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01-11-2013 at 7:35 PM
jezebel57
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acupuncture?

I tried acupuncture for my last IUI and think it increased my follie count slightly so I am trying it again for this IVF cycle.  I switched acupuncturists and i'm not quite sure how i feel about this guy.   really funky, young, eccentric, weird.  as long as he knows his stuff i can overlook it though.  it is a general practice but they see fertility patients so i went tonight for an eval and treatment.  he said something about my "jing" and kidney something or other.  i'm kind of skeptical.  my RE's office has an acupuncturist onsite at the ER and ET but that's an hour away and this guy is only 5 minutes from my work.  i just don't want to be wasting my money.  has anyone tried acupuncture leading up to stims/ER/ET and if so what did they say was wrong and what did they try to fix?  

 
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-11-2013 at 7:43 PM
Crystal120...
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I have no advice for you. I can't bring myself to get poked anymore than I have to. Good luck
Married 9-10-11
Together 6 years before marriage
Me 26 DH 28
TTC since 9/2011
Dx endo 2007 Sx laparoscopy
End bcp 9/2011
Dx annovulatory, DOR, Low AMH
Hysteroscopy due to polyp 2-1-12
IUI#1-3 Cancelled due to low response
IUI#4 BFFN
IVF#1 8/30 Beta#1 256, 8/31 Beta#2 482 BFP!! M/C 5w3d
FET#1 Cancelled due to uterine fluid and thin lining
FET#1.2Cancelled due to abnormal bleeding
Hysteroscopy 12/28/12 All clear
FET#1.3 2/2013 Cancelled
FET #1.4 3/19 BFFN
Semi natural cycle 5/13 BFN
IVF&FET June 2013
Good Luck to All!!
Crystal
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01-11-2013 at 7:46 PM
jezebel57
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lol, thanks crystal. :) i actually hate it but am hoping it helps! :) 
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-11-2013 at 8:19 PM
kflynn81
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I've added acupuncture this cycle. I started the week before ER and have been going twice a week. I'm not sure if its the main reason for a better response in quality (I had the exact same numbers retrieved and mature as 1st cycle w/o acupuncture) since we have added so many other things into this cycle. If anything I feel more relaxed after I leave the office!
Anniversary
Me(31): Some sort of endocrine malfunction that even the major Chicago hospitals can't diagnose. Yay me!!
I also have Factor V Leiden...yay me again!
DH (31): Borderline low morph, but not considered a problem
"Baby dancing" with no protection or BCP since July 2009
IF testing started March 2011
Endocrinology related tests from October 2011-February 2012
March 2012--Clomid --No response-Straight to injects!
April & May 2012-- IUI#1 & #2 = BFN
July 2012- IVF#1 cancelled
September 2012-IVF#1.2--BFN
November 2012- IVF #2 --BFN
January 2013- IVF #3-- BFFN
February 2013--June 2013 Back to the Endocrinologist for more diagnostic testing
IVF #4 --June 2013
PAIF/SAIF encouraged...give me some hope!!
For detailed cycle info. see right side of blog... Kate's IF Blog
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01-11-2013 at 11:17 PM
afsalinas
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afsalinas is not online. Last active: 06-14-2013, 12:24 AMNewbie

I have been having acupuncture since October.   There is a practice attached to my RE. My dr (who herself is undergoing ivf) highly recommended it. I feel so much calmer since starting it.   Leading up to ER, my acupuncturist was doing points to stimulate my ovaries and keep my anxiety down. Then I had a treatment 24 hours before and 24 hours after ET. They told me that the treatment before ET is to mostly keep you calm. The one after is to help with implantation. If you are pregnant, they recommend continuing treatments once a week thru the 1st tri to prevent miscarriage and help with m/s symptoms. 

My practice says that regular acupunture increases chances of ivf success by 50%. i really enjoy it and plan on continuing with treatment. 
Anniversary
Me:29, DH:33
Started TTC June 2011
Cycles #1-10 = BFN
Cycle #11: 100 mg Clomid + TI =BFN
Referred to RE March 2012
HSG all clear, FSH = 13, Prolactin = 28, S/A = great
April 2012 MRI to check for brain tumor due to elevated Prolactin = clear
June 2012 Hysteroscopy to remove uterine polyps and partial septate
July 2012 IUI #1 7/7/12 = BFN
Aug 2012 IUI #2.1 Cancelled due to early/missed ovulation = BFN
September 2012 Forced break due to one huge cyst
October 2012 IUI #2.2 = BFN
November 2012 Begin BCPs for IVF #1
December 2012 IVF #1 = Delayed due to cyst. Start stims 12/22
January 2013 ER: 1/2, 14R, 10M, 9F
ET: 1/7 Transferred 1 "Perfect" blast! 4 frosties!
Beta #1: 99 BFP!/#2: 227/#3: 584/#4: 3,020.
1/30 One amazing heartbeat! 111 bpm
EDD: September 24, 2013
*Everyone Welcome*

BabyFetus Ticker

"I have died everyday waiting for you, Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more." 
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01-12-2013 at 2:45 AM
Maybe Jole...
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Maybe Joleisa is not online. Last active: 05-13-2013, 8:41 PMSilver

For my IVF cycles, I start weekly acupuncture about 6-8 weeks beforehand. This last cycle I had sessions the day after ER (to help with constipation & bloating) and then again both before and after ET. I then continued weekly afterwards. (Just recently stopped to give my bank account a break, but will start up again when I cycle again.)

I think i have a damp liver, deficient Qi and I'm sure my kidney jing is broken, too. My acu is amazing and in addition to the fertility points, she has fixed an eye twitch, relieved allergy symptoms, helped knee pain, constipation, etc...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Me: 40, DH: 40 Married since 4/2009, TTC since 10/2010
FSH= 5.4, AFC= 11 Dx: Unexplained w/2% morphology
IUI 1-3: Clomid, Gonal F, Ovidrel + Prometrium = BFN
Acupuncture starting January 2012; IUI 4-5: Gonal F, Ovidrel + Prometrium = BFFN
IVF #1 (Antagonist) w/ICSI & AH: ER 8/7/12--7R/4M/4F; ET 2-8-cells + 1-7-cell embies= BFN
IVF #2 (MDLF)w/ICSI & AH: ER 11/26/12--23R/14M/6F ET 11/29 1 early morula + 2 8-cells; Beta 1 (15dp3dt)= 408; Beta 2 (17dp3dt)= 649 Beta scare :/ ; Beta 3 (19dp3dt)= 1485; 1st u/s 12/28/12= 1 sac with 2 HBs 113bpm EDD= 8/19/13; MIssed MC of identical twin boys D&C @ 8w3d on 1/10/13

PAIF/SAIF welcome!
 
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01-12-2013 at 5:51 AM
precious72...
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404 Posts
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precious72381 is online. Last active: 06-19-2013, 3:55 PMNewbie
Can you see the RE's acupuncturist the day of ER and ET? Then just use yours in the meantime. That was what I was going to do but my RE's was, get ready for this, on maternity leave during my procedures. And as far as the acupuncture, I loved it! I did it for my first fresh and FET cycle. It helped my anxiety just as much as any anxiety meds. I don't believe in it all but I felt different. I think they treat everything they think is an issue in the same session. So if she thinks something else is going on, let her poke a few other places but always treat you for infertility. I did not get pg when doing both. However, my third Ivf had much worse lining issues and less eggs retrieved and I did not do acupuncture that cycle. If you see my history, I also had no break between my three Ivfs, which I truly believed hurt my numbers in a big way! I did get pg that third round but miscarried. I can't help but wonder if I did the acupuncture if my numbers would have been better, numbers being my lining and progesterone. I am still waiting for my chromosome testing to come back but if all shows normal, I can't help but think all the meds, poor lining, etc didn't help maintain things. That is my long story of advice! I don't think it hurts anything. I don't know how much I believe in it, but anxiety has been a huge issue, and when my doctors don't have any answers for me, they love to blame the anxiety, which was very minimal during my months of acupuncture! GL!!!
Me = 31 husband = 35 Married 6/27/2009 TTC since 8/2010 (off BCP since 8/2009)
Unexplained Infertility,I'm a Hemocromotons mild carrier, also have single mild copy of MTHFR
6/2010 FSH 7.2
4/2013 FSH 8.6 AMH 1.4
I have primary lymphedema in my right leg which as far as I know, is not affecting my IF but not many studies out there.
7/2011 Natural cycle with 25mg clomid BFN
8/2011,1/2012,3/2012 IUI #1-3 25-100mg clomid BFN
6/2012 IVF#1 9ER 5 fertilized 2ET ICSI & assisted hatching BFN
8/2012 IVF#2 FET 2ET BFN
11/2012 IVF#3 7ER 5 fertilized naturally!!!! My hubby can fertilize my eggs :) 11/11 2ET 2 of 5 embryos made it to 5dt
11/19/2012 8dp5dt BFP beta 53 p4 7, PIO shots started ,11/21 beta 138 p4 29! 11/26 beta 698 11/29 beta 1942 12/3 beta 6640
12/10/2012 U/S #1 6w4d - One little baby with heartbeat of 124bpm :)edd 8/1/13
12/26/2012 U/S #2 8w6d - No heartbeat,only measured 6 weeks, dx missed miscarriage
12/28/2012 D&C
1/17/2013 Chromosome testing came back as normal male :(
1/19/2013 RPL testing normal
4/3/2013 SIS showed asherman's syndrome caused by D&C (scar tissue)
4/4/2013 Hysteroscopy to remove scar tissue
June 2013 IVF planned
5/12/2013 SURPRISE BFP! Natural cycle 12dpo beta 93 p4 43 5/20/2013 15 dpo Beta #2 466!!! P4 57 5/22/2013 17dpo Beta #3 1013 5/30/2013 25dpo Beta #4 11,913 6/10/2013 First ultrasound scheduled...keeping fingers crossed!
BabyFruit Ticker
 
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01-12-2013 at 7:29 AM
dede0726
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dede0726 is not online. Last active: 05-29-2013, 1:24 PMNewbie

Thank you for asking the question and everyone else for your feedback. I have been thinking about trying it too. Like everything else, it can't hurt, right?!?

Good luck to all!!
Me - 35 DH - 37 SD - 10
Married 10/8/2011
Started TTC July 2011. Infertility workup July & August 2012.
DH - all clear. Me - Unicornuate Uterus discovered at HSG 8/16/12. Referred for IVF 8/28/12. Approved for IVF Warranty Program 10/2/12. Laparoscopy 11/1/12 - removed right rudamentary horn, both tubes, left ovarian cyst and endometriosis. Given all clear for pregnancy after 1/1/2013.
IVF cycle 1 starts 1/19/13!
12 eggs, 7 mature and all 7 fertilized - 2 Frosties!!
5 day SET 2/4/13 - Beta 2/13: 86 & 2/15: 186 BFP!!!!
EDD: October, 23, 2013
Blog: http://journeyofaplayer.wordpress.com/
 
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01-12-2013 at 7:57 AM
Julie21613
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I've done acupuncture for all of my 4 previous ivf's (and doing it now too)  My first 2 canceled cycles I did not.  So I can't help but think that it did help my response.  Considering I'm DOR they don't get many eggs.  But on the 2 cycles I did get pregnant, but sadly miscarried, I had the best response.  i do know that it helps with my anxiety.  Not sure if anything will help my anxiety this time around.... but i don't want to change my cycling regime. 

And as a pp mentioned, I think going to the acupuncturist  in your RE's office before and after ET is a great idea and going to the one close to you beforehand and great advice!

Good luck! 
Me 31, DH 32 TTC summer 2008 Diagnose me. DOR, DH perfect IUI # 1 6/2010, BFN IUI # 2 8/2010, BFN IVF # 1 10/2010 Canceled poor response IVF 1.2 12/2010 BFP! mc 6 weeks 2 days Mental health break for 10 months IVF # 2 10/2011 BFN IVF # 3 5/2012 BFP! 10 eggs retrieved (best ever) 7 fertilized transferred 3 Beta #1 14dpo - 72, Beta #2 17dpo 145 Beta 3 20dpo 521 First u/s June 15 saw HB 126 bpm missed m/c 7/5/12 10 weeks D&C 7/6/12 IVF#4 ER 9/30 ET 10/3 Beta 10/16 BFFN. IVF #5 final with o/e. ER 1/21 only 1 retrieved, hoping my lonestar is the one. Beta #1 2/6/13 = 209.... please let this be it! Keep growing lonestar! Beta #2 2/8/13 - 586! , Beta #3 2/10/13 = 1898. First u/s perfect little heart beat at 116 bpm. Measure 6 weeks 1 day. EDD 10/14/13 3/4/13 measuring right on track beautiful heartbeat 171 bpm, graduated from RE to OB... bittersweet. PAIF/SAIF always welcome!  
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01-12-2013 at 8:26 AM
jezebel57
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thanks everyone!  the responses were very helpful! 
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-12-2013 at 12:35 PM
lincoln79
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when i have gone to acu he always first checks to see if my xi (pronounced "chee") is balanced. from my understanding (fwiw), it basically to see if your "energy" is properly flowing and there is no blockage.

from reading books on acu and infertility, the chinese believe that blockage of xi through the kidneys can cause infertility.

i have no idea of whether i believe it, but i noticed a HUGE help in the bloating leading up to ER while doing ivf. i was wishing i could afford it every day at that point!

it also gave my body a break during a very stressful time, so i figured, what can it hurt?

additionally, i listened to circle and bloom meditation while having acu treatments, so overall it was very positive for me!

GL! 

 
TTC #1 since 12/2010 DH: MFI, cancer survivor Me: Resected septate uterus, lap treated mild endo, tubes open, ovulate on own. 3 Failed IUI's (2/2012, 4/2012, 6/2012) IVF #1 August 2012. BFP! Beta #1 56.7 Beta #2 150 One baby, one heartbeat on 9/20/12! no h/b @7w6d. dandc @8w0d Praying unceasingly for a miracle. PAIF/SAIF welcome Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic  
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01-12-2013 at 2:07 PM
Mayan2011
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The main reason why ladies do acu with IVF is to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus and to decrease stress levels.  In turn, this is suppose to enhance EQ and help with the lining of your uterus.  I did acu with IVF 2 and 3.  I did it 2x/wk for 2 months leading up to ER, laser acu pre- and post-ET, and implantation acu.  You can see the details of my cycles in my siggy.  It is hard to know whether or not acu alone helped as each of my cycles was tweaked medically.  Also, every cycle will be different even if you are on the same protocol.  That said, I do believe that it had a hand with our success - even though I am not suppose to be the one with the problem.
DH:41 Me:34
Dx: MFI (very low everything)
IVF/ICSI Only Option

IVF #1 (antagonist): 01/2011: 9ER; 8M; 5FN; 3(3dt) = BFN
IVF #2 (agonist): 05/2011: 13ER; 12M; 8FN; 2(3dt) = BFP (1 frostie)
+HPT 8dp3dt; Betas: #1 12dp3dt=174; #2 19dp3dt=3461; u/s 7w5d = heterotopic pregnancy = 2 D&Cs for uterine (Trisomy 16) and meds to dissolve ectopic
IVF #3 (agonist w BCP): 12/2011: 10ER; 9M; 8FN; 2(5dt)= BFP (2 frosties)
+HPT 4dp5dt; Betas: #1 9dp5dt=363; #2 11dp5dt=896; B/G Twins - c/s at 37wks2d due to HELLP Syndrome
 
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01-12-2013 at 3:54 PM
Kathy4678
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I just went back to acupuncture today- I figure that if nothing else- it will help me manage the stress/anxiety of cycling. GL to you!
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~~SAIFW~~
TTC #1 since March 2010~Severe MFI- Low all 3. Dx Thyroid Cancer 3/2011.
Natural Cycle IVF- ER 9/2. No embryo to transfer. Traditional IVF Jan/Feb 2013- BFN. Dx DOR 3/2013. IVF #2 April 2013 is first BFP! Beta #1- 883 Beta #2- 1930
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