[Kasia]

Hi everyone,

I am currently on d/r drugs (Buserelin) on our first (and hopefully only attempt at IVF/ICSI. I was told acupuncture is very beneficial. However, on my first visit (2 weeks ago just before starting the drugs), I had quite a bad experience. The needles hurt quite a bit and I felt a bit nauseous and not at all relaxed. Most people seem to find it very relaxing but it had the opposite effect on me.

I was intending to go back this week, but AF started on the day I was meant to go. I have heard it's not good to go then - in any case, I felt so bad with AF and the Buserelin (which makes me very dizzy) - that I just couldn't face it.

Would anyone recommend me to try again - especially before/after any possible e/c or e/t? I want to do all I can to maximise our chances. However, maybe it is too late. I mean, I suppose for maximum effects I should have gone for several months?

What do you think? Any success stories out there with acupuncture?

Many thanks in advance for any advice on this



Kasia

 

[sussexgirl]

Hi Kasia,

I am having acupuncture at the moment. I am half way through my 2ww. I am going for another session on Tuesday. I do not know why you had such a bad experience. It shouldn't hurt that much. Did you let the acupuncturist know you were having pain? If not tell her/him next time you go so they are aware. It really did help me to relax during my cycle.

Good luck

Chris

 

[lisa2308]

Hi Kasia,

I have had Acupuncture for 5 weeks now & feel totally relax but like you it makes me feel sick & the needles hurt when put into my feet & wrists, that is normal apparently my Acupuncturist said it shows it is having a result, ie: deep throbbing pain, whatever that means!!! Chinese thingy!! As your laying down for 20-25 mins & having needles put into the pressurepoints you will feel sick, the best thing to do afterwards is go home & just relax for a couple of hours & drink Water, I would definitely try more sessions, I felt it starting to work in the first 2 sessions, you don't have to go for 6 months before IVF, just keep going & have it done whilst your having IVF, I'm on my 2nd IVF & sooo hope I get my dream.

Hope I've helped

Love Lisa xxxx

 

[Kasia]

Hi Kasia,

Thanks for your replies, Chris and Lisa!

I did mention it was hurting - but he said it was normal because I had 'tense energy'! I know I felt tense, that's for sure. However, the pain was more like cramps - or insect bites - especially with the needles in my calves. Then when he put the moxibustion cones on my stomach... well, I had to ask him to open the window! It made feel so weird. My concern now is that if it did that to me then - when I was not on drugs and feeling OK generally, what will it do to me in my current state - with tremendous dizziness and fatigue from the Buserelin? I was lightheaded when he did the acupuncture last time - so I'm a bit scared I'll pass out! It's not really the pain I am worried about.

BTW, when do you go around e/c and e/t (I hope to get that far!)? Do you go the day before etc.?

Final question: is it true it's best not to do acupuncture when you have AF? That's another reason I cancelled - because I'd heard it wasn't a good idea to do it then. Have you heard this too? Thanks.

Thanks so much for your help!

Good luck with cycles!

Kasia

 

[Lizz]

Hi Kasia,
Not sure if I can help but I'll share my experience.
I have just started acupuncture and wasn't told anything about not going during AF.
When she puts the needles in it is a bit like a pin prick and then a weird feeling which is difficult to explain but then it goes and I am left to relax for 30 minutes which is really relaxing for me.
My acupuncturist told me that if I still could feel it once the weird feeling had happened to tell her as I wasn't suppose to be uncomfortable.
Hope this helps.
Good luck with your tx.
Liz xx

 

[sussexgirl]

Kasia
I had not been told not to go around AF. I will ask my acupuncturist on Tuesday. I am lucky as she specialises in treating women who are undergoing tx.
I had a session just before EC and then the day before ET. She then likes to see you again between day 6 and 10 of 2ww.

Good luck
Chris

 

[Rachie25]

Hi Kaisa,
I am having acupuncture - not in conjunction with IVF but just to (hopefully) help me conceive. I have had 3 sessions and I have had some amazing results. I had the first session the day my period was due and then every week subsequently this cycle. My AF was completely painless and longer, which I was told was a good thing! My BBT is much steadier - I am usually all over the place after ovulation. So I'm hopeful!
As for the actual experience, some needles are a little uncomfortable especially in the wrists and on the inside of my knees! But only when they're stimulated by my acupuncturist. If they are too sensitive, she simply holds the needle steady and gently flicks it so it doesn't hurt as much. I can feel most of the needles during the session and they cause a dull ache around the pressure points and this is meant to happen - shows it's working!
So my advice would be to concentrate on the effects the acupunture will have on your body & mind rather than focussing too much on the pain. Treat it like eating brussell spouts as a kid - you think they're disgusting but know, deep down, that they're good for you! Trust me, the more you relax, the less pain you will feel. If you are light headed, I would suggest staying on your back for a while after all the needles have come out and maybe having a cold compress handy then get up slowly, taking some deep breaths.
I really hope that you decide to continue with your acupuncture and that you are successful with your IVF!
Lots of love, Rachel.

 

[Kasia]

Hi Kaisa,
I am having acupuncture - not in conjunction with IVF but just to (hopefully) help me conceive. I have had 3 sessions and I have had some amazing results. I had the first session the day my period was due and then every week subsequently this cycle. My AF was completely painless and longer, which I was told was a good thing! My BBT is much steadier - I am usually all over the place after ovulation. So I'm hopeful!
As for the actual experience, some needles are a little uncomfortable especially in the wrists and on the inside of my knees! But only when they're stimulated by my acupuncturist. If they are too sensitive, she simply holds the needle steady and gently flicks it so it doesn't hurt as much. I can feel most of the needles during the session and they cause a dull ache around the pressure points and this is meant to happen - shows it's working!
So my advice would be to concentrate on the effects the acupunture will have on your body & mind rather than focussing too much on the pain. Treat it like eating brussell spouts as a kid - you think they're disgusting but know, deep down, that they're good for you! Trust me, the more you relax, the less pain you will feel. If you are light headed, I would suggest staying on your back for a while after all the needles have come out and maybe having a cold compress handy then get up slowly, taking some deep breaths.
I really hope that you decide to continue with your acupuncture and that you are successful with your IVF!
Lots of love, Rachel.

Thanks for your replies, Rachel, Chris and Liz

I am thinking of giving it another go - if I can. It's hard to get an appointment sometimes. However, I was so dizzy and felt nauseous etc. yesterday that I couldn't get out of the house - so I hope I feel well enough to do the acupuncture soon. These d/r drugs are not much fun I don't mind the pain btw, it's more the fact that I am so dizzy WITHOUT the acupuncture that I can't imagine the effect it might have in combination with acupuncture! I'm so pathetic, really!

Good luck with all your cycles and the acupuncture

Kasia

 

[Mrs G]

Hi Kasia

I had acupuncture the month before we started our last treatment cycle.  I had one session, and then (because I'm a physio) she told me which points to use and I did 2 more sessions at home.  As you can see, SOMETHING worked!!

Anyway, when I did my acupuncture training, we were taught NOT to do it on anyone who was or might be PG, so after my ET I stuck with hotwater bottles on the tummy, pineapple juice, and masses of rest for 2WW.  (Oh - and orange knickers!!  )

I was not keen to do acupuncture at all during the actual treatment cycle, although I know plenty of ladies do find it helpful.  Some of the points they use are ALWAYS painful  (fronts of shins, backs of hands and feet, and certain tummy points) and the more anxious you are, the more they hurt.  The moxa isn't always necessary, so if you find it makes you feel sick, ask him not to use it. 

PM me if you need any more info.

Good luck with the cycle!

Love Caroline xx

 

[Abby Carter]

Hi Kasia

I started having acupuncture with a woman who specialises in fertility problems, back in January. I'm now 11 weeks pregnant. I feel it really helped, as I found it very relaxing and really helped keep my emotions on an even keel (it also helped me deal with my grief over my mum dying at the end of November).

Usually when the needles are put in there is an odd sensation, but that's meant to happen, to show they're on the right point. But they never hurt. Also I know sometimes you can feel a bit sick or light headed aftewards, but they do say to drink lots of water and don't do anything too energetic afterwards. But a lot of it is about trust. If you don't trust your acupuncturist, maybe try someone else (mine was recommended to me by another girl on this site, and I've recommended her to other people to). Sometimes it can help to take a few deep breaths if you're anxious when the needles are being put in.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Abby
x

 

[Kasia]

Thanks very much for your replies and your advice, Caroline and Abby! And CONGRATULATIONS on your BFPs

I have just sent you a PM, Caroline!

Abby - I really wish someone would recommend a good acupuncturist to me in fact. I'm in the Cambridge area - any ideas? However, I suppose my main concern right now is that the Buserelin is making me dizzy and nauseous (especially this weekend when I had AF) - I felt horrendous. I couldn't get up off the sofa, far less go to an acupuncture session. Yesterday I felt better and today, OK, although still nauseous and a bit dizzy. So, being the coward I am, I am a bit wary of doing acupuncture again when the first time it made me feel like this and I was feeling fine when I went in!  Can you understand how I feel?

However, I would do (virtually) anything to get a BFP, so maybe I should be brave and try acupuncture again. I'm not sure when it would be best to go either. I started d/r on 23rd May (although had to switch to Buserelin on 25th May after I had an allergic reaction to Synarel). I'm due to go in for blood tests and a scan to see if the d/r has worked on 14th June and begin stimming after that I hope! Is it best to do acupuncture during the d/r phase as well as the stimming phase? Or sufficient to do it just before e/c and/or e/t?

Many thanks in advance for any advice!


Kasia

 

[Kasia]

Hi everyone,

Well, I've booked another acupuncture session tomorrow - I hope it goes well. I'm a little nervous because the Buserelin is making me very dizzy and quite nauseous, so I hope the acupuncture doesn't make that worse. In any case, I also hope that it will help the d/r drugs to do their thing!

Did those of you who do acupuncture do it during the d/r phase as well as the stimming phase?

Many thanks in advance!


Kasa