Trad Chinese Medicine for IVF and women over 35

[MzTia]

I just had my first session of AP today. She put in 12 needles . 1 on each foot, 1 on each ankle, 1 in each chin area, 1 in each wrist and 1 in each lower arm, not sure where the last 2 were. My acupunturist told me she would be a bit more aggresive next week, not sure what that means. I had the needles in for 30 mins and did feel a bit mroe relaxed afterwards.

I wasn't sure what to expect but thought I would share my first visit.

[Rinnie]

Hey Everybody!
Well, I got a BFP!!! this morning 10dp3dt. My Beta was 75.8.
I am so amazed. My RE said to contain my excitement because of my age, but at least I know I can still do it

No matter what ends up happening, I have TCM to thank for this. Last time I had no viable eggs at all. Like I've said before i feel so much better, and I know I'll be doing some form of it for the rest of my life.
I really went all out & committed to it, but sometimes that's what it takes.
I had AP 3 times the week of transfer...that thing was going to stick!

So anybody considering giving up because of egg quality etc., give it a try for 3 months, it's worth it!

Rin

[JDC]

Hi all! I just had a failed IVF cycle....actually cancelled because there were no good quality embryos. They had only retieved 3 eggs to start with. I was on the May/June cycle buddies board - I've peeked in to see how everyone is doing, but had to keep my distance to deal with my own heartbreak. Anyway, I have my first ac appointment this coming Tuesday and I'm very excited to start moving forward towards the goal again.

I have hope again. After this cycle I felt like my nurse was saying ivf would probably not work for me. I'd love to hear more about other people's experiences with ac and herbs - I'm a little nervous about the herbs, but we'll see.

Rinnie - thanks so much for starting this board!

[kbat]

I wouldn't be nervous about the herbs. I would definately mention it to your RE, but as long as you are going to wait, I think it's fine. When I was doing IVF, I only did acupuncture for the last 2 and it did seem like the quality was better. On #5, I technically got pregnant. It's super relaxing and I think it helps w/ the whole body, so I would say it definately won't hurt and it'll probably help.

Good luck to you!

[rainbowmoms]

Hi girls, may I join your thread. I was just inquiring about the TCM approach and acupuncture. Can someone feel me in on what type of herbs you are taking and how much? Thanks any help would be appreciated. I am looking into doing IVF in Mexico in about 3 to 6 months. I would appreciate any help anyone can provide to me. Thanks ladies and good luck to everyone on their BFPs.

[kbat]

Right now, I am only doing tcm--my insurance covered 6 IVF cycles and I did all 6 cycles w/o success. The last 2 I incorporated acupuncture.

I am still doing acupuncture once a week. I would say that there about 13 needles I have put on various places--one on my head, 2 on the wrists, 2 at the knees, 2 the ankles and about 6 in the abdomin area w/ heat lamp on the abdomin area. Additionally starting in March, I have been taking these herbs which are in pill form and I take a total of 16 of these "pills"--8 in the morning and 8 at night. I also have seen people who have to "brew" them, which I thought I would have to do also--but apparently not. I should be getting af in a few days if this hasn't worked and if not I will continue until I would get my next af in early July. Then personally I will stop.

I do think it is helpful because it's so relaxing and because it's suppose to get your whole body "aligned" so to speak, but I am not really sure either way if it'll help get pregnant naturally. Since I have no more insurance (I can't afford to do it out of pocket at 100%) and wasn't quite ready to give up on the dream of having kids, I decided to give this a shot (w/ no success so far, which is why I am doing it for 4 months--my left tube had to be removed due to blockage. Since you are supposed to ovulate different sides different months I figured I would give it a shot w/ me ovulating twice on each side--at least in theory. Ovulation tests will tell you that you are ovulating, but won't say which side you are ovulating on). I am sure that most clinics will probably say that you can do the herbs before a cycle, but not during a cycle. My clinic did mention to me that they could be toxic, but my tcm doctor said that's not the case--but more that Western docs don't want to do w/ other meds because of "potential" reactions--whatever that means.

Good luck to you.

[Rinnie]

Hi girls

Well, I just had a chemical pregnancy...Beta #3 started to go down. I'm really sad, but I feel really hopeful that I'm moving in the right direction. I got so much farther than the last time & the egg quality was B & C instead of E& F.
My TCM doc and I are very frustrated though at my RE...I feel like the western side let me down. I said it in an earlier post, but if you're doing herbs and AP you usually tend to stim better & need 10% fewer meds. My RE ignored it and I ended up with at least 4 eggs ( probably the best ones) that were too big to use.
Lesson learned....next time i will insist on closer monitoring and b/w on day 4 so they can slow me down on time if necessary.

I did take herbs throughout and was told by my TCM doc that they were simply nourishing....like taking a big vitamin. He changed the formula once I started stimming.
I don't exactly know what they are as I have to brew them and they change every once in awhile. Right now I'm on a detox blend to get rid of all those drugs & get my body back on track.....it's even more disgusting if that's possible

The books I'd recommend talk about the types of herbs :
The Tao of Fertilty by Dr. Dao Ni-Shing
The Fertilty Cure by Randine Lewis
I think you should take them at least 3 months because it takes 150 days for an egg to mature.

The AP is amazing...I did it twice a week for 3 months...now once a week and I'll go back to twice next month for IVF in Aug/Sept.
It is really relaxing & you just feel more in alignment.

I actually will continue doing some kind of TCM for the rest of my life...I just feel a lot stronger and calmer.


kbat I'm glad you're still giving it a try and i hope it works out for you!


Rin xo

[Rinnie]

Just a quick point....I just got my first AF after IVF and with the TCM the cramping is so much better.
Last time I was bent over double with cramps, and this time should have been even worse with the early miscarriage but I hardly had any. A huge bonus!!


Rin

[kbat]

I personally found the opposite w/ af. I hardly ever have cramps normally. W/ tcm, the first day of af after ivf #5 & #6 where so painful that I had to take advil--since I started getting af at about age 12 or 13, that never happened. But I guess the ivf drugs have a different effect on everyone.

[rainbowmoms]

Rinnie, I am so sorry for your loss. You seem to be in good spirits considering what you have been through. I admire that in you. I started acupuncture on Monday and he gave me three different formulas that together will help with infertility. One of the formulas nourish the Yinof the Liver and Kidney, another tonifies the Qi of the body and the final one nourishes the blood. Does that sound familiar. Rinnie, what herbs are you taking if I may ask?

[kbat]

Rinnie--I am really sorry for your lose..Hope the next one works out for you.

[valerie68]

Hello Ladies. I'd love to join your thread as I'm embarking on ac treatments. My first one was yesterday.

As you all see I had a chemical and miscarried in mid May. I'm getting ready for my next ivf cycle and I decided to do ac as I believe it will help me greatly.
On the first cycle, I only produced 3 follies...a 4th one but was way behind and out of those 3, I got two eggs. Both fertilized and made it to blast. I was very fortunate that both made it and transferred 2 embies. The lining of my uterus was very good as well so all I can figure out is that there was some abnormality with the embies and the fact that I'm not as young as I feel.

I have about a couple of months of ac treatment before I start stimming if AF shows up on time this month and in July. Hopefully, first AF will be next week.

I'm hoping to increase the number of eggs I will produce and perhaps the quality, although both embies were top grade.
My fsh is 9.6 as of the last test they did which was right before first ivf.
My ac told me she can help lower that number. I'm going to go twice a week.
I slept so well last night after the treatment, like I used to sleep before 1st ivf, I felt a lot calmer.

Rinnie: I've been following your journey and I'm so sorry you had a chemical. But the fact that the quality improved is a huge bonus ! And no matter what, you got pregnant. That's the way I looked at my chemical. Next time will be our time!!

Kbat; I admire your strength for having gone through 6 ivfs already. It certainly is inspiring. I hope you get your chance real soon. I know someone who had to have 7 ivfs before getting pregnant and now has 2 kids.

I'll have to read more about the other girl on the thread but I must go finish fixing dinner as I already super late.

Valerie

[kbat]

Welcome valerie68!!! Sorry to hear about your chemical. It's a tough journey

I honestly think that the acupuncture helped w/ the quality of embryos. the first 4, I had nothing and either nothing happened, and twice I didn't make it to e/t--once due to no fert. On #5, I actually did get a pregnancy after acup., but unfortunately it was etopic. That was my best showing.

The main reason I stopped doing ivf was b/c my insurance, which covered it at 100%, covered 6 and no more. W/ the expense of doing ivf, it was no longer an option once I would have to pay 100% out pocket. My dh has switched jobs, and I suppose I could see if this new insurance would cover anymore at 100%, but I am finally getting over the rollercoaster feeling and the disappointment of failure, so really don't know if I would proceed or not. I was dissatisfied w/ both clinics I was at, and the whole idea of trying to find another one and going through all the testing again doesn't interest me.

Good luck to you. I would highly recommend the Acupuncture at the very least.

[rainbowmoms]

Hi Kbat, how are things going for you. I am so glad that you are feeling better. I know it is hard to get over something like that. Thank you for hanging around and supporting other woman going through the journey that you went through. I respect and admire you for that. May I ask what kind of herbs your acupuncturist has you on. Name of herbs, dosage and what those particular herbs are supposed to do for the body? Have you heard from Rinnie? I have not seen her for a few days on the board and not sure if you send private emails to her or not but if you do tell her we miss her on here.

[rainbowmoms]

Oh and Welocome Valerie68. This is a fantastic thread glad you were able to join us. i am sure the women on here will help you out tons. Good luck and lets keep each other going ladies.