Acupuncture

overwhelmed29

My RE offers acupuncture. I have never had it done but after my failed fresh cycle, it is something that I have looked into. Does anyone have any advice either if you believed it helped or when to have it done. Also, let me note that I am afraid of needles so I'm worried that the anxiety of it might outweigh the benefits.

Thanks and Happy Thursday 

MrsZ816

I am a big fan of acupuncture for lots of things, not just with IVF. I did it once a week for about six weeks before/during my bfp ivf cycle. It helped with anxiety and my lining. I also use it for sinus issues. I am bad with needles but acupuncture needles are so slim you can really not feel them. The reason they hurt so much less than injections and blood draws is that those needles are a tube to let fluid in or out but acupuncture needles are just a solid, thin needle.

SuperPsi

I've done acupuncture since October.  Too soon to tell if it's worked for IVF, but I can tell you that when I did a treatment a few hours after ER, it really helped with the pain.  Plus I can feel ovarian tickles during and after every session, which I figure can't be a bad thing.  I'm a needlephobe too, or maybe a recovering one because acupuncture has really helped with that as well.  I was super-nervous going in, but they were gentle with me and it's been fine.  I still clench my teeth when they put them in, not because it hurts but because something in my brain still says it will hurt and I need to prepare.  But the thinking side knows it doesn't hurt and once there in you can't feel them at all.  I can't look at them while they're in there, but that's easy to avoid.  Good luck!

ronniesgirl1981

For me, the needles do pinch a little when they go in.  The ones in my feet and face pinch the most.  Even still, I look forward to my appointments. 

If you can handle all the IF crap, you can CERTAINLY handle acupuncture. 

overwhelmed29

Thank you all so much for your input! I think i'm going to give it a try. I mean to ask my RE at my WTF apt but I felt like I was being rushed out. He's never mentioned it but i'll do anything for a BFP! 

BankerBSN

I am glad you posted this.  DH and I were discussing starting accupunture before my FET.  

overwhelmed29

@BankerBSN, Do you know when your FET is? Sorry to hear about your failed fresh cycle. Mine failed, too. 

BankerBSN

overwhelmed29 said:

@BankerBSN, Do you know when your FET is? Sorry to hear about your failed fresh cycle. Mine failed, too. 

I have an appointment today at 3:15 to figure it out.  I am guessing in a few months.  

jlr96

I did acupuncture for 4 of my 5 IUI's & started doing it more often for my IVF cycle.  I have read lots of positive things about it & it is supposed to help with side effects from stims as well as ovarian response.  I started going twice a week in the month leading up to the start of stims for my IVF.  My acupuncturist put me on Chinese herbs that is supposed to help with ovarian response as well.  A few of the points do hurt worse than others but it's just for a minute when they insert the needle.  You should try it if you're interested!

LooneyLife

I believe acupuncture made all the difference in our egg (and resulting embryo) quality between IVF #1 and #2. The number of quality embryos really speaks for itself.

overwhelmed29

@Looneylife, I just want to say thank you for replying and let you know that I also had a blighted ovum with my first pregnancy. I'm so sorry to see that in your siggy. Do you know when your FET will be?

LooneyLife

overwhelmed29 said:

@Looneylife, I just want to say thank you for replying and let you know that I also had a blighted ovum with my first pregnancy. I'm so sorry to see that in your siggy. Do you know when your FET will be?

Thank you.  We're planning on our first FET for April.  Good luck to you with your upcoming FET.

Acedit

I have read of many positive results from acupuncture, not necessarily a BFP, but positive changes in cycle issues and to lessen the side effects . Not to high jack a post, but how long before IVF cycle is the best time to do acupuncture? Have any of your guys had acupuncture?

MKateG

I actually just called an acupuncturist in town to talk about making an apt...I do think it will help with stress and if it increases the chances of a BFP that sticks I will certainly do it!

@overwhelmed29, @Looneylife- I also had a B/O with my fresh cycle, it was really hard to go through the excitement of a BFP and then your worst nightmare coming true and your back in IF reality...but I am cautiously hopeful and optimistic for this cycle. 

[-O<

scooteriste

I spent a year trying acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine prior to IF treatment, so I'll chime in. While I think that acupuncture can be relaxing, unfortunately it didn't do anything for my fertility. However, with the right (fertility trained, IVF knowledgable) acupuncturist you'll have a nice outlet to talk about IF, relax and feel like you're doing something to reach your goals. I totally recommend it for that reason.

I thought about going back when I started down the IVF path but I can't deal with any more needles than are absolutely required, so it doesn't appeal to me anymore. I now see a massage therapist and try to find other ways to relax.

tptbabe

I've been doing acupuncture for a couple of years, and I'm so glad I started! I was/am terrified of needles and it took alot of talking myself into it, but it really isn't like getting a shot or blood draw at all. I was left wondering why I had psyched myself out so badly for it! The ears and feet do hurt some, but she slowly worked me into those points.

I can't say if it's helped for IVF (we're not cycling until May), but it did help to regulate my cycles and balance my hormones (along with TCM supplements). My ND says that 3 months in advance is the best time to start, since that's about the time for a full egg production cycle. (Much like sperm.)

overwhelmed29

@MKateG it has been do awful. My only BFP was last March. I was so, so grateful and happy. It's definitely the hardest thing I've been through. I'm so sorry that you went through it as well. Fx for you this cycle.
@scooteriste I am in serious need of a massage but I'm always too scared up go in the middle of my cycle. I assume it's okay?

pblge

I'll chime in with my experiences. I did it in my first round of IVF, the results of which you can see in my siggie. No idea if it helped or not, but there's pretty good (not amazing) research to suggest that it does help increase the chances of IVF success. That said, I think it's very dependent on the quality of your acupuncturist, as well as his or her training in infertility issues.

I want to want to go back for IVF #2, because it could be (is?) helpful, but like others have said all the needles can get a little overwhelming. I found that they do hurt as they go in, but only for a moment.

Sigh. Guess I'll go email my acupuncturist to schedule a session for next week. Ugh.

*hugs* to those with losses. M/cs after I/F are the worst.

scooteriste

overwhelmed29 said:

@scooteriste I am in serious need of a massage but I'm always too scared up go in the middle of my cycle. I assume it's okay?

Talk to your RE or nurse to be sure. I didn't feel like laying on my stomach much after starting stims, so the one massage I had mid-cycle was pretty much head/neck/shoulders/feet... Totally relaxing and wonderful. I'd suggest a higher end spa and let them know when you're booking that you're going through medical treatment and would like someone who isn't going to try to give you some sort of bizarre trigger point massage! Good luck!

leavehouse

i LOVE LOVE LOVE acupuncture! I've been going once a week for 7 weeks now. My RE suggested it after our failed FET. Seriously, don't stress about the needles. They are SO tiny. if you can handle the PIO needle... then you can handle these. I am being treated for IF, stress/anxiety/depression and sleep issues. I have found a huge improvement with my sleep and mood.

herecomesthesun

I've been going for a year now to an acupuncturist that specializes in fertility. At first to de-stress and just to try something different from traditional fertility treatments. Once we decide to do IVF, I kept it up. I mean, why not?

I really credit it with allowing me to be chill through the IVF process and when I had OHSS, I got amazing physical relief from acupuncture sessions. I wouldn't say it's some magical fix but it's relaxing and really worth a try.

Carol77B

I've been going to an acupuncturist that specializes in fertility for close to two years and it helped my PMS symptoms and when I went during stimming, it helped with the bloating, which was a miracle. Also, because mine is so experienced with IVF patients, she has been a great source of support and comfort. Some of the needles really "zing" but usually that's when I'm really wound up. I think it does help with stress relief and that's what my OB/GYN thinks helps with fertility. I'm definitely going to keep going.

STBMrsMiller

I did acupuncture for my second IUI and my first IVF cycle and it did help my lining both times . I plan to do once a week for 6-8 weeks prior to our planned FET next cycle.

This cycle I did add spa treatments for relaxation in addition to acupuncture, which worked well because of the planned freeze all. I did one massage and one facial and they were fabulous!

overwhelmed29

Thank you all so much for your replies! I think I worry too much (as i'm sure most of us do) about things that I can/shouldn't do. IF sucks terribly!

On a brighter note, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

kz's_girlygirl

I love acupuncture and always go during a cycle, usually twice while on stims, then just before and just after transfer.  My RE totally recommends it, and my clinic actually has an entire side fully staffed that specialize in Eastern medicine to compliment the Western medicine.  They believe in it so much that you get a free treatment on transfer day! 

I think it definitely helped me in a few ways- I was more relaxed, I felt like I was doing something to help things along, and I had another professional helping 'fix' me. 

tptbabe

I'm thinking too, that if you go for a couple of sessions beforehand, then it might help to alleviate the stress that you might feel about it being your first time while you're cycling? It definitely took me a time or two before I could really relax during it. Even though after the first needle I knew it didn't *hurt*, it still made me a little anxious!