I have had 2 sessions of acupuncture a week apart. My neuropathy is chemo induced. I am starting chemo again this week. The idea behind me having this is to prevent the neuropathy from worsening with additional chemo as much as helping reduce it. I don’t know how long I will last trying it. Medicare won’t cover it and acupuncture at Mayo Clinic isn’t cheap. I can’t say that it has helped the existing neuropathy at all so far. In fact, I’m trying very hard to convince myself that it isn’t slightly worse even before this next round of chemo starts. But my life has been all out of whack due to traveling for a family funeral and the addition of multiple dr. Appts. I haven’t been able to walk as much so perhaps that's responsible.
I don’t know how many needles she is using. She has put some in my ears, from my elbows down and my lower legs down. I had no idea what to expect. It doesn’t hurt at all but I’m not convinced it will help. I wonder if being a nonbeliever makes a difference like if you believe it won’t work, it doesn’t?

cwm1@cwm1 I too am trying acupuncture. I had my first session last Wed and I go for a 2nd session today. My first session was more uncomfortable than it should have been. She put needles in my head and it did hurt. I didn't say anything until she came back into the room. My head, my eyes, my teeth, and my head were hurting. I told her and she said it was my sinus as the needles did something. I really don't know what she said, but anyhow I am going back today with an open mind. It is expensive and she does not take insurance. With my pain from neuropathy, fibromyalgia, lymphedema.I am willing to give it a try. While I am here, can anyone tell me about lymphedema and what they are doing for it. I have it in my left leg. The doctors are saying it is idiopathic just ass they say my neuropathy is. I don't have diabetes and have not had cancer. I find it concerning that I have two medical conditions that they say are idiopathic. The doctors really did little testing to look for a reason for both conditions. Have you are other group members have this issue.

@lisalucier Thank you so much for steering me in he direction of the lymphedema site. I have already looked and will also join. Very good information from the group. Yes, I returned to acupuncture yesterday. It went very well. Tina, the therapist sat down with me and we talked about last week's session and how the week went. I told her her was feeling better, with more energy and lighter mood. I told her that I believed it was because I have been taking Melatonin and have been sleeping better. She smiled and told me she had worked on my anxiety and mood last week and feels that might have helped also. Ah, I said, maybe the combination of the two. I let her know that I preferred no needles in my head. She was fine with that and we preceded to acupuncturing me. I felt a little out of it when I left which may have been that I relaxed this time. I do not have an appointment next week because my daughter will be home for her vacation and spend a week with me. She lives in Ohio so I want to spend the time with her. I pray that adding acupuncture to the mix of medications to decrease my pain will do that. I will stay with it for at least the 6 weeks. I may have to space it out after that because insurance is not paying.

I tried acupuncture several times, several places, over 15 years. Didn’t help me, but doesn’t mean it won’t help you. We’re all different.