Experiences of acupuncture? Can it really help with various health conditions?

[LilacLouLou]

I am at the end of my tether with chronic (30+ years) health issues.

I have given up on the NHS and conventional medication (all have given me so many side effects) and looking to try something more alternative.

Over many years I have struggled with my gut, gynae and mental health. After years of suffering I discovered at 50 that I have endometriosis. I am now convinced that it has contributed to my 'IBS' type symptoms. I struggle with my gut health every day and nothing that I have tried over the decades helps long term. I have thrown lots of money at this in the hope of feeling better.

However, II won't lie, I am also a very anxious and stressy person and recently found out that I have inattentive ADHD so that is now making a lot more sense regarding my mental health struggles since early childhood. I exercise, eat well, no alcohol, practise meditation and listen to hypnotherapy etc but nothing eases these issues. Adhd drugs seem to exacerbate my gut issues and as do SSRI's. I have called it a day on mental health medication.

Throw in caring for a parent with dementia and going through perimenopause (still ongoing at 52 and no signs of menopause just yet) and I am on a one way journey to losing my marbles for ever. I have tried HRT but it made my endo symptoms worse. Not having much luck with medication at all tbh.

I have been reading a bit regarding acupuncture and how it seems to help people with anxiety and perimenopausal symptoms etc and wonder if anyone has any experience with this?

Is it worth the expense or will I be throwing my precious money out the window?

I don’t know about the acupuncture (I’m curious as have a foot issue) but with your health, just want to add: once your periods stop I think you’ll feel so much better. That’s what happened to me. Hang on in there

Thank you Newgirls, that really gives me hope. I have spent so many years with gynae issues, having periods and a cycle is no fun for me, I long for menopause.

I didn’t believe a word of it, and still don’t understand it. But it was the only thing that helped me when I had gastritis and was in so much agony I could barely breathe. I couldn’t eat, had a 3 night hospital stay where pain relief drip did basically nothing.

I had immediate relief during the appointment and burst into tears 🤣. I went once a week for about a month, then tapered to 2x a month, 1x a month. That was maybe 4 years ago now and the pain never returned. I remember googling it so much at the time wondering how the hell it worked and was I just making it all up in my head.

So sorry to hear of all the issues you are struggling with.

I had a course of 6 acupuncture treatments from a properly qualified Chinese acupuncturist for a frozen shoulder that Western medicine had been unable to help. I was really desperate and wasn't at all convinced it would work and it was AMAZING! I was blown away by the reduction in pain and increase in movement. After the 6th session the frozen shoulder was completely gone.

I had issues with a shoulder injury caused at work, so work paid for treatment. That was acupuncture and it was completely successful. I was dubious beforehand but I wouldn't hesitate to have it again if I needed it. It wasn't painful but felt odd and bits of my shoulder felt warm. Go for it

Thank you all, that's good to know. I will book a few sessions and see how it goes, fingers crossed.

It really, really helped me. I don't know how it works at all, but I know that it was the only thing that did, and I tried a lot of conventional stuff.

At the time, I didn't question the how - it was just such a relief. It's been around for thousands of years.

Good luck to you OP.