Accupuncture

Golfingirl

I'm sure this topic has been discussed at length but I'm bringing it back.

I'm considering accupuncture as a complementary therapy to aid in control of side effects, promote better sleep, and over all relaxation.

What are your experiences with accupuncture? Thanks.

MomMom

Golfingirl,  I had my second acupuncture treatment today and find it very relaxing.  I'm into my Taxol treatments now and had already lost one toe nail with another hanging on from just the AC.  Taxol is much more likely to cause neuropathy and more nail loss.  I was advised by several women that acupuncture had worked for them for these issues.  So in addition to the icing, I thought I'd give it a try.  Why not!  I was apprehensive the  first time but actually found it very relaxing.  Got it OKed first by my MO. 

Blessings2011

I receive weekly acupuncture treatments at a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic. It is a covered Kaiser benefit.

My MO wrote the referral for joint pain associated with the AI drugs. While it has not made a huge difference in my overall stiffness and fatigue, it has done wonders for alleviating the horrendous muscle spasms in my lower back that used to keep me awake at night.

I won't lie - some of the locations where the needles are inserted are painful for a few seconds, but that goes away. 

I am a firm believer in it. After all, it's been working for more than 5,000 years!!!! I would keep going even it Kaiser didn't cover it.

WhiteTiger

Hi, I'm tremendously interested in Acupuncture for BC. Tried it for other stuff; works wonders. Too soon just now. RMI is Monday. First dressing change was today. Looking forward to hearng from others their experiences?

Basia

does it help with nausea and bone pain from Neulasta shot?

gardengumby

I have acupuncture treatments each week and massage every other week.  I cannot speak to its efficacy for relieving the Neulasta shot, as I never had that.  I'm on letrozole, and I believe that it helps somewhat with the muscle and joint pain.  I agree with Blessing - sometimes the needles do hurt for a short period of time - but usually I'm asleep within a few minutes of my acupuncturist walking out the door.  Like Blessing, my treatment is covered by my insurance (both acupuncture and massage).  I hope that continues when I transition to Medicare with add on insurance next year, as it's really meant a lot for my QOL.  

MomMom

hello - At this point I've had 4 acupuncture treatments which really zone me out and make me feel so relaxed. I'm doing this along with icing and approved supplements to prevent or lessen neuropathy and nail loss while on Taxol. Just had #9 of 12 yesterday.  So far, so good. However at last treatment I felt more pain at insertion of a number of the needles. I asked him why and he said it was because of strong chi there.  Strong chi is good, right??  A friend who has had lots of acupuncture for years told me a good practioner should not hurt with needle insertion. This guy is Board certified and returns to China every yr to study and visit family. Its not that the pain was intolerable, but it did hurt more than usual.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Paula

Macintx

MomMom, I also had acupuncture treatments for neuropathy after I finished chemo.  I had them in my fingertips, webs of fingers, top of hand, tips of toes, webs of toes and up leg on side where it was a little numb up my calf.  Plus, a few other random places on the arms, ear, head etc.  It seemed like the needles in a few fingertips and tips of toes were a little painful upon insertion by the 3rd and 4th treatment.  She these areas can be very sensitive.   My neuropathy didn't get any worse, but hasn't really gone away.  Fortunately, it's not bad, just a mild numb feeling, but no pain.   

MomMom

Macintx,  Thanks for the response.  Did you ice while getting the Taxol infusions?

Macintx

No, I did DD Taxol (4 treatments) that lasted at least 3 hours, which was too long for me to want to ice.  But I only ended up with the minor neuropathy on the tips of fingers and toes, and a little on the front part of one shin (I know, random.)  No pain or nail issues.  I also started taking B-6 when the neuropathy started, and I continue to take it.

MomMom

Macintx,  Yes icing for 3 hours 

would be unthinkable.  Sounds like the acupuncture really worked well for you!

aviva5675

I had accupuncture yesterday for the first time. Im trying to relieve hot flashes, as well as any general health benefit it might have for me. Went to an old friend who is trained, and enjoyed the session. The needles did not hurt. When I was laying there tho I did move my one foot a bit and got pain where one needle was. Still have a bit of it. But in any case, I am going to keep trying it to see what happens. She also gave me a supplement called Balance (heat), to try to improve the flashes. I hope it all goes well.

Blessings2011

RE Acupuncture pain...

I know that if I get needles in my feet, they'll hurt. The bones are so close to the skin, the needles always hurt at first, but eventually, the pain lessens.

These days, I mostly get needles in my scalp. Several times I've yelled out loud, it hurt so bad. The doctor just adjusted the depth of the needle and it went away. But one time, I had not only the stinging and burning sensation, but a deep ache that just got worse. She removed the needle completely.

The explanation I got was that first, if there is tension in the body - like during your first treatment - muscles are tight, and needles can hurt. My scalp needles really hurt the first time, but after several sessions I didn't feel them at all.

Recently, I had a severe head injury, and once again the needles are painful. The doctor explained that this is usually due to blockage of energy. 

When the needle hits the meridian just right, and energy is stagnated in that particular spot, there could be pain, which indicates that 1) the needle is in the right place, and 2) you probably need more work in that area.

She also explained to me that after I got home, I could massage the areas that hurt. By her definition, "massaging" is more like "scrubbing" with a cotton ball or clean fingers, which brings more blood to the affected area, and helps keep the meridians open to the flow of energy (qi).

It is good to have a strong qi (chi). But when a river gets blocked by debris, it stagnates. That's when acupuncture is needed to unblock the area and get the river flowing again.

My doctor is Chinese, actually attended an Eastern Medical School in China, giving her the equivalent of a Western medical degree. She also has her PhD, and is a licensed practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She's been doing this for more than 20 years. If I didn't know that, I probably would have been out the door the first time the needles hurt!

aviva5675

I started a few weeks ago. Go for my 4th session this week. Mostly to help with hot flashes and sleeping. Saw my oncologist last week and told him- he was all over the idea and wrote an insurance referral. That was great. Unfortunatley Im hmo so the only one theyll refer to is kind of far away. Not sure if Ill switch to him because of that or not.

PeggySull

I go for my 5th session for my neuropathy (feet mainly) and also for sleep, anxiety, etc.  my feet are slowly getting better with the electro acupuncture used there.  I feel super relaxed half way through the session and this lasts a good part of that whole day.  I think it is helping my cognition as well.  

I'd get it every week indefinitely for the relaxation alone if not for $$$ (mine is pretty reasonably priced but still...

Peggy

Sharon1942

I had acupuncture a couple of days before my last 2 chemo infusions & it GREATLY relieved the nausea I suffered with during the first 2 chemo treatments!  I'm a firm believer!  Insurance didn't cover it, but it was worth every penny!