any luck with Chinese herbs and Acupuncture anyone?

[Mariana101]

I'm starting acupuncture soon and the lady suggested Chinese herbs. I'm using egg donor so I don't see the point. Anyone has a good story?

[mhv]

Thanks girls!  It's nice to hear success stories!  I decided to go "all in" this time.  I figure it can't hurt...might help.  I am just doing a FET, so I just need my utuerus to do acupunture to help heal/thicken my lining.

Thanks again for the encouraging words!  I am definitely looking forward to doing the acupunture

[trh0819]

My RE recommended acupuncture, too, but said a before and after were sufficient for good blood flow. So I had a treatment 30 minutes prior to transfer and another immediately after. The cost can certainly be an issue but like mhv, my DH and I just decided to do whatever it took this IVF cycle and see what happened rather than second guessing it later.  My double acupuncture treatment was $250 and was called an embryo transfer package. I'd never done acupuncture before so I don't have any idea how it differed from regular acupuncture... or maybe it didn't at all  :-) Regardless, I'm 7 weeks pregnant today!

[happynifer]

i did both herbs and acupuncture with my first IVF cycle and am now 15 weeks pregnant.
who knows what helped, but there are some really good studies showing acupuncture increases success rates of IVF...none are available on the herbs, likely because they would all have to use the same cocktail to get enough data and i;m sure they don't....

[mhv]

Yeah, I know the cost is a killer!!!  My acupunturist told me to just start coming in 3 wks before the transfer 2x's a week.  I can pay for it with $ I have in my flex spending, so I have decided after having my procedure on Tuesday, it would be worth doing whatever the acupunturist says.  I need my uterus to heal quicker then the adhesion can come back, so with a high dose of estrace and the acupunture, and Raspberry leaf tea.... I am hoping to accomplish that.  I told my DH I don't care how much we have to spend right now, I just want the best chance possible not to have to go through this again.  My RE and his nurse are really encouraging the acupunture also.  I have my procedure on Tues the 6th and start acupunture on Wed the 14th.  I am hoping for a end of July beginning of Aug transfer.  Oh, when I have my procedure on Tues, they are going to do some kind of epidurel (sp?) block so I can be awake and coherent during my procedure so I can see what exactly is going on inside my uterus!  
I am SCARED but ready to get this over with!
Oct will be here before you know it!  

[Mariana101]

I'm not doing the herbs, plus I'm afraid I can't do too much acupuncture either, or at least as often as I wanted. It is $70 a session!!!
I will stick with my yoga and interval training and hope for the best and slow down the training during the donor cycle .... I wouldn't risk those eggs from implanting because of a treadmill!!!
As for now, enjoy life until the cycle, who knows when! (Maybe October or November)

[Mariana101]

I will ask my doctor but since they are nor FDA approved I may not do them. I exercise everyday so my stress level is low. I will do acupuncture twice a month and more when I'm actually doing the cycle. Thanks ladies. I will consult with my doctor as well. My insurance does not cover acupuncture.

Good luck to all of you!!!

Mariana

[babywanted556]

Both of my REs don't believe in acupuncture.  They said, however, it doesn't hurt to try, but if the insurance covers it, other wise you add more stress on your cycle.
In my case, my insurance does not cover....and after 3 cycles, 1 failed, 1 MC, 1 ectopic....I have no hope and want to try any other option.  It turned out the worse cycle I ever have.  I produced a very bad quality and quantity, and BFN.  I gave up and now my fifth cycle, I'm 33 weeks with baby boy.
My sister went 3 cycles with acupuncture, and now she looks in to donor egg to hope achieve her goal, a baby.  Her insurance covers acupuncture.

Ofcourse, we went to acupuncturist specialist in IVF field who is refer by both my REs and her RE.  All 3 REs did not know that they refer us to the same one.  So I assume, she must be good in this field, but just my point of view, it does not help us at all.  I don't use herb, but my sister.

Good luck on your comming cycle.

[mhv]

Did she tell you what she hoped the herbs would do?  My acupunturist said it would help with the builing of the uterus.
It would be a great idea to ask your RE, but the biggest difference with you and I is we are using donor eggs so the herbs wouldn't effect the eggs/stimulation in any way.  We just need the best "landing" for our embryo's.

[pol79princess]

I did acupuncture for my IVF cycle but refused to take those herbs. I don't trust them b/c I don't know what's in them, so I wouldn't take them. In the end, I actually left my acupuncturist b/c she was really pushy with those nasty herbs. I'd definitely check with my dr. before taking any of it if I were you. Best wishes :)

[mhv]

I am getting ready to start acupunture soon (but I already told you that ( ; )  My acupunturist mentioned herbs too... I think I will try them, just because, can't hurt might help... might as well give it the best chance I can.  But that's just my thoughts... maybe someone on here can give us insight on the herbs thing...

[misslollipop]

i was thinking about going to see a chinese herbalist, but never bothered too. I guess everything is worth a go, but paying for meds as such i don't see the point of herbal