Looking for chinese herbs/accuputure - eastern Melb

[runnermum]

hi there,
I am starting IVF next month after 20 months of TTC. AFter reading about so many of you taking chinese herbs and accuputure benefits.........i am interested.

I live in Blackburn and can anyone reccommend someone in this area?

[anney]

HI Runnermum,
I am in Blackburn too! I went to Alice Gao (or it might be Goa) who is in Balwyn so not far at all. I am old so didn't have much luck but she has a great reputation, runs an efficient practice and her and her husband who is the "receptionist" are very nice. she specialises in fertility and trained in china and has not been out here all that long. Also - doesn't usually give you herbs you have to boil up, just pills and powder. good luck.

[runnermum]

thanks Anney,
so if I just google her name it should come up? I am not sure if we are allowed to post a practice name or more specific location in Balwyn, but if this is allowed, please do.

So you have had a baby through IVF? I am a bit confused by your signature...

thank you so much for posting.. I am very nervous about it all, and don't hold much luck for myself - endo for years, and also I have abdomensois (spelling may be wrong)...

[blackbird]

I'm in Blackburn too...maybe we've seen one another at the shops...

I've got adeno and endo too but after having my endo cut out was lucky enough to conceive before having to go down the IVF path. The acupuncturist I saw is in Prahran - Tracy Hicking. Bit of a hike but worth it.

Good luck!

[runnermum]

thanks for your post blackbird.... you are one of the first people who has mentioned they have adenomoisis - this is what worries me more than the endo. I have had a lap in Oct but no luck naturally since then.......although I have a beautiful 4 year old boy and I had endo pretty bad back then...

so I think it is combination of my age (37) and adenomosis......or 'unexplained infertility'. I am really keen to get some chinese herbs....even if it will just help with my stress levels while on IVF...

[anney]

Hi Runner,
Here are the details:
Alice Gao-Cui Chinese Medicine Clinic. 222 Balwyn Rd BALWYN NORTH VIC 9816 3268.

We conceived DD naturally when I was 40 and we have been trying for another for 4 years so I went to Alice for about 6 months while I was doing IVF when I was 44, to get as healthy as possible. I don't have any particular problems apart from my age so I am not sure what she is like for treating the problems you have but she is certainly worth going to for a consultation.
Maybe we have seen each other around - We are trying to decide on schools at the moment. What school is your DS going to go to?

[runnermum]

hi again Anney,
that is fantastic that you were able to concieve at 40 natually....and thank you for the details on Alice. I have just been told about a place on Springvale Rd, Nunawading...may go there today.
have also been told about Ruth Sharkey on the Gold Coast - aparently very famous, but herbs take 5-6 weeks, and don't want to wait that long...have been waiting long enough.

my little boy will not go to school next year, he was born November so will go to school in 2009 when he is 6. I think this is best for him, and I get to have 2 more wonderful years at home with him (he goes to Kinder at the moment).

[LisaL]

Runnermum - hi, after being told that I had to go down the IVF path, I went to a place called Natural Stress Therapy and took herbs etc and got pg on my fourth cycle and now im almost half way to having my first child. Its in the city so not sure how that works for you but you can google / white pages search the name and have a look at the web page.

Wishing you lots of luck,
Lisa

[runnermum]

thanks for your post lisa...... i have made an appointment at a place on Springvale Rd, Nunawading (Tai Chi for life) which does herbal medicine and accuputure...

Can you tell me a bit more about what you took and how? just interested? Did it taste horrible? how often did you have to take it? was it expensive?

I am so happy that you are pregnant....enjoy it everyday.

[LisaL]

Hi Runnermum - I took a herbal tonic once a day which wasnt very pleasant but worth it and I was also taking other herbs in cap form twice a day. I also had a progesterone cream which I had to use from CD15. For a 3 month course of the tonic and capsules for both me and my hubby (incl prog cream) I paid around $1500. But i hadnt started ivf so it was the only cost for us at the time. My visits were $60 but now that im pg all my visits / massages are for free

Please let us know how you go, wishing you a healthy bfp very very soon. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Lisa

[runnermum]

wow - that is a lot of money - on top of IVF about to start for us, i am not sure we can afford that. I wonder if any of this is claimable on Medicare? Probably not.

thanks again for your support - I think I will be needed a lot of Belly Belly support from this forum in the next few months.....

[runnermum]

just been to a chinese herblist - Springvale rd, Nunawading. I liked her straight away - she was friendly, knowledgable about many aspects of my blood work (I brought my results in) and she was kind to my 4 year old who sat calmly through it all for 1 hour.

As an athlete, I have always had low iron, i am not anaemic or even close to it, however I know I use HUGE amounts of energy and also have many clots in my period, so she believes that I may not be retaining iron, even though I take supplements and eat a very good iron rich diet.
she has given me herbs in pill form for digestion/liver function and for stress. Also, interesting, she said NO pineapple, lemon as these are cleansing foods - and I want to retain nutrients, NOT cleanse !!

If anything, I may end up with more energy and perform better ! At best, I could get pregnant again !! I am also having my first accupucture this saturday....what is it like ???

[morganj]

I see Helen Mahoney who I think is brilliant - only $45 a visit. She is in Preston and her number is 9495 1840.