Acupuncture girls

[changedname]

Just saw Genet's post in the intro and a question came to mind... do you do herbs etc too or just the acu?

So far I have only done acu because I was cycling on femara and gonal F and the acupuncturist said he can't give herbs too.

Also, out of curiosity - where does he stick the needles? I get all over my stomach then 1 in each shin and 1 in each ear.

[daisy24342]

I can't answer your questions ( never done acupuncture) but I'd love to know more about your experience with it. I am thinking about it for potentially next cycle, and I basically know nothing. I just got a book in the mail today to try and learn.

So I guess my questions are.....how Long have you been doing it? About how much does it cost ( ballpark)? I can't find any local acupuncture places that post that info online. I just want to have an idea before going in to talk to someone. Do you find it helps( with stress?)

Thanks!

[changedname]

Hi Daisy,

My sessions last about 45mins-60mins. I'm not sure why sometimes it is quicker than others.

My sessions cost $85 per. It's not cheap. I do think it has helped my cycle though. I used to get really bad cramps and now I don't get any. I have been going since November, 2 x a week.

My RE recommended this acupuncturist.

[daisy24342]

Thanks for the info Noel.....that at least gives me a starting point. I get horrible cramps the first day of AF ( to the point dr is worried I have endo) so I'd be willing to try acupuncture for that! Glad to hear it helps. I just got a book about it and herbs and diet...combinedn to help infertility so we'll see. Thanks again!

[genet313]

Yes, I do acupuncture. I go twice a week, I've been going since September. As I noted, it has helped with ovulation, as I am ovulating earlier in my cycle than ever before. Still no PG, but my acupuncturist seems incredibly confident I will get it eventually (maybe b/c I've already gotten PG once before, who knows).

I take one kind of herb b/c I am always cold (probably b/c, at least according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have Kidney Yan deficiency). I just started taking it, no noticed effect yet but it's only been about a day!

I also take supplements she recommended generally, which are:
CoQ10 (egg quality)
Vitex (helps progesterone levels, and believe me, it works)
L-Arginine
Fish Oil
Maca
B6

I generally enjoy it, I find it relaxing to lay on the table for about 30-60 minutes and just think. Sometimes it's worse, b/c I focus so much on getting PG, and why am I not PG, etc. But most of the time, it's calming and I often nap.

Mine is 100% covered by insurance (at least it was last year, after I reached my max OOP for the year).

[genet313]

Forgot to answer one Q:

The needle location will be different for each patient. Mine are in my head, ears, all around my lower abdomen, legs and one in each arm.

My needle location also changes if I am pre- or post-ovulation.

You can read the book The Infertility Cure, which contains a self-diagnosis for TCM (traditional chinese medicine). It also contains a neat chart for common infertility acupuncture points, which I notice coincide with the points my acu uses.

[genet313]

Ah, one more thing!!

I've read (and my acupuncturist told me) that it takes a good 2-3 months for acupuncture to have a positive effect.

Note that I did notice earlier ovulation on month 1, but it may take longer for others. I have noticed that by month 4, my usually raging cramps lessened significantly, and my menstrual flow had improved (less clotting, which acupuncturists don't like to see).

Sorry for TMI.

[purpleme]

I see an acupuncturist...
I get treated for anxiety, insomnia and infertility...

Usually the needle sticks are on top of my head, face, ears, arms, legs, feet, hands and abdomen....Not all at once, but depending what the ailment at the time is...she will treat that at the moment....

Btw, the treatments helped me immensely for anxiety! As far as my cycle, it delayed my period by 7 to 10 days...

[berbles]

Twice a week @ $85 a pop!? :-|

[Cheesecake]

Has anyone done Japanese acupuncture. I did that years ago for some neck pain, but that's the only time I've ever had acupuncture done at all. They do say they do fertility related acupuncture there too, so I'm wondering if I should give it a try again. I just really liked the vibe at that office and 99 percent of the Chinese acupuncture places here look very very shabby.
It's 63 euros a pop, so definitely not cheap, and insurance doesn't pay for it anymore so I''m wondering if I should or shouldn't try.

[changedname]

Jan 10, 2013 1:42:15 GMT -5 berbles said:

Twice a week @ $85 a pop!?

I know...... Still cheaper than multiple IVF cycles so... We are definitely not going out anymore for dinner etc.

Genet - yes, I have The Infertility Cure - that is actually why I started going to acu. I self diagnosed myself as spleen deficiency from the book and my acu guy does the exact same pressure points as she recommends so i think the book is spot on!

[genet313]

Jan 10, 2013 1:42:15 GMT -5 berbles said:

Twice a week @ $85 a pop!?

Yes, it's expensive. But check with your insurance company, it may be covered. Mine is.

[genet313]

Jan 9, 2013 8:53:54 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Thanks for the info Noel.....that at least gives me a starting point. I get horrible cramps the first day of AF ( to the point dr is worried I have endo) so I'd be willing to try acupuncture for that! Glad to hear it helps. I just got a book about it and herbs and diet...combinedn to help infertility so we'll see. Thanks again!

Daisy, I also have horrible cramps. In high school I used to have to leave school to deal with it, they were so bad. It's lessened over time, but now that I am off hormonal BC, they are back.

Acupuncture has helped with it - last month I didn't even have to take any Advil or Tylenol and got through it myself. It's definitely worth a shot.

[daisy24342]

Thanks genet....I think I'm def going to try it.