1. < Gynecologic Cancers

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

Posted by MommaCandy @mommacandy, Mar 28, 2024

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 | Mar 30 6:07pm
In reply to @petespal2021 "I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just..." + (show)
@petespal2021

I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just feel better overall. There was a wellness center at the hospital so it ws easy to have acupuncture regularly. Now my cancer has returned. I live in a different city and have found that finding a good acupuncturist isn't so easy. I've been to a couple of practitioners and while they are not as good a one I had five years ago, they are still very helpful. Acupuncture isn't a cure all but it HELPS, it has made me feel relaxed and comfortable. It needs to be regular, once a week is great if you can swing it but even every other week is good.

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yes i continued it throughout my treatments last year and if i ever need it you can bet i'll be seeing him again!!!

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 30 6:39pm
In reply to @petespal2021 "I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just..." + (show)
@petespal2021

I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just feel better overall. There was a wellness center at the hospital so it ws easy to have acupuncture regularly. Now my cancer has returned. I live in a different city and have found that finding a good acupuncturist isn't so easy. I've been to a couple of practitioners and while they are not as good a one I had five years ago, they are still very helpful. Acupuncture isn't a cure all but it HELPS, it has made me feel relaxed and comfortable. It needs to be regular, once a week is great if you can swing it but even every other week is good.

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@petespal2021 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with acupuncture and especially stating that it was helpful for you.

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shivey | @shivey | Apr 2 1:08pm

I have had acupuncture during chemotherapy and found it very beneficial I continue with sessions but in a limited scale..

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beebe | @beebe | 3 days ago
In reply to @petespal2021 "I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just..." + (show)
@petespal2021

I had ovarian cancer five years ago and used acupuncture then. It helped me to just feel better overall. There was a wellness center at the hospital so it ws easy to have acupuncture regularly. Now my cancer has returned. I live in a different city and have found that finding a good acupuncturist isn't so easy. I've been to a couple of practitioners and while they are not as good a one I had five years ago, they are still very helpful. Acupuncture isn't a cure all but it HELPS, it has made me feel relaxed and comfortable. It needs to be regular, once a week is great if you can swing it but even every other week is good.

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What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me, all of the others are an hour drive. The local guy has a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM). I am not sure if you need specialized training in treating cancer patients. Your feed back will be greatly appreciated:)

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3 replies
MommaCandy | @mommacandy | 3 days ago
In reply to @beebe "What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me,..." + (show)
@beebe

What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me, all of the others are an hour drive. The local guy has a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM). I am not sure if you need specialized training in treating cancer patients. Your feed back will be greatly appreciated:)

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imo opinion look for someone who has several years of experience in doing it, AND doesn't do anything but acupuncture (ie he's not a chiropractor who also does acupuncture) ... to be a licensed acupuncturist they have to take a national board exam in most states...if you could find someone trained overseas, even better but that's just my opinion...if you have a local guy, ask around on local groups for their opinions, you'll find out pretty quickly...idk if that helps but if you want to know more ...just ask

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | 3 days ago
In reply to @beebe "What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me,..." + (show)
@beebe

What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me, all of the others are an hour drive. The local guy has a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM). I am not sure if you need specialized training in treating cancer patients. Your feed back will be greatly appreciated:)

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@beebe I was told by my Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine physician to look for an acupuncturist who is certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). You can locate a person with this certification on the following website:

-- https://www.nccaom.org/

I live in Michigan and the acupuncturist must have a state license to practice.

When I had acupuncture I told the provider who was NCCAOM board certified and has a state license that I was a cancer survivor. She interviewed me in depth before the acupuncture. I recommend that you ask your local guy the question about his training and experience in treating cancer patients.

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | 3 days ago
In reply to @beebe "What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me,..." + (show)
@beebe

What should I look for when choosing an acupuncturist? There is one guy close to me, all of the others are an hour drive. The local guy has a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM). I am not sure if you need specialized training in treating cancer patients. Your feed back will be greatly appreciated:)

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There are great tips above about finding a good fit for your acupuncturist. I didn’t have cancer, but found mine through Duke Integrative Medicine. I was extremely fortunate to find an extremely gifted, experienced, well trained professional. He also has a private practice, if you are in NC.

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1 reply
MommaCandy | @mommacandy | 2 days ago
In reply to @celia16 "There are great tips above about finding a good fit for your acupuncturist. I didn’t have..." + (show)
@celia16

There are great tips above about finding a good fit for your acupuncturist. I didn’t have cancer, but found mine through Duke Integrative Medicine. I was extremely fortunate to find an extremely gifted, experienced, well trained professional. He also has a private practice, if you are in NC.

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i wonder if you see the same one i do lol...mine has a practice in NC a couple days a week and he is in SW VA the other days...mine's name is Don

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | 2 days ago
In reply to @mommacandy "i wonder if you see the same one i do lol...mine has a practice in NC..." + (show)
@mommacandy

i wonder if you see the same one i do lol...mine has a practice in NC a couple days a week and he is in SW VA the other days...mine's name is Don

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Hey, no mine is named Taran in Chapel Hill. Glad you found a great one too!

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beebe | @beebe | 2 days ago
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@beebe I was told by my Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine physician to look for an acupuncturist..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@beebe I was told by my Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine physician to look for an acupuncturist who is certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). You can locate a person with this certification on the following website:

-- https://www.nccaom.org/

I live in Michigan and the acupuncturist must have a state license to practice.

When I had acupuncture I told the provider who was NCCAOM board certified and has a state license that I was a cancer survivor. She interviewed me in depth before the acupuncture. I recommend that you ask your local guy the question about his training and experience in treating cancer patients.

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Thanks for the link:)

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