thread: Am I wasting time and money??

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    over the blue mountains and then some...
    367

    Am I wasting time and money??

    Wondering if anyone had any thoughts to help. We have been TTC #3 since February 2011 - without success. Finally went and saw my GP and got a referral late last year. Had a Lap in March 2013 and severe Endo found. It is all cleared up during the procedure. At follow up appointment Ob tells me that the next 6 months were critical.. so far nada... About 3 weeks ago I started acupuncture - not sure why really (I am a lawyer and the whole TCM thing is a little left field for me!). I am not sure if it is particular TCM practitioner but it feels as though it is a con - she asks me the same questions each visit and does things that are are contrary to the answer I have given...for example - Q are you having night sweats? A - no, not at all. Result - treatment that will help with the night sweats... the herbs I am taking are in capsule form and are for stress relief and energy. I know there is one for menstrual problems (endo in particular) so I am confused as to why I am taking (and paying) for the others. It is not really about the money but I am struggling enough with the end of my dream to have another baby and feel like this is a waste...

    Any comments encouraging or otherwise are welcome....

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    in the Capital
    1,478

    Have you thought about seeking a different practitioner if you aren't happy with who you are seeing. I do think that it can work but the one you are seeing does sound a little dodgy.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    May 2009
    Brisbane
    3,105

    I agree with Cass - I'd try someone new if you're uncomfortable with your current practitioner. No harm in getting a second opinion...

    When I've been given chinese herbs they've generally been loose (to make tea). I tend to blindly take what she tells me, but I am confident she knows what she's doing. I've had 3 BFPs since starting acupuncture (2 natural, 1 IVF) and have never had a BFP without acupuncture (including the 6 IUI, 3 IVF and 1 FET we did before I started acu), so it's either a huge coincidence or she's doing something to help...

    *edit*
    Of course, if you get that second opinion and it still doesn't feel right, maybe acu is just not for you? You wouldn't be the first to decide you didn't like it...
    Last edited by juniper76; July 29th, 2013 at 04:47 PM.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    In a house, on a hill with a big fat welcome mat!
    6,772

    Where are you located? I had a great tcm practitioner and believe it helped me get my bfp.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2011
    SE Melbourne
    2,975

    I see a naturopath and have acupuncture, and I too find it a little left field, but at the same time, I trust them and I really do feel it helps. I was reluctant to start... Especially with the herbs, but I feel better for it, even if its a placebo!! It gives me something else to do to help, as everything feels out of control most of the time, its nice to actually have something I can do to help....

  6. #6
    BellyBelly Member

    Sep 2007
    Queensland
    1,137

    My personal theory on TCM and acupuncture is that it works more for some people than others. I've sought acupuncture for 3 separate issues and it has never made a difference for me.

    I was getting treatments up to 3 times per week for my severe morning sickness and it was costing a fortune but after about 3-4 weeks, I just stopped and figured it was a waste of money. I too got the sense that it was a bit of a con.

    But obviously some people swear by it! And get results.

    It sounds like you should either seek a second opinion or give up on that avenue.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    over the blue mountains and then some...
    367

    Thanks for your comments ladies.

    I am located in regional NSW and unfortunately there is only one TCM practitioner around here that I am aware of. There is a naturopath though so maybe I will give that a go.

    AF is due Friday so I thought I would wait and see if 4 weeks of this has made any difference to that and then reassess.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jan 2011
    2,075

    From what you've said I would try someone else. I have found you need to stick at tcm and any natural medicine for a few months to get results. It is different to western medicine which offers a quick fix for a symptom. The idea of tcm is to fix your body which will obviously help with the symptom you are suffering from. It took me 5 months of tcm and I now have my dd. that being said, the practitioner I was using was fully aware if what I wanted to achieve and he was targeting my fertility issues. The herbs I was given were specifically for women's issues and the point he was using were specifically for reproductive system.

    Also I have found a Chinese tcm practitioner seemed to achieve better results.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Brisbane
    1,621

    If your gut feel is bad, I'd say try someone else. Hopefully you might pick up a recommendation. Acupuncture/TCM/naturopathy is brilliant providing the person you are seeing is treating you individually and holistically.

    The woman I went to helped us conceive DS3 within three months of starting weekly treatment (Clomid did nothing and the dr I saw really did not give too hoots about my luteal phase issues). I saw her every week, and she had brilliant recall albeit there were questions I was asked weekly as I guess it formed part of what she did and when. She also had my DH on TCM to help his sperm quality and quantity - she always talked about how men are 50% of the equation but too many people only treat the female.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Apr 2013
    413

    Hey shellbell, I live in northern n.s.w and have found so far Stacey at sharkeys healing centre is very thorough and specialise in fertility...and I feel they are helping with their tailored herbs. I get a lot out of it with info and more thorough tests to investigate.
    They also do Skype appointments which is great!
    Already found I'm having prob converting a thyroid hormone and my ewcm after only 1mnth on herbs is more... Lol sceptic I am too that's why it's. nearly taken me 3 yrs to go to naturopath! But I'm glad I did now.
    Follow your instincts xox
    Good luck