Acupuncture

[GlowGlow]

Posting in chat for traffic, hope that's okay.

Basically I am suffering very badly with my tinnitus. I also have incredible depression/anxiety which becomes absolutely unbearable in the week or two leading up to my period. My mood swings are also off the chart and it scares me. Does not feel like me at all. So all that plus tinnitus is too much. Unfortunately my psychiatrist just can't do any more for me.

I've seen that acupuncture can help these things. I've tried everything I can think of over the past 6 years for my issues so I'm quite desperate now. Can not bear the impact this is having on my family. Currently can't leave the house as any noise is spiking my tinnitus badly and I can not cope if it remains high.

I'm wondering if anyone has had success with acupuncture for any of the above?

I have read a few promising things online including a study on pubmed which shows effectiveness in treating pms; a 77% rate of effectiveness compared to 5% in the placebo group.

I would also really really appreciate if anyone could recommend an excellent acupuncturist near the Newark area. Willing to travel about an hour in each direction if they are worth it.

I really am desperate and appreciate any help. Thank you.

I've never had acupuncture for the reasons you would like it but I've had it for back problems and the effects were absolutely incredible. Emotionally it helped as the chronic pain was getting me down. It also made me so sleepy that I would have to nap after. I'd be surprised if it had negative effects so might be worth a try. Good luck!

That is good to hear Food thank you. It certainly seems like it could be an effective treatment rather than 'quack' medicine - this was my initial worry. (I fell for the homeopathy thing a couple of years ago.)

I am afraid of wasting the little money I have but at the same time I'm desperate, so I'm hoping to get somebody that comes highly recommended.

I've had acupuncture for a different health issue. I was hugely sceptical but it made a massive improvement. I would recommend trying it.

Thanks Thewinedidit

Also worried about if the needles hurt and (dumb q but) do they leave little pin prick marks forever like scars.

I had acupuncture privately for fertility issues.
The needles are finer than a human hair, they don't leave scars.
Sometimes the bit they work on can be very sore, and occasionally I had bruises.
A Chinese midwife at the hospital used to do offer them to the ladies in the clinic too - I used to go once every 3 weeks when pg.

@glowglow I have it (well, dry needling) for my plantar fasciitis and it works like a dream. I'd happily recommend one guy but he's in North London so maybe no use.

From your post you sound at the end of your tether, so really, what reason is there not to try it? Absolute worst case it doesn't work - you've lost nothing by trying it.

If you never try it, then you'll be left with a nagging "what if...?" + the tinnitus. Surely that's worse than being short of money for a while?

Best case, it changes your life.

(and no it doesn't hurt. You don't really feel anything, certainly far far less than a vaccination, for example. The needles are so fine you won't be scarred at all, honest.)

Thanks very much Js and Shots that's most helpful. Sounds very safe then, especially if it can be done during pregnancy, that's great.

Currently reading arguments for and against it on reddit. I've decided that despite some calling it a pseudo science, I've read enough positive anecdotes now to think it is worth trying, even if it only provides a relaxing effect, as that in itself could be helpful to me right now. So I'm going to give it a shot. Just need to find someone reputable apparently!

Fingers crossed I can find some relief.

The lady I last used is registered with this body:
www.acupuncture.org.uk/

DH's GP sometimes does acupuncture on a joint for him during an ordinary appointment.

@GlowGlow I don't know how this is officially designated, but you need a "medical" acupuncturist, not the "beauty salon" type.
I'm not disparaging the second type at all, but their primary focus is on the chi/meridians/relaxation end of things, whereas what you need is active help.

My guy does the thing where he uses physiology to needle tight/banded muscles and makes them twitch and "reset" (in a nutshell). It's the weirdest sensation for me, but highly effective. Wouldn't call it "relaxing" though!

Just checked out the link and found quite a few local ones worth investigating. Thanks Js

Interesting that a gp does it. That surely must mean it helps. Feeling hopeful now.

Just seen your message Shots , I mustn't have refreshed the page.

I see what you are saying. I wonder how you would distinguish between the two? I will google medical acupuncturist and see what comes up.

I can recommend Joe at the Tiger Boe Centre in Nottingham, or any of the therapists there. They'll happily have a chat with you face to face or by phone, and they really know their stuff, they're not going to treat you if they don't think it will help.

Does your tinnitus get worse during the PMT? I don't know the reasoning behind it, but it's the first question my ENT Consultant asked me, so might be worth tracking for a while to see. Not sure where you'd be referred to from Newark, but I can highly recommend the NHS Audiology Team at the Ropewalk in Nottingham. They genuinely understand how debilitating it can be, and were also understanding about the interlink with mental health too.

I have another question if anyone out there can answer. Do you have to strip off to your underwear for it, or just wear a vest and shorts or something? I'm a bit body shy, but I would do it regardless.

My therapist was in my gym so I wore a sports bra top and leggings which I could roll up.

Oh yes Bombardier everything gets worse before my period, including my tinnitus! I always thought the extra stress of my crazy emotions and mental health during that time played a part. However I sometimes wonder if there is a hormonal link also. Interesting your ENT asked you this question. I saw an ENT in Lincoln and audiologist here about 6 years ago, and they basically had a look and tested hearing, then said sorry it's permanent and sent me on my way with a leaflet about keeping the radio on etc. I did get maskers (like hearing aids) but I find them just as annoying. It truly is an invisible disability. I habituated for a while then got worse.

Thank you so much this is really helpful information! I will look into the Tiger Boe Centre right now.

Thanks gamer that sounds doable to me.

I had acupuncture years ago for bad pms. It worked really well. I was living overseas and had it with an American woman. My PMS was so bad I was out of control at certain times of the month. I had a few sessions and my next period was very painful but after that I never really suffered with PMS again.

I have also had it for allergies and I currently go to a chiropractor who uses it.

Chiropractor just pulls clothes out of the way - he does my neck and lower back.

The needles don't hurt like an injection would but you can sometimes feel them - usually means they are working well. My DS is needle phobic and has acupuncture.

I am abroad (Aus) and acupuncture is part of my private health cover, I get up to 10 treatments a year included - as long as it’s with a registered practitioner (ie a medical type not a beauty type as PP said). They wouldn’t fund it if it wasn’t without proven benefits - I have used for fertility and in pregnancy and has worked / treated my symptoms both times

I have acupuncture and also have tinnitus but didn’t know you could have acupuncture for that. I have mine for migraines and severe, chronic pain.

I was getting 15 migraines a month., taking a cocktail of drugs and had had several courses of Botox when I tried acupuncture. I now have about 2 or 3 a month, usually linked to my hormones. I suffer with severe pelvic, hip and back pain. I have acupuncture every couple of weeks. I go in there practically in tears and unable to lift my legs and come out with a huge reduction in pain levels.

I’ll PM you where I go . She’s very good and might just be inside an hours travel from Newark

These stories are all so encouraging, thank you all for sharing. I'm going to forward this thread to my dm and dp (who have put up with more than enough for a lifetime from me) to give them a bit of hope too.

One of the worst things about pms/mental health/tinnitus is the impact all of it has on your loved ones.

I used to wear trousers which could roll up to my knees, and a t shirt. Generally I had needles in my lower legs/feet, hands/lower arms, and my forehead. I once fell asleep on the table.

What can't your psychiatrist do anything more for you? Do you have a diagnosed mental health condition? Are you on medication for your mental health? Just wondering whether there are any more routes you can explore for your mental health...

Haha I'd love a nap on the table Js

Ari I'm still under the care of my latest psychiatrist and am back on medication again - that's always been a struggle though as many anti depressants can cause or worsen tinnitus - I've probably sampled about half of them in the past 6 years! I'm hoping to switch my current one to nortriptyline, as this one seems to be more helpful for tinnitus. I will say that every psychiatrist I've seen (3) do not seem to truly appreciate that my menstrual cycle strongly magnifies my symptoms. The GP that did understand this could only offer birth control to help, and any kind of hormone treatment is like gasoline on a fire for me. (I've tried several pills and a cream in the past.) Counselling and Cbt has not helped significantly enough though I think it's great for other things. So it's a case of trying to find new things myself that may help. I really just have follow up type of appointments (regarding medication and necessary adjustments) with my psychiatrist. The one thing that helps massively during a tinnitus spike is diazepam, but they will very very rarely prescribe that due to its addictive nature and people abusing it. I'm sure if she could magic it all away she would.

Sometimes I'm hopeful, but sometimes can feel hopeless about it. I keep plodding on though.

Oh dear - I was hoping I could offer trite words of wisdom about trying different anti-depressants etc, but you seem already to have been through the wringer on this. Fingers crossed you find something to ameliorate all this

Thanks Ari the thought is appreciated

Should I find any success (with the acupuncture or with anything else) I shall update here for future lurkers.

Do check if your GP surgery offer acupuncture. My ds underwent it for migraines and worked wonders for him.