Re: Acupunture for endo pain
From: Linda (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Jan 16 09:47:24 2006
Alyson,
Thanks so much for the information. I'm feeling less apprehensive about
the whole thing now. I have my first appointment on Weds. I just hope
that it will help with the pain. I am a pretty pain tolerant person,
but this whole endo thing is driving me over the deep end.
Thanks again.
--
Linda
At Mon, 16 Jan 2006, Alyson wrote:
>
>Linda,
>
>I have a total needle phobia...still act like a scared little kid when
>someone tries to give me a shot or draw blood. Acupuncture needles come
>in varying thicknesses. Some of the needles are almost hair thin and
>others are about the size of a typical shirt pin.
>
>When I went to my first appointment all three of the acupuncturists sat
>down to talk with me....one is an endo sufferer herself. We discussed
>all of my endo symptoms, what kinds of medication I was on, where I was
>having pain, etc. We also discussed other issues I was having like
>allergy and sinus problems. The Chinese believe that there are
>meridians running through your body and there are different points along
>those meridians that represent specific organs, ailments, etc. After
>talking to you the acupuncturist will determine where to insert the
>needles based on the symptoms you describe. I had needles in my hands,
>fore arms, feet, ankles, calves, belly, and one at the top of my nose
>between my eyes (that one is the happy place!). I would lay on the
>table, the acupuncturist would use alcohol to sterilize each area before
>inserting the needle. When they put the needles in it is not like what
>we think of as getting stuck with a needle. In fact, you can't even
>feel most of them. Sometimes they would insert one in a more sensitive
>spot and it would hurt a bit, but its like getting a little nerve shock.
>They could also always tell where my symptoms were bad by my reaction to
>the needle. For example, points having to do with my uterus were always
>more sensitive than the ones having to do with my breathing.
>
>After inserting the needles they would place heat lamps over me, turn
>out the lights and leave me to nap for about 30 minutes. When they came
>back they would remove the needles and massage each point, then give me
>an acupressure massage. The whole experience was very relaxing and
>really gave me an opportunity to just let go and not worry baout every
>thing for an hour a week. I must say I recieved more genuine care and
>attention from them than I have from any doctor.
>
>I also wanted to mention that they were treating several women for
>infertility problems when I was there...and the one acupuncturist who
>suffers from endo used acupuncture for her pain and to assist with
>conceiving her two children.
>
>--
>Alyson
>
>At Mon, 16 Jan 2006, Linda wrote:
>>
>>Alyson,
>>If you could explain what the appointments consist of that would be
>>great. For instance, where do they stick you with the needles etc. I
>>am pretty pain tolerant but the thought of a needle being put where I am
>>already in so much pain kind of scares me a bit
>>
>>At Sun, 15 Jan 2006, Alyson wrote:
>>>
>>>Linda,
>>>I saw an acupunturist weekly for about 8 months for my endo pain. When
>>>I first started going I was in really rough shape. After several weeks
>>>of treatment the intensity and frequency of my pain decreased. I tell
>>>everyone that it can be a great pain management tool, but does not cure
>>>the endo. I would be very happy to explain how the appointments went,
>>>how the acupuncture works, etc. if you would like to e-mail me.
>>>Alyson
>>>
>>>At Sun, 15 Jan 2006, Linda wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I was diagnosed with endo in Nov through a lap. In Dec I had my first
>>>>shot of Lupron. I am still in alot of pain because some of the endo
>>>>could not be removed. It had grown outside my pelvic area and attached
>>>>to some organs. Dr. didn't want to remove because of chance of
>>>>damaging organs if it was removed. He's hoping that Lupron will shrink
>>>>the endo. I am still having unbearable pain from where the endo could
>>>>not be removed to the point where painkillers do not touch the pain.
>>>>Besides, don't want to be on painkillers forever.
>>>>
>>>>I was wondering if anyone has had acupunture for dealing with endo pain
>>>>and whether it helped. If it did help, how often did you have to go for
>>>>treatment?
>
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