Chinese Herbs & IVF

[Lotti]

Hi Girls

Just wondered if anyone could give me advice on this please?

I am currently having acupuncture with a Chinese Doc, and I take the yukky herbal vrew and pills from him too.

I am about to start my burserelin injections on 3 May and although my Chinese Doc says it is fine for me to keep taking them with the injections, I am slightly worried that it is actually ok.

I phoned my IVF unit and explained and they just said that they don't really have any knowledge of chinese medicine but if the doc sais it is fine then it must be!!!

Help!!!!!

[Bronagh]

I have seen discussions about this before I also am doing herbs and acupuncture and have read some people saying donts take them when injecting then last week my chinese doctor stopped the herbs herself and said I didnt need them any more so i was not faced with the decision. However something to think about is that the herbs are a medicine and as such it maybe hard to work out what effect they will have along side more conventional treatment.

Not sure if that helps, but if my chinese doctor had not stopped things I think I would of stopped the herbs and manybe had extra acupuncture??

regdra
Bronagh

[Lotti]

Hi Bronagh

Yes, I am very confused about all of this, I too have seen some postings that say they have taken herbs throughout treatment, but in a book by Marilyn Glenville - Natural Fertility she recommends that herbs are NOT taken during fertility treatment.

You were lucky, at least you didn't have that decision like you say!

I think I will email Marilyn Glenville and ask her - I guess I know the answer is NO really, but these Chinese people are so persistant as well, and you end up coming away full of doubt.............

I will do a bit more research, but thanks for your advice - it is very helpful.

When do you start your treatment then?

[jaye]

Hi Lotti,

At my clinic, you have to sign a form saying that you agree to follow directions, do what they say, etc. etc. and that you will NOT take any alternative/chinese medicines or herbal preparations of any kind. I don't know anything about it, but I guess they must have their reasons - I have heard that some kinds of herbs (like Ginseng, Raspberry - and even mangoes) are used in some cultures to induce miscarriage, and you don't really know what you're taking. I would be careful - like I said, not that I really know much about it. and usually, I'm quite a fan of alternative therapies.

Hope that helps,

Jaye

[Bronagh]

Just as a follow on my chinese doctor said today Mon will be my last acupuncture until implantation as I am about to start injections and its to dangerous to proceed.
B

[Lotti]

Hi Bronagh / Jaye

Thanks so much for your help and advice, well that's it then! I will stop the herbs next week (god I will have a huge arguement / discussion on my hands with these chinese people!) I say this to dp every week, and then walk in the door with yet another bag full of the vile stuff!

I think I will carry on with the acupuncture until I start my stims.

Appreciate all your advice - thanks