Ovarian cancer and Accupuncture

[gigilouise]

I have stage four metastatic ovarian cancer...have done all the available chemotherapies around here and am off chemo...looking at any options.  Anyone have experience with using accupuncture in this situation to (1) strengthen the immune system, or (2) slow/stop spread of tumor activity?
Thanks, gigilouise

[ChrisP2236]

This is not specific to ovarian cancer, but I had an 11 yr old nephew diagnosed with a brain stem glioma 3 1/2 years ago - it is an incurable cancer.  My SIL took him for acupuncture treatments to alleviate nausea after chemo, and it seemed to help.  As the malignancy progressed and he lost bodily function, my SIL took him for acupuncture treatments to stop his panic.  I don't think he was in pain per se because his tumor strangled the brain/brain stem/nerve connection from what I understand, but he still could think clearly yet not communicate and would panic as he sensed each new body function failing - you could see it in his eyes and breathing.  The acupuncture treatments helped calm the panic for periods of time.

When this same SIL was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she also sought acupuncture for the nausea, along with her meds.  She seemed to like it so I think it's worth it.  If I recur I will probably try it. Good luck, Chris P

[gigilouise]

Thanks for your response.  I, too, have been using reiki and reflexology, meditation, etc. and am going back to making juice.  I'm sure they all help my immune and spirit.   Think I will call an accupuncturist to see if she/he can augment the immune strength.  Best to you, gigilouise

[Kimchi]

I am stage 4 and did 12 rounds of carbo and taxol  eventhough no sign of cancer after my hysto.  I have chosen to stop all chemo and now doing acupuncture 3 times a week, refexology, reiki. I take loads of vitamins, juicing, supplements, enemas and Reishi mushroom (did it all during chemo as well) .  I believe in keeping my immune system strong, think that chemo attemps to keep the cancer under control but it's my immune system that actually fights the disease.  Also do Qi Gong and meditation and mind control.
So far so good eventhough I have lots of minute nods on my liver and lungs (too small to tell what they are).  

[Janet535]

Hi there, I'm not sure where you are from but here in Australia the Cancer Council/Solaris Care offer free complementary therapies such as reflexology, pranic healing, reiki, bowen therapy and many others, along with Acupunture. They don't say it will cure you but can be used to help and assist in relieving pain etc.. Oncologists here, encourage patients to try some of the alternative therapies in conjunction with the tradition mainstream treatments. I personally have found having Reiki on a weekly basis has helped with the neuropy in my feet. Acupuncture has certainly helped with the back pain and over all bone pain I started getting since commencing a new chemo drug. I no longer take pain killers and additional medications. None of the above treatments will cure you, but if they give you some relief or just make you feel better, then why not give it a try.

[nyc lady]

There are so many alternative medicines out there.  To be honest, I do not think that any of them will cure the disease, but, they might make you feel a bit better.  I have heard that a hyperbaric chamber might also help....but, who knows.  There is no medical evidence that any of the alternatives work.

Good luck to you.