finally #2 chemo, update. Anyone tried acupuncture to help symptoms?

Posted by MommaCandy @mommacandy, Mar 28 6:48am

so I finally got my second chemo done yesterday. doc was VERY happy with the way I looked and agreed not to give me another nuelasta shot right off the bat since I had such horrible reactions to it. he said we'll wait and see. genetic results are back I am brca1 positive no surprise there with family history/connections and daughter is already lined up for testing.
now here's another thought. one of my hubby's clients is an acupuncturist that has been in practice over 30 years. he swears he can help bring my wbc up with acupuncture as well as treat the nausea...my oncologist has okayed it if I want to try it.. has anyone ever used acupuncture before? if so, what was the results?

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MommaCandy | @mommacandy | Apr 18 6:07pm

well went back for #3 and neutrophils, wbc and platelets were all too low for chemo...the acupuncture has definitely helped with the nausea and overall bad feeling...but obviously hasn't brought those up yet... got another Neulasta shot yesterday and yep headache from hell started up less than 8 hours later.. stopped for acupuncture on my way home and seemed to help a bit with the headache... HOWEVER
on the good news front after only TWO sessions of chemo my CA 125 markers are down to 44!!! (from an initial high of 1580)... the doc is over the moon about that and tbh so am i...they have a CT scheduled for May 14th and IF it shows what they expect it to show based off those numbers they are looking at possible surgery either the first or second week of June...

freckle1 | @freckle1 | Apr 20 5:26pm

Anything is worth a try if it makes people feel better and there are no risks. Doctors are pretty quick to prescribe anti depressants but I've stayed off those. Fewer pills the better!

lathomasmd | @lathomasmd | Apr 21 11:38am

In reply to @mommacandy "well went back for #3 and neutrophils, wbc and platelets were all too low for chemo...the..." + (show)

Wow! High ten MommaCandy!

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 21 12:59pm

In reply to @mommacandy "well went back for #3 and neutrophils, wbc and platelets were all too low for chemo...the..." + (show)

@mommacandy It's great to hear that the acupuncture has helped with the nausea and that the CA-125 numbers went down so much. Is another chemotherapy infusion scheduled before your surgery date? Hoping for good news for you on May 14 on your next CT.

MommaCandy | @mommacandy | Apr 21 1:10pm

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@mommacandy It's great to hear that the acupuncture has helped with the nausea and that the..." + (show)

yes i'm scheduled for chemo on May 1 and my next dr appt is May 22nd...then is when we'll get a definitive "yes we're doing surgery" or "no there's more chemo first"

MommaCandy | @mommacandy | May 2 4:17pm

just got home from chemo #3.. and another Neulasta shot... and stopped on way home for acupuncture....
labs drawn before the chemo treatment has my CA 125 number at 34....which is 1 under what is considered "normal" but as we all know "normal is a setting on a dryer" however i am pretty psyched since the 34 was BEFORE i started the infusion for #3... i'm really tired today however its to be expected i think...
anyways...just wanted to updated everyone who has been so supportive...

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 2 6:11pm

In reply to @mommacandy "just got home from chemo #3.. and another Neulasta shot... and stopped on way home for..." + (show)

@mommacandy This is so exciting. I can see why you are so stoked over the CA-125 number. Getting acupuncture on your way home from the chemo sounds like such a good plan. Do you feel the acupuncture is working for you?

MommaCandy | @mommacandy | May 2 6:43pm

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@mommacandy This is so exciting. I can see why you are so stoked over the CA-125..." + (show)

@naturegirl5 i DO believe it is helping a lot with the nausea and with the stress i'm under.. not so much with the wbc/neutrophils but they did tell me that would take time.. but i'm definitely not having to take as much Compazine and Zofran as i was in the beginning...

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 3 8:31am

In reply to @mommacandy "@naturegirl5 i DO believe it is helping a lot with the nausea and with the stress..." + (show)

That's a good reason to keep up the acupuncture. I have found acupuncture helps me with pain from osteoarthritis in my back and it's so very relaxing too.

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