Anyone tried acupuncture or herbs and did it help?

[Kathy_Page]

Has anyone tried Chinese medicine and acupuncture, has it helped?

[MaggieBluee]

Hi Kathy, I’ve been having acupuncture and Chinese herbs for about 5 months now. My initial reason for it was miscarriage and problems to conceive. I have a suspected endometriosis and all its symptoms so hoping to have a lap soon to confirm it.

I must say that the acupuncture and herbs helped a bit with my anxiety but also a little bit with the endo pains. I can’t say it was a major improvement unfortunately but that’s because the lady who treats me needs to know for sure whether or not I have endo. If I do, they will then prepare different herbs for me (which apparently are stronger so I might not be able to ttc during the treatment).

[Kathy_Page in reply to MaggieBluee]

Thanks Maggie, do you get daily pains or just during periods?

I am in the same boat as you but i have been told that either lap or pregnancy can reduce the symptoms so if you don't have daily pains then acupuncture would have made you quite fertile and perhaps you can try again.

I also have suspected, never done a lap yet but if Chinese herbs help I will try again for pregnancy. I had a lot of pain during pregnancy then had a miscarriage I don't know how was it for you.

[MaggieBluee in reply to Kathy_Page]

I have pains almost every day from ovulation to period. Although not everyday is bad at all (most at ovulation and period).

My acupuncturist wants to know for sure whether I have endo or not, so she can give me specific herbs. Apparently the herbs can significantly help with endo...

My endo pain definitely got worse since miscarriage, hence I’m pushing for a lap (if I can’t have it on nhs, I will have to go privately), to know what I’m dealing with

I’m really sorry about your miscarriage Was it your first? Have you been trying for a baby long time? We’ve been trying over 2 years and GP won’t send us to infertility clinic until we’ve been trying for another 2 years since the miscarriage It’s all so hard I have to say...

[Kathy_Page in reply to MaggieBluee]

NHS sucks, just because they don't have funds. You are exactly the same case as mine, mid-cycle and periods pain but daily pains are manageable and my pain also increased since miscarriage. But let's keep hope on acupuncture it will definetly help.

Mine was first time and I got pregnant in 5 months but I guess more than concieving it's the sustainability of the pregnancy that's counted. Your pain will get better when you deliver.

Just 2 more questions- which side do you have pain? Did you have it during pregnancy also?

[MaggieBluee in reply to Kathy_Page]

Yes, I hope acupuncture will help a little bit!

My pain is on each side, depending on a cycle. But I had no pain at all during pregnancy. It just started with brown spotting and then blood

[Kathy_Page in reply to MaggieBluee]

Oh, you will be fine soon 👍🏻

[MaggieBluee in reply to Kathy_Page]

Thank you!

Fingers crossed we will be both fine and let’s have hope!

I’m seeing an nhs gynaecologists tomorrow so will push for a lap!

Do let me know if you have any more questions re acupuncture/herbs on anything!

Take care!

[Purple001]

Hi Kathy,

I think everyone’s bodies respond differently to alternative medicines so it’s hard to tell how you will react. For me acupuncture made my pain significant worse but for others it works wonders so I’d say it’s no harm giving it a try cause you won’t know until you try it! I’ve never tried Chinese herbs so can’t give any experiences with that. Hope you’re not in too much pain xx

[Gutfeelings]

Hi Kathy

I don't get on here often thesedays but wanted to reply as I used to have regular acupuncture for my endo pain. I was lucky that a new dr started at our surgery and I was seeing the practice nurse for prostap injections at the time, she suggested I give acupuncture a try as I was in a lot of pain.

It did help me and as I was only working part time it was very good to try it free on the nhs. I had acupuncture regularly but did need medications such as painrelief etc but it did help me, I had/have severe endo 6 surgeries over the yrs. I have to say if you haven't had a laparoscopy to see and treat the endo it may be best to seek a referral or gynae review if you are already under them. I'm sorry to hear of your miscarriage it is very hard, I went through it too but was early on so not confirmed, was quite a few yrs ago when early pregnancy unit was not quite established here. Years later I worked as a gynae nurse and tried to help as many ladies with endo as was possible...

After laparoscopy if the surgeon can remove the endo the window in the following months after recovery is the optimal time to try to conceive.

Just to mention, although you may well know this, be careful taking ibuprofen as it can cause a few problems with ttc.

I hope I've helped a little and wish you all the best, hope the pain eases soon.

Take care x

[Kathy_Page in reply to Gutfeelings]

I am hoping acupuncture helps, but if it does is it necessarily required to go for a lap before trying for pregnancy? as you know you have those endo inside. I wonder over these questions 🙁

[elliebean1016]

I tried acupuncture once a few years back and I didn't think it helped but I am thinking of giving it another shot.