acupuncture timing question

bunnybun4

I know they say it's best to go regularly 3 months before your cycle but we didn't know we needed it 3 months ago and honestly can't afford it (it runs about 100 a pop in my city).  Originally we weren't going to do it at all but now DH says that I can go 4-5 times (maybe a few more times if I feel like it is helping).  I am doing PGS so my retrieval will be the second week in Nov and hopefully we will have our tranfer in December.  How would you space out those acupuncture appointments?  Is it even worth it to go that few times?  I have been emailing the accupuncturist that my RE recommends and she says it is all beneficial but wanted to check here first.  Thanks in advance.

tifga

I don't know how big a city you live in but community acupuncture is a good option and much more affordable. My clinic really pushing coming right before and right after transfer so those are the most important.  Other then that maybe once every week or two? I am not sure. 

CRMhoney

@bunnybun4 I hear ya. I live in NYC and its $100 here too. its $300 the day of retrieva/transfer because they are essentially waiting on your and your doc's schedule. I would do 2x a week until the retrieval if you like it. I love it and am a firm believer, however I never did it leading up to retrieval only day of and before and after my transfer. 

KM721

I am actually going in for an initial appointment tomorrow, and I am already stimming. I'm sure that the acupuncture folks would say to do it earlier, but we certainly didn't decide to do it soon enough either! My hope is to do one or two appointments this week, then the pre/post transfer and maybe one more after that. I just want to try it--figure it can't hurt. 

My clinic has some "package" pricing which is a little cheaper, but you have to commit to so many sessions. They have a six-session one that is intended to be the whole cycle, with three leading up to the ER, pre/post transfer counts for two, and then another for implantation several days later. So, that gives you an idea of how you could use the sessions. 

mrsCW

I think it's absolutely helpful to go even 4-5 times. My acupuncturist recommends once a week during stims & then before & after transfer.

mrscsw

I agree with ^pp. I found a community acupuncturist and only pay $25 a visit. He recommends 2 times a week while stimming/prepping for transfer. Then once a week. I have been doing it since May once a week for the most part. I love it! I think any amount is better than none.  I will go the day before and the day of my transfer also.

katers79

So glad you asked-- following. One of my friends works with an accupuncturist and gave us a good deal for a package of 6. I just started prepping for FET in Dec (long lupron) so I was thinking of 1x/wk for 3 wks leading up, and then pre/post transfer with one more a few days later?

Carol77B

I've been seeing an acupuncturist for a couple of years now, and pay $90 a visit. This year, because of all our IVF expenses, I'll be able to claim it on my taxes, yay!

I would go in for a consult and see what your practioner specifically recommends given that you are trying to limit the expense. I would definitely try and go right before and after ET, but that can be hard to time, so it would be good to have an understanding with the acupuncturist beforehand.

Depending on where I am with cycling, I see mine 2-4 times a month, plus the day of ET; right before and right after to increase blood flow to the uterus and reduce any cramping.

@katers79 I think planning to see yours every week leading up is a great idea, but mine doesn't want to see after you do the ET day-of treatments, until after beta, so you should see what yours recommends, so you aren't "wasting" one of your treatments.