Anyone do acupuncture?

KMLP

If so, tell me about it.  How often do you go?  Do you think it has helped you?  How much does it cost?

baloneydisc

I haven't done it for fertility, but I did try accupuncture for my migraines.  She recommended I go twice a week, but said she thought I would feel better after just one or two treatments.  I went for about 3-weeks.  I stopped going because I would feel a tiny bit better right after the treatment but it was short lived & really never helped get rid of the migraine. 

Cost depends on a bunch of stuff.  If I paid for each treatment individually it was $75, if you get a package the cost per treament goes down.  I think it was $225 for 4 treatments.  They had another package for more treatments, but I don't remember what it cost. 

jaminjeff

I've been going since July.  I've only had three real cycles since then (1st one AF showed 7dpo, the last one only follicles were on my right side and this 3rd cycle is the first one to look promising).

I love going.  I feel refreshed afterwards and it has helped with my energy levels, my appetite and so many other things.  I feel optimistic about this cycle and I think the acupuncture helped me.

My initial was $90 and I go once/week and it is $65.  I use my FSA to pay for it.  My BFF, who lives in Canada, was going to one before she got her BFP last month.  He had her coming every 3 weeks after awhile (she had PCOS) so each one is probably a little different.

tosh24

I see a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) for my acupuncture. I mention this because I have been to chirporactors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists who do acupuncture and they have never been able to help me (I went for migraines and IBS). You can become a registered acupuncturist by reading a textbook and taking an intensive weekend course, complete with an exam. Not really high standards, IMO.

That being said, I tried out a DTCM who is associated with a local infertility clinic (I just called and asked if they could recommend anyone and they did). She specializes in gynaecology and infertility, which is the first thing to look for. I feel better about going to a DTCM because they have completed intensive study in the area of Chinese Medicine and have a deeper understanding of the field.

My acupuncturist asks me to come twice a week from AF to O, and then once a couple of days before AF is due. So all in all, I go 4-5 times a month. She charges $55 per visit, which is pretty good (she has really good prices for all of her services). I have insurance coverage for acupuncture up to $650 a year, so I know the first few months will be covered, at least.

As for my actual treatment, she puts the needles in a bunch of places, including around my knees, ankles, tops of my feet, abdomen (from my boobs to below my belly button), my wrists, my shoulders, in between my eyebrows, and on the top of my head, in my scalp. She said she focuses on the spleen and kidney channels as well as the conception channel, as all of these channels bring blood to the uterus and ovaries. She turns off the lights and puts a heat lamp over me and lets me rest of 10 min. Then she comes back in and stimulates the needles, and then I get another 10 minutes under the heat lamp. It is divine

The effects so far? A shorter, much lighter AF with no cramps, clots,  or usual annoyances, an earlier O date, a 1 day longer LP (not really sure on this one since LPs can vary and I've had a 12 day on before), EWCM (which I only ever had one time previous to acupuncture in the last year), and less 2WW symptoms (no migraines, less bowel upset). Oh, and a way increased libido (it's been non-existent since DD was born).

Alright, so there's my novel I hope you at least found some of it helpful...I totally wasn't planning on it being so long .

ETA: I am now on my second cycle with acupuncture and should O soon. My acupuncturist says she sees the most success within 3-6 months of continual treatment.

Temp878586125009588

tosh24:

I see a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) for my acupuncture. I mention this because I have been to chirporactors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists who do acupuncture and they have never been able to help me (I went for migraines and IBS). You can become a registered acupuncturist by reading a textbook and taking an intensive weekend course, complete with an exam. Not really high standards, IMO.

That being said, I tried out a DTCM who is associated with a local infertility clinic (I just called and asked if they could recommend anyone and they did). She specializes in gynaecology and infertility, which is the first thing to look for. I feel better about going to a DTCM because they have completed intensive study in the area of Chinese Medicine and have a deeper understanding of the field.

My acupuncturist asks me to come twice a week from AF to O, and then once a couple of days before AF is due. So all in all, I go 4-5 times a month. She charges $55 per visit, which is pretty good (she has really good prices for all of her services). I have insurance coverage for acupuncture up to $650 a year, so I know the first few months will be covered, at least.

As for my actual treatment, she puts the needles in a bunch of places, including around my knees, ankles, tops of my feet, abdomen (from my boobs to below my belly button), my wrists, my shoulders, in between my eyebrows, and on the top of my head, in my scalp. She said she focuses on the spleen and kidney channels as well as the conception channel, as all of these channels bring blood to the uterus and ovaries. She turns off the lights and puts a heat lamp over me and lets me rest of 10 min. Then she comes back in and stimulates the needles, and then I get another 10 minutes under the heat lamp. It is divine

The effects so far? A shorter, much lighter AF with no cramps, clots,  or usual annoyances, an earlier O date, a 1 day longer LP (not really sure on this one since LPs can vary and I've had a 12 day on before), EWCM (which I only ever had one time previous to acupuncture in the last year), and less 2WW symptoms (no migraines, less bowel upset). Oh, and a way increased libido (it's been non-existent since DD was born).

Alright, so there's my novel I hope you at least found some of it helpful...I totally wasn't planning on it being so long .

ETA: I am now on my second cycle with acupuncture and should O soon. My acupuncturist says she sees the most success within 3-6 months of continual treatment.

Thanks so much for sharing this! 

tst1998

I've been going to an acupuncturist who works with one of the IF clinics in town, so she specializes in IF. I don't know how much benefit I've gotten for the IF stuff (especially since it now looks like the problem might be with DH) but I used to get chronic headaches and now those are gone. And it is the most refreshing, relaxing hour of my week. So I think it helps keep me focused on important things, and not freak out over the small stuff. I haven't had any significant breakdowns since I started, and I used to cry at the drop of a hat, so I guess it is doing something for me. I pay $70 a session, I have been going about once a week. My insurance covers up to 16 visits, as long as they are coded for "pain" treatment, which is how she codes them since I complained of back pain at the intake visit.

I highly recommend trying acupuncture. It can really help keep you from going crazy during all this IF crap.  

MrsLoos

I've been going for almost a year now, I see someone who specializes in acupuncture for IF & pregnancy which I think is important. For the first 6 months I went every week. I took a few months off over the summer and then started back again when we started IUI's.

For my IUI cycle I went once a week then right before and right after the IUI.

For my IVF cycle I went every other week until I started stims, then every week while stimming. I went the day before ER and I will go the day of ET (before) and the day after ET. 

I don't have anything to compare it to since I've never done an IVF cycle without acu., but I hardly had any s/e's from the stims and I've been super relaxed throughout the entire process. I also responded very well given my dx of elevated FSH & endo. I do think acu helped with all of this. 

My initial session was $180 all subsequent sessions are $65. I did herbs for a while when I first started they were always around $7-$10 for a couple weeks supply.  

tosh24

Daysie:

Thanks so much for sharing this! 

You're welcome!

STL34

I tried IF accupuncture with my last IVF cycle.  My last IVF cycle was a mess, but I don't think that was because of accupuncture.  I don't really think the accupuncture helped with my cycle, but it did help me relax and made me feel better.

My initial appointment was $90 and each appointment thereafter was $50.  I went 1 to 2 times per week and then 2 times on the day of ET.

MTooms

I would really like to try it, but I haven't found one, I have asked around for recommendations. I haven't been looking all that hard either, but maybe I will start to search harder now!