For the last 2 months I have been hoping to start another IVF cycle but have been told my fsh is too high. In October it was 14 and November is had gone up 16. My clinic would like it to be between 10-12.
I have been taking dhea for over 4 months and having acupuncture for a year.
Prior to attempting this cycle my clinic put me on Cyclo-Progynova for a month (to prime my cycle), then I took it again after my October fsh test. However, this month, I am not going to take the Progynova, I am taking Chinese herbs instead ( I havent told my clinic!)
I am taking 'Tiao Jing Cu Yun Wan', which is supposed to be a historical formula to help you conceive. This should be taken for at least 2 months, though 4-6 is recommended.
Has anyone else had these tablets or similar and what if any success did you have?
I have just had my 1st acupuncture session and did enjoy it.
I have got endo + low ovarian reserve and has been recommended to try IVF, we have not decided on the clinic yet, thinking about CRM, Lister or Bridge - pls advise if you know anything about them.
My acunp lady suggested that some Chinese herbs could help - which ones have you been recommended?
I talked about it to my mother in law and she said she is a bit afraid of it, as you do not really what you are taking...
Please help ;-) Thank you and baby dust for you all
I've done a bit of research on chinese herbs and acupuncture and I'm not sure I agree with what your acupuncturist says, though obviously I'm not that well up on it. What herbs have you been recommended?
My acupuncturist has a degree in chinese medicine (she's english) and she was taught at Uni by Chinese doctors. She has spoken to her former lecturers and asked their opinion and also spoken to a friend of hers who practices chinese medicine and they have both recommended the same herbs. I have also done some research on the net and been into chinese herb shops and again been given the same information. I am currently taking 'Tiao Jing Cu Yun Wan' in tablet form. I couldnt bring myself to boil herbs as I know I wouldnt drink it.
A book I have read on the subject called Acupuncture and IVF by Lifang Liang, he/she recommends the use of herbs along with acupuncture and is quite informative, in a nutshell, this is what they recommend:
1 month prior to starting ivf. Use the formula HUO JONG ZHING ZI FANG (quicken the essence and plant the seed formula) which courses the liver and rectifies the qi, quickens the blood and fortifies the spleen, and calms the spirit and relaxes the patient
From the day you start taking the ivf drugs, Chinese medicine should be used to supplement the kidneys and fortify the spleen, nourish the blood and quiet the spirit. This helps to produce more follicles and thicken the lining of the uterus to prepare for the transfer of embryos.
The recommended formula at his time is DING JING FANG (stablise the menses formula)
Before transfer of the embryos take HUO JONG ZHONG ZI FANG (quicken the essence and plant the seed formula)
This should be taken just two times, once the night before transfer of embryos and once on the morning of transfer. This formula is used to soothe the liver qi and nourish the heart blood in order to quiet the spirit and to fortify the spleen and supplement the qi in order to hold the embryo in the uterus.
After the transfer of embryos, it is important to assist blood circulation in the uterus, maintain implantation of the embryo and nourish embryo growth. Relaxing the uterus to prevent uterine contractions that could cause bleeding and miscarriage is also important.
Two different formulas are used at this stage depending on whether the patient presents with more kidney yang or kidney yin vacuity.
Kidney yang
AN TAN FANG (safety fetus formula) is used to supplement and strengthen kidney yin and yang, fortify the spleen, supplement the qi and blood and quiet the spirit
Kidney yin
If there is predominant kidney yin vacuity, one should us YANG TAI FANG (nourish the fetus formula)
I might not take any herbs during my cycle, I'm not sure yet, but I'm definitely giving the tablets I'm taking a go as traditional British medicine doesnt seem to do me much good. Who knows what is the best thing to do, alot of the problems arise from so many people having different ideas an opinions, who are we supposed to believe?
Good luck with your cycle, unfortunately I havent been to any of the clinics you are looking at
Wow!! Thank you sooooo much for so much information!
I will take a look and see what else I can find out.
As I had emailed my acunp lady about my queries, she replied back saying the herbs are from reputable source with a label and she is also recogniced by the relevant association.
I enjoyed our talk and to have the needles knowing they will help me, was also a good experience.
I am going back on Thurs and cannot wait to have the whole needles sessions, as the 1st one we talked for around 1 hour!
Which stage are you on your treatment?
I have not yet decided on the clinic so, still haven't got the plan for the 1st IVF.
Have a very productive week and I will write back once I get my herbs! I am quite excited about getting into the more holistic side of things!
I am on my 2nd session of acunp and got some Chinese herbs for the 2 phases of the cycle - our IVF has not yet been confirmed so, I decided I WANT to prepare my body and think positively in order to make it happen!
I wish you all a great and positive week! WE must never give up!
with love
mel
how's things going. What herbs are you on? Are they tablet form?
I've just finished taking my tablets. I take them from day 5-20 of your cycle. I'm supposed to take them for minimum of 2 months an ideally 4-6 months. I've done 1 month so far.
Today we went to meet the consultant at CRM, in Baker St, London.
Guess what? He did the scan and it showed a natural ovulation! I am on day 10! We will try naturally this cycle, to check how the foliccle evolves.
I have got low ovarian reserve and he could see some activity on left ovary with only 2 follies...well, I just NEED ONE GOOD EGG, right?
He will then be able to suggest a treatment if we do not get a BFP this month....I confess you I have got high hopes that it happens!!
That would be like a dream ;-) well, leaving the naive side on the side, we will see how it goes, I will log on after the scan on Friday to let you know.
DH knows we will be again in production/business mode for the next few days!!
How are things with you?
I am taking 1 pot for 2 weeks= 3 tables twice a day (they smellllll if feels like we are having a vegetable stock) of TAO HONG SI WU TANG PIAN.
Then from around mid cycle, I will take JIN KUI SHEN QI PIAN.
I am VERY happy with my acunp lady, she is lovely and I do feel good and happy at her care and company.
Wishing you all the best in our treatments! I do believe we are doing right in taking care of our body for the procedures and also, for this baby to come and fill our lives with even more joy!
I am very moved and inspired by a book of Lance Armstrong, It si not about the bike, he beat testicular cancer in such a brave way, he was told he could not have kids and he had them and the icing on the cake: he won the Tour de France, the hardest challenge in cycling!
well I dont know if it was the chinese herbs or just coincidence, but I had my fsh tested again today, it has come down and I'm now back on the IVF rollercoaster. I started Saturday on the short protocol.
Good luck with your cycle, I hope you get a good result for all your efforts...
It is true that sometimes we cannot tell if it is the complimentary medicine, our state of mind or just the body which decided to work.
Either way, all the best of luck on your cycle now! What is the short protocol? Have you done this one before?
I hope you are getting focused and excited about doing it! I confess that when I was taking Clomid, Gonal f, progesterone, estradiol etc....it was not exciting at all....Iw as actually angry with my body for not doing its job on its own and for inflicting all this pressure and displeasures to me....but, I did change my way of seeing it am now more accepting.
Please let me know how it goes ;-) I will be thinking of you and wishing that this time is does work!
I did take a shot of wheatgrass juice, it is supposed to be good for your ovaries - take a look to see if that would hep you, I have read 2 threads of women who took it and it helped them.
GOOD LUCK and much light and patience
with love
mel xxx
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