Advice on acupuncture / hypnotherapy,etc please

alison p · Post by **alison p** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 3:15 pm

Dear All, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on whether to go for acupuncture or hypnotherapy, or any other alternative therapy. My mum keeps sending me clippings from papers and mags (bless her - she's desparate for me to give her a grandchild as I'm an only child!) and am interested in maybe the acupuncture. I've looked at the Foresight website (the hair analysis which recommends multivits) but it does seem expensive considering everything else you end up paying for. I'm not sure about hypnotherpay either. My problem is a male factor and the articles I've read seem to involve people who've either had lots of miscarriages (but conceived naturally) or who have had IVF due to unexplained infertility. I'm willing to try anything if it works - I'll be going for ISCI cycle number 4 next year. My consultant has said that alternative medicine may help, but I don't think she's totally convinced. Yours desparately, Alison P

suzannemorris · Post by **suzannemorris** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 8:32 pm

Hi Alison, I've been having acupuncture since April, to be honest I went more so to try and ease the anxiety that I was suffering due to not concieving, but of course at the back of my mind I hoped that it would also help me to fall pregnant. Well still not pregnant I'm afraid but I do think it's helped me a lot in terms of balancing my emotions and keeping me calm. Unfortunately I'm feeling a bit like a crazy woman this week, so I've made an appointment for tomorrow. I should also mention that I've put on a stone in weight since starting the treatment, don't mind to be honest as I'm small anyway and probably was underweight to start with. It just show's you though that the treatment certainly has an effect, as my eating habits haven't altered at all and yet for the first time ever I've managed to gain weight. The needle lady thinks it's because I'm absorbing my food better, as apparently if you're very stressed your body doesn't take all the goodness from your food that it normally would!? I'm inclined to believe her since I've gone up a dress size. I read an article earlier this week in the Daily Mail regarding hypnotherapy, it was about a woman suffering with unexplained infertility. She had been trying for 4 years I think to have a baby, when she heard Paul McKenna being interviewed and talking of how he'd helped a woman get pregnant. His theory is that you can program yourself subconsciously to not get pregnant, such as career women who put it off until they're ready. To be honest that struck a chord for me as when I've been at my worst with anxiety I've felt scared that I'll never get pregnant but then equally panicked at the thought that I might! (told you I was a crazy women), it's horrible though to think that your own mind is what might be preventing you conceiving. Anyway this woman wrote to him and told him of her circumstances, and he responded and agreed to treat her. She said that within a month she was pregnant, apparently her friend was successfully treated by him too. Think his career in the spot light must be over if he's dealing with ordinary bods now, unless he charges a fortune for the privalige. Wonder how many women have been in touch with him since? Well bloody hell this is long and now I've read it back, probably not too relevant! Oh well! Anyway there's certainly no harm in looking into treatment, however if the problem is male factor then I'd imagine your hubby would be the best one to go. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.....I'm off to write to Mr McKenna! Suzanne.x p.s would be really interested to know how everyone else copes mentally with not conceiving, as I'd hate to think that I'm the only crazy person on the site!!!!

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 9:31 pm

Hi I just thought I would add my bit and say I have been having acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for 4 months now I started this treatment after 5 failed attempts at IVF / ICSI. I start my sixth attempt in January. I have also contacted a hypnotherapist today and am wiating for her to get back to me with a appointment. This was more to stop me from grinding my teeth at night but hey if she can help with the IVF then thats great. (I do my stressing at night and my poor teeth are very painful - yes I do wear a mouth gaurd but it's the clenching that causes me a problem!) Alternative therapy is certainly a option that should be explored before going down the IVF route and I wish someone had explained it to me before I started fertility treatment. Best of luck to all Lucy

alison p · Post by **alison p** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 10:07 am

Dear Lucy and Suzanne, Thanks for your replies. One of the articles my mum sent me was the Daily Mail one about Paul McKenna and it sounded an amazing story. However, how many people don't have success with such treatments? I suppose these treatments will only work if you believe in them. I like the idea of acupuncture more than hypnotherapy - not sure why. Maybe I should persuade hubby to go as well, but we are getting good embryos but they just don't seem to be implanting for some reason. The consultant said that they may be genetically abnormal, due to DH's abnormal forms (bless him) and wouldn't implant anyway. It's such a lottery isn't it? Anyway, I'm off to look through the yellow pages! Alison P

Lissa · Post by **Lissa** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 4:10 pm

Trying to get into see Paul McKenna the moment - will let you know how I get on. Lissa x

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Sat Dec 07, 2002 4:42 pm

Alison - our thoughts seem to be going in similar directions at the moment! I too have been giving serious thought to acupuncture or some sort of alternative therapy since our 3rd failure, partly because of some of the information on this board and partly because there doesn't seem to be an explanation in conventional medicine about why my embryos haven't been good. Hadn't done anything about it though until I was talking to some people on Thursday and they started talking about acupuncture and other alternative therapies they'd had to successfully treat all sorts of things (although not infertility, but then no-one ever talks about that do they?!) So, I took this to be a sign(!), and like you rifled through the yellow pages today, and phoned the place that was nearest and registered with some official sounding organisation and said its been going for 20 years. Anyway, spoke to the bloke (who seemed a little odd, but anyway...), and he's asked me to go at 5.40 this evening for my first consultation. So I'm off in about 1/2 an hour. Haven't actually told dh yet as I think he might laugh at me! So, I will let you know how I get on. I've promised myself I won't make any decisions on the spot, but if I like the feel of the place and he seems reasonably convincing I'll sign up, and if not I may check out one or two other places. Really hadn't envisaged myself going down this route (and am still not at all clear what it might entail!) but feeling the need to try something different. With best wishes Alison x

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Sat Dec 07, 2002 9:38 pm

Just thought I would follow up and let you know that I am seeing a hypnotherapist on Thursday next week. She was reffered by a friend and has treated people with infertility problems before. I will keep you updated. I am now on Chinese herbs, acupuncture and now hypnotherapy and go for my 6th attempt at IVF at the end of Jan - if it works (Please Please!) its a sure sign that alternatives help. We have male factor infertility and I always produce good eggs and embryos just none of the little buggers have stuck yet. Keep up with the alternatives Lucyx

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 3:45 pm

Hmm, well went to see my local accupuncturist last night and am not particularly keen to pursue that. I know that this is all about treating the whole person but he seemed more interested in whether I had heavy periods, PMS, "stress" etc. that he could treat than the issue of using accupuncture to complement IVF treatment. I'm now thinking about going to the Dr Zhai clinic, and have had a quick look on the website and ordered a brochure. I'm interested in how long they're likely to recommend accupuncture etc. before another IVF attempt. Lucy, you mentioned you've been going for 4 months and are planning to try again in late January - do you know if that's about the norm? And how often are you going (and roughly what does it cost?) Sorry, lots of questions! Thanks for your advice (I'm finding this plunge into the world of alternative medicine almost as daunting as getting into fertility treatment in the first place!) Alison

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 8:28 pm

Hi Alison The best advice I can give you is to talk to Dr Zhai. She does treat you though IVF treatment but she also stresses that it takes along time to sort your body out. I have accupuncture twice a month with Chinese herbs every day. It costs me £170.00 approx every visit including herbs. But remember this is my treatment and I know Dr Zhai treats everyone differently. I don't think there is a 'norm' it's all on the individual case. I had a blood test at the start and I also keep a tempreture chart. She also likes to look at all your IVF records embryo quality, number of eggs, sperm count and anything else you think will contribute to your assesment. (I got my clinic to photo copy my file) She is very straight with you and has had great results. Best of Luck Lucy

alison p · Post by **alison p** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 5:28 pm

Dear Lucy and Alison, This Dr Zhai person sounds interesting! (and expensive). I haven't actually had a chance to phone anyone up yet - there seems so many in the phone book! I will probably do something about it this week. Keep us updated on how you're getting on, Alison P

Lulu · Post by **Lulu** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:27 am

Hi all Been reading your messages and like you I have been contemplating alternative therapies after 4 yrs ttc, 1 miscarraige and 1 failed IVF. Bought some herbs from a Chinese medical centre but they tasted so horrendous I've only managed to drink 2 days worth out of 7 in the last week (+ I spent a long time on the toilet after drinking them!!!) and have been looking into acupuncture. My friend sent me a list of registered acupunturists and suggested I ring my GP to see if they could recommend anyone. On talking to the surgery it turns out there is a GP in the practice who does acupuncture on the NHS, so I have an appointment booked for next week to discuss if I am 'a suitable candidate'. I was going to start IVF again in Jan, but may delay a couple of months to see if this has any effect. So it may be worth contacting your GP's to see if you can have acupuncture on the NHS as it can be expensive. Lulu

anna_b · Post by **anna_b** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 1:56 pm

I have unexplained infertility and thought I would give Hypnotherapy a try after my first attempt at IVF failed. Went to see my Hypnotherapist this week for the first time and it seems really interesting, he thinks he may be able to help and 4-6 sessions will be about what I need. I think its worth a try before I have my second go at IVF. I'll keep you posted and let you know whats happened. Anna

lisa · Post by **lisa** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 1:34 am

Was christmas shopping last week and stopped at the "Chinese Doctors" (been passed it loads of times but after reading all this felt this time I had to stop and investigate). Explained that I can't conceive naturally and my last ICSI went well until the 2WW blah blah blah. He felt my pulse and said "your egg don't stick, we need to work on your womb and improve it's functioning" - after that whatever he suggested was "SOLD" - dh says he saw me coming...typical man comment. I have now got daily tablets to improve my womb and get it ready for my next cycle (jan/feb). Instructions are in chinese, god knows what it is but it makes you feel soooo positive just knowing you are doing something positive (dh still not convinced). 3 weeks worth for £34 and I will start a course of 6 acupuntures in Jan working on the womb area. Never would have done this without everyones comments so thanks to all and if I get a +ive next time, who knows if it all helped but if the result is right who cares. Just to p*** you all off - I am off to Tenerife for christmas and new year 74 degrees at moment - one last binge before sensible and cycling next year. Good luck to all and everyone have a great christmas. Love lisa xxx [Edited by lisa on 15-Dec-02 01:35]

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 11:56 am

Yes, dh scepticism is one of the things I'm facing. I sent off for the stuff from Dr Zhai and made him read it, but he has more or less taken the attitude, "well if it makes you feel better that's fine and it may help with stress, but I don't really see it will make any difference". I also spotted the chinese medicine shops while shopping yesterday, but wasn't as brave as you and didn't go in. I've decided I'm not going to do anything fertility related until I get back from skiing in mid January - the run up to Christmas isn't the time to be starting any sort of health regime! Best wishes Alison x

suzannemorris · Post by **suzannemorris** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 5:20 pm

Looks as though DH scepticism (thanks Alison for the spelling) is a common thing. My hubby laughed at me when I was buying rose quartz crystals, which apparently have fertility properties. But I agree with Lisa....it's worth the positive feeling that it gives you at the time, even if whatever it is fails to do the trick. We had a great laugh the month that I bought them as I kept making him rub them......NO the crystals, you filthy lot!! He thought I was turning into Mystic Meg!! Enjoy your hols Lisa and Alison. We're thinking of looking for something last minute to one of the Canaries for Christmas, so maybe see you in Tenerife Lisa. Suzanne.x

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