Question about accupuncture

[Kas101]

I am currently doing accupuncture once a week to help prepare me for my second IVF cycle (currently on bcp's, will stim end Nov). I pay $75 a session and i am open minded about it helping me, but as it is quite expensive (already done it for 5 weeks, will do it till i get a BFP/BFN, so thats well over $1000 in total) i wondered if any of you ladies can attribute success to AP, or if you found it to be a waste of time?

ALso what does your AP do??? Mine is the same every week and even though her leaflet says she specialises in IVF (among other things) she doesnt speak great English and i dont know that she understands what i'm saying too well. Anyway, everyweek she puts in about 12 needles then turns off the lights and leaves me for 20-25 mins, takes them out and thats it..... Does anyone have a different experience??? I guess i;m just not impressed so far and losing faith in AP a little...

Thanks for your input...

[lynniecat]

Well, I have little good to say about my experience. It was relaxing but that was it. Same thing everytime except she just touched the needles to my skin and let the qi (is that it?) rise to the needle. Then would dramatically pull the needles away. She also burned incense on my tummy! Kind of nice smelling, but I just felt silly about the whole thing. The fertility clinic recommended her, but when I described it to one of the docs, they said that it sounded like placebo acupuncture.

Anyway, maybe if I had a more traditional AP, dunno...

[NY4thtry]

I thnk it depends on who you go to my ap specializes in fertility knows what cycle day you are on keeps track of protocol and adjusts accordingly..

I am in the 2ww so will let you know but my ap seems to have a lot of success

[Kas101]

Thanks to you both for the input....

Just can't help thinking that if i went in for a headache she would do exactly the same treatment - she says she specialises in IVF, but i dont see how. Maybe as my cycle progreses, she will do more but for now i am starting to think its a waste of time....

[xcited2Bpreggers]

I also think it is who you go to. I went to a lady who specializes in the IVF protocol and is pretty widely used by all the fertility clinics in my area. She also did approximately 12 needles but I only went to her directly before my transfer and right after the transfer. She also did 12 needles on the visit after the transfer but they were in different places.

I am not sure why you are having to go so often. I think it can only help you. My AP was cool in the fact that after she let me relax for a bit, she came in and talked to me a little bit about oriental medicine and things that I should be eating, drinking etc. as well as things to expect after the transfer. The nice thing that she did that I thought was very cool was that she had a private moment while touching my feet and she had private conversation with my embies, welcoming them and telling them about me, my DH and my dog. Don't know if that was a bunch of huey but I thought it was a nice touch

[DeeStar]

I went every week in Oct. for my 1st IVF cycle...she would put approx 20 needles in, put a "foil looking" blanket over me and turn on a small "heat lamp". leave the room for about 20 mins. and that was it. It was very relaxing to say the least. I did get a BFN with this cycle, but will prob. go back again for FET cycle coming up.

[wonderce]

Hi Kas, I am still doing acupuncture once a week and have been since approx 1 month before my ER. I am going later this week and planning to ask her how much longer she recommends that I go, or if I can at least cut back to once a month. It's $70 each visit and she usually spends 45 minutes or so with me. She asks questions at the beginning of each visit, looks at my tongue, and then inserts 8-10 needles. She covers me with a blanket, turns down the lights, puts a heat lamp on my feet, and leaves the room for 20 minutes or so. Then she comes back, removes the needles, and inserts new ones in different points for 20 more minutes. Maybe you could try a different acupuncturist? Did you do it with your first cycle?

[Kas101]

Thanks everyone for replying.....

It seems everyone has very different experiences when it comes to AP and i would say the most important factor is the accupuncurist....

I have been feeling disappointed with mine for a while now, and i have found another online, again that says they specialise in IVF, so i may give it a go at the new place. If i still feel like this, i will give it us as 'not being for me', but hopefully a new place with a more pro-active AP may just be what i'm looking for.....

[DNT0809]

Has anyone checked to see if their insurance covers this? Even if it is out of network 9 times out of 10 the accup.will take what ever the insurance company will cover. At least this has happened to me. Two different places. Please at least ask. It can take some stress off of you

[toobee]

I did acupuncture and I very much believe in it. So I always recommend it highly but also understand the skeptics. But about that price???? They tried to charge me 65 a session. I told them that I would pre-buy 12 sessions if they reduced there rate to 45. I asked them to work with me since IVF is very expensive and I coud not afford their full rate for the duration pf how long I needed it. They agreed and I still go even though I am pregnant. I always pre-buy 12 sessions and now they actually offer the package to others as well. It never hurts to ask...........the worst they can say is no

[Kas101]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply!!! I guess it depends on who you go to and how it personally effects you is the real answer to accupuncture.

I tried it as after my failed cycle i wanted to try everything that could possibly help. ON a personal level though i dont think its doing anything for me and i am starting to resent paying her to spend 5 minutes putting 12 needles in and then thats it and i wish i could say i felt any kind of benefit but i dont.

Maybe its just not for me, or maybe i have had a poor accupuncturist, but i have decided to take a break. I am still considering doing it just before transfer in December and just after, i think that will be it. Thanks for all your input and Toobee good to hear from you, I'm so glad you are progressing well. I hope to join you real soon!!!!

[toobee]

KasThanks for the shout out, I wish you all the luck in the world for a BFP his time around, I uderstand why you would discntiue accupuancture..it doest sound legit to me compared to my expereinces.I think my accupuncturits is a diamond on the rough, she stays with me the whole 45 minute session, sometimes hour, and also does accupressure. IShe also twists the needles and take some out at differant intervals and then puts others in at other times- I think I got lucky wth a real good one, but just like anything else there is allot of boloney AP's out there too..........

[smattison]

Hello ladies!!!
I highly recommend a qualified AP...one that your doc might send you to. I have found that most RE's have someone and they will give you the number. I did not use AP until this last cycle and it worked...I really believe it helped and I am pregnant. My problem seemed to be poor egg quality. My AP is also an OB-GYN and I think that has alot to do with how much experience they have. Keep looking around you can find a fit for you.

Mine was $75
I started 3 days before stim and went day of transfer and 3 days after a 5 day transfer. I have not been back. I only went to 6 or 7 sessions!

Good Luck to all you ladies!!!