As I said in my intro on this site, I have had very bad luck using pharmaceuticals throughout my life. I have always had side effects and complications, reactions that make me even sicker than I was before, etc. Western conventional medicine just doesn't do it for me, when it comes to most things.

Throughout my adult life, I've been to chiropractors, herbalists, massage therapists, reiki practitioners, and acupuncturists. It always takes longer than it might with Western medicine, but these "alternative" modalities always seem to work for me. When I finally realized that all the seemingly dissparate were indeed all perimenopausal symptoms, my first thought was acupuncture.

I've been to a couple of acupuncturists, and they were all Americans who used a few Chinese herbs but didn't consider themselves to be Chinese doctors. My old acupuncturist ended her practice to have a family, so I'm going to my first "real" Chinese doctor. I will be interested to see what herbs she prescribes, since the plants in China are different from plants in Europe and America.

Has anybody here tried Chinese acupuncture for peri and meno? Any insights? Tips?

hi... i do beleive that squiggle and several others here have or do use acupuncutre... i cant remember what threads they have posted about this... but read through and see what you ca find.... or pm some of them and they will advise you .... i am sure!!!! look for mel too...she is studyng herbal meds and things too... hope this helps!!!

Hi - yes I used acupuncture for anxiety and gastritis 18 months ago and it helped me a lot, particularly with the anxiety. I am thinking of going back to him once the kids are back in school (3 more weeks in the UK) as I recently developed frequent palpitations and I had the palps previously for about a week at bedtime just before I took the acupuncture 18m ago. They went after 1 treatment back then.

I haven't tried chinese herbs though - just the needles. I would consider it though as I believe chinese medicine is just another medical route that has been around for years, and in many cases can treat what our western medicine can't It tends to be more holistic rather than individual symptom - based!

I have not tried acupuncture yet but after reading an article in the Sacramento Magazine on perimenopause I am thinking about it. It sounds like there is very good success at managing the symptoms.

Let us know how it works out!

I had surgery on one knee about 8 years ago so when the other one started showing signs of problems, I decided to try acupuncture and it worked. I had a bout with jaw pain that would not go away--I couldn't open my mouth all the way (still managed to eat plenty however). I decided to give acupunture a try again and within 3 weeks I noticed it was gone. I want to go back because I have such poor quality of sleep, so we'll see.

Hi there -

I saw my new acupuncturist yesterday, and I feel really good about it. Dr. Wang specializes in women's health, so I feel like I'm in good hands.

I gave her the list of symptoms, which other doctors have said, "Oh, these aren't related," and treated me like a hypochondriac over.

She nodded her head, said, "Yes, yes.... that makes sense...," then asked me a few questions and said, "It's clear that you are in perimenopause. You are a classic example. You also have some weakness in your adrenal function right now as well, so we will work to support your adrenal gland and your ovaries." She thinks that I don't always ovulate, which I had suspected too, after some reading. (Now I have to remember what made me think that... it was something about the combination of symptoms that I have.)

She recommended that I go to my regular physician and have them run a hormone panel, a thyroid function test, and a glucose tolerance test, just to cover the bases for both my peri- and non-peri symptoms. I've got an appointment next week for that. Hopefully my GP won't give me a hard time and will just do the damn tests without getting into a turf war with my acupuncturist.

I fell asleep on the table with the needles in, as I always do, and it was the best sleep I've had in months! She gave me some really wicked tasting herbs to take this week. They are so bitter that even with sugar they are awful. Too bad I can't take them with food, but that would interfere with the way I absorb them. (There are worse things, I know!)

I am feeling very hopeful about all of this. I like working with someone who recognizes that our body parts actually work together and impact on each other when things go wrong... it feels like some of the Western practitioners I've been to forget this.

I can't wait to see how this process works. She's going to be able to help me with my allergies and urticaria, too!

Feeling like a pincushion....

Solla Luna

Hi Solla - I am so glad you have been to the acupuncturist with such positive results. I know what you mean about persuading the GP to do the tests. Mine won't do any hormone tests on me - says they would be too inconclusive & I'm too young anyway!!

My acupuncturist was wonderful too - they listen and don't treat you like you are imagining things. As you say, I love their holistic approach! Let us know how you get on - I'm going back to mine in Sept hopefully!

I am turning to accupucture too, this is my last resort. I figured that mainstream physicians would just hand me x for medications, that either have horrble side effects, or simply know me out and make me loopy, LOL. The holistic aproach does make sense, it's all interconected, and one minor imbalance trigger "domeno" like effect, so I have high hopes too.

Hi there -

I feel like I'm talking about acupuncture all over these boards!! Guess I'm pretty excited about it.... It's just so nice to finally find something that works. What a relief.

Well, my MD was NOT cooperative about ordering the hormone panel that my acupuncturist suggested. She said that there was no need, since I'm still menstruating. She also told me that it's impossible to menstruate without ovulating (which is what my acupuncturist says is happening for me. Funny, I found out that it is actually VERY common. Guess my MD missed that class in med school.) AND she told me that she didn't really think peri was the cause of my symptoms. She wanted me to go back on antidepressants, and found alternate explanations for all of the 29 peri symptoms I am experiencing.

Since acupuncture is really working well for me (3 treatments and already I'm feeling better) and I have never responded well to pharmaceuticals, I'm sticking with my acupuncturist and am transferring to a new doctor who practices in the same Integrative Medicine practice with her. Thank heavens there are finally such things - MD's who look at the body holistically!! Finally!!

I had my 3rd treatment yesterday, and as I said, I am already feeling better. My mood swings have almost disappeared, my period cramps are less severe, and I can sleep at night. I can't wait to see what else starts to get better as my treatment progresses!

My urticaria also seems to be under control now, which means I can start exercising without fear of going into anaphylactic shock!!! My body desperately needs exercise, so this is the best possible news.

I was able to have them put my nasty herbs into capsules, so I don't have to taste them anymore! Thank goodness!

Feeling like a HAPPY pincushion-
Solla Luna

Solla - I'm so so happy for you. I wish more people would be brave enough to try it, it really isn't painful and helps so much and what's wonderful is THEY BELIEVE YOU!!

I reckon our general doctors are just taught how to patch people up not cure the cause of their symptoms.

Good on yer girl!!

Impossible to menstruate without ovulation??? HELLO?!! That's exactly what birth control pills do, prevent you from ovulating. JEEZ LOUISE! It's quite scary what some of these doctors will come up with!!

And I'm so happy for you too, Solla! Is it very expensive?

Suzannah

Thanks, Squiggle and Suzannah. It feels so good to get support.

My visits are $60, and herbs are $30 each time I have to get more. Looks like I'll need herbs every 2-3 weeks. Could be better, could be worse. My insurance co-pay is $12, so if it were covered, I'd be paying a lot less. Sigh.

I'm just glad to be out of the hands of my doctor. I just stared at her when she said there was no way you could menstruate without ovulating. I couldn't believe my ears. Then I heard another scary story about her from an old friend of mine:

I ran into my old boss yesterday and was telling her what was going on with me. Turns out she goes to the same doctor. Earlier this year my friend went in for her annual Ob-Gyn appointment. During the pelvic exam the dr. found this very large mass intruding into her vagina. My friend had had no irregular bleeding, no pain that would indicate a problem. This thing just sprung up suddenly.

So what does the dr. say? "Oh, it's probably nothing to worry about. We could put you on hormones and see if it shrinks, or we could just leave it alone. If you're feeling really worried about it, I suppose I could order a sonogram, but I don't think it's really necessary."

My friend says, "Hell, YEAH I want a sonogram!!"

The sonogram tech takes one look at the final image and says, "I don't want to alarm you, but you really need to get a second opinion. This tumor is displacing your bowels and your uterus, and is twisting the shape of your vagina. Here's who I would go see, if I were in your place."

My friend goes to this new Ob-Gyn office, where the dr. takes a look at the sonogram, hears my friends symptoms, and says, "I've only known you 15 minutes, but I've heard enough to think that you are in need of surgery. What are you doing tomorrow?"

My friend says, "Uh... going on vacation... why? Do I need to go in that soon?"

The new dr. says, "Yes, you do. When are you coming back from vacation?" and then schedules her for surgery for the day after she returns from her 5-day vacation.

Turns out the tumor was benign, but it was so large (think larger than a grapefruit) that was hampering the function of her internal organs. That thing could have killed her even though it wasn't malignant. It had basically superceded her uterus, so she had to have a hysterectomy.

So WHAT'S with this doctor? How could she be so ignorant and still be allowed to practice medicine? She obviously missed the whole section on gynecology in med school...

I'm having a hard time trusting Western medicine already, and this story combined with mine just reinforced that feeling. I'm going to see one of the doctors who practices in the same Integrative Medicine practice with my acupuncturist. They actually work together and consult each other on their shared patients. I think that should eliminate the possibility of someone making a snap judgement about my treatment.

Whew! Thank heavens for alternative medicine!!!

Cheers -
Solla Luna

WOW. That doctor is seriously scary, and I'm glad to hear that you've moved on! The integrative medicine sounds so awesome! Finally there are some doctors who aren't threatened by eastern medicine!

Thanks, Suzannah, yeah, I feel very lucky to have escaped without damage.

I can't believe what some doctors can get away with, and I'm shocked at the number of times I hear similar stories.

The upshot of all this is that my acupuncturist works in an Integrative Medicine practice, and I am getting to have a "consulting" appointment with an MD I tried to get in with 20 years ago!!! She's always got a full practice (because she's really good), but she does consulting appointments with all the other practitioners in the office. As I said earlier, the two of them will work together to come up with a holistic treatment plan for me. I am moving my medical records to this office and will choose one of the other MDs there to be my primary care physician.

I got really lucky. I wish other women could be as lucky. This stuff is hard enough without having to struggle to get proper treatment!

Thanks for the support-
Solla Luna

I read through everyone's postings with interest. I was thrown into full menopause just over 2 years ago when I had a hysterectomy due to uterine cancer. I didn't then, and still don't want to take hormone replacement therapy. I'm not sure what the hormones will do to me in the long run and I am against how they treat the horses in order to get the estrogen.

With that said, I've been treating my hot flashes with herbal remedies. They have worked to a point. Without the herbs, I have a hot flash every 20-30 minutes. With the herbs, I get one about every hour. So, they have cut the heat waves in half. That's good. Now, I'd like to work on the other half.

Recently, I tried homeopathy. That has helped somewhat. I have often wondered how acupuncture could play a role in helping to allivate the symptoms. There is a registered Chinese acupuncturist and herbaligist that moved into the area. I'm just worried about the cost. I'm no money bags.

Saturn,

I am in the UK so prices may differ a little bit, but I would hav thought they would have been fairly similar. I pay £45 for one acupuncture session which is about $75. I was told I would need about 4 for my anxiety! Hope this helps!

Thanks Squiggle. $75 dollars is a lot of money for someone who makes $55 dollars a day. I guess I'll wait a while. In the meantime I'll be interested if posters have positive outcomes from the acupunture.

Just a quick tip: If you are lucky enough to live close to an acupuncture school, they do a very good job and the teachers are usually excellent! The price is greatly reduced if you let the students work on you, of course the teacher is right there. The appointment takes a little longer but everyone around here loves to go to our local school.

I use Chinese herbs and acupuncture, and have had wonderful results in the past for lots of ailments. Right now I'm trying some herbs to help with all my hellish symptoms so I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Unfortunately, I don't live near any type of homeopathic school. I did, however, find out that a homeopathic practitioner lives about 30 minutes away. The only way I can know how things work is to call. I just have to check to see if the phone number I have is correct.

Ladies,

I'm so sick and tired of all these intense symptoms! I have developed a chronic stiff neck and shoulder pain. It hurts so bad that I have lost my appetite for the first time in my life. I have also had several migraines in the last few weeks. I can list a ton more but you get the point.

I went to the acupuncturist today and after one appointment I can move my neck! I do have to go back twice next week and again for some time, my insurance doesn't cover this but I can't go on like this. He actually felt bad for me and basically said that my poor body is a wreck ( not in those words) He gave me some pills (Chinese) and we are going to work on one thing at a time.

The needles did not hurt at all and he also placed some suction cups on my back and hooked up an electric current which felt wonderful! I so hope that my dryness problem can be fixed, he said it could. I'll keep posting after every visit and let you know how its going.

Thanks Shakti for sharing your experience. I still haven't tried acupunture yet but I think I'll give it a whirl. I'm so frustrated by all these hot flashes.

I started acupuncture last September. I was desperate for relief of anxiety, depression, nausea, insomnia and hot flushes that lasted for hours.

My acupuncturist is a Chinese, pregnant, hormonal young woman. Did I luck out or what ?

I went once a week for about 8 weeks. By week 8 my anxiety was no longer daily but only a few days a month. She also gave me pharmacutical grade herbs by a Japanese drug company called Honzo. They helped reduce my anxiety and nausea.

In November and December I could not go at all due to my schedule. I guess I was feeling well enough to think I didn't need it. HA! By the end of December I was in a down hill slide. I went back first thing this year. I'll now go at least once a month. Out of all the money I've spent, this is probably the best $45 per visit I've ever spent.

Rendy.....send me the name of the accupuncturist. Mine that I have gone to for several years went back to China 3 months ago to take care of ailing family member.

Thanks

Hi again,

I had my third visit to the accupuncturist last night and I am starting to see some results! My neck is fine now but he is working on my dryness (see vaginal dryness and you will see I'm a frequent poster), anxiety, temperment, hot flashes etc. I can almost sleep through the whole night and last night I had NO night sweats! Today I did not have to use any vaginal salve or moisturizer and the burning pain is almost gone. I have been having a hard time at work and he relaxes me better than my Xanax. I go again in one week but I am still taking the herbal pills with no side effects so far.

I just pray that this is a cure as it is costing alot of money but so far it is worth it!

Shakti - that's fantastic news!

I've been dragging my feet about going to an acupuncturist because of the money. But after hearing the good results that Shakti had, I guess there's no excuse. Thanks for sharing!

Heres an update on my visits:

Most of my symptoms are greatly relieved especially anxiety and insomnia.

The sad part is that the vaginal dryness came back and I'm considering local estrogen as the pain is just to much.

I will continue to go to the accupuncture as in general I am doing so much better.

Squiggle, Thanks for the kind words!

Saturn88, Let me know how you do, I believe it really is helping me.

I'm still going to the acupunturist and I'm doing very well. I actually feel enough energy to go surfing, hiking and out having fun again The best part is that I haven't missed a day of work in a whole month, no migraine or crashing fatigue. I'm taking the herbs that he prescribed but I'm also taking Vagifem although I cut the dose from twice a week down to once a week and I'm now pain free "down there". My acupuncturist is working along side with doctors from Sutter Health and is bringing relief to pregnant women so they don't have to take anti nausea or pain meds. He is trying very hard to get them to add acupuncture to the insurance plan. I still get some hot flashes and had my first heart palps and my fingers are crossed as I haven't had a period since early Dec. but in general I feel the best I have in a long time.

Does anyone have an acupuncturist around the Long Beach, California area? I see that a few of the posts are from California, but they don't say from where. I am seeing my general practitioner this morning and am going to suggest that I try a more natural approach for my anxiety and insomnia and I had success with acupuncture many,many years ago.

Thank you for the positive feedback here that other people have gotten - it gives me some hope.

Hi......I'm glad those who have tried acupuncture are having success. I tried acupuncture around 12 years ago and I hated it......I was bleeding from a few of the sites the needles were and also felt like the needle was put into a nerve in my foot. After about 10 minutes I asked him to remove the needles and never went back....had a terrible experience unfortunately and I would so like to try another alternative for the many symptoms I'm experiencing......So glad those that have posted here have had a positive experience.

Hi

Just posting to say I've started acupuncture again to try & help anxiety and palps. I also have costrochronditis (inflamed rib cartlidge) which the acupuncturist says could be related. I'll let you know how i an doing. I had the first one last week and whatever else it did or didn't do, it made me sleepy and dozy for about 5 hours afterwards. I could barely function. So I believe 100% it does do something to the body. Lets hope he can help me!

I tried acupuncture again last week -only did two sessions, along with TENS type heat therapy. She said to give it about
nine treatments. I didn't go back this week because of alot of dr. appts.

Question: Do most people get some relief in one session? I went for the neck/ear pain and didn't feel any different.
I saw a woman on Oprah today who had acupuncture for neck pain and felt better right away.

The person I went to is a chiropractor and not Chinese- does it make a big difference? Are they supposed to move the needles?
This is the second person I went to for acupuncture and neither moved the needles.

Trying to decide whether to resume and try the full nine sessions. Any suggestions?

P.S. - Good luck with your acupuncture Squiggle!

Hey Ladies,

Yahoo, yippee, Hoorah!!!! Great news for all those who posted about the successful accupunture treatments! Now, there's one dr appointment I am going to make tomorrow and I actually can't wait to go. I have thought about it in the past after reading a few other posts that mentioned it here and there, but I never got around to it, however, all your testimonials are just too convincing not to try it now! Just so happens I have several with in a few miles of my house! This is almost better than if I got my libido back

Thanks for the encouraging posts!!!!!!!!!


Hugs,
Susan

Hi Lidge and the rest of you,

I'm still going to acupunture and I feel so much better! My acupuncturist is a white man and I'm not sure what you mean by moving the needles. I get them in the same general area and once in a while he twirls them but he usually just puts them in and leaves me to relax under heat lamps. For my neck pain I felt better in one session but the menopause problems are taking longer. I missed this week's session and didn't take my herbs and I feel a migraine coming on. This would be the first one in a long time. The needles go in my head, arms, bellybutton area, lower legs and feet. They don't hurt except a bit of a pinch once in a while but any discomfort goes away in about five minutes. Good luck to all of you.

Hi Everyone,

I've been going to an acupuncturist for a few months now for heart palpitations and the acupucture has really helped, probably after the fourth session. She has also given me a prescription for Chinese herbs which has been incredibly effective! I felt 50% better in two days. With her help, I was able to taper off the Xanax my other doctor had given me, which, even in the small dose I was taking, was causing memory loss, heart palps (can you believe it?) and breathing problems. Just being in her office makes me feel better, since I know I am going to be cared for--not something I ever felt with other doctors.

What I wanted to say is that I have asked my acupuncturist how people might find a good one. She said you can contact the national registry of acupuncturists, all of whom are certified. Then start calling those in your area. She said to look for a woman if you feel more comfortable with that. Ask how much experience the doctor has (5 years min), and if s/he has experience treating your problems. Also, if she is certified in herbal medicine, even better, since that requires an additional 3 years beyond acupuncture certification. Mine is not Chinese, though she studied in China. She also doesn't twirl the needles, though that is not uncommon.

Good luck everyone! I hope you find some relief!