Acupuncture seems to be working for me.

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:08 am

I thought I would share that I have completed 4 sessions of acupuncture and apparently I am a responder.

I went in to see if acupuncture would help my chronic nausea. I was not feeling well but was tired of taking meds to try to arrest the nausea, which would be present as soon as I woke up. Looking back I can also see that waking up nauseated every day was also making me anxious, which no doubt only compounded the problem.

1st session: We did sites to decrease nausea and to increase energy. About 1 1/2 hours after my session I was ravenous-- all afternoon, all evening, and woke up at 3 am, still ravenous. I see a good appetite as being the opposite of nauseated and I took advantage of it too to take in a few extra calories. For the next 3 days following this session I felt very steady-- no morning nausea and felt as good in the mornings as I did in the afternoons and evenings. Days 4, 5 and 6 were not quite as steady.

2nd session: Same sites to decrease nausea and to increase energy. By the time I got home I felt very calm (this was different but pleasant). For the entire next week I felt 'steady' again-- no morning nausea and felt as good in the mornings as I did in afternoon and evening.

3rd session: Ran sites to decrease nausea and motion sickness, and to increase energy. Following this session I continued to feel stronger and steady, again no morning nausea. 3 days after this session I realized when I woke up that anxiety was also a problem but this was the first time that I was able to separate my nausea from the anxiety. Without the nausea it was easy to see the lingering anxiety. I am happy to report that has diminished a great deal. Also, I am now seeing a gradual increase in energy, which was apparently noticeable because my husband commented on it.

4th session (yesterday): Ran sites to decrease nausea and motion sickness, increase energy, and address some sinus issues I've been having. It is sooooo nice to wake up without the nausea. I now wake up thinking about what I need to accomplish for the day, NOT how queasy I am and how rough my day may be. It helps my mental health immensely to wake up thinking being productive, not wondering if I'll feel lousy all day.

I won't have another session for 2 weeks now. I'm very pleased with how well I responded. I like the Dr. too-- who hates needles by the way.

He's told me that twice. But he listens well and is very thoughtful.

Happy 4th everyone,

Carol

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:02 pm

That's so great that you are respondiing well to this Carol. Approximately 2.5 years ago, I was having trouble with insomnia and decided to try accupuncture after a friend referred me. I went once a week and absolutely LOVED it. She found that my energy was "blocked" in several places and with her help, I started sleeping better. I stopped going and I have debated going back after being diagnosed with LC and I really think I need to call her and make an appointment. I had just the one symptom but now have SEVERAL that I'm sure she could help me with and my insurance company pays for this treatment! Tthanks for sharing your experiences. I AM going to call her and will share with the board what happens!

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:49 pm

Carol,
I am so happy for you that accupunture is working. I went through periods of nausea also, but not nearly as bad as yours. I started accupuncture last last year to clear me of some of my food intolerances. That is working great for me so far. I now go back once a month and wish I could go more, but my insurance does not cover.

Stay with it. It's amazing how much that helps.

Nancy

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:51 pm

CathyMe- if your insurance pays then there is no reason not to go back. My insurance does not pay but I feel the prices are reasonable. The first visit was $95 and every visit after that is $55 although he does another 'energy check' every time I go in and we have added sites. Still when you consider the cost of meds and the loss of production from being sick, it's a bargain.

Nancy- I remembered you saying it's helped you with food sensitivities. I haven't asked him to work on other issues besides the nausea, motion sickness and lack of stamina, but I may give it thought. I felt if I could get rid of the nausea then I'd be able to eat more and exercise more and everything else should fall into place. So far, so good. I am definitely stronger.

thanks. Take care.
Carol

Post by **tex** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:08 pm

Carol,

I'm trying to get straight in my feeble brain what you are said in your first post about your acupuncturist's dislike of needles. Does he not use needles on patients, or does he have an aversion to sticking needles in patients, or is his aversion strictly related to the thought of needles penetrating his own epidermis? LOL.

Tex

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:08 pm

Hi Carol,

I'm glad things are going better for you! I loved your quote " the loss of production from being sick." How true and in so many ways, Brandy

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:14 pm

Tex, I think he's squeamish about needles being used on him. Probably not acupuncture needles which are hair thin, but larger needles like the ones used for other medical procedures. He doesn't seem to hesitate when applying them to me. So I asked him if people who know him gave him a bad time when he announced he was going to get trained in acupuncture and he said yes they did, especially his dad who is also a chiropractor.
He has a good sense of humor and he's also very professional. But the irony just cracks me up.

Carol

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:54 am

Carol!

Seeing this post made my day! I am thrilled to hear of your progress!

Love,

Polly

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:24 am

Thank you Polly,
It's been a journey filled with many ups and downs. I wish I had not gotten back on the Entocort at the end of April because I think that in May I was dealing with side effects and that started my decline. Next time I have a 3 day flare I'll try to ride it out. At the first of June I stopped the Entocort, started back on Dexilant, improved my diet thanks to MRT testing, and started acupuncture-- pretty much all at the same time. In addition my gastro doc put me on a daily regimen of stool softeners and a tiny amount of fiber and said she believes I have slow motility (I agree). The idea is to increase the fiber by 1 tsp a week until I find the right amount that gives me daily results. Since I've started this I have not had a day of the aggressive bowel pattern that was plaguing me. This probably has also improved my nausea. I am much stronger now in that I can go longer in between meals without feeling shaky. I still try to eat 4 times a day.

I'm fine tuning. My gut is as quiet as it's ever been so now I am down to addressing the remaining symptoms and see if I can build some resilience. I can't complain much at the moment.

Carol

InTents · Post by **InTents** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:51 pm

I'd have to agree about the benefits I've been seeing with acupuncture. I've been seeing a traditional Chinese acupuncturist and taking herbal based remedies that she has given to improve my digestion and my qi.

I'm seeing her about twice a week. My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture either (what a mistake they are making!) but I've been seeing a definite improvement. I can't for sure say if its dietary changes (GF/DF) taking effect or the Entocort but I've noticed in the last two weeks of treatment that I'm feeling much better. Back to near Norman and only twice a day rather than multiple times.

One thing I noticed, I had gone to see her one day and my intestines decided it was sewage processing plant time... they were rolling, making loud noises and I was downright miserable. I was so miserable that I told her that I wasn't sure I could sit for 30 minutes with needles in me as I might have to get up and bolt to the bathroom. She was insistent that I give it a try. So, I did reluctantly. Within 3-4 minutes of her applying the needles to my stomach, lower leg, arm and head, my intestines stopped rolling, the noises stopped and I felt a sense of calm come over me. I was able to stay for the session and had no more intestinal problems that day. Couldn't believe it. She's in China on vacation and I sure miss her! Can't wait to go back but I'm going to have to cut down to one time per week now and in a few months down to once a month. It does help me.

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:41 pm

It all sounds wonderful. I'm so happy for you Carol. I don't have the nausea, but I can imagine how awful that would be to have it all the time. Hope you continue to do well :)

Leah

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 5:43 pm

Carol
that is fantastic news! I have used acupuncture for over 11 years and believe it is a great asset to the MC management process.
it will definately help to reduce inflammation, support the liver from the toxins that accumulate there due to leaky gut, help heal the gut, and ensure balanced circulation.
I always found post treatments that my head was 'clearer' and I slept better.

Tex
my acupuncturist treats new borns and toddlers, he uses an array of non needle therapy. there are glass cups (where they suction the air out to use a slight pulling on the pressure point) his fingers, heat, ball bearings on pressure points, some of these are different metals gold, silver, copper etc.

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:42 pm

Hmmmm. After listening to everyone else's experiences I wonder if acupuncture could help my motility issues, which tend to be slow then I'd have a day that was very aggressive-- and those were miserable days. I may have to explore that.
thanks everyone,

Carol

Post by **tex** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:03 pm

Gabes wrote:Tex
my acupuncturist treats new borns and toddlers, he uses an array of non needle therapy. there are glass cups (where they suction the air out to use a slight pulling on the pressure point) his fingers, heat, ball bearings on pressure points, some of these are different metals gold, silver, copper etc.

I wondered if it wasn't possible to use treatments that didn't require needles.

Thanks,
Tex

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:19 am

Carol,

I am so happy to hear this is working for you and that you are feeling so much better. It has been something I have thought about trying for my balance issues and just might bite the bullet and do it. However, no insurance coverage for me either so that makes it a really hard decision.

Love, Maggie