Electrical shocks for me

The post title might sound a little awkward. But this is what I received yesterday. I went in for my usual appointment with my acupuncturist. I have been seeing her for over a year now and I am really happy with her. Especially because she has given me the Chinese wonder medicine against endometriosis.

Most of the times, I am laying there, waiting for her to come in and fall half asleep before she comes in. Usually she comes in, asks about how I am doing and about any updates. Then she measures my pulse on both sides and wants to see my tongue. She then asks whether I am feeling hot. Then she uses some disinfectant and starts to set the needles. First in my head and ears and then on my belly and legs. Then her helper comes in and pins the needles a little. I guess this is to stimulate the points where the needles are sticking. It usually doesn't really hurt. She leaves the room and I don't get to see her any more. Her helper comes in about every 10 minutes to pin the needles. After about 30 minutes, he comes back in takes the needles out and then I am free to go. I usually fall asleep during the procedure. Afterwards I feel completely relaxed.

Yesterday she suggested using electrical stimulation for the needles. It was first awkward to think about the idea of having little electro shocks. But she said, it is more effective than the needle pinching. Well, if that is the case. Bring it on!!!

Afterwards I had to turn around and she focused on my kidneys. I never had to turn around before. She set some needles for just 3 minutes. And then I was done. I wonder why she is changing her technique now. As long as it helps me, I don't mind. Anyone out there who has experiences with acupuncture? What does your acupuncturist usually do? Do they use electrical stimulating?

We just changed our health insurance to one that pays 24 treatments a year. I have been paying the acupuncture myself for the last year. Which was quite a lot. I just did a quick calculation. I went there every two weeks for about 6 months, plus during our IVFs every week for another 6 months. I guess, I have paid about $1600 to 2000 for this little luxury. Plus the costs for the herbs. But it has helped me overcome the endometriosis. And it was all worth it. Even if I didn't get a sustainable pregnancy out of this.

When I did the acupuncture while doing IVF simultaneously, we had 6 eggs to start with after the IVF retrieval. When I didn't have time to go there regularly while we did our third round of IVF, we only got 3 although we were stimulating at a much higher dose. I guess that says it all.

I am meeting the D.C. Stirrup Queens and Lori this week-end and am very excited to meet people that I have never met in person, but which have supported me more than some of my friends IRL. Have a great weekend.