Sometimes God has a different path in store for us. After being diagnosed with POF, I set out on a journey to "repair" my body and get pregnant naturally. Somewhere along the line, although pristine health and self care is my goal, the necessity to "prove" the doctors wrong became less important and we sought the perfect solution to grow our family. We decided on Embryo Donation / Adoption. Read about our journey. Blessings!
Showing posts with label chiropractor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chiropractor. Show all posts

Yoni Steam or "V Steam"

July 1, 2015

Well, it's been a while since I posted because I really had no new info. I spotted for a good 11 days which I'm starting to think is my "period." I spotted 10 days last time and both occurred at 45 day intervals. My gut tells me I'm just not building up enough endometrial lining to have a proper "bleed."

I know many of you will think I'm just plain batty, but hear me out. A while back in a mommy group someone posted a link of Gwyneth Paltrow and how they thought she was off her rocker for getting a V-steam. (Exactly what it sounds like folks, a vagina steam.) There was one girl who'd tried it...more about her later. As I looked more into it...it made sense to me. Maybe it's because of all the TCM, acupuncture and Eastern medicine alternatives I've been living in accordance to, but encouraging adequate blood flow down there is integral to reproductive health.

I saw the post, saw the horrified reaction to it and kind of forgot about it. Fast forward a few months. I was at a birthday party and a fellow mom asked me how my infertility issues were going. She had seen my post during National Infertility Week and messaged me privately about having to grab a cup of coffee...we needed to talk. I told her, kind of same old same old. Well, listen to this, she said.

She had been trying for several years to conceive her son. Her doctor finally ran labs on her and her FSH came back at 33. For all us POF ladies, we know what that means. POI / POF diagnosis was imminent. She scheduled a consult with a fertility doctor, but there was a three month wait so she continued her acupuncture and TCM and heard about this crazy thing called a Yoni Steam. She decided to give it a whirl...couldn't hurt. So, she went to a little spa in Korea Town and had a vagina steam. Low and behold, she conceived that cycle. Two years go by and she is trying for number two. Knows it's near impossible but thought, eh, I'll have it done again, see if it works. Has it done, and PRESTO! Now, that can be purely coincidental I know, but she told me as crazy as it sounds, seriously just try it.

So, I thought back to that thread on Facebook, searched it, found the girl who'd tried it and messaged her. She looked back through her emails to when she tried it and found out it was the month before she'd conceived her son. She says she has no clue if THAT is what did it, but the timing was uncanny.

I talked to my husband about it, expecting he'd be horrified and in stride he just said, "Do it. It can't hurt." And, he's right. I priced out two spas that do it in town and prices range from $60-$90 for a V-steam. The gal on Facebook did it herself so I started looking into that. I was worried where I'd get the proper herbs, until I ran across the site Vibrant Souls. This site not only had amazing info on the Yoni Steam (more pleasant and anatomically correct than V-steam) but also had the herbs for sale and very reasonably priced.

For $15 you get three steams and if you sign up for their monthly membership it has free shipping and their guided meditation. My friend who did it at home said she paid $5 for the herbs in store, so the price was identical, but Vibrant Souls uses all organic certified herbs in the amounts that are correct. I figure why not.

I contacted the owner and asked if I could get a sample to review for you and she's popping it in the mail. I'm really hoping I love it and I plan to sign up for the monthly membership. I figure one acupuncture session is $40 and I go twice a month. If a Yoni Steam promotes blood flow and health down there, that's a fraction of the cost to steam three times a month. Whether it miraculously causes a spontaneous pregnancy, or just prepares my womb to carry for our embryo adoption, it's a win win.

As soon as it arrives and I'm able to give it a try, I will definitely let you know how it goes and what I think. I'm really excited to try it. I've tried all other holistic routes and after seeing how beneficial they've all been, I can't help but think, as crazy as it sounds to someone not rooted in holistic treatment, that I see the vast possibilities in it.

I'll write more about it and how it benefits when I post my review.

In other news, I'm off to the chiropractor in a few minutes to get cracked before boarding a plane for a nice lengthy vacation with my son. I'm trying to fit in TCM on Friday before I go as well. I know I should probably have a nice acupuncture session and get stocked on herbs.

EA is still on stand still. I knew we wouldn't hear anything until August, but I catch myself getting nervous and excited. I started an online course in epigenetics. It's way way way above my head because it talks about all the DNA coding and how and why it varies. My interest is more in the EA aspects of how epigenetics would apply to embryo adoption and the mother carrying the baby. I was told by the instructor later lectures would be more applicable, but it was important to know the science behind it.

I feel like I'm in a Charlie Brown world with the teacher going "wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa." Thankfully, I'm doing it for knowledge, not accreditation. I can kind of pick and chose what I pay attention to. There is also a great documentary on it on youtube. Although that one covers the science of it in the beginning, it is in layman's terms ;) They get more into the EA aspects toward the end.

In a nut shell. Everyone has genetic coding, but there are things that "turn off" certain genes and "turn" others on. Although an embryo may have coding for blue eyes, they could be light or dark depending on what "turns" on that gene. So, a genetic sibling to a baby I carry may have light blue eyes and my baby have dark blue eyes because that is what I have. Same with hair, personality traits, medical issues. All very fascinating.

They are finding that for people outside EA, it is incredibly applicable that how your great grandmother ate may affect your medical issues now. Something I thought interesting in terms of POF. I personally feel that as generations from us are born we will see some adverse effects from the toxins in our environment, food and medicines. I'm excited more research in the field is being done. Diseases like Alzheimers and Diabetees they are finding may be fueled by epigenetic factors.

Any who, I went off on a nerd tangent.

As always, keep the Faith and God Bless!





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Document This?

Aug. 31, 2014

So, I know I've touch on it in past blogs, but I'm an actor. I've been going over and over about doing a documentary on having POF and trying to get pregnant. Of course, the goal, both on a personal level and objectively, on a professional level -------> much cooler ending with baby in tow...

Is this something you'd be interested in? What aspects would you like to know about? Follow? Would you want to see the acupuncture? Chiropractic care? An interview of my doctors? Other POF patients? Should I video blog to add that into the documentary in addition to literary blogging? If (er, when) I get pregnant, continue it on through the pregnancy?

I feel silly starting it this late in the game, but who knows, my game could go on for years. I just feel like there isn't much out there about this disease other than shut up, take your HRT and adopt or get a donor egg and give IVF a whirl. It's kind of brushed on the rug.

Any blog readers have thoughts? Suggestions?

I haven't talked to any of my providers so who knows if they'd participate...

Back on Herbs and Feeling Good

Aug. 4, 2014

Back on the herb bandwagon. Well, if I'm totally honest, I started to wean back on them two days ago taking a half dose halfway between my UTI dosage. Today is the first day taking a full dose twice a day.

I've been sleeping great. I hope this continues because it makes my life so much more pleasant being well rested. And my son, a perpetual 5:30 riser, has decided to sleep in until 6:15 or 6:30 now, so let me pause from typing and knock on every wooden surface in the house.

I went to the chiropractor this morning and he said I'm doing great. Two minor adjustments was all I needed. I did ask him about the pressure points around my neck that you aren't suppose to touch during pregnancy. He seemed to think that continuing treatment even though I'm actively trying to conceive shouldn't hurt my chances. He said it'd just keep my nervous system and endocrine system in better shape allowing my hormones to flow more freely. I'm a bit leery of it though so I'll try and keep my appointments in the two weeks leading up to ovulation just in case. I know it's all probably not that big of a deal, heck, my first pregnancy I was probably begging for shoulder rubs ignorant of the fact, it's supposedly a no no.

If only I'd ovulate... I did get a positive OPK today and my fertile signs are there, so I'm doing a silent cheer hoping my ovaries spit out an egg. In the next several days I'll know based on my temps.

My friend I mentioned that is now pregnant has generously offered to give me her stash of fertility supplements. I know you ladies can relate - $$$ - so I was thrilled and am happily taking them off her hands. I'll have to take stock of what they are because my Amazon Subscribe and Save shipment window for changing closes tomorrow. And, if you ladies are getting supplements, that is one of the best things I've found. If you get a delivery of over five items, it's all 15% off. If less than 5, 5% off. Added bonus, all free shipping.

I've found a few things cheaper, and Pure Formulas is awesome because it all ships free, no matter the size of your order. No tax either. If you do opt for there, follow this link so I can earn money off future orders. Gulp. I'll need it. I'm not sure if they ship internationally though...

http://www.pureformulas.com/?pdRewardsRef=RACULR

VitaCost and iHerb are other good discount sites, but the downside with those is you need to have a certain amount to get free shipping. iHerb is the better deal usually because it ships free after $20 purchase and has nice add ons for $1. I've links to both of those with coupons, also.

Here is a link to $10 off for VitaCost
http://goo.gl/GNrWsK

Here is a link for up to $10 off your first order at iHerb
http://www.iherb.com?rcode=POD190

For the majority of my items, I do find the Amazon Subscribe and Save the best deal, but only when I get 5 or more per month. AND, lesson learned. Amazon does not refrigerate their items, so things like Probiotics are best bought at a place like iHerb which does.

And, it goes without saying, use supplements with caution. All of mine were cleared by either my doctor or TCM. I did a lot of research in the beginning and brought all my lists in to review with them.

I go back to the TCM on Weds. I'll be curious to see if they start my acupuncture sessions again without the return of my period, or just do herbs for another two weeks and reassess. I still have a good week of herbs left so my guess is they'll make a few changes and add a few to the mix.

I'll keep you all posted. Have a great week all. I'm feeling so at peace right now. God bless!


High Anxiety and Pushing Through

April 28, 3014

Ug. Last night I slept horribly. Up every 20-30 minutes. I tried back tracking to the last time I slept poorly, last week and realized I’d eaten the same thing that night. I’d made a batch of chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal cookies and subbed coconut oil for the butter. Out of curiosity, I went AGAIN, to Google. Coconut oil gives your body a jump start, so if you are prone or easily susceptible to things like that it isn’t recommended before bed. Who knew? I guess that’s an easy fix at least.

I think partly because I am sleep deprived, I have some high anxiety and stress today. I’m suppose to avoid it at all costs, but with the first of the month coming, and staring at this pile of bills, the reality of all my “treatments” and how much it all costs is really stressing me out. That combined with I updated our CoveredCA plan with my husband’s new job and our health insurance is jumping by $180 each month.

I think I will talk to by chiropractor tomorrow and let him know I will have to cut back to visits every three weeks versus two. I know he won’t be thrilled about that. He was very hesitant to go from weekly to bi-weekly, but the reality is, none of this is covered by insurance. Between the chiropractor visits, herbs and supplements… Yikes! At least right now, I’m not getting acupuncture also.

I need to just keep repeating “Let go and let God.” I know these treatments are helping me body to work correctly on it’s own. The goal is to use these as short term solutions to assist my body in doing it all on its own. The expense, in the long run is minimal when you think of all the money I will save from a lifetime of HRT and further health complications.

And, to top it off I am bloated and just plain cranky. I've gained a little weight since beginning all of my treatment and weaning, which I am happy about, but as a woman, we get caught in this rut of hating to do that. Sad, isn't it? I was sick, literally sickly thin, and yet, I'm still far underweight by the "doctor's scale" and I feel gross because I've gained a few pounds. I'll chalk it up to the bloated feeling today making me feel this way. Honestly, I should be happy about about that. It's hormones that make you retain water in your cycle right? Cranky is a flux of hormones, right? I should embrace this feeling. Me, my bad attitude and my extra water just means things are a workin'. Pardon me while I unbotton my top button...


Suck it up, Em. Keep plowing through.

The Changes


Ok, here’s the deal. After being diagnosed, I googled way too much. But,  amidst my agonizing horror of how “hopeless” this disease was, I found some great uplifting stories.

#1 is Cole and her blog. If you haven’t read it. Do. I used her as a basis for everything I’m doing. She jumped in with determination to wake up her ovaries and boy did she ever. After three months, she got pregnant, twice over J She now has twins…and they said it couldn’t be done. Pshaw.


Here are the changes I made.

1.       Changed my diet. Trying to go as organic as possible, from the produce, to the grains, to the meat and dairy.

2.       After reading in her blog, and then doing further research on my own, low fat dairy is a big no-no. I kicked the skim milk to the curb and drink almond milk now. All the other dairy I eat (cheese, yogurt, etc) I try to keep organic and whole fat. At the very least I look for the hormone free label.

3.       No cold drinks. I thought the TCM was crazy at first, but it actually makes sense. Cold restricts blood flow. So, why would I put a cold drink next to my reproductive organs? Some strict people won’t even eat raw fruits and veggies, but I don’t go that far. My TCM did say I could cheat every once in a while and have ice cream as a treat.

4.       Goodbye coffee and alcohol. I’ve never been a big drinker, but occasionally would have  a glass or wine or a drink. Since my diagnosis, haven’t touched the stuff. As for coffee, I’d kicked the regular, and was sticking to decaf, but never realized how many pesticides were in the stuff. I had Bryce pick me up some organic decaf, and will allow myself that once lent is over. I gave it up for the Big Guy ;)

5.       Sadly, as I’ve moaned before, I gave up breastfeeding. The TCM philosophy is a woman gives her life force to her child when she nurses. Because I was so depleted, they pretty much told me it was wean or never have a baby again. All my other doctors, including the chiropractor had already told me that too. I didn’t take care of myself. Plain as that. Reed wasn’t sleeping (AT ALL!! – I mean I literally was getting 2-3 hrs a sleep a night for three straight months!) and I was running myself ragged working every second he slept for naps and when he went down at night. Next baby (yes, there will be a next) I plan to nurse until they want to wean, but I need to take care of myself.

6.       Gain weight. I was too thin. The day I was diagnosed, they weighed me and I was 97 lbs WITH jeans, tennis shoes and a sweatshirt on. I’m 5’4”. Way to thin. I normally bounced between 100-103 before getting pregnant before but gained a little weight that go round thinking it’d aid my fertility.  My goal is to get back up around 105.

7.       Ditched all the toxic cleaners. We bought a plant based cleaner that pretty much cleans everything because my hubby likes a clean scent. I was fine with vinegar and baking soda, but it didn’t feel clean to him. This one, smells clean and no toxicity. Deal.

8.       Drinking only filtered water. So, it’s a Brita. Probably not THE best, but better than nothing.

9.       I used to drink water out of a big plastic cup every day, but I’m not certain it was BPA free, so on to glass.

10.   Castor Oil pack – I’ve been doing castor oil packs. I will admit though that even when I THINK I ovulate I stop. I don’t want to risk doing that if there is a chance that an egg is floating around in there.

11.   Epsom Salt baths – not only is it relaxing, but it helps detoxify and the magnesium absorption aids calcium absorbtion.

12.   Yoga and meditation. So, I think the big catalyst for my POF is stress. I’m type A, make everyone happy…which means I let it all bottle up. I’m trying hard to breathe deep, focus, let stressful situations bypass me.

13.  Asking for help. I want to do everything. And, let’s be real. It’s not possible. I’m guilty of not asking, or even at times demanding my husband or other people do things to help, then getting resentful. All that negativity just eats away at me. Now, I’m getting much better at just asking for help, or letting things slide. If I don’t clean up one night – not the end of the world.

14.   Acupressure, massage and stretches. My TCM taught me some acupressure massages that are suppose to “wake up” my lady parts so I do those daily. I read one in particular is a no-no after ovulation so I’ve been sipping it. My chiropractor gave me stretches to do every day and I’ve been doing them religiously.

15.   TON of herbs and supplements. I did a TON of research. I looked at what people did before that were successful, read about what each one does, and scrounged for anything that could help. I took that list to my TCM who told me what I should or should not take. I experimented with a few they didn’t know enough about, and after three weeks decided to put my trust in them completely and take only what is recommended.

So, here is my list of what I’m taking now. For a month I took Vitex, Maca, Royal Jelly, Propolis and Bee pollen in addition, but for now, my TCM doesn’t want me to do those anymore. They said the bee products are great, but could influence my hormones too much and although I’d probably be fine, they don’t want any risks. I also took Shatavari for about a week. That one was safe while I was breastfeeding so I took a ½ teaspoon. I stopped when I weaned because I figured the herbs they were giving me would do the same things. For those of you doing maca, I found a great recipe that completely hid the horrid taste. Even my husband dug them.


My first pregnancy, I took Royal Jelly and swore by it, so if we can get things moving, I’ll ask to revisit that one with them. I linked the items I use, but you can find some from your preferred seller or within your price range. I searched for the ones that were least tainted by fillers and tried to buy as organic as possible.

Ubiquinol – basically a version of CoQ10. After researching it, this one is suppose to be absorbed more easily. A lot of fertility dosages said to go as high as 200 mg 3 times a day. I’m just doing 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the afternoon.

L-Arginine – 100 mg

Wheat Grass – 2 pills, the bottle says 5, and I may amp it up, but for now, 2 seems fine. I take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Spirulina  - the bottle says 6, I take four. Two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Chlorella – the bottle says 3, I take two. One in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Wild Yam I just started this week at my TCM’s suggestion. I’m taking the lowest dose at 425 mg and perhaps moving up to the full dose of 850 mg. Many sites say a fertility dose is 2-3 grams, but there is conflicting evidence that too much can be a contraceptive. Since I don’t know when I ovulated (or if I did) I’m sticking with the low dose. A lot of people think this is for progesterone, and it can be, however it also normalizes estrogen production.

Multi – vitamin – I’m doing a basic multi vitamin. I have hemochromatosis, which means I cannot have iron, so no prenatals for me.

Folic Acid  - 400 mg. Because I can’t take prenatals, I have to take this separately.

DHA – I take a vegan source from seaweed. I took it all throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding and it’s a great source of Omegas. Not to be confused the DHEA which is often recommended for POF. I don’t know enough about it and was leery self prescribing this. If my labs don’t change much with the herbs, I’ll discuss it with my doctor, but for now, no gracias.

Calcium with VitaminD – Because osteoporosis is a big one with POF, I make sure to take my calcium daily. I take 600 mg in the morning and 600 mg in the afternoon.


Cranberry – I’m prone to UTIs, so I take one daily.

Evening Primrose – I take this up until ovulation. Because I don’t know if I ovulated, I’m not right now.


Red Raspberry LeafTea – I drink a mug up until ovulation.