Advice on accupuncture please, especially relating to TTC ???

[tokentotty]

Bit of a long story I'm afraid, but here goes: A very dear friend of mine has been ttc for just over 2 years. In that time she's had two missed m/c and not really any good news. She barely has periods so it's possible that the m/c are happening as there's very little lining to the womb to sustain a foetus. She's been put on tablets that are normally given in cases of polycystic ovaries, in the hope of stimulating her cycle. Last month there was a period for a day which is a step forward and in an attempt to help herself she's taking a complete month off from her rather pressured job. During this month she's thinking of using the time to really take care of herself and possibly have a course of accupuncture. Anyone have advice/experience in this as to be honest, she's finding all she's going through really pretty tough and it would be lovely to hear some positive recommendations and suggestions that I could relay to her.

[tokentotty]

Bumping my own message - really keen for some help !

[ManchesterMum]

No experience of the conception issues, I'm afraid, but did have a very positive experience with acupuncture which I discovered last year. Was 9 weeks pg at the time and had been really run down for about four months in total, it worked wonders. My acupuncturist would explain every aspect of what she was doing and why. If nothing else it would help with stress levels etc. but I'd be amazed if there weren't points that could also benefit conception.

Acupuncture was a last gasp attempt to feel better and I went along with a very open mind but was REALLY impressed and would strongly recommend giving it a try.

[tokentotty]

Thanks MM ! To be honest, a lot of what she'd be looking for would be help with stress levels after losing 2 very much wanted pregnancies within a year. Think anyone who's ttc for several years can appreciate that their stress levels get high!!

[ManchesterMum]

Would certainly try to find a practioner through recommendation but other than that feel that she would have little to lose. Should haven't to sign up for a course of treatment straightaway and it's usual to have a longer first consultation (90 mins) where the first 1/2 hr is really quite an in depth discussion about all aspects of your health and lifestyle, some of which are the sorts of things your GP might ask and others that are more specific to Chinese medicine, e.g. looking at your tongue.

[tokentotty]

Can I ask if you went to a chinese accupuncturist or a western one iykwim ?

[tokentotty]

Bump

[ManchesterMum]

She is Scottish. Stress the recommendation thing because I think the preliminary consultation plays a vital part in the whole process as ultimately it dictates much of the treatment and think that this is best passed on by first hand experience. Whether western or Chinese, it would be important to see someone with whom you feel sufficiently at ease to be able to easily communicate your problems/needs.

[Mirage]

I had acupuncture after TTC for over 3.5 years.We'd tried Clomid,temp charting,I'd had a lap & dye,but no reason could be found & nothing worked.I had been told by my consultant that after such a long time TTC,it was virtually impossible that I would concieve naturally,but being stubborn,refused to believe him & went for acupuncture.

Within a few months,my periods were as regular as clockwork & within 5 months I was pregnant.Sadly it was ectopic,& my odds of a successful pregnancy were said to be even less than before.But I carried on with the acupuncture & 7 weeks later was pregnant with dd1,who is now 3.5.A year later we TTC again,thinking that it might take some time,but I got pregnant 1st try with no acupuncture of treatment at all.dd2 will be 2 in May.

I firmly believe that acupuncture rebalanced & regularised my system in some way-it definately worked for me & I would reccomend it.

I things work out for your friend & if she has any questions,I'd be more than happy to help.

[tokentotty]

Mirage, you're an absolute star. That's exactly the sort of thing that is perfect to pass on to my friend. How did you find your accupuncturist ? Was it like MM said and through a recommendation ?

I'm so glad you've had such a wonderful, positive experience. Didn't think I was going to hear anything like that at all so I'm really grateful.

[ManchesterMum]

Mirage - what a positive story! You've made my evening.

[isaidno]

I had chinese acupuncture because i was generally knackered and rundown (I also had some foul tasting brew.)

I did not mention to the doc I was TTC, but he picked up from ? that my cycle was very irregular and light.

Anyway after about 2 mths I was pg!!!

[tokentotty]

Isaidno - that's wonderful. Tonight's just getting better and better. Is lovely hearing such positive stories.

[drosophila]

my gp who trained in Norway ,I think , suggested it to me as I already had one child (took a year to conceive), I had been trying for 18 mths and I wasn't getting any younger. I had also had a slipped disc and I did feel my body was telling me it was bad news to get pg.

Anyway I tried acupuncture for both back pain and TTC and three months later I was pg. It didn't help much with the bback pain but it did with the ttc I think. It's deffo worth a go.

[Mirage]

Only to glad to help Tokentotty & Manchestermum.I can still remember how utterly miserable those years of TTC were,especially when everyone else seemed to get pregnant at the drop of a hat.

My acupuncturist was English & had trained & worked as a midwife before she retrained.I found her in the yellow pages.She was absolutely lovely & I came out of my sessions feeling fab,really relaxed.One of my friends saw her whilst having IVF & now has a little girl,after years of failed treatments.

It was like Manchestermum says,the first session was quite long & she took all of my medical history & discussed how acupuncture worked.It was about £24 a session back in 2002,definately worth it!

I wish your friend & Manchestermum loads of luck.

[tokentotty]

That's the thing Mirage, my friend's getting increasingly down about how everything's going. Each time she thinks she's turned a corner there seems to be another kick in the teeth iykwim. I think your experiences will come in really helpful, as with a lot of treatments the better and more positive mental attitude you take with you, the better the results.

Again, Drosophilia - what a fantastic experience (obviously not the cr*p bits but the happy ending )

Clutching at straws here, but could I ask what areas you found your accupuncturists in ? (just in case - you never know right?)

[ManchesterMum]

Probably no real surprise that it's Manchester...

[Mirage]

Leicestershire.

[tokentotty]

Hahahhaha yeah, kinda had an inkling that this would be the case !!

Still - with things like this I figured I'd just have a go and cross my fingers.

[ManchesterMum]

Try putting a thread out on MN looking for acupuncurists in your area.

[tokentotty]

Ooh, good idea - will do. Thanks MM

[drosophila]

london near waterloo station

[ManchesterMum]

Hi TT, just wondered whether you had had a chance to pass on the info from this thread to your friend and, if so, what she thought?

[tokentotty]

Hey MM & all, sorry but been away for a few days and about to catch back up with my friend to relay your stories. The bonus news is that we live in London so Drosophilia's person near Waterloo could be very much of interest. Am also tempted to still do as suggested and start another thread asking for other recommendations in our more specific area.

[Betsybet]

One more cheering story for your friend... I ttc for 2 yrs, no success, eventually lap showed endometriosis, which I had treated just as marriage broke up...I was 34 and been told my high FSH (hormone) levels meant I could be heading for early menopause, never mind regrowth of endom. Not a good moment. Three years later, with lovely current dh, we tried and I had acupuncture with a wonderful practitioner who uses Chinese 5 elements system (but thankfully no herbs). He is amazing. Was pregnant within 4 months for first time ever - no other help. I miscarried (he said that's common because it's just your body kickstarting) and within 4 months was pg again with ds, now 10 months. Had acu thru pregnancy and had a very happy and healthy one. Hurrah - I would heartily recommend it. But do find one through recommendation if poss, and sorry, mine's in Worcestershire. I know of a very good reflexologist in Hertfordshire with an amazing success rate also - that's why I think it matters who you see. My man says look at how experienced they are more than anything else.

Other tips that helped - it used to drive me mad when people said take a sabbatical (how would I pay mortgage?) or relax, but I think there is something in trying to be kind to yourself, make space for time to relax through yoga, massage, and any healing techniques that force you to put down the daily stress a bit. Good nutrition too - foresight organisation is good on that. TTC dominates your thoughts, your life and every month is a downer, so make yourself fit in sessions like yoga to relax your body. And positive thinking... easier said than done, but it's brilliant that pregnancy is happening for your friend; she will get there. Good luck!

[tokentotty]

Betsybet I could just HUG you xxxxxxx

Thank you so much for sharing !