Acupuncture question again!!

[leigh]

Hi Everyone

Had acupuncture on Thursday, it's the third one I've had and i never feel any different, not more relaxed, tired nothing, also think i will get fed up with needles, what with injections and blood tests too. Do you still think it's worth doing acupuncture?? Would appreciate any thoughts on the matter.


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[k]

Hi Leigh

Although Ive no real evidence, Im convinced acupuncture worked for me and helped me get a positive. It did help me with hip pain which I was suffering with while I was going through IVF, so I guess this also helped convince me. I had approx 4 weekly treatments prior to EC and remember feeling very relaxed after the first one (But she had specifically said she was going to relax me that first session). I didnt really expect to feel different after each treatment because as far as I was concerned, I was just having it to increase chances of the IVF working, not to specifically treat anything (we have male factor). I never particularly enjoyed the sessions because having needles stuck in me was never very pleasant (And some areas did hurt, I cringed when she used to twist them in to check they were in the right place!). The day of ET was when it really made the difference for me. I had 2 sessions booked that day (She also put needles in different areas as well, such as my ears, which was weird, but didnt really hurt that much!). I was in a bit of a state by ET day because I had ended up with 4 embryos out of 12 eggs and was convinced I would have none to transfer. I was much calmer after the first treatment before ET then afterwards (Obviously more relaxed because I had got that far!) I was in bed straight after accupuncture, I was so relaxed (and worn out!).
Only you can decide if its worth continuing and as with other complementary/alternative therapies they dont necessarily suit everyone. I just had in my mind what I had read, that the acupuncture would help prepare my womb and increase chances of an embryo attaching. ( I was more concerned of having it just before and just after ET, because this was what seemed to happen during the trials I had read about).
Good luck with your IVF treatment
Love Kim

[Terri2]

HI Leigh

I'm not 100% confident but have decided that once I have my tubes checked, if there are no problems, I will have a course of acupuncture. I have heard a lot about helping you to relax and at the moment I will try anything as I am far from relaxed.

For those of you who live in the midlands, there is a chinese herbal place in Birmingham Bullring who have offered me 7 sessions for £125 which I thought was quite good value. I said I'd decide after my test though as if I have blocked tubes, I don't think it will help.

I had acupunture earlier this year for severe toothache and it definately took the edge off so there must be something in it.

[leigh]

Thanks for your good advice Kim and Terri.

As you say Kim i have only had acu because I heard it improved chances of ivf succeeding and would prepare womb etc. I will bear in mind what you said about having it before and after ET. I'll stick at it

Thank you and take care

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[Tilly]

Hi leigh. Me & DH had a BFP 2 weeks ago and are awaiting first scan. When we bought the Zita West book, it swears by Acupuncture.

So we thought prior to our IVF we'd sort one out. As you are probably aware, the flavour of the month at the mo is people calling themselves acupuncturists. So, to seek out the professionals, they have to be registered with a particular body, which ive forgot what its called, but if your a member of that it carries more weight, and it costs an absolute fortune for membership.

Secondly, in my town and every other one in the North West, chinese herbalists (who offer this service amongst other things) are popping up everywhere. When i first went for session one, the herbalist could barely speak english and didnt seem to understand what i wanted. As it was new to me, i wasnt exactly sure.

Hence, i didnt go back. I eventually found one through recommendation etc etc. Anyway, the point is that after every session, i never felt any different. like you. I had read things were women had said it was this amazing experience etc etc, but for me, the only thing i felt was very relaxed, as he put pan pipes music on for 30 mins whilst he left the needles in and left the room for 30 mins. The room was v. relaxing etc with candles etc so you couldnt help feel relaxed.

I had all in all 10 sessions. 8 prior and during treatment and one 7 days after ET,as Zita West recommends. So, who knows if this was a contributory factor with all the other little things such as 2 litres of water per day and a healthy diet etc etc.

The fact is that in a Daily Mail article earlier this year, i think in Germany they monitored 1000 couples who were goin through IVF without Acupuncture and another 1000 goin through IVF with acupuncture. Obviously the ones who were havin the Acu had a far higher rate of BFP,s
The test was apparently repeated and the results the same, so the evidence is there!

Will have to dash now, as i think i need Acupuncture for my fingers as they are nearly falling off.

Tilly

[dancola]

I had acu for my last cycle July/August. Whilst it didn’t work, the results were incredible compared to the last 2 cycles. I usually get 11/12 eggs – this last cycle with the acu I had an amazing 25 eggs!! Made a huge difference as this time we had 7 blastos frozen ready for when I do FET. I didn’t particularly enjoy acu and never relaxed (the guy always joked when he left me, telling me to stare at the ceiling for 20 mins – he knew I didn’t find it relaxing) – although that said, lying down for 20 mins doing nothing isn’t so bad. I’ll be booking myself some acu sessions from now until my FET in December because I don’t know what else to attribute that huge increase in both egg quantity and quality if not the acu.

[eskavon]

Dear Leigh
I went through acupuncture for my last go - I had it 2 months prior and 1 month after. My acupuncturist was lovely but I didn't feel any different whilst going through the trmt. Unlike Dancola I didn't produce lots of eggs but thats probably due to the fact my ovarian reserves are low so I guess it can't be affected by it. I'm very needle phobic and felt that this time I'd give it a miss as I'm unsure how it can help.
I know some people have had excellent results but I felt it wasn't for me this time.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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[em]

Hi there
How are you doing today?
My consultant strongly recommended acupuncture, as did my gynacologist. If you can, weekly treatments are excellent, but especially leading up to egg collection, and then before and after ET. I think Tilly is refering to something called the German Protocal which is based on a test study in Germany (obviously!) based on a group of women all undergoing IVF. They gave acupuncture before and after ET for one group of women, and not to the other. I don't have the facts here, but the percentage of woman who had a successful IVF cycle following the acupuncture far outweighed the group that didn't have it. You could probably google the study, i will try and dig it out for you as my consultant gave me a print out and the above explaination is pretty vague! I did not conceive on my first cycle despite all this, and certainly did not find it relaxing (how can you feel relaxed during IVF!) but all my eggs fertilised, and i think the hormone balancing induced by the acupuncture softened the side effects of the drugs.
I would try and stick with it. If not, reflexology is more relaxing and i believe can have encouraging effects too if you really can't bear the needles. It is often used in relation to fertility. As one of the other girls says, Zita strongly recommends acup. too, and she does seem to be a bit of a guru for us girls!
Wishing you so much luck
em x
Me 32 DP 33
Severe male factor
TTC 2 yrs
Aug 05 - ICSI

[leigh]

Thank you to everyone for all your advice
I have decided to stick with it, your views for were certainly very good reasons. I think i fely reassured by them because went for acupuncture today and felt very relaxed and sure it was a good idea.
Good luck to you all

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