Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture - not on IVF....yet!

[Ritchie]

Hi, I'm new to this site but have decided that I need some additional support and advice.

We have been TTC for 2 years now and I have been told that IVF is the best option for us. Frankly, that scares the **** out of me :( so I have decided to give chinese medicine and acupuncture a go for a few months before we leap into IVF.

I have been in treatment for two weeks - since the start of my current cycle. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or stories that they can share with me. Most of the stuff I read is about people using this approach whilst on IVF.

[cass)]

Hi Ritchie

I went down the same path. I have been having acup and chinese herbs to make my cycles regular after coming off the pill. It did work in this regard :) However, after investigation turns out there were other issues (blocked tubes) which acup cannot fix:(.

So I too now have IVF as my only option. I am continuing acup and herbs to support IVF.

So my advice is it can't hurt to try acup - it is actually very relaxing! If that doesn't work for you then IVF next.

I know what you are going through so hang in there!:flowerz:

[wantingabuba]

Hi Ritchie
I did acupucture with my ivf cycles and am not sure if it helped me or not!! I know a lot of ladies swear by it. I didn't get a sticky bfp and am now waiting untill June 09 for my NZ gov funded cycle (we don't have medicare in NZ) and have been thinking about doing acupuncture and herbs as I have mod endo and feel like I need to be doing something while I'm waiting for my next ivf cycle...

Ivf isn't that scary... I thought i was going to turn in to a mad woman having hot flushes at silly times etc... wasn't like that for me at all... just mild headaches and a bit tired... and i liked that fact I felt like I was getting closer to my BFP... Do you have PCOS or endo???

[Ritchie]

Thanks guys :)

I have mild endo which I was treated for by diathermy about 6 months ago. I also have cystic looking ovaries but I seem to ovulate and have regular cycles.

I appreciate hearing that you didn't turn into a monster with IVF. That's what I am scared of most as I am already being pretty badly effected with the rollercoaster moods - and christmas is just the worst time of year!!!

I will continue doing what I am doing for a while though as I feel like I am at least doing something.

[Theresa68]

Doing chinese herbs and acupuncture alongside IVF helped me. Having said that I fell pregnant naturally (although I miscarried). They will tell you it takes a good 3 months of taking the herbs and doing the acupuncture for it to assist with your IVF journey. I am now currently not doing IVF anymore (as all my pregnancies I have falled naturally) and since my last miscarriage I have started back on the herbs and acupuncture. Give it a go, you have nothing to lose.