acupuncture any stories to share?

[marmey]

Hi All,
Has anyone tried acupuncture? If you have please share your experiences and any success stories! I have one failed IVF and going for another try with a fresh cycle, most likely Sept/Oct start. I just booked an appointtment to try acupuncture. My friend did IVF and acupuncture and she got pregnant. The Acupuncturist just told me on the phone that he treated a women (whom I know) and after 9 weeks of acupuncture she is pregnant. Has anyone seen a herbalist? My friend did that as well.
marmey

[kbat]

Hi!

I haven't done any acupuncture, but I had a similar post under the general forum.

If you go under general forum and do a search under author and put in my name (kbat), it'll come up. Bu here are some of the answers I got....

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.

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!

[andrea2251]

Hi there -

Here is the article that convinced me http://www.ivf1.com/acupuncture-ivf/. I think it references the same studies that kbat listed above. This article basically goes through 4 studies done on acupuncture and IVF. The bottom line of these studies is that women who do acupuncture have an increased success rate. The author points out that this improvement could be based on the "placebo effect" or random occurrence. Either way, it seems to help in all four studies. My RE says that she supports acupuncture for stress relief, but not for fertility per se. However, stress relief helps fertility, so it can't hurt.

I did acupuncture once during the stim period and then right before and right after the embryo transfer (same day). I got a positive hpt, and awaiting blood test results. I've also been doing deep breathing and meditation every night. Anything that relaxes you is good in my opinion.

Good luck.

[Rittie2000]

I too got a BFP using Accupunture with IVF. Of course there is no guarantee if this is a direct result. But I am pleased that I did the Accupunture.

Please make sure that you select an accupunturist who is used to working with IVF patients and will synchronise their treatment with the stages if the IVF treatment. For example, if you are down-regging, you don't need the accupunture to stimulate as it will be a counter effect. So be careful and ask lots of questions to get the confidence that both treatments will be complementary, rather than work against each other.

Good Luck

[marmey]

Ladies,
Thank you for responding and sending me all this valuable information! I appreciate it!
marmey

[emily2]

Hi.. I have a success story.
I had 2 failed IVF fresh cycles but the FET was a success. My son is now 3 months old. I owe it acupuncture and herbs. I am a believer now.
Pick an acupuncturist that knows alot about infertility. And read about the points before you go. Also, get him to recommend herbs for your situation.


I started a website about IVF which has good information about acupuncture and herbs. Check it out (simplyivf.com).

Good Luck.