Acupuncture

[Terry4949]

I have had a acupuncture session yesterday for the first time , I explained to him about w/d and told him I only wanted calming treatments , I said I was looking to reduce headaches , body irregularities, he went through my history and listened and I made sure he fully understood the situation, he place 14 needles in my back, a couple in my feet and wrists for 1/2 a hour , then that was it , the thing about 6 weeks ago my night sweats stopped and the night time shaking also , but last night I woke up shaking soaked in sweat , hot and cold and gone back to how I was , can acupuncture make you worse , I have a another appointment for next week , but I feel I have undone the progress that I have made , should I cancel or perceive ,

[scallywag]

Please read the entire thread from the first page.
 
It's possible that the therapist gave you stimulating treatments. If you return,

• tell them what happened and ask him/her to for a treatment to reverse it.
• Also ask him/her NOT to do stimulating or detoxifying treatments.
• Ask for calming treatments.

[Hibari]

Hi SC,

 

I've been meaning to respond to your post.  I hope you are feeling better since your acupuncture treatment.

 

In my own experience, I find that the night of and the day after a treatment, I sometimes feel worse.  Not horrible, but tired, spacey and forgetful.  Then the two days later I feel great. 

This is after going to acupuncture weekly for about a year.   I had to educate my acupuncturist about withdrawal and she was open to learning.   She often talks about stagnation in the body and that acupuncture releases that stagnation.  Though I am not an expert and I can only offer my opinion, maybe your body was shaking off or letting go of some heat that was released through the treatment.   

 

Overall, I have acupuncture to be very supportive during wd and I feel it has helped me heal.  

 

Wishing you healing.

 

Hibari

[Sean]

I have a acupuncture appointment in the next couple of weeks and was wondering what are the differences between a calming and stimulating treatment? Also, what exactly is done during a detox treatment?

 

The dr. I'm going to see sounds very receptive and open minded, so I'm pretty encouraged by that. She has a lot of years of practice, along with her husband who practices at a cancer treatment facility here in town, so that alone makes me feel easier that they are a couple with a lot years experience combined. I'm mainly going to help with the headaches/migraines that I've been getting since WD's, but also because I'm tapering off topomax and thought this would be a good time to kinda supplement my body with something more "natural" as I do that. I started getting kidney stones, and after doing research, found that it is a side effect from topomax. The dr. never informed me of this, but shame on me for not researching more at the time. I was so confused and helpless and out of my mind that I was willing to do anything when the WD's were at there worst. 

 

btw, thanks ChessieCat for pointing me to this thread!

[SkyBlue]

Hi Sean, 

 

The cool thing about acupuncture is that it can help multiple, seemingly unrelated things at the same time, like a sinus infection and sore shoulder. Very different from the way we usually think of things!

 

I usually ask the acupuncturist to help me deal with the most pressing withdrawal symptoms at that moment, alongside the overall goal of hormonal balance, which has been my greatest concern in withdrawal. 

 

1. Acupuncture generally works by calming the system and letting the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system to take over and allow the body to heal itself. I'm not that familiar with stimulating treatments, but generally in withdrawal we want less stimulation, not more. However, sometimes they can insert needles on the top of the head and this can help quiet the emotions and "stimulate" the calmer, wiser, less emotional side of our system, so that's one instance where a treatment can be stimulating.

 

2. "Detox" can mean different things and can actually have no meaning at all (our liver is technically "detoxing" our systems every minute of every day). I would be careful with "detox" techniques during withdrawal -- our WD symptoms are evidence of our brains having to traumatically readjust to differences in drug levels, and we usually don't want to try to "speed up" those processes in any way. 

 

3. I don't think there's any "shame on you" for not researching things. We are taught to trust professionals, and that's what you did. I think that's what everyone on this site did. : )

 

Let us know how it goes! 

 

I love acupuncture so feel free to ask any more questions and I'll be happy to share my experiences!

[Hibari]

Hi Sean,

 

I love acupuncture too and have been going pretty regularly during my withdrawal.  I did have to educate my current acupuncturist about medication wd.   She was open and read the links I sent her from this site.

 

I agree with Sky Blue, it is not a good idea to do any kind of detox treatment while in the heart of withdrawal.  This is where holistic practitioners get confused.  They sometimes view medication wd the same way they view someone quitting smoking or drinking.  They think that the body will simply release the substance/medication and using a detox protocol  will help. 

 

What many don't understand is the medication-brain remodeling piece.  They often don't understand that antidepressants and mood stabilizers are not just used by the body but incorporated into brain functioning. 

 

Be easy with yourself about not researching  and knowing about the potential of kidney stones.  I was very confused when I was having to make decisions about medication and did the best I could. 

[Sean]

Thanks for the info, Sky and Hibari

 

I went to my second appointment last Friday and things feel a bit "off" for me. The first time I went, I ran out of the migraine med that I'm tapering off of so I was without that for 5 days. So it was hard to gauge how effective the acupuncture treatment was based off that since I felt bad being off the med. I did notice I got the hiccups a couple of times the following 2 weeks...nothing to be alarmed about though. Then after my second treatment, I started getting the hiccups more frequently and now I've been hiccuping since 2pm yesterday and it's now just after 11am. Has this happened to anyone before? I googled this and couldn't really find anything on it other than possible nerve damage. Other than that, I just felt bad for a few days afterwards. I did ask for no stimulating/detox therapy, but I think my body is still just really sensitive to things right now. I may wait until after I've completely tapered off the migraine med before I go back, if I do go back.

[Hibari]

Yes, you may have to and it's good to honor your choice to wait.   I recently added in another body treatment (cranial sacral)  to my healing regime and it destabilized me too much.

 

Sometimes even "healing" treatments are too much for our sensitive systems.  I used to think that as long as it was considered healing it was good for me-NOT TRUE! 

 

Now I really understand how important it is to listen and respect our bodies even when we want to make it better.

[SkyBlue]

Thanks for the info, Sky and Hibari

 

I went to my second appointment last Friday and things feel a bit "off" for me.

 

I did notice I got the hiccups a couple of times the following 2 weeks...nothing to be alarmed about though. Other than that, I just felt bad for a few days afterwards. I did ask for no stimulating/detox therapy, but I think my body is still just really sensitive to things right now. I may wait until after I've completely tapered off the migraine med before I go back, if I do go back.

 

 

Hi Sean, you're very welcome.

 

Hibari, I think that is a really important point you made about listening to our bodies. (I haven't had cranio-sacral but would like to try it sometime. Probably not right now though.) 

 

I'm including a link to an article on "how to know if acupuncture is working." It shows a lot of effects that acupuncture might have. There can be "bonus" effects like better sleeping, more alert, etc. I haven't heard of hiccups increasing, but anything is possible, and I think it's smart that you're listening to your body in terms of when to return. http://acutakehealth.com/how-to-know-when-acupuncture-is-working. 

Edited May 6, 2017 by SkyBlue

[kesh]

Thought I'd post as I've been having acupuncture for a couple of weeks, three times a week.

 

I explained everything to the acupuncturist, the meds, the disabling anxiety and brutal insomnia. Within 5 minutes of her putting the needles in I was as relaxed as I have known. Within 10 minutes I was fast asleep.

 

It doesn't last. I've had really bad days since beginning acupuncture. But if I felt like that all the time I'd basically be fixed.

 

I don't know what to make of that.

[Prozacboy]

Has anyone had really marvelous results with acupuncture? I have tried it a handful of times with no huge impact so far but they tell me it may take some time to work (sorta like these god awful drugs themselves!) Looking for some hope that an acupuncture guru can make my pain go away. 

[kesh]

1 hour ago, Prozacboy said:

Has anyone had really marvelous results with acupuncture? I have tried it a handful of times with no huge impact so far but they tell me it may take some time to work (sorta like these god awful drugs themselves!) Looking for some hope that an acupuncture guru can make my pain go away. 

See my post above yours. I can only report on the immediate effect, not the day to day effect. But it's been so powerful that I am hopeful it is working in a longer term fashion.

[Prozacboy]

I wish you all the best and happy to hear it has had short term benefits. Has anyone seen long term improvement attributable to accupuncture? 

[Terry4949]

2 minutes ago, Prozacboy said:

I wish you all the best and happy to hear it has had short term benefits. Has anyone seen long term improvement attributable to accupuncture? 

I believe alto has had a lot of success with acupuncture for various things.  But I believe you need to educate the person doing the treatment that you need calming treatments and nothing that is stimulating on the cns , I don’t think it will get rid of your withdrawel but may help alleviate headaches overheating etc ,

 

[Prozacboy]

4 hours ago, Terry4949 said:

I believe alto has had a lot of success with acupuncture for various things.  But I believe you need to educate the person doing the treatment that you need calming treatments and nothing that is stimulating on the cns , I don’t think it will get rid of your withdrawel but may help alleviate headaches overheating etc ,

Yes I have described this to my acupuncturist and he understands.  Has anyone been fully healed with acupuncture?  I am looking for my central nervous system to be rebalanced. 

[Prozacboy]

I just had an accupuncture session and a couple minutes into the session I had a full minute of brain zaps. I’ve had plenty of these before so wasn’t alarmed, but it was certainly a lot of them right in a row. It suggested to me the treatment was doing something with my neurotransmitters which I’m hoping proves helpful! Will report back. 

[Rabe]

Im wondering if anyone has had experience with acupuncture with use of lights and EMDR.  Started seeing a therapist 2 weeks ago and she did some of the lights and EMDR and since Monday my anxiety and symptoms from rapid benzodiazepine taper in Sept have returned full force, including the electrolyte imbalances.  Im not quite sure what is what....if anyone has thoughts would appreciate it.  But seems I wake up in AM and don't feel too bad and then I take the Viibryd at 11am and about 2 hours later feel more agitated and then after 4 to 5 hours things really take off.  Then they settle and then worse again after the premarin at 9pm.  Just had another grandchild and it is so difficult to have this and I feel like I feel nothings day goes on as well.  

[Rabe]

And my ears actually play musical notes! But not a tune Im interested in.  I can't even imagine moving soon!  

[Dabhob33]

I’m in the process of preparing for EMDR.   The therapist is collecting info from me and we should be in the process soon.  Will let you know.  

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

I’m in the process of preparing for EMDR.   The therapist is collecting info from me and we should be in the process soon.  Will let you know.  

 

If it is EMDR only, ie not in concert with acupunture, please post in this topic.emdr-has-anyone-tried-this-eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-therapy

 

[Dabhob33]

I’m going to do Acupuncture for now 

[bheb]

Has acupuncture ever caused anyone numbness?

 

I've got a weird numb tingling feeling down the back of my left leg and the inside of left arm ever since one treatment. I went back and they didn't know what happened.

[Carmie]

Hi @Baxter

 

That’s great your acupuncturist knew about AD withdrawals. I was just wondering if you know what acupuncture points they use. 

 

Thanks a lot💚

[Carmie]

Hi everyone, 

 

Has anyone had any specific success with acupuncture as regards withdrawals? I think acupuncture is amazing for lots of things but I was wondering how it’s benefited people in withdrawal. 

 

I have chronic fatigue syndrome so it it extra effort to get to the acupuncturist. He is lovely but I’m wondering if it’s worth the effort. 

 

Thank u for any input 💚💚

 

 

[powerback]

42 minutes ago, Carmie said:

Hi everyone, 

 

Has anyone had any specific success with acupuncture as regards withdrawals? I think acupuncture is amazing for lots of things but I was wondering how it’s benefited people in withdrawal. 

 

I have chronic fatigue syndrome so it it extra effort to get to the acupuncturist. He is lovely but I’m wondering if it’s worth the effort. 

 

Thank u for any input 💚💚

 

 

Hi carmie ,I tried acupuncture last year and I cant say I noticed too much positives ,it even irritated me because the last few times the guy wasn't great and it was  uncomfortable ,if your not noticing much positives  ide stay away for a while and work on your fatigue ,its a bummer I get it also ,you mite get some results in cleaning up your diet massively ,im blown away by my research into foods and intolerances and pesticides  that work away at us for many years then this withdrawl nightmare is catalyst .

The 3 big ones are Diary/gluten and sugar ,I now need to treat these like alcohol but its much harder

 

im reading about leaky gut and trying to eat for health rather than just the sake of it but its very hard for me anyhow .

Im worn out with going to all these DRs and people that "fix" us ,I went to physio the other week about my back and he says theres nothing mechanically wrong and says theres no inflammation[ye right]  but the last week im struggling to move with it  ,my lower back [old sciatica injury has come back].

This is not a judgement on you of course but don't take your CF diagnosis lying down [so sorry for that pun ] keep researching for yourself ,DRs literally do not care in my opinion .

Al the best .

[Carmie]

28 minutes ago, powerback said:

Hi carmie ,I tried acupuncture last year and I cant say I noticed too much positives ,it even irritated me because the last few times the guy wasn't great and it was  uncomfortable ,if your not noticing much positives  ide stay away for a while and work on your fatigue ,its a bummer I get it also ,you mite get some results in cleaning up your diet massively ,im blown away by my research into foods and intolerances and pesticides  that work away at us for many years then this withdrawl nightmare is catalyst .

The 3 big ones are Diary/gluten and sugar ,I now need to treat these like alcohol but its much harder

 

im reading about leaky gut and trying to eat for health rather than just the sake of it but its very hard for me anyhow .

Im worn out with going to all these DRs and people that "fix" us ,I went to physio the other week about my back and he says theres nothing mechanically wrong and says theres no inflammation[ye right]  but the last week im struggling to move with it  ,my lower back [old sciatica injury has come back].

This is not a judgement on you of course but don't take your CF diagnosis lying down [so sorry for that pun ] keep researching for yourself ,DRs literally do not care in my opinion .

Al the best .

Hi powerback, 

 

I think I agree with you. I went to acupuncture for many months last year and I didn’t notice any help as regards withdrawals. 

 

I have had cfs for about 24years, I definitely have it. I’ve done a lot of research too as I don’t trust doctors. I have had severe brain fog for all that time n everything around me seems surreal. I can’t do much without crashing. I remember reading somewhere that normal tiredness compared to Cfs exhaustion is like comparing a match to lightening n that is exactly right. I can’t describe it but you definitely know when you have Cfs. I have such little strength.

 

When people say to me they are tired I feel like saying you have absolutely no idea what tiredness is. Normal tiredness is nothing like Cfs tired, I can’t even explain it. I no longer defend myself though because people don’t understand unless they have it. It really is debilitating.

 

I guess it’s  like people trying to explain withdrawal. I do spend lots of time in bed but I’ve made peace with the CFS. 

 

Anyway, back to the topic. I don’t know if I’ll keep going to acupuncture. Some people have found it beneficial during withdrawals but so far I haven’t. 

 

As regards diet I haven’t eaten gluten for many, many years. I don’t think it’s good for anyone. I don’t think grains in general are good for the brain. Have you read the book Grain Brain? 

 

Im really sorry you’re in pain with your lower back.

 

Im struggling to think at the moment so I’ll say bye, take care n I hope your back improves.

 

Sending hugs🤗🤗

[powerback]

2 minutes ago, Carmie said:

Hi powerback, 

 

I think I agree with you. I went to acupuncture for many months last year and I didn’t notice any help as regards withdrawals. 

 

I have had cfs for about 24years, I definitely have it. I’ve done a lot of research too as I don’t trust doctors. I have had severe brain fog for all that time n everything around me seems surreal. I can’t do much without crashing. I remember reading somewhere that normal tiredness compared to Cfs exhaustion is like comparing a match to lightening n that is exactly right. I can’t describe it but you definitely know when you have Cfs. I have such little strength.

 

When people say to me they are tired I feel like saying you have absolutely no idea what tiredness is. Normal tiredness is nothing like Cfs tired, I can’t even explain it. I no longer defend myself though because people don’t understand unless they have it. It really is debilitating.

 

I guess it’s  like people trying to explain withdrawal. I do spend lots of time in bed but I’ve made peace with the CFS. 

 

Anyway, back to the topic. I don’t know if I’ll keep going to acupuncture. Some people have found it beneficial during withdrawals but so far I haven’t. 

 

As regards diet I haven’t eaten gluten for many, many years. I don’t think it’s good for anyone. I don’t think grains in general are good for the brain. Have you read the book Grain Brain? 

 

Im really sorry you’re in pain with your lower back.

 

Im struggling to think at the moment so I’ll say bye, take care n I hope your back improves.

 

Sending hugs🤗🤗

Sorry Carmie ,it was flippant of me to compare my tiredness to your CF ,I do get bouts of extreme tiredness but these days I do get out of bed .

Hugs rite back at you ,take care .

[Carmie]

1 minute ago, powerback said:

Sorry Carmie ,it was flippant of me to compare my tiredness to your CF ,I do get bouts of extreme tiredness but these days I do get out of bed .

Hugs rite back at you ,take care .

 

No problem powerback, 

 

I appreciate your info on the acupuncture though. I do get out of bed to do things but there are days I can’t. I only talk about those days occasionally as I like to be positive. 

 

I think you’re right though about the acupuncture. I haven’t found a lot of benefit during waves, I think I’d be better using my limited energy around that time resting and distracting myself. 

 

Thanks again powerback n thanks for the hugs xxxx

 

 

[powerback]

12 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

No problem powerback, 

 

I appreciate your info on the acupuncture though. I do get out of bed to do things but there are days I can’t. I only talk about those days occasionally as I like to be positive. 

 

I think you’re right though about the acupuncture. I haven’t found a lot of benefit during waves, I think I’d be better using my limited energy around that time resting and distracting myself. 

 

Thanks again powerback n thanks for the hugs xxxx

 

 

Yep exactly ,saves you having to stress over the journey ,plenty you can do at home ,some stretches or a relaxing bath with your favourite book .

Peace .

[Carmie]

Just now, powerback said:

Yep exactly ,saves you having to stress over the journey ,plenty you can do at home ,some stretches or a relaxing bath with your favourite book .

Peace .

 

I’m  with you there Powerback, 

 

Im going to cancel my appointments as they don’t seem like they’re helping. A good book sounds great. I started a John Grisham novel a while ago but I can’t remember what I read due to brain fog so I’ll have to start from the beginning again. I looooove John Grisham. Amazing writer! Have read heaps of his novels. 

 

Hope youre coping okay, This is quite a struggle, isn’t it? 

 

Take care💚💚

[powerback]

5 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

I’m  with you there Powerback, 

 

Im going to cancel my appointments as they don’t seem like they’re helping. A good book sounds great. I started a John Grisham novel a while ago but I can’t remember what I read due to brain fog so I’ll have to start from the beginning again. I looooove John Grisham. Amazing writer! Have read heaps of his novels. 

 

Hope youre coping okay, This is quite a struggle, isn’t it? 

 

Take care💚💚

Oh yes its a struggle ,I dream of a world were all the people come out of withdrawl on the other side and we live on our own planet and don't nit pick and worry over spilt milk ,because this is one of my issues ,dealing with people that have non serious worries,im getting better at ignoring peoples non worries but im finding it very hard at times and isolate myself from the bigger gossip types also.

A lot of the people I follow for health diet and fitness ,ide like to follow them on social media but I just know ide be drawn into the dark side [gossip].never had Facebook even before this .

Be safe.

 

[LightQueen]

Just found this topic today.  I started going to acupuncture in December 2018 and it has been a great tool in my toolkit.

 

I went initially for help with the fatigue I was experiencing, but it has also helped with when I go through periods of feeling cold easily. Overall I find myself able to stay calm for longer periods of time, and just being more centered in my body most of the time.  I'm still tapering, but am pretty stable in my current taper process and the acupuncture definitely seems to be assisting with that.  I definitely missed it when my acupuncturist moved offices and I went a month without it.

 

So far as giving history - I was 100% up front about what I was doing, where my symptoms are coming from, etc etc.  I've been very pleased with my acupuncture results so far.

 

He has told me that I have inflammation that is still flaring up - this despite me being on a close to paleo diet (I rarely eat potatoes, chickpeas, and quinoa.)  I think sometimes our bodies just get more inflammation during withdrawal and it may not be caused by anything specifically, but by a shift in our bodies.  

 

I still find that my evening energy is much different than my morning energy, but to a certain extent I've been like that most of my life, so I'm not sure if that's withdrawal related or not.  Either way, acupuncture is helping overall and I've become a huge fan of it.

[sunnysideup69]

This is a really helpful topic, thank you- have been having some acupuncture since Jan/ Feb, have now sent my acupuncturist this info and she is on board...she has been a bit 'needle heavy' and in the light of this info , she is treating me very gently with very few needles. I think the treatments might have been too stimulating before, as I was getting some anxiety/ adrenaline spikes afterwards.

 

This place is a goldmine.

[Floss]

Hi I’ve had acupuncture yesterday I started off with a good day pretty symptom free, symptoms have been abit more controlled over the past month less intense. I felt relaxed when I went in and sat on the bed felt fine when needles went in after a while I could feel my ear burning the one with that needle in , after coming out I started getting a burning feeling under my skin and some prickling. The burning has continued today and in my hands top of back and still that one ear. Last night the symptoms really ramped up worst than I’ve felt at night in a good few months. So worried it’s set me right back now. Anyone any experience on it much appreciated, thanks 

[BfromNJ]

 

1 hour ago, Floss said:

Hi I’ve had acupuncture yesterday I started off with a good day pretty symptom free, symptoms have been abit more controlled over the past month less intense. I felt relaxed when I went in and sat on the bed felt fine when needles went in after a while I could feel my ear burning the one with that needle in , after coming out I started getting a burning feeling under my skin and some prickling. The burning has continued today and in my hands top of back and still that one ear. Last night the symptoms really ramped up worst than I’ve felt at night in a good few months. So worried it’s set me right back now. Anyone any experience on it much appreciated, thanks 

I tried acupuncture some months back.  while I found the experience relaxing which there,  I did feel like I had amped up symptoms afterwards sometimes. So I figured the risk is just not worth it.  

[Floss]

Thank you for the reply, did it settle back down again for you , trying not to panic 😩