Acupuncture for nausea - any experiences?

[scarlotti]

Hi all

I'm about 7+4 and have been having all day nausea since about 4+5. To say it's starting to get me down now is an understatement!

I eat little and often but that only helps for about 10 mins after I eat. I've tried eating more but that makes the nausea worse.

So ... I've heard that acupuncture can help. Has anyone tried it? If so, how long did it help for? Does it take it away completely?

Any advice/experience gratefully received!

[M78]

I am 13+5 weeks and had really awful nausea from day one. At around 6 weeks I thought I could not live with it anymore and decided to try and have some acupuncture as a friend told me it worked for her. I have to say I was not too hopeful, but I just thought I would give it a go and I have to say it worked!! The nausea did not go away completely, but it reduced significantly, I still felt a bit sick all the time but nothing compared to the agony I went through before! The effect lasted around 2 weeks and then I went back again and now I feel much, much better. I would recommend it, for me it worked, I think it is important that you find a good acupuncturist.

[scarlotti]

M78 thanks, interesting to know it's worked for you and lessened symptoms.

belgianbun [waves hello] thanks for the info. I think I'll try the non-drug route first but I have to say if it carries on like this I'll have to do something. I'm only paid if I actually work so getting signed off isn't an option, and I'm struggling to get anything done tbh.
It's another 4.5 long weeks until the 12 week mark!

[scarlotti]

belgianbun sorry, also meant to say - hope you're starting to feel better now you've got your medication. It's horrible feeling this way

[SweetPea99]

Hi Scarlotti,
It is miserable, you just have to take one day at a time and you will get through it. I don't think there is anything that will make it go away, so you may be better off resigning yourself to being unproductive and crap for the next few weeks. Tips to help you get through it:

• masses of rest and sleep - while you feel like this, you must not expect yourself to function normally.
• eat something every 2 hours, Set your alarm if you have to, and don't worry about getting fat - who cares as long as you don't feel quite so awful! Carbs worked for me, toast, hot cross buns etc. Fruit only seemed to help for about 5 minutes! Dry crackers during the middle of the night also helps. Don't get out of bed until you have eaten something in the morning, and let it settle - a dryish biscuit for example. Try to sip water as much as possible (I hated the taste of water - try drinking through a straw).
• acupunture: it did help for me, providing a couple of hours of energy and a little respite from the nausea. I went every week (horrible expensive, but I was desperate)
• Ask yourself if the money from your work is really necessary. If you can take some time off it will help.

I struggled through with constant nausea in my first pregnancy and then lost the baby at 20 weeks. It really puts it into perspective, and in this pregnancy I have taken much more care of myself, and done everything to help myself feel better. Emotionally, I felt a million times better.
Hope this helps, you will get through it!

[sifuentes]

hi scarlotti - i researched this loads as had it terribly in last pregnancy (mc in dec) and really want to avoid it as much as poss next time ruond (am ttc)
my extensive research points to vit B6 as being the most helpful, but only if you take at least 50mg a day, (up to 100). This is way over the RDA but not harmful so long as you take a multivit too.
I also will have acupuncture. anything basically.

I definitely intend to start popping as soon as I get a BFP.
if you are worried about self prescribing you could visit a naturopath. In the US they seem to take it all the time

you and belgianbun have my sympathies. it is the worst.
xx

[Jackmummy]

I tried acupunture and what I would say is ring around and find someone that has treated people for morning sickness before.
I went along and the lady there seemed unsure of exactly what to do with me. It was a bit awkward really (especially as I hadn't concidered the need to strip off totally and have to face the wall while she examined my posture from behind... oh why did I put on a thong!!!!!!!!).
Anyway she did something as that night I woke up in terrible pain.. thought I was miscarrying... but after a large amount of wind I went back to sleep and all was well.
However still very sick. I didn't go back as it cost a fortune and she was very vague... I do believe it would work though and when I have number 3 I'll try it again, but with someone with experience!

[Jackmummy]

I tried acupunture and what I would say is ring around and find someone that has treated people for morning sickness before.
I went along and the lady there seemed unsure of exactly what to do with me. It was a bit awkward really (especially as I hadn't concidered the need to strip off totally and have to face the wall while she examined my posture from behind... oh why did I put on a thong!!!!!!!!).
Anyway she did something as that night I woke up in terrible pain.. thought I was miscarrying... but after a large amount of wind I went back to sleep and all was well.
However still very sick. I didn't go back as it cost a fortune and she was very vague... I do believe it would work though and when I have number 3 I'll try it again, but with someone with experience!

[Trikken]

I had it done, but it didnt seem to do one iota for me. hope it works better for you!

[olivo]

acupuncture saved me during the first 14 weeks.i had terrible nausea and sickness, but weekly acupuncture gave me respite for 4 or 5 days at a time - it didnt cure it but it wasnt nearly so bad. it cost a fortune but was worth it. my lady is very experienced with fertility, pregnancy and such.
i would recommend it if you can.

[blowninonabreeze]

I did with both my pregnancies. Different practitioners each time as we moved.

First time was pretty effective within about 2 weeks, second time less so but still some effect.

I think you have to be pretty open to alternative therapies for it to work for you but if you can afford it it'd be worth a try. I found just the ability to say you're trying SOMETHING helped!

[scarlotti]

Thanks so much to you all for your stories. I've booked in a session for tonight and am hoping it will ease things a little.
I'm quite open to it as I had it a few years back to help with the pnd I had after ds. It seemed to help so I'm hoping for a good result later.

I'll let you know how I got on!