Any Success using Acupuncture!!!

Tharaa · 04-18-2005, 02:48 AM

Hi has anyone of you Alt cysters,had success using acupuncture to treat PCOS or an other health ailments.Acupuncture has been firmly reccomended to me,and just wanted some feedback!
I also have a few questions about the sessions!

Did the needles hurt when they were placed on certain points?How did you feel after the session?

anything else you can tell me about the experience?

Thanks

pink lotus blossom · 04-18-2005, 08:45 AM

hello,

I noticed a profound effect on me after just one session of accupuncture, I also got pregnant about 1 week after the session but sadly miscarried just recently at 6 weeks.
It lasted about 40 minutes, the needles didnt hurt at all, only when i wiggled my feet the ones in my feet just hurt slightly, when i came out i was on another level, totally un stressed, and for me thats something!

However i think you need a course of treatments for long term effect. I am just as stressed as i was before but thats due to many things. i will post a new thread asking for help and advice today.

Pale Pink Aura · 04-19-2005, 10:34 PM

I've also had great success with acupuncture. At the start of 2004 I had a course of it, but had very little success. Over the next year I took vitex and that helped stabilise me a lot - I started to ovulate some months, but not others. I also changed my lifestyle habits - ate well, cut out most preserved foods and all wheat-based products. Didn't really get into the exercise though, I must admit. In January this year I began acupuncture again, and this time I had profound changes. I ovulated well every month. I added NPC to the mix 3 months ago and now I'm pregnant. I obviously did a lot of different things to help my PCOS, but I was a very resistant, severe case (I'm a thin cyster, and often we are) - I had my DD after years of fertility treatment via IVF (3rd transfer). After having her my PCOS signs got even worse, my liver failed, my thyroid suffered, put on weight etc etc - I was really sick. I needed all of these changes to help me, but the acupuncture was really, really good for me and I attribute my TCM practitioner with allowing me to become pregnant naturally.

Maruca1968 · 04-26-2005, 09:21 PM

HI! I have been considering acupunture for treating PCOS and also the weight loss which is so hard for me. I have never done acupunture. What do you say when you go there for the first time?

My health insurance covers up to 20 visits a year.... I am willing to give it a try.

klg221 · 04-29-2005, 12:31 AM

I had never had an unmedicated regular cycle in my life. After three months of acupuncture treatments (no meds whatsoever) twice a week I completely unexpectedly got af on cd day 28 (back in February).
You could have knocked me over with a feather. My next cycle was 27 days and developed a 23mm follicle all on my own. I think acupuncture is an absolute miracle...even if I never get pregnant.
But the other major thing about TCM is that they can see just by looking at you if other systems in your body are weak or not functioning properly. All of our systems are related and if one isn't effecient, it can throw off the others. I have learned SO MUCH from my acupuncturist. It has been the most valuable experience of my life.
I am now down to one treatment a week so I'm interested to see if my cycle continues to behave itself.
As for the pain...99% of the time it doesn't hurt at all. However, if your energy is blocked in a particular area then the needle going in can hurt (sometimes it can take your breath away), but the pain goes away immediately. You definitely don't want to move though...that can cause pain. But honestly, don't let possible pain keep you away. Acupuncture is is so healthy and important for your whole body.
Hope this helps!

Pale Pink Aura · 04-29-2005, 01:04 AM

Maruca - you really don't need to worry about what you are going to say. Acupuncturists take a holistic approach to health care, so they'll ask you lots of different questions about all aspects of your health and life in general. Obviously tell them you have PCOS and if you want to conceive or lose weight or whatever tell them that, but they'll probably ask that anyway.

blueeyeliner · 04-30-2005, 05:56 PM

Hello! I hadn't had a period since November, was constantly bloated and at my wits end. I've been going to acupuncture since the start of March and I just got my period!! I found the acupuncture very relaxing, although some points on the delicate skin on my feet are quite sore-but bearable. My acupuncturist put me on a diet and herbal supplements, which helped with the bloating and improved my moods. I have also been using agnus castus (vitex), so I'm not sure what brought on AF-it or the acupuncture, possibly a combination. Give it a go, it certainly works for some people. Good luck!
Eimear

Hjackson719 · 05-03-2005, 07:03 PM

I've been going to an acupuncturist since last November in conjunction with Western medicine. I saw my acupuncturist for 3 cycles- and I O'd during each cycle! While I'm sure the Clomid had something to do with it (;-), the acupuncture certainly helped! I got pregnant during my 3rd cycle. Sadly, I miscarried, but that was due to blood clotting issues that were diagnosed after the m/c.

I feel very relaxed during each session- in fact I snooze thru most of it! ;-) We start out with me laying on my stomach- the needles are placed on various spots on my feet, ankles, lower back and the top of my head. I stay that way for 20 minutes then I lay on my back. The needles are put on my feet, ankles, knees, stomach, ears and head. Sometimes a needle is bothersome if it hits a nerve- but it's not painful. I just ask my acupuncturist to reposition the needle and that typically makes the pain go away.

Typically I come out of each session relaxed and I sleep very well that night. I started out going once a week, but now go every other week. I really enjoy it! I hope you have as positive experience as I have!

Mibell · 05-03-2005, 10:52 PM

I've been going to acupuncture since November, and I got pregnant after just a few sessions, but sadly m/c. I was so excited though to find that I had not only o'd after 15 years of of TTC, but gotten pregnant too! I'm on met and herbs, and yes the needles hurt sometimes, but there is always another place they can put them. The needles I used to get in my stomach, are now put in my arms, and they accomplish the same thing, but with less pain.

nurseychicky · 05-05-2005, 04:28 PM

I 've been doing accupuncture for about 2 months now. For the first month I had to go twice a week and now I only go once a week. I have had two regular periods and am waiting on #3 next week. I don't know if I ovulate though.
Sometimes the needles hurt a bit, there have only been two or three times where i asked her to remove one of the needles. The first accupuncturist I went to stuck needles on my ears too, this one doesn't.
I always lay on my back, and I have to be really comfy, because if I move, Yes they do hurt, they're in your muscles. So she does about the same spots everytime.
I have always had digestion problems, I only pooped like once a week. Everytime I go in for accupuncture I poop, sorry if TMI, but it makes me feel like it's doing something, and I'm much more regular than I used to be.
Maybe I'll ask her if she can help with weight loss, I didn't ask last time.

designchick88 · 05-06-2005, 12:38 PM

Hi there,

I have been doing acupuncture for about a month now, I've had 3 weekly appointments. The needles don't hurt me at all, usually. According to my acupuncturist, they're not supposed to. I had one needle last session that she put into my butt cheek that hurt like hell, and she took it out and repositioned it and it was fine. The appointments are great and afterwards I feel very relaxed but with a sharp mental focus. I had an early-morning appointment this week and after the appointment I went to work and was able to get a ton of work done. If the acupuncture doesn't do anything else, the relaxation is great.

However, according to my FF chart it looks like I ovulated this month, which would be great. I hadn't O'd when I went in for my appointment this week (although I had symptoms) and my acupuncturist put in some needles that were supposed to "help things along." It looks like they did, because I got wet CM and EWCM this week and this is my third day of high temps. My acupuncturist is very adamant about charting and says she can tell what to do with the needles from my chart pre- and post-O, so I am going to take my chart in to her on Tuesday.

In addition to that, I have seen a big improvement in hairiness and I have actually lost a little weight also, because I don't seem to have the cravings for sugar that I used to have. I have been eating a lot less and having more energy, which is great. I am not doing Chinese herbs right now, but I think I may start next cycle. I am just taking vitamins and also doing therapeutic massage and yoga in addition to the acupuncture.

I highly, highly recommend acupuncture for anyone who is open to it. HTH!

olnicas · 05-20-2005, 06:24 PM

Although I was diagnosed with PCOS only 2 years ago, I know that I had symptoms since about age 21(now am 37). I had so many non-successes with trad. medicine, that I went the non-traditional route to deal with back pain and all of what I know are PCOS symptoms now. In 1997 my accupuncturist treated me originally for candida -which I now connect with my knowledge of insulin resistance as the best thing he could have done for me. Additionally he started treating my non-ovulation. I had not had a regular cycle for over 7years - 3-9 month cycles. Within in one month I was ovulating with a normal period. Within in five months I was suddenly pregnant - completely unexpected. I know that this would have been impossible without the accupuncture. I am extremely lucky to have found my doctor, and now have 2 beautiful boys.

When choosing an accupuncturist be careful. Not all of them are as good as each other. Check for training. Mine trained at an institute in CA, but was also a trained medical practitioner. This guy was in Michigan. He also got rid of my allergies. I now live in Europe and am having a hard time finding someone good that I can communicate with.

Pain is minimal, compared to the results.

London · 05-21-2005, 01:23 PM

Just wanted to add my two cents

I started in December and started noticing improvement pretty immediately. I used to ALWAYS get up in the night to pee...that stopped within a week or so. Also, the dizziness experienced from the Prometrium (progesterone) I was taking went away (those points below the ears HURT). I was going every week up until March when I started going every other week. Now I've not gone in a month and my charts look HORRIBLE. My moods are all over the place. And the symptoms of the insulin resistance end of my PCOS have flared up; for example, I can't tolerate carbs like I used to.

My view of Western medicine has waned significantly since starting TCM. I've seen the side effects the drugs had on my body. I love my acupuncturist - he takes the time to explain things and is almost like another person cheering me and DH on. Compared to my OBGYN, I feel like I'm a replaceable person and not much attention is given. At times, I feel like I've known more than the doctor and have had to tell him what I want to do (!).

Hope this helps!

P.S. Hi Kerry - how was your trip to London?

Pale Pink Aura · 05-21-2005, 10:09 PM

I'm also having acupuncture throughout my pregnancy - I initially had it fortnightly, now I've gone onto monthly appointments. It has helped me a lot during pregnancy as well - my last pregnancy with DD was just awful and this one is going along smoothly so far.