Re: Acupunture for endo pain
From: Alyson (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Jan 16 13:44:36 2006
Linda,
The relief won't be immediate, but it only took a couple of appointments
before I could tell a difference. And like I said, having someone being
that attentive to what you are going through is such a relief. I think
I cried through my whole first appointment because I just couldn't
believe how wonderful those women were. Good luck to you!
--
Alyson
At Mon, 16 Jan 2006, Linda wrote:
>
>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?
>>
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)