Acupuncture ?

ksgsmu

So I have decided to give acupuncture a try.  My RE recommended it at our last meeting and as many of you know I am on a treatment break for a few months to get healthier.  I was reading you need to start about 3 months before treatment when dealing with egg issues so I need to start in a few weeks.

I know nothing about Acupuncture....so my questions....

1. My RE's office recommends two different  fertility acupuncturist... I have no idea on how to choose! How did you choose your acupuncturist?

2.  What kind of questions should I be prepared to answer?

3.  Does your's also prescribe herbs? Do those need to be cleared with your RE?

4.  I am not scared of needles, but I am scared of laying naked on a table with a stranger. They don't make you strip down do they?

5. We are OOP on all fertility related items so I am expecting acupuncture not to be covered... about how much is one appointment?

Thanks in advance for advice and opinions!

ChristineM81

1. I would recommend going to their websites and browsing around. I was also given two different names and that is what I did. I think you may get a feel for them just by reading what they have to say.

2. Similarly to going to a first doctors appointment they will ask a lot of questions about medical history. They will also ask about your menstrual cycles. If you've been doing any temping/charting I would definitely bring those with you. They will probably talk with you a lot about nutrition/diet and other supplements that may be beneficial (mine recommended omegas).

3. Mine does prescribe herbs. I had asked my OB first about them and she said she was fine with them. My RE recently told me he didn't want me taking them (basically just because they are not regulated so you're not 100% sure what is in them). Honestly, I probably would have kept taking them anyway, but the cost was starting to add up for me.

4. I've never had to take my clothes off. I usually wear shorts or loose sweatpants I can pull up so she can access my legs, and then she has me pull my shirt up so she can get to my stomach. She then gives me covers if I want them so I'm not cold.

5. My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture either, and I've been paying $100/session.

Overall, I have really enjoyed the acupuncture. I credit it with helping me to get pregant (unfortunately I had a mc), and while I haven't gotten pregnant again for several months, I have noticed several improvements in other fertility signs.

 Best of luck to you! 

vpine

I've gone to two: one in 2011 and one in 2012, my insurance covers up to $400. The first one told me I had kidney deficiency and had me take yang pills to 'heat my body up' because my temps were too low according to her, I wore shorts so she could put needles on my thighs sometimes and also took off bra and was face down for some back needles. The 2nd one I went to is acupuncture professor who specializes in fertility patients, she gave me Chinese herbs to take everyday, she did cupping on my lower back to help ovaries she said and electro acupuncture on my abdomen during ovulation week. She did tell me I shouldn't be cramping so bad days before AF and I can say herbs did help, I didn't have cramps or any PMS during the months I went. I didn't conceive, got discouraged and stopped going. No RE or Dr that I've seen have recommended acupuncture. 

Jzyla

I've been going for regular acupuncture treatments for 2 years now and love it. I've seen 3 different practitioners - my favourite so far has been my current, a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner. I was initially diagnosed with liver qi deficiency which improved and has changed to kidney qi issues - which is actually a good thing. I've learned lots of lifestyle things - like not eating tons of raw vegetables (it can be hard on your system), always following cold drinks and foods with something warm (not just physically warm, but warming to your system, like ginger) and avoiding any processed sugar. That combined with treatment has made a world of difference in my energy, mood, and cycle. Anyways, here is my opinion!

 1. Personally, I'd find out cost, availability, and location. If you can get a specific recommendation from someone, great, but unless they were going for TTC issues, their perspective isn't totally relevant.. 

2.  They'll want to know energy levels, cycle details, health history, family history - nothing too fancy. I like my TCM practitioner because she also takes my pulses (in my wrists and ankles) and checks my toungue. She can tell more from that than what I tell her.

3.  Mine has been reluctant to start herbs, which is actually comforting. I've had previous specialists who were gung ho to start me on everything. My practitioner is trying to focus on the acupuncture first, while we do IUI and then will consider in the fall if we're not successful.

4.  Two of my acupuncturists let me stay clothed, as long as my pants could be rolled up to the knees and I didn't have long sleeves. One preferred just undergarments and covered strategically by several towels.

5. I've usually paid between $45-65 (Canadian)

 

Best of luck to you! 

herecomesthesun

1. I had it narrowed down to 2 acupuncturists that were recommended and near work. One of them treated a friend of mine for IF and she had a successful pregnancy. I went with him. I also waited until after my consultation to see if I felt comfortable with him.

2.  It was the typical medical history questions with the addition of diet + emotional/stress information.

3.  Yes. I'm not doing medicated cycles right now so there is no need to clear them. If I were, the herbs would be adjusted or not used. ETA: My GP (an endocrinologist) and many REs in the city send patients to acupuncturists and specifically mine so I feel comfortable with what I've been given.

4.  No, we aren't stripping down, though it depends on your acupuncturist and the treatment plan. I generally try to bring yoga pants with me in the car on days when I have appointments and change before the session. The pants are pulled up above the knee and the waist lowered to about hip-bone level. I was expecting to be at least in my skivvies, which would be easier than the yoga pants. 

5. I think the appointments are around $125 for the initial and $80 after. They were willing to work with budgets and I've heard many offices are.

I absolutely love acupuncture. It's so relaxing that I often fall asleep during the sessions- and I have never fallen asleep anywhere but at home. It's incredible. I've also noticed a drastic improvement in my allergies and asthma which is a bonus.