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Ok has anyone tried ivf for fertility even if they didnt do ivf?

Isa, I started doing acupuncture when I started injectibles. I did 2 rounds of injectibles with 2bfns. I was waiting to do ivf (had to have a hysteroscopy), but I kept up the acupuncture during that time. I ended up with a bfp on a natural cycle, so I am a big believer in it! That was after trying for over 2 years (7 total failed iuis) and I have fsh issues. Good luck.

Ann1 congrats on the natural bfp. I also have 7 failed iui's (1 natura, 2 on clomid & injections, 4 just injections). How often did you do your accupuncture (ie: how many x's a week and how long were you doing it before your bfp?) thanks

We have a very close background. I had 6 total clomid cycles (5 w/iui) and the 2 injectible cycles. I did the acupuncture once per week. The dr would alter where he put the needles according to my cycle. When I got the second bfn with injectibles, I switched to every other week, and that is when I got pg. I've heard to get the maximum benefit that you should do it for 2-3 months. I had been doing it for 4 months when I got the bfp. I've also heard that doing it even just once can increase your chances with ivf. It is also good for post-ivf to reduce the m/c rate.

Hey ann1 thanks. I am in a 50% m/c rate due to genetic chromosome condition and I'm also almost 41 so I've got that against me also. I have first appt tomorrow for my consult and my Lupron starts next Thurs so I will be able to get in a couple weeks worth if that is what they suggest. I do know they recommend day before retrieval and day before ET. If i were younger I too would try the way you did with it for awhile before going to ivf but I am running out of time age wise and I will hit menopause earlier due to my genetic condition so we are fast tracking now as best as we can. Thanks again for all your help and if you think of anything else let me know and good luck with you 9 months :)

I wasn't waiting and trying naturally on purpose! I am 37 and have the fsh issues that make me older reporductively. I was going straight to ivf. We had met with the dr and I got my protocol. Then, I went in for a saline sono so he could look at my uterus (same thing that some drs do with a diagnostic hysteroscopy). I had a regular hysteroscopy in May 05 and had fibroids removed. At the saline sono, it showed that the fibroids were back, and the RE said one was in a place that could interfere w/implantation. So we scheduled a hysteroscopy to remove them. I was really scared to even delay ivf for the surgery, but I didn't want to do ivf and have an implantation issue. I was supposed wait for af and then have the surgery on about cd7. That is when I turned up pg! I guess I scared my body out of it. I am all for being aggressive with this ttc stuff!! I certainly never even imagined I would get pg w/o help after all that time. Have you done Lupron before? Will you do pgd to check the chromosomes? When I did injectibles, the Lupron was the easiest one of the shots for me for some reason. I hope you do well with ivf and get your bfp very soon!!

Hey Ann, I've not been on Lupron before. I was on hmg Lepori. This time will be gonal F and Lupron. I just got back from the accupuncturist. he gave me some herbs to take for different things like circulation and warming me up and for thickening my lining but he wants us to delay ivf for a month or 2 until he can get me more balanced. Now I am so confused. Dh is sceptical about the whole herb thing and he doesnt seem like he wants to wait another month so we are going to talk about it tonight more. Did your guy put you on any herbs (traditional chinese medicine?)

My RE told me that he recommends acupuncture but absolutely do NOT take any herbs. It is unknown what can interfere with the ivf meds. My acupuncturist was fine with that. He just told me to let me know if I change my mind on the herbs. My advice to you would be to tell your acupuncturist you are doing ivf immediately and you don't want to do any herbs. If he/she has a problem with that, go to another acupuncturist! Like I said, I am pro being aggressive with ttc, and I would not delay ivf at all.

Hey Ann this is the ivf the RE sent me to. The accupuncturist knows i"m doing ivf and that is why I was seeing him. I do admit I've got lots of problems that he can help me with (I think) but I have a call into my clinic and the nurse will call me back in the morning so I can go over what he said and see what she says about it all. He said the stuff he gave me will have no bearing on any of the meds I will be taking. Now you've got me worried.

The accupuncturist is also an MD and trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I did find this one one website for a Toronto Wellness Centre: Can I combine IVF and western fertility medicine safely with acupuncture or herbs?
Yes, in most instances. However, please tell us about all the medication (prescription and over the counter) that you are taking. Studies have shown that the use of acupuncture and herbs prior to IVF greatly increases the efficacy of IVF.

If your RE is fine with it, then I don't see a problem with doing them both. However, the site you listed is a provider of herbs and acupuncture, so they have reason for a bias. My acupuncturist swore the herbs were fine to do as well, but I went with my RE's advice. Have you discussed it with your RE? My RE was adamantly against it, just in case there was an interaction. My RE had even done acupuncture himself for another condition and highly recommended it for fertility--just not herbs w/injectibles. I still wouldn't delay if I were you, though. Let me know what you decide.

thanx Ann I've got a call into my nurse at the RE's and she'll call me in the morning. I have to talk to dh tonight and figure things out.

Keep me posted! I am sure you will make the right decision. It seems like ttc should be so easy and straight-forward, but it isn't sometimes!! Lots of judgment calls from the drs and ourselves.

you are so right. I expected to get pg right away and that was over 1 1/2 years ago. I'll keep ya posted thanks again

Well it's a go officially we start Thurs with Lupron. RE said yes to take the herbs. Phew. Thought I'd let you know also that nurse said a new article in the magazine (?) Fertility and sterility a few months back had some study in it about the benefits of accupucture and pg rates and in particular ivf. Probably a great move you made that helped you out. If i didnt have so much going against me I'd wait to but I cant afford it due to my age and genetics. Good luck with your 9 months, may they be happy and quick!

Hi Ladies, I've just started accupuncture...and will be doing IVF next month. Reading a bunch of stuff on the internet does make this sound promising...but hearing it works from people you speak to first hand makes it easier for you to believe. I asked my RE and he said to go for it...it won't hurt. He also said he has many ladies he treats for infertility that "swear by it"...on that note..I have now done 4 sessions. I am on some natural pills and will be on some powdered herbs that I'll have to mix with warm water. I don't know what the heck it is, but I trust this women who is doing the accupucture. She speaks little english (Straight from China)..but she knows what I'm going through and is trying to treat it. I guess time will tell, to see if this works or not. Isa are you from T.O. I am. Ann1 congratulations, when did you find out you were prego...fantastic! All the best ladies!