Acupuncture with IVf - HELP

want2bmom · Post by **want2bmom** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:39 am

hi carolyn!
thanks for the information. it has really helped. i shall be on for my fourth IVF soon (Maybe Nov-Dec). and just recently i came across the concept of acu treatment to support IVF and i did find an acupuncturist in my locality. but he is a specialist in pain healing. however he has done some study on the topic and was eager to try it out with me if i did not have any problem. as there is no other acupuncturist here i thought what the hell and started my treatment. it really seems very relaxing. however after reading the posts here, i came to know that most acupuncturist asks for a max of twice a week schedule and my acupuncturist has been treating me almost everyday (he charges Rs 50.00 per day,i.e., a little more than $1). i dont know whether this is the right protocol and maybe i talk with him about this. the little of what i came to know about acupuncture points, he seems to be going in the right direction. i would very much value your advice
LOL this has become so long, sorry about that.

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:16 am

I am not sure if everyday seems a little much, but at least it seems like it would helping... The person I go to see seems to do ivf w/ acupuncture as well as other stuff. He did say he works w/ some RE and seems to know exactly who my doc. is. My husband seems skeptical about alternative medicines, especially when I mentioned it. I have my first appointment today, and if I seem to like it, then I will continue.

Basically after speaking w/ a few and after doing some research, seems like the "normal" protocal would be to do it about 1 X week if you have about 3 or 4 months to do it. However, since I would be doing my next cycle probably around Nov./Dec as well, and I won't have time to do it for a long period of time before hand. (I have to take Clomid Challenge Test once I get AF. I am one day late. Occassionally I am a day or so later than the standard 28 days. then once I do that I have to get approved by insurance, which can take a while--first time take about a month, last time, just a couple of weeks. Then will wait for AF. So, probably looking at very end of Oct or early Nov. at the earliest depending on insur and AF).

I guess it's worth a shot. Good luck w/ it.

Kara

want2bmom · Post by **want2bmom** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:31 pm

hey kara,
thanks a lot. that was good info for me. my acu is very new to infertility treatment and he is very much enthusiastic about this whole thing. i actually like the sessions, so don't mind going there everyday and keep hoping that this will work.

BTW, it seems we shall be having the same cycle. i'll know when i'll start BCP on the 4th when i go to the RE. shall let u know and hope to meet here

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:03 am

That would be great. Let me know and perhaps we can be buddies. I have to take the clomid challenge test this week into next week. After that, I have to get approved for my next cycle. I am hoping that it's before my next AF. I got AF today, so I figure it should come in about another 28-29 days. If I am approved right away, then should start in late Oct. early Nov. depending on AF. Once, I know more about the clomid challenge test, it should give me a better idea if I will even have another cycle.

I did have my first accu. today. I will have to mention it to my dh. I wanted to see if I liked the dr., the accu., etc. I did mention to him that I would look into it, but since he's not thinking this would be effective, he wasn't really into it. I actually did like it. There really weren't too many needles--a bunch in the abdomin area, a couple in the lower leg and one at the top of the head. Also some sort of heat lamp over my abdomin. My guy seems to have lots of people who go there while doing IVF. He wanted to know why I haven't come sooner. I may be doing too much to late, but at this point it's worth a shot. He's recommendating 2 times a week. I go again on Monday.

Let me know how things go.
Kara

want2bmom · Post by **want2bmom** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:31 am

it would be so nice to have u as my cycle buddy. btw, what is this clomid challenge test? i have been seeing it here and never heard of it before.
well my acu. guy also puts the needles at the same places....so he may be doing the right thing.

my AF is also due any day now.

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:01 pm

This clomid challenge test is basically something that I guess mainly checks your FSH levels. I had one done in 2005 and my FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) numbers were normal back then. I guess it helps to know what your ovarian reserve is like. They test on day 3 w/ bloodwork, and then you take these 2 tablets of clomid from day 5-9 and then on day 10 to see what that final number is... I've had Day 3 before, and the last couple of times, it's been at 11, which I guess is considered borderline. They like to see this number below 10. The day 10 should not be higher than 15. I am a little nervous about it because if it's high, then it means the ovarian reserve is low and the chances are pretty slim that this will work, but I have seen on this site that some people have had numbers higher than 15 & had some success stories. I am at my 2nd clinic. Both clinics have had some good things about them and some bad things. I have contacted one other clinic, because I think that the total experience should be about 99% overall good experiences w/ the way things are run. Plus, each clinic does things a little differently and while 15 is not a great numbers, some clinics won't touch you w/ high numbers, while some may try to help if it's a little above this. I sure that this partly do to my age. Insurance usually covers up to 6 cycles--but I may be told that they will try just one more....

Glad to hear that your guy is doing the same thing. That's got to be a good sign. I do wish I started a little earlier b/c this can supposedly help w/ fsh levels, but w/ only 1 treatment probably won't really help it so early. But I will have 2 more next week, and hopefully it will help w/ day 10 numbers.

It's nice to have cycle buddies because it can drive you a little crazy. Hopefully, it'll work out for us....

karia · Post by **karia** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:57 pm

I am also doing accu with ivf this is my fourth attempted but my first with accu i also started late the day before my nasal spray and out of four treatments this is the first time that i haven't had any side effects and i started my injections on the 26th i deffiently feel more calmer this time so i dont know if the result will be any different but im more positive and not finding the hole thing stressful

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:06 pm

KARIA--
that's a great story about how accupuncture can work w/ infertility. Even it just makes you less stressed out and have less side effects, already it's a positive experience. One of the reasons I go on this board is for support, but also to hear how things seem to work (or not to work) for people. I would think that people in this field would be more supportive/compassionate, but I have found that perhaps to these people working in the field treat it like it's a business. When I asked about it based on what others have told me about accu. and what I read about it, I did ask my clinic what their thoughts were. They basically said do it if you want, it won't hurt anything and that others have done it w/ some positive effects, but we don't advocate it. What the heck does that mean??? There are even clinics out there that provide this service, so there's got to be a little truth in doing this--even if it's just a better outlook, makes you feel calmer, etc....

I am glad that you shared your story!!
Kara

jackoa21 · Post by **jackoa21** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:29 pm

Hello ladies..
I just wanted to add my two cents about acc.. I have PCOS and from the reading I have done Acc works very well with PCOS laides.. I can tell you from my own story I was ttc for 2 1/2 years and I got to the IVF stage.. I got pregnant however it ended in a mc..I stared going to acc the next month to get ready for my next IVF cycle and about 6 weeks later I got pregnant on my own.. I just wanted to say that I belive for me it was the acc that got my the BFP.. It helped me to be more relaxed and mentally I felt I was doing everything I could.. I paid about the same you all mentioned but again I really feel its worth it.. I also wanted to ask "want to be a mom" are you on metformin? A lot of PCOS ladies are on Metformin and that helps PCOS ladies....

I also wanted to say a HUGE HELLO to Carolyn.. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and I belive Barcelona will be it for you.. I have been a little lurker and I keep up with you..HUGS to you

Jackie

want2bmom · Post by **want2bmom** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:48 am

hi jackie!

welcome to this thread. it really helps to know about the successes regarding a line of treatment one is following. i am also being positive that this time good news is waiting around the corner for me LOL

want2bmom · Post by **want2bmom** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:52 am

hi jackie!
i am sorry but i failed to mention that yes i have been taking metformin since the beginning of my treatment. don't know about PCOS, but it has definitely helped in reducing my weight.

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:06 pm

Hello all--
I know that no one has posted anything recently, but I wanted to let you all know that I've had my 3rd acupuncture treatments. Obviously, I don't know if it'll help w/ IVF, but I am keeping a good outlook. As others have mentioned about it helping w/ sleep, back pain, etc. I would definately agree. I have a herniated disc in my neck area. When it really bothers me, I can't really turn my neck. But, the pain seemed to settle in my shoulder blade area. But after the acupuncture, it doesn't hurt at all. I definately would say do acupuncture to help relax you, helps w/ sleep and maybe other ailments. I definately feel better--especially right after the treatment. So from that standpoint, I already think it's been helpful.

Of course, I think it'll help w/ making better quality of eggs, which in the end is the main objective.

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:27 pm

Hey want2bmom--

I know that we both indicated that we could be cycle buddies...I am still awaiting AF. I usually get it on day 28 or day 29. Wed was day 28. Every once in a blue moon I do get it about 3 days late, so hopefully, I will get it today. In the meantime, if you are starting your regiment, there is a forum under IVF forum for Oct/Nov. buddies. I will also PM you if you want to check it out.

Hope that the acup. is working out for everyone. I am still going twice a week and I really like it--it's really relaxing and I like just sitting there w/ no worries for 30 minutes.... I am optomistic that it'll help me once I get AF and start my next round.

Kara

karia · Post by **karia** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:11 am

as you know i have done accu with this cycle sadly i got a bfn on Friday but i will do accu again on my next cycle as the previous 3 cycles i had only a 40% of my eggs fert this time i had 80% and better quality and i had a frosty my doc was speechless and the only thing that was different was the accu

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:00 am

I am really sorry to hear about you bfn

But it sounds like the accupuncture gave you a better shot at least and it could be promising... Finally got AF today--about 3 days late (doesn't happen very often as I am very regular) so I will start my cycle by doing baseline u/s and bloodwork tomorrow. It could be my last if the doctor says it is. However, I am hoping that should this one not work, she'll let me try once more after this if I get overall better results. Will stop at 6 anyway.

Acupuncture with IVf - HELP

thanks carolyn

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