Janice went to her first acupuncture appointment today. Everything went well. The doctor put her on a very strict diet, no dairy, no sugar, no carbs, no cold drinks. He said for her to keep her feet warm all the time. Lots of needles went into the stomach area, a couple in her hands and feet. She goes back again on Tuesday.

I was also put on a strict regimen from my acupuncturist: no fast food, good fibers, no pre-packaged foods. And she also said cold drinks were a no-no, which kind of shocked me but after she explained it, it made sense. When you drink something cold, it hits your stomach and can actually lower the temperture of that part of your body which is very close to your ovaries and uterus. This effects egg making and implanting because it shocks the system a bit. You want it to be warm and cozy. The same thing is true when you are pregnant. But, now that I am, since I firmly believe the strict regimen and acupuncture is what worked for me, I tend to drink colder things still. Not the frozen smoothies I used to have in the summer, but water with ice occasionally. At 15 weeks pg, my body feels so warm to the touch, I'm not too concerned with lowering the temp near the uterus!! But before I did get pg, I drank nothing but warm, or room temperture water.

The needles in the lower stomach was common for me too. It helps get blood flowing to all the right places. I still go now that I'm pg, and she doesn't put them there anymore, but mostly in my legs and feet, and my head. I hopes it works for Janice. Keep us posted!!:wave:

I have been going to an accupuncturist for a month once or twice a week and from what you both describe it sounds like I get the same treatment, it must be standard for IF.Sometimes I have needles in my temples as well though. Although my IVF failed, the accupuncture makes me feel so energized and invigorated afterwards,and my chinese dr says there is a definate improvement in my circulation which she says was "sluggish". Do you get a massage aswell, as I always get a 10 minute, deep head, neck and back massage at the end which is just so relaxing. It definately helps to relax me which can only be for the good and highly recommended.

I never got that massage you're talking about but that sounds really nice!;)

I've never heard of acupuncture for treating IF. It sounds really interesting, though. I've been ttc 7yrs. What is acupuncture supposed to do? Can anyone tell me more about it? That was interesting about the cold drinks, too, makes alot of sense to me. Thanks for any info:) ec

According to my sister's doctor there are i think she said 14 meridian's in your body and 4 are for fertility. The needles stimulate the nerve endings creating more blood flow to the uterus / ovaries hense helping fertility. The diet with warm drinks etc. also stimulates more blood flow to that area. Her dr. has a web site and his success rates are 65% successful pregnancies with IVF and IUI patients. Also he said to keep you feet warm all the time. Janice wears socks everywhere, even to bed.

To answer the question about the pain of the needles: it sometimes feels like a tiny *****, but really doesn't hurt. You should be lying very still b/c sometimes slight movement makes the spot where the needle is uncomfortable.
Also, those seeking treatment, I would recommend you see someone who is specialized in infertility. With my 2nd fresh IVF cycle, I did acupuncture for the first time with someone my RE recommended and was successful. I still go and I'm now 16 weeks pg!:blob_fire

Yes, no dairy - including milk, yogurts, ice cream, any cheeses - anything that would be made from milk or contain milk was a no no.

Hi mommy4reagan,
I am new to this board. I've been on the TTC board for a long time. I was just reading your post and I wanted to tell you my friend who is 28 weeks also went to an acupuncturist. She was told to do the same exact things you mentioned. I also live in Orange County. I wonder if it is the same man? He is located in Laguna Niguel. I think after all my tests I will also be trying acupunture.:) He is supposed to be really good.

Yes, he is in Laguna near the Laguna Hills mall. His name is dr. daniel lee. Janice has another appointment in the morning.

That is the same doctor my friend used!!!!! My friend raves about him. What a small world. Tell your sister (I think you said it was your sister) that she is in good hands. :)
Baby Dust :) :) :)

Jsquared - Did your friend do IUI, or IVF? It seems that IUI are not as successful as IVF's? What do you think?

Janice had a great visit today. Her temp is dropping, indicating O is coming (she ovulates, always has, normal periods. Their infertility is unexplanined.) Dr. Lee said her feet are much warmer and did little electric shocks I guess to the "area". I pray this is her month!
She will go for her third IUI this week. Insurance is not paying for anything, so this really needs to work.

My friend had 3 miscarriages and after all three they still tried for a little over a year and nothing happened. She never got pregnant after that. The doctors encouraged her to start IUI or IVF and she also went on Clomid. She decided she did not want to go through IVF or IUI and did want to have to take clomid anymore because she was getting pg in the past. She decided to see Dr. Lee. She started charting her temps and they were all over the place. After changing her diet and keeping her feet warm her temps started to be consistant. Dr. Lee told her if your temps are all over the place you will not get pg. It's amazing that after she did what he told her to her temps were great. Dr. Lee wanted her to get a HSG to be sure their was no blockage, it came back good and 5 mos. later she got pg.

About IUI and IVF I am not an expert. I have not tried either one. My DH and I have been trying for 18 mos. with no luck. I have an HSG scheduled in a couple of weeks. I believe I have endo. I have very painful periods.

My other friend had an IUI with no luck and then had her first IVF and got pg with twins. She wishes she never did the IUI and went straight to IVF. I believe IUIs are more successful when it is disgnosed that it is the male who has the problem.

Well I hope your sister is able to get pg. My friend is really thankful she went to Dr. Lee. I think I will also be visiting him soon. Acupuncture seems to work.:)