Question?

[JAS]

Has anybody heard of using acupuncture to treat immune issues? Just curious. Anybody try it with success of no success? JAS

[Raven74]

Hi JAS,
Yes and No... Acupuncture seems to have a very calming effect on the body, and is mentioned in several of the infertily books I'm reading. I've been doing acupuncture since March once a week, and had another failed IVF with donor eggs in June before finding out I had auto-immune issues in August. I have MTHFR, and APA for ethanol, both of which are clotting issues. Acupuncture isn't going to help these issues, but here's what it DID do for me: I usually require a pre IVF surgery to remove uterine polyps. This time, my uterus was excellent, and lining was great; no surgery needed. However, I was on BCPs to control my cycle, and they didn't work; I shed my great lining on CD28, and had to go on estrogen patches and suppositories to quicky rebuild the lining. My RE believes the acupuncture created an "override" of the BCPs. Basically, my acupuncture helped create a smooth picture-perfect lining, and locked in a 28 day cycle.

[JAS]

Raven, Thanks so much for your help. I am thinking of doing it just to get my body in better working order. I have not given up on IVIG, but right now I cannot afford treatment. I am already 41. It is just about too late. I am sending best wishes for you that you get the immune treatment you need to bring you a beautiful little baby. HUGS, JAS

[Raven74]

Thanks JAS!

I love acupuncture - sooo relaxing. You may also want to check out Dr. Attila Toth for auto-immune issues. His books were recommended by Lauren2005. In a nutshell, Toth believes that immune issues, endo, PCOS, infertility, high FSH etc. can be caused by underlying infections. After reading his most recent book, I really saw myself in his research; I have a phone consult set up with him tomorrow. I hope this works!

Baby dust to you!!!

[poppan]

Jas -- My RE had me do acupuncture in addition to IVIg for my natural killer cells. I don't know if it helped/worked since I did both at the same time, but RE seems to believe in it.

[JAS]

Thank you Poppan. I am assuming you ended up getting pregnant. If so, that is so awesome. I am going to look into it. It is the cost of the IVIG that I cannot afford right now. It would cost me 4K a month. Hopefully, I can find a way before it is too late. Thanks so much for the insight and encouragement. HUGS, and best wishes, JAS

[Pecan]

JAS, I firmly believe that if you find a good acupuncture physician who specializes in IF it can help. I have been doing it since May '06. Right now we are cautiously optimistic and at about 7 wks pg, 1st u/s next week.

All the best,
Pecan

P.S. I also wanted to add that I have also been doing the other standard immune protocol (did not want you to think that I have only been doing acu)

[poppan]

Wow JAS, how much IVIg do you have to take that it would cost so much money each month? I got my infusions at the Dr Beer center in Los Gatos and it cost me $1665 each time if I was doing 20 grams. Sometimes I had to do 30 grams and then it cost more. I ordered the IVIg from Columbia Pharmacy in Chicago and they shipped it directly to Los Gatos. It was $62 per gram. Then Los Gatos charged $425 to administer the infusion.

I did get a BFP and I am now 18 weeks with twins. I had to do IVIg about once a month. My most recent NK test came back normal so I finally get to stop the IVIg. My last infusion was at 14 weeks gestation. Most people seem to get to stop earlier than I did though.

I wish you the best. If I could do only the IVIg or only acupuncture, I would do the IVIg. I think the acupuncture can help but the IVIg is the "big gun".

Good luck!!

[JAS]

Thanks Pecan, and Poppan. Pecan, I have seen your struggles, and I am so hopeful that you will carry this baby to term. I will definitely keep you in my prayers, you have been through so much.

Poppan, I am so happy to see you are pregnant and carrying twins. Glad to see that you can stop the IVIG also, that was my big fear as I needed so much.

I need I think 20 to 30 grams also, so maybe if I got it from the same place you did, maybe it would be less. I really should do IVF so that I am not wasting that amount every month. I am so tired of feeling like there is no where to turn, because of the finances. My son just got out of a wilderness program that was 22K and he now needs counseling every week at the tune of $115.00. My IF has just been on the back burner, so I hope I can find a way to move ahead. Thanks guys for you encouragement. Hugs, and best wishes for your new babies. You are blessed. JAS

[poppan]

Good luck to you too JAS. I wish you the best.