did talk to her aunt about the acupuncture and the herbs. She says some Western doctors are into this too and prescribe both traditional Western medicine w/ Chinese medicine--mostly the acupuncture. She said that the clinics in CT even have the acupuncture come in before and after a treatment. She did give me some stats that seem to indicate that it does increase the odds. My insurance doesn't cover acupunture, and it seems a little costly. Also, I think I will be switching clinics--or at least getting a different opinion--and if I go to this clinic, the actual IVF treatments would happen about 1 hour from my house. Makes it hard to have someone come to do anything afterwards.
Good luck whatever you do.
Good luck whatever you do.
Here are a few clinical studies to review and your can draw your own insights.....
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_docsum
(somewhat of a small sample size)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=16616748
(this is an interesting study because it rules out the 'placebo' effect and showed statistical difference with a good sized sample)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=16600225
(showed a difference but it was not found to be statistically signficant)
I found the book "Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis to be the most thorough in describing the chinese medicine approach and does include a section on assisted reproduction. It's a pretty detailed, technical read, but I read many books on the subject and found this most thorough.
My personal experience (study of 1
) was that I started a chinese treatment plan with my 3rd cycle (including diet, meditation/yoga, herbs and acupuncture) about 2-3 months prior to stims. I had the best embryo quality of all three cycles and did get a bfp. Again, I have to be cautious to say that it could have been the chinese medicine, but it could have been 'odds'....who knows. I do believe that the chinese medicine support, without a doubt, helped my mental framework in facing a 3rd cycle.
Best of luck to you!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_docsum
(somewhat of a small sample size)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=16616748
(this is an interesting study because it rules out the 'placebo' effect and showed statistical difference with a good sized sample)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=16600225
(showed a difference but it was not found to be statistically signficant)
I found the book "Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis to be the most thorough in describing the chinese medicine approach and does include a section on assisted reproduction. It's a pretty detailed, technical read, but I read many books on the subject and found this most thorough.
My personal experience (study of 1
) was that I started a chinese treatment plan with my 3rd cycle (including diet, meditation/yoga, herbs and acupuncture) about 2-3 months prior to stims. I had the best embryo quality of all three cycles and did get a bfp. Again, I have to be cautious to say that it could have been the chinese medicine, but it could have been 'odds'....who knows. I do believe that the chinese medicine support, without a doubt, helped my mental framework in facing a 3rd cycle.Best of luck to you!
Kbat:
Best of luck to you. It is very difficult to try and "relax" and enjoy the benefits of the Chinese medicine treatments when you feel like you are rushing back and forth trying to get to all of the appointments. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday and my job is not very flexible with my coming and going. That definitely adds to the stress. My appointment is on Friday and I will let you know how it goes. Hope you find a way to fit everything in and that you are able to have some relaxation in the middle of the "madness" we call trying to have a BABY!!!!!!
Best of luck to you. It is very difficult to try and "relax" and enjoy the benefits of the Chinese medicine treatments when you feel like you are rushing back and forth trying to get to all of the appointments. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday and my job is not very flexible with my coming and going. That definitely adds to the stress. My appointment is on Friday and I will let you know how it goes. Hope you find a way to fit everything in and that you are able to have some relaxation in the middle of the "madness" we call trying to have a BABY!!!!!!
Suzhan--
Thanks for all the information--the websites and the books. I'll definately check them out. Congrats on the BPF.. I guess in the end, it probably helps to relax oneself, which is a big thing which hopefully leads to the BPF. It's a stressful, emotional time and anything that helps both medically and alternatively is worth doing. I am going to see new doc and new clinic, so maybe I'll see she thinks.
Gigilex--
I know how difficult trying to do this while working. I am actually unemployed right now, and I have been putting off really looking for a job due to the stress of working and trying to to all this stuff. My hubby is an attorney, and it's difficult to know what his schedule is going to be like. he's very intent at his work and is difficult to "drop" everything at a moment's notice to do this. Don't get me wrong, if he can rearrange stuff, he will, but it's not always possible. One of the most difficult thing is being in LIMBO during the actual process--not being able to know precisely when things are going to happen--taking it day by day. I like to have a plan on what's going to happen when so I could plan things around it. That's one of the reasons I am looking into maybe yoga at least--for relaxation and to be able to go w/ the flow. I hope your appointment on Friday goes well. Please let me know how it goes. I hope that you find something relaxing to do. Maybe medically this stuff doesn't help, but I guess if it at least helps one to relax more and not to dwell on this "madness" and it helps one get that end result-BABY, and then it would be a positive thing to do...
Thanks for all the information--the websites and the books. I'll definately check them out. Congrats on the BPF.. I guess in the end, it probably helps to relax oneself, which is a big thing which hopefully leads to the BPF. It's a stressful, emotional time and anything that helps both medically and alternatively is worth doing. I am going to see new doc and new clinic, so maybe I'll see she thinks.
Gigilex--
I know how difficult trying to do this while working. I am actually unemployed right now, and I have been putting off really looking for a job due to the stress of working and trying to to all this stuff. My hubby is an attorney, and it's difficult to know what his schedule is going to be like. he's very intent at his work and is difficult to "drop" everything at a moment's notice to do this. Don't get me wrong, if he can rearrange stuff, he will, but it's not always possible. One of the most difficult thing is being in LIMBO during the actual process--not being able to know precisely when things are going to happen--taking it day by day. I like to have a plan on what's going to happen when so I could plan things around it. That's one of the reasons I am looking into maybe yoga at least--for relaxation and to be able to go w/ the flow. I hope your appointment on Friday goes well. Please let me know how it goes. I hope that you find something relaxing to do. Maybe medically this stuff doesn't help, but I guess if it at least helps one to relax more and not to dwell on this "madness" and it helps one get that end result-BABY, and then it would be a positive thing to do...
I did acu to get pregnant - and don't think I would have ever gotten pregnant without traditional chinese medicine. There are many discussions throughout this database - so I would suggest maybe doing a search for ACU or Acupuncture..some are about 1 year old but there should be some good info in there for you. The only caveat I can also offer - it does take time..depending on what the doctor diagnoses. I did acu for over a year - got pregnant naturally but unfortunately miscarried to get pregnant about 6 months later via IVF and now have a beautiful 6 month old daughter. You can PM me if you have any questions. All the best!
Traci
me37,DH49
IUI 01/05:-
1. IVF - 04/05: -
2. IVF -cancelled -preg nat-m/c 5w3d
3. IVF -success
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;45;12/st/20061117/n/Isabella+Loren/dt/6/k/3043/age.png[/img]
me37,DH49
IUI 01/05:-
1. IVF - 04/05: -
2. IVF -cancelled -preg nat-m/c 5w3d
3. IVF -success
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;45;12/st/20061117/n/Isabella+Loren/dt/6/k/3043/age.png[/img]