What About Acupuncture?

[peppagrl]

Hey! I've been wondering if anyone will like to give their thoughts on acupuncture and its benefits for us women with PCOS. I welcome any input on methods, testimonials (whether you are ttc or not), opinions, and suggestions, etc. Let's leave it for everyone to talk about. I'm considering it to help deal with my symptoms, what about you?

[cc9455]

Acupuncture is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I originally started going for anxiey/depression because I was on so many meds for it and did not think that was healthy (prozac, wellbutrin, klonopin, ambien.) It is so relaxing and does not hurt at all and I do not have to take any meds anymore!

My acupuncturist is actually the one that suggested we test my hormones and such since I was not feeling depressed anymore but was still feeling blah.

I love acupuncture because it is very individualized and it treats you as a whole and not just a symptom.

Did you have any particular questions about it?

Claire

[peppagrl]

Oh, Thanks Claire for your response and help! Acupuncture seems very promising and that's absolutely awesome that you didn't have to rely on all those anti-depressants anymore!

I'm hoping that acupuncture will help with me with my PCOS symptoms (acne, cravings, and the high testosterone and DHEA I have) and the endometriosis (painful cramps) and hopefully will lead to ttc when I get a chance to.

Did they put the needles in your ear? I've read that this is where certain points of the body in infertility is affected (ovaries, uterus, hypothalamus, etc) that they pay attention to.

How many treatments did you need? And, do you need to follow up? I'm just wondering if I would have to go to continual treatments for years.

What do you look for in your acupuncturist? And, do they give you a life long regimen to follow with herbal medicines?

I wish that we can put a thread of acupuncturists in local areas of each other. Kind of like the one we have for PCOS doctors. I'm in Philadelphia area, and I'm looking at the Healing Arts Center of Philadelphia . . . .here is the website
www.tcmstrategies.com.

[cc9455]

I was actually about to start tapering off my visits to once every other week when we found out about PCOS, so I will probably have another month or 2 at once a week.

Everyones treatments with acupuncture/TCM are different because the whole being is treated. For me personally I started going to acupuncture 2x/week for my "relief" phase, I am in the midst of my "corrective" phase now and we have just decided to extend that to work on the hormones. Eventually I will be down to the "maintenance" phase where you go once every quarter or so to keep things balanced.

I did not take any herbs etc before the PCOS diagnosis. I did talk to him about taking all these supplements and he said it is overwhelming at first but it is not something I will have to do forever. What I am taking is to help my body heal and be able to make the hormones it needs in the right amounts on its own. We are taking things slow and adding a bit at a time, really focusing on diet etc.

As to the points... sometimes he will put one in my ear but really he will put them in various places, legs, feet, arms, hands, forehead etc. I don't usually ask what each one is for because I trust him, and so many of the points pass through many areas of the body.

I hope that answers some of your questions... Here is a link to the post I made about my treatment and I am going to be keeping it updated each week after my appointments: http://www.soulcysters.net/my-altern...atment-182979/

Wherever you go please make sure you are seeing a licensed and certified NCCAOM practitoner: http://www.nccaom.org/

Feel free to ask me anything you want to about this! I know it is kind of scary to use "alternative" treatment at first but I know for me it just makes more sense.

HUGS!

Claire

[cc9455]

Jen,

Does this link help you at all? There are links for acupuncture schools outside the US and there are quite a few in Canada (I am not sure where in Canada you are...)

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/links.html

ALSO... Here is a link to the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada, It looks like they have a member index or at least someone you could e-mail if you needed help finding someone:

http://www.cmaac.ca/

Acupuncture helped me with my anxiety and depression very quickly, I am only on my first week of PCOS treatment right now so I really can't gague that yet It is worth going just for the relaxation!

I would not worry too much about finding and acupuncturist or DOM who has a ton of experience with hormone balance as long as they are willing to do some research if they need to. Make sure you find someone you are comfortable with who you can talk to about anything you feel is a concern for you. Mine actually told me he called a few of his colleagues to discuss my treatment plan to see if they had any other ideas than what he was thinking for treatment.

You want to find an acupuncturist who treats you as a whole person, hormone balance may be only part of what would need balancing.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions!

Claire

[cc9455]

OH DUH... I did not see you said TORONTO (it has been a long day!)

Here is a link to the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine for you as another resource

http://www.octcm.com/

Claire

[beccy-bec]

I tried accupunture earlier this year when I was trying to get my cycles back after m/c in december. I found it not help at all with my cycles as they never returned and when induced where extremely light to almost non-existant. But I must say it is absolutely fantastic for your general moods and feeling relaxed, I used to go once a week and the relaxed calm feeling used to last about 5 days after the treatment. I gave it up in the end as I needed my spare money to pay for fertilty treatment, which by my signature you can see has been just as unsucessful. Maybe I'm just a difficult case.

[cc9455]

I agree that acupuncture can be expensive, especially since 99.9% of insurance companies do not help pay for it. Luckily for me my insurance company does offer a discounted rate through certain acupunturists.

Acupuncture is not for everyone, it is not a quick fix and takes time. The supplements etc I am taking will take months to work instead of almost immidiately like medications would, but the supplements also do not have the side effects. You have to have make it a priority and have patience for it to really work.

For me it is the right choice, for others it may not be.

Claire

[cc9455]

Awww Jen

I am happy that the treatment itself was good for you.

That is a little much to have a "cleansing" pushed on you like that. Did they say you "have" to do it or was it just suggested? I have heard of some that make all of their clients do a cleansing or detox at first, but my Acupuncturist told me that it is really not needed. He will not even suggest any supplements for you until he has treated you a minimum of 4 times and taken the time to come up with a personalized treatment for that person.

I know its not your favorite word, but have patience and you will find the right place. It just may take some persistance.

Claire

[DollFin511]

I tried accupunture earlier this year when I was trying to get my cycles back after m/c in december. I found it not help at all with my cycles as they never returned and when induced where extremely light to almost non-existant.

Maybe I'm just a difficult case.

When trying natural or "alternative" methods, you can't expect them to work as quickly as allopathic, or "traditional" methods. That's because they are working with your body, trying to help it heal. That takes time. I do understand that sometimes you don't HAVE the time, such as if you are TTC and feel like you are running out of time. But if you can be patient and hold out, you will see results. That doesn't necessarily mean accupuncture WILL do it, but I'm speaking generally about all natural methods. Or maybe you need to do more than one type of procedure, like massage and accupuncture together, supplements, and of course diet and exercise. It took me about 6 months of trying, but I am finally seeing results (I told about it in my thread "getting results" if anyone wants to look).

[DollFin511]

I tried Acupuncture today for the very first time.
I felt relaxed afterwards and he wanted to give me herbs for cleansing.

I paid him $65 dollars for today's visit, and then he says to come back tomorrow and pay him $250 dollars for more herbs for "cleansing".
Look, I may sometimes be naive, but I find this to be ALOT of money just for herbs !?!?!

J

That is quite a bit of money for herbs, but maybe there is a specific reason he wants you to take those specific herbs. Cleansing IS very important, so if you are interested in cleansing and he doesn't give you a good enough reason for spending that much money on his herbs, check this out: http://www.mynsp.com/naherbs/product...?StockNum=3993
or this one: http://www.mynsp.com/naherbs/product...?stockNum=4092
These are 2 very high quality cleanses, and they are not cheap, but they aren't outrageous ($250!), either. They are 15 day cleanses, and do a VERY good job. You will see very good results, so unless he gives a reason for spending so much more, maybe one of these would be good for you.

[Lemonade Ladybug]

Hi Cysters!

I was so pleased to see this thread. I'd been 'thinking' about acupuncture for a while now but wasn't mentally ready to try it. I went last week for my first visit and was excited and curious to say the least. PURE HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!! I would do twice a week if I could afford it! It was THAT great for me. I didn't know that it doesn't work for some people and I am happy that it's helping me. The relaxation is great. My anxiety makes me be 'not too friendly' behind the wheel....I get angry, frustrated...but I don't yell at people...so being able to get behind the wheel RELAXED and driving friendly has been a nice little blessing. My moods have been better and I volunteered to help my husband mow the lawn!!!!!! I haven't had the energy to do that in a YEAR so my hubby stopped asking. I thought he was going to fall over dead! lol...I also was able to fall asleep on my own that first night. I have had to take Tylenol PM every night for the past year...I hate it. I am not a needles person either...lol...when I went to grad school and they said I'd have to have all my 'shots' again, I found a loophole to avoid them. Theses needles are NOTHING and you can't even really feel them. I would like to wait until Friday to return but I REALLY want to go back today!

If anyone is considering it, TRY IT. Do your homework and find someone good!
LL

[Lemonade Ladybug]

Hi Jen! Lovely to see you....

I hope you find someone who can help you feel better!

Bio identical progesterone...lol...thanks for the reminder...I need to take it right now...sfx: LL digging to the bottom of her purse for progesterone bottle! This is only my second cycle to take it and it's helped A LOT! It's nice to have no side effects from it either!

WOOHOOO!! I get to get acupuncture again on Wednesday!!! YIIPPEEE!!!!
LL

[AUZZGAL]

I started getting acupuncture and taking tcm in april this year. I went a few times and than stopped as it was to much with my wedding and all and i have recently started going again i find it really relaxing and i think some needles really hurt though. I really like alternative remedies etc. But im struggling with the idea that she wants me to change my whole diet and not eat any raw foods only fresh lightly cooked foods ie stirfrys and steamed vegies. I finally found a diet that im comfortable on and it's working and i don't want to change but she says it wont work to its full potential as my spleen cannot digest it???
She also said shes unsure if she will be able to help me??? but she will try her best. I feel like im wasting $$$?
Im supposed to have an appointment tomorrow but i think im going to cancel and think about it for a week or so

Thanks
Kristie

[Mallory]

Yeah. Ditto jencyster.