Just Another Acu Question... :)

Tab2710

Hey girls!

I have NO insurance coverage for anything IF related, and there are no RE's or any other sort of IF specialist in northern Cali.  So finding an Acupuncturist that specializes in IF is impossible, unless you want to drive 3 hours everytime you need an acu apt...so I found an acupuncturist that "knows" about infertility and has "helped" some girls get pregnant instead, and he's saying for insurance purposes that I'm seeing him for headaches, so that my insurance will cover at least 1/3 the cost of my visit. 

I started treatments Mid-February, and I've gone (and will continue to go) every other week until my IVF in July.  But I've been reading alot of posts lately about girls going more often...is every other week enough?  (I'll pick up the pace when I start Lupron).  Also, he's not someone who specializes in IF, he just get's my blood flowing for the time being, and keeps my stress down.  Do you girls think this is good enough, or am I wasting my money?

Kiki11

I think if you're enjoying it and it is helping you be less stressed about everything... then it is worth it.  I could never afford to do acu very regularly so I usually only went during cycles (started during lupron or sometimes I started during stims).  I usually went twice while stimming and then did pre-post transfer acu and once again a few days later to help with implantation.  I don't know if it did anything, but I really enjoyed it and felt it helped relax me.  Hope that helps!

SPerry0376

I go once a week and I think that is a good place to be. I dont think that going less could hurt because any amount of de-stressing helps. I really think it's a personal choice.

Dragonfly1226

Kiki11:

I think if you're enjoying it and it is helping you be less stressed about everything... then it is worth it. 

This is what I think too. If it works for you to go once a week, then that's great. But if it doesn't then you're still getting the benefit of regular treatments. If you can go once a week once you start Lupron, that might be good. Besides the IF benefit and the stress relief, acupuncture can also help with some of the side effects of the meds.

GL! 

smeyer

I agree with Kiki.  If you're getting something out of it, whether it's relaxing, helping you get a better night's sleep, or just keeping Lupron headaches at bay, it's worth it.  

I did acupuncture for quite awhile and tried 2 different clinics.  At clinic #1, I went maybe once a week or every 2 weeks.  (Luckily it was an acupuncture school so you could see a supervised student for SO much less!)  At clinic #2, I went 2xs a week.  I truly didn't see a benefit by going more frequently.  For me, acupuncture didn't "fix" my IF issues but it did help me feel better and worked wonders on my once crappy sleeping habits.  Perhaps that's why I could get by with fewer treatments?

nikinikinine

I think if you enjoy it and it helps to calm your anxiety then it's worth it.

For this IVF I went a total of 5 times. Once during Lupron (after BCP), twice during stims and I go again the day before and the day of ET.

My Acu does specialize in IF and she didn't seem to think I needed to come more or less than that, HTH! 

ichoosehope

If it is lessening your stress levels, I think that alone makes it worth while. When I started with my acu I went every week for (I think 6 weeks). After that I started going everyother week. When I am on stims on I go every week. I also go before ER, and before and after ET......good luck!!

ginger67

I havent gone in a long time because of the money but I really like it and I think after this failed IVF Im really going to have to consider going back.

Do you have a Chinatown near you? The guy I was going to was an older chinese guy in Chinatown. He had been practicing at least 40 years and taught accu for years at a college in China. The place was not fancy at all, but he was fabulous and 50$ a session if you bought a package.

He did not call himself an IF  specialist but he seemed to know much more then my last accu who was an "IF Specialist" I told him my problem was low progesterone and just the fact that I am older. He said maybe, but its mostly your blood,  He was adamant about this and always treated me for circulation problems. I MC'd a few weeks after I stopped going and a few months later I found out I have two clotting disorders.

A friend thats a bodyworker told me that being an IF - herb specialist seemed to be really profitable and a lot of people in the business were calling themselves " IF specialists" because of the demand right now. I guess my point is look for an old chinese guy with a lot of experience : ) or just look for a great accu. not necessarily someone with the IF label. Oh, and to answer your question, he told me he recommends once a week. Good Luck Sweetie!

krissie92682

I think of acupuncture as me time since it is so relaxing. If it helps with the stress and anxiety then continue. if you dont feel its working then you need to evaluate it.

As for the amount of time you go per month, i think that depends on your acupuncturist and finances. My acupuncturist has me going 1x a week but just increased me to 2x a week to help manage my stress levels. I feel it really helps keep me relaxed.

I hope this helps. GL