Acu Update and Faint Positives

Sept. 15, 2014

Well, Saturday was back to acupuncture. Good news, my pulses were stronger at the start, and even stronger after the pricks. Still not perfect, but going in the right direction. She added another needle to the formation which was about one inch above my belly button. I still haven't quite found that point in any of my fertility books or online, but she seems to know what it's for. I have to remind myself she's treating the whole body, not just fertility. She tells me every time it's to increase Qi, menstruation and pregnancy.

I had my husband snap a picture of my stomach post treatment. This time, they seem to be more red, and one actually bruised. Ironically, the only one that really hurt, you can barely see.

Here is a link that will help you identify the points and why they are stimulated. The photo of the abdomen is almost identical to where she poked me except she did the three points above my naval. About one inch above center and two pokes about two inches above and to either side.

http://www.natural-health-for-fertility.com/acupressure-for-fertility.html#.VBb9f_ldU1I

If you scroll down she also did the Epang II spots as well as one spot directly above the Yintang but into my hairline.

The following images are from the book The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, which I've recommended time and time again. She shows ALL the various fertility points and what they do. I'm just using these images to show which my acupuncturist used.

She used the LV point, in previous visits when she KNOWS I have not ovulated, she has also used the KI4

This visit, she used the SP 10, SP 8 and ST 36, she has used numerous others on other visits, including Ki 3,Sp 6. I've used acupressure on SP 9 before under their direction.

Although they have not done acupuncture in my ear before, I do stimulate both of these spots every night during meditation. They are good for stress relief.

My acupuncturist also does two spots between my thumb and forefinger to increase Qi.

The Infertility Cure is excellent because it shows all the spots, gives detailed information about each spot, how it should be stimulated and WHEN and also discusses which spots should be used for each specific condition of infertility.

Amazing stuff! I go back next Saturday again for acupuncture and a new batch of herbs. Then back one more time. They go to China for three weeks following that and will stock me on herbs and we will decide if I need more sessions of acupuncture when they return.

In other news, I tested last week to faint positives. My in-laws, awesome as they are came to town to watch my son on Saturday night so my husband and I could do a mini overnight vacation to see a comedy fest. I decided not to use OPK's or pregnancy tests all weekend and just relax.

I did test this morning and still faint positives and a blaring positive OPK. So, I'm just riding this out. I think I'll just test OPKs every few days now since I think I'm having a POF LH surge. Best not to waste my money and no reason to create anxiety.

Although FF still has my temps as O'ing 16 days ago, I'm fairly certain I didn't. My cervix is still firm and closed, but I am assured with that since it spent the last two months wide open. My feeling is, my body is sorting itself out and regrouping. Next time it opens, I hope will be the real deal.

Until then, I've really reflected on the message about resting in the Lord, and I have. Oddly enough, I've had no anxiety about it. My baby is around the corner. I know it.

Acu Update & Holy Healing

Sept. 8, 2014

Well, I was back to my acupressure session on Saturday and an adjustment for my herbs. Good news, my pulses were much stronger. After my session, stronger yet. They seemed very happy with my progress. My TCM also looked at my chart and I told her about the light spotting I had for five days. With the temp rise and timing of spotting she thought it was conceivable I ovulated.

I noticed when she did the acupuncture this time she switched the spots a bit. She did two pokes about two inches above my naval to the left and right. When I asked her about it, she said in broken English "impregnate." So, I gathered those were the "hold" spots they were talking about before. I didn't think those were suppose to start until the fifth session, but given I potentially ovulated and was in the 2WW, I think she triggered them just in case.

She also didn't do my inner calf or the spots near my heals. From reading about acupuncture and acupressure in The Infertility Cure I know those aren't to be stimulated after ovulation "just in case" so it was interesting she avoided them.

I was going to try to snap a picture of the treatment, but that would be counter productive to relaxing, and trying to reach my camera made my abs tighter which = pins moving. Ow. They also were moving in my head when I reached. So, you will have to settle for the aftermath. I took two shots and if you look carefully you can see the pattern on my stomach - red dots above the naval, down the center line and on either side above my ovaries and uterus.

She also switched what side the needles between my thumb and pointer finger were on from the right to the left.

My herbs this week are again for my Jayu (again, probably murdered the spelling on that, but it means power) increased Chi, blood, and kidney channel.

As for my temps, it is CD9 according to FF, but in reality it could be as late as CD11 or as recent at CD8 IF I did really ovulate afterall. My temps have been haywire before, so no true way of knowing for another week or so. The bummer, they dipped today, so we'll see if AF shows, it shoots up tomorrow, or continues to go down with no period which would mean just wacky still.

I'll keep ya posted.

I was also introduced to a great faith based fertility person named Nerida Walker. A woman in a POF group suggested her based on how I love Terry Mize. A lot of what Nerida says is exactly the same thing, but more current. She preaches today. Here is a link to her youtube channel. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/newlifem777

Her prayers are empowering and her journey with infertility is powerful. After her husband was told he was completely sterile and infertile, they decided to reject a medical diagnosis and trust what the scripture told them. That we are meant to be fruitful and multiple. She not only got pregnant within six months but went on to have FOUR children in the span of four and a half years. His doctors were in disbelief. 

She wrote two books God's Plan for Pregnancy and It Is Finished. I ordered them so I'll give you a review soon. Peace.

Please take a moment to listen to her prayer if you feel so moved. 

Acupuncture Round 2

Aug. 28, 2014

Well, I went back in today for round two of fertility acupuncture. Things looked grim at the start, but actually turned out great by the end.

She poked me...I counted 23 needles today. Randine Lewis' book The Infertility Cure has a great chapter on acupuncture. I think I'll copy the pages and highlight the points for you and post them. I would now but both my husband and son are sleeping. Never wake the baby or husband!!

I tried extremely hard to let go and meditate and the hour flew by. I'm not quite sure if I drifted off to sleep or was just in deep meditation. I'd go in and out of hearing what was going on around me, but never felt like I was asleep. When she came back in, I asked what my original pulse was. I didn't want to know before the treatment and get discouraged.

She said, very very weak. "As weak as last time?" I asked. With a sad expression, she said maybe a tiny bit better, but not much. She then went over my diet with me and told me to add more fish, meat and calcium products. More vegetables (which I eat a ton!!) and basically, just more of everything. I need more calories. I'm petite and thin, so this makes sense. I know a higher BMI is ideal for fertility.

Then, she took my pulse again and her eyes got huge. "Better!! Better!!" she said enthusiastically! She hurried around the table and took the pulse on my right hand. Yes! Yes! Strong!

Yippee!!! She then told me to eat more and relax relax relax. Notice a common theme here? She told me to get more Jayu. I know my spelling must be awry, but phonetically, she said Jai-yu. She told me it meant POWER!! I repeated it the whole way home.

I also thought I'd experiment with another fertility treatment. Crystals. Yeah, yeah, sounds a bit out there, and I never paid much attention to them, but I read something about them and got to thinking. My mom and step-dad wear magnets for arthritis and it helps. So many mommy friends swear by Amber necklaces to relieve teething pain. Hmmm....

I found a great Etsy store with reasonable prices. I did a tad of research of some various crystals and found a bracelet that included most. I messaged the owner and asked about another and described my condition and she said it'd be an excellent addition to the necklace and does a tremendous job of balancing hormones and helping women with fertility conditions like pre-menopause. I also found a coupon code for her store, so why not. It's FACEBOOKFAN for 15% off. I was impressed with how communicative she was and how willing she was to make an addition for no extra cost.

I'll let you know when I receive it and what I think. Here is her store and the link to the bracelet I got. For $25, which is less than some of the supplements I take, I figure why not. Besides, I never buy myself anything and it's a good excuse to wear cute jewelry, right?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/176453618/nona-with-black-onyx-amazonite

You can read about the various stones included. I also requested flourite.

Here is another link with some more description.

http://injewels.net/blogs/news/6121852-fertility-gemstones-for-increasing-fertility

I also came across a bit of scripture I thought may be helpful.

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

It brought me some peace.

I also just ordered a book called Inconceivable, A Woman's Triumph Over Despair and Statistics by Julia Indichova. A woman in a POF support group spoke of it and how inspiring it is. I'll let you know what I think.

Also, random - I spotted this afternoon. Creamy pinkish, brown, but spotting none the less. I don't know if it's just breakthrough bleeding, I was anovulatory and am about to start bleeding, I did ovulate and AF is arriving, or maybe it's just from acupuncture. Things got stimulated and a bit of blood broke through. Whatever it is, it was strangely reassuring to know something is starting to kick in. Just knowing things are moving in the right direction gives me peace.

Well, back to work. I have to pack to head to the in-laws for the weekend. Should be nice to get away and "relax relax relax" right?

God bless!

Never say Never

March 7, 2014

I’m one step closer to “going live” on this blog. I’m a member of several forums and support groups and I just had a mom thank me for directing her to a website with information regarding herbs.  She said about her TEEN daughter “She is beyond the point of no return with her POF but herbal remedies might help with some of the physical issues.”

Are you kidding me right now?? Past the point of no return?? A TEEN!?!

Maybe she is. Maybe she was just born incredibly unlucky, but MAYBE SHE ISN’T!! This is why I’m so saddened by the medical profession. They don’t understand, your body is a WHOLE. Your body needs to be healthy through and through for it to function properly. How many teen girls out there are told they will never have functioning ovaries and just suck it up and get medicine for the rest of their life? It makes me sad and it makes me MAD!

No teen girl should be handed a diagnosis like that. You know what?  My numbers were past the point of no return by ALL medical stand points!! I’m one of the “worst” cases.

FSH 136.5

LH 98

Estradoil not even recognizable

AMF <.03

But, I don’t believe that nonsense. They handed me that “diagnosis” without even asking anything going on in my life. No symptoms, stresses, etc. My TCM listened to everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. They want to know all your stresses, how you handle them, any discharge, how often you have a bowel movement, what you eat, exercise, etc. The list goes on and on.

Please please please. No matter your age, NEVER let them tell you your case is hopeless. I just started reading The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, and if you struggle with any type of infertility, please do yourself a favor and read this book. It will open you eyes. Your body is a WHOLE. It is not a part. Treat your WHOLE body right and your fertility will be restored.

God bless you. All of you out there struggling with infertility and especially this “disease.” With POF, you are written off as hopeless. Do not let them. Do not. Do not. Do not.

My LH was 98! 98!! Within a month I brought it down to not even register on an OPK. And you know what, I think I may have actually ovulated this month. My body surged last week but I never saw a temp shift. Well, two days ago, I got another positive OPK, fertile CM and a high soft cervix. This morning, my temp shifted by .38 degrees up. We will see if it stays up there and what the next two weeks brings, but six weeks ago I was told it was impossible. Hang in there!