ITP and acupuncture or other alternative treatments to treat fatigue

[holcotts]

Does anyone have experience of acupuncture having a positive effect? (or negative?) on ITP? I am particularly thinking about using acupuncture to tackle the fatigue I feel when platelets low for me (about 20). Thanks

[NickyD]

Hi holcotts, I was having acupuncture when I thought it was probably not the best form of treatment when my count was low. I spoke to my consultant and was advised not to have acupuncture because of the piercing of the skin with the needles. So I stopped the acupuncture treatment. Up to that point it had not occurred to me to stop and I have to say it did not reduce my fatigue. NickyD

[SoporRose]

I found that the acupuncture made my fatigue worse. I tried it when my counts were relatively high (125k), and I got terribly dizzy and felt faint. I went back three times for slightly different approaches because I was so desperately tired, but never had a good result. The fatigue is so frustrating.

[holcotts]

Thank you guys - from your experiences, it sounds like a no to me! No ideas for the fatigue then?? alternative? straight? anything?!

[virginiabranscom]

I've had acupuncture during much of my ITP treatment, and I believe it helps the entire system to attain balance and optimum energy flow. One of my hematologists said that about puncturing the skin, too, but honestly, that shows such a lack of understanding of acupuncture. The needles go between the cells, and stimulate nerve/energy meridians. It is such an ancient technology, and seems threatening to many modern day docs. As for ITP fatigue, it is ever present and often debilitating. My theory is to just be as healthy as I can despite this roller coaster disease.

[holcotts]

Thanks Virginia; interesting.

[LHine]

Hi,

My count's not as low as yours (60ish), but all I get from acupuncture is one tiny spot of blood which immediately stops - or, most times, no bleeding at all. And it has helped my fatigue enormously. I'm no expert, but it may be that the first thing needed is to treat stress, and that treatment may make you feel more tired, or even dizzy if you haven't eaten enough before. However, once you start actually treating the fatigue directly, it should be effective immediately. It sounds to me like you need to find the right practitioner. If you're near Devon, I can recommend Source Point, but otherwise find someone who'll take the time to explain their treatment plan. And it works for me because I have it every week, although I felt benefits from the first time.

Otherwise, just all the health stuff we all should be doing and de-stressing if you can, because that's exhausting.

Good luck.

[holcotts in reply to LHine]

That's helpful - I have a practitioner who I trust , currently just for massage (helps with stress) and she can do acupuncture. I think I will try it!

[Leahgersh]

I use to do acupuncture. I think it helps with balancing your body and mind. It was more of a therapy for me. Did not help keep counts up but my counts mantanied around 50-60 thousand than. I loved it and how it felt. No side effects.

[holcotts in reply to Leahgersh]

Cheers, I am going to try it, its mostly about not hating how I feel as I do now because of fatigue/stress , so 'loving how it feels' sounds good to me, thanks

[Leahgersh in reply to holcotts]

My docs say that itp doesn't cause fatigue. I think it does though, mind over matter. Good luck with acupuncture. If I Could afford it I would do it everyday. In the US it's not covered under medical insurance. Let me know how it goes.

[scaryteacher in reply to Leahgersh]

My doc in Belgium told me that too until I gave her a print out of the BJH report which showed that ITP does cause fatigue. Off she scuttled to her prof, who said, 'well, it doesn't cause fatigue in everyone'! I pointed out that it bloody well did in me.

[mfuller9220 in reply to Leahgersh]

My advice, Find Another Doctor! Fatigue is a major issue in ITP! (20+years patient)

[gordontardio]

at around 10-20k, yes acupuncture has caused bruising and internal bleeding in me. No help for my ITP. Other chinese medicine prescriptions though have helped me tremendously to offset the side efffects of pred. and aza.

[dallen]

I had acupuncture twice, it helped with bruising i hardly bruise at all now but it did not help with anything else. We are all different let us know how it goes for you.