Accupuncture and infertility
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Anonymous
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I would like to respond to the comments regarding Njemile Carol Jones. It makes me very sad to read the negative comments about Njemile on this message board. She is a wonderful acupuncturist and a kind and lovely soul. I would like to share my experience with Njemile in hopes of showing another perspective.
My husband and started to TTC in the Fall of 2007. In early 2008 I discovered that I had PCOS. I was prescribed Metformin, which helped, but my cycles were still approximately 50 days long. I had read that acupuncture had helped many people who were having difficulties getting pregnant and made a few calls. Njemile was the only person that did not sell me some line that they could get me pregnant right away - she was honest and very kind. After mulling it over I finally decided to make an appointment in the Fall of 2008 after a year of TTCing without success. She met with my husband and I and was very understanding and kind. I felt more relaxed and calm after each appointment. She also offered advice on vitamins and diet changes which I believe helped me to get pregnant. My cycles went from 50 days down to 30-38 days..which is a huge improvement. By February 2009, my husband and I finally conceived and we were overjoyed. Of course after all of our struggles we were nervous about having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Njemile continued to treat me throughout the pregnancy - which was extremely helpful. My son is now 4 1/2 months old and the center of our universe. We feel that we have Njemile to thank for not only the treatments, but her kindness and understanding. She always listened and answered our questions and just made us feel like we weren't alone on this journey. I continue to see Njemile and she has not only a wonderful practitioner, she is a friend. I don't think Acupuncture is a fix all and can just get you pregnant because you want to get pregnant - but I certainly believe that it can help and keep you centered during the stressful process. I highly recommend Njemile to anyone that is struggling with getting pregnant and is looking for a caring and honest acupuncturist. She helped me and I know that she has helped many others have healthy babies. In my opinion - she is the BEST! |
Anonymous
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I highly recommend Dr. Arthur Fan. He is very nice. I went to him with PCOS and having been waiting for my period when lo and behold, I don't have a period b/c I am pregnant! I think I actually got pregnant after my initial visit.
http://www.chinesemedicinedoctor.us/ |
Anonymous
Another cheer for Dr. Fan. I conceived DC #1 during my first month of acupuncture and herbs a few years ago after 5 months of trying. I'm now going back for another round because we're TTC #2. For me, the acupuncture certainly helps with stress managment (although getting out to Tysons is a bit of a stress in itself some days), and I really, really like Dr. Fan. He's kind and supportive -- someone who makes me smile with his presence, before we even get to the acupuncture part. I initially tried someone else downtown this time because it was more convenient, but I just didn't feel as comfortable or reassured in his presence the way I do with Dr. Fan. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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Another feedback for Njemile Carol Jones. I went to her for 2 months. I believe she knows what she is doing, but our personalities just did not work well together. She always seemed annoyed at something, often commented on her tough job. During Xmas week she was all about how everyone is off (her clients) and she has to work. When I mentioned that I wasn't off and was working throughout the week just like her, she just brushed it off. Kept saying that she has all those student loans from acupuncture school to pay off, etc. I was always lost, not sure what I am supposed to say. She kept telling me that I am too anxious (she probably was right), and that I won't conceive that way. But her tone and comments were not re-assuring and helpful. They were somewhat condecending I would say.
I just stopped going to her and went to Dr. Eugene Zhang - www.northernvaacupuncture.com. He is AWESOME! I saw Njemile end of October of 2009, and left her end of December. I started going to Dr. Zhang first week in January, and got pregnant at the end of February. I am not sure if I would have gotten pregnant with Dr ZHang so soon, if I did not have a few more months with Njemile beforehand - you can never tell. So in short - I believe she knows what she is doing, but would always tell others that my experience with her was not very pleasant. |
Anonymous
| I went to Arthur Fan too, mid-cycle, what turned out to be 2 days after I got pregnant. He was kind, patient, and funny. He also kept telling me to take a preg test - not in a mean way - but kindly, as I'd been TTC for over a year and couldnt' stand the disappointment. He didn't help me get pg, but he was good about understanding me. My only neg was that the herbs he gave me I took when I was pg and made my OB very nervous. |
Anonymous
| I know many people like Arthur Fan, but I cannot say he is the best acupuncturist for infertility issues. When I got pregnant in early 2009, I used a different acupuncturist who inserted needles in different areas based on the day of my cycle (not to interfere with a natural process). I didn't go back to her in 2010 because I had to pay out of pocket ($100 per session), Instead, I started seeing Dr. Fan after reading glowing reviews on this forum and because he takes my insurance. However, I was dismayed by the fact that he ALWAYS placed needles in exact same places no matter what day of cycle I was. So who knows, may be I already had an implanted blastocyst, but all that stimulation prevented the pregnancy from progressing. I've seen him for 3 months because he assured me that that's how long I needed to get pregnant, but I never got pregnant with him. I just went back to my old acupuncturist. |
Anonymous
| I had a very early m/c and tried acupuncture and herbs the next time around. Whether from that or just better luck, the next pregnancy stuck and I ended up with a beautiful DD almost 3 years ago. Been TTC now for about 7 mos and finally "remembered" I should be trying the acupuncture and herbs again - doh! First acupuncture session was mid-cycle, and I noticed increase in CM almost immediately. In fact, I was mucus-y ALL over from that. Didn't get pregnant that cycle, and I'm on herbs this cycle (didn't make sense to start mid-cycle before). Been taking the pre-O herbs for 3 days and have definite increase in CM, especially for this early in my cycle. Have little bead-like pills to take for 4 days around O as extra boost, and then different formula for post-O part of cycle. My OB/GYN was totally cool with me taking herbs for full first trimester last time, and was supportive of trying again now. HTH. |
Anonymous
| I didn't do accupunture when I conceived my daughter. We did 3 rounds of clomid, then 4 rounds of IUI then 3 fresh with 1 frozen cycle thrown in between before we FINALLY were successful with our DD. Second time around, I had one frozen embroyo leftover decided why not try accupuncture and low and behold we got pregnant first try. Coincidental - quite possibly, but doing it helped me relax and made me feel better. I then continued througout the pregnancy to assist with morning sickness and then after birth to assist with recovery. Glad I did it. I used Zoe Brenner (www.zoebrenner.net) and thought she was great. |
Anonymous
| I used Deb Earley for acupuncture while TTC. She also prescribed herbs which I took and felt very good about (which surprised me because I am not really one to take herbal supplements). The whole experience was very positive: I truly felt during the process that the acupuncture and herbs really helped. I was undergoing IVF and I liked acupuncture because it was the other extreme - a natural treatment after all the IVF meds. I got pregnant and I continued acupuncture into my first trimester (but without herbs). Deb Earley specializes in fertility issues. I highly recommend her. I only wish I had started seeing her much earlier - we had been TTC for 3 years, and then I went to both IVF and acupuncture. Deb was also very good about scheduling appointments to coincide with the IVF cycle. She is located on P street in Dupont Cir. |
Anonymous
| I like Sen Huang, I believe he's affiliated with GW Medical Ctr in some capacity. More importantly, he's extremely experienced, very supportive of fertility concerns and helped us get pregnant a few years ago. I believe he's the real deal in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). http://www.huangclinic.com/frame.html |
Anonymous
| I used Kerri Westhauser while TTC. I started with a diet change and acupuncture, then added Chinese herbs after about a month. I really like Kerri. If I had questions, she answered them. If I had none, I received acupuncture and listened to my meditation CD. I am only 7 1/2 weeks pregnant now, so we'll see! I had previously taken Clomid and had a chemical pregnancy. This time was only acupuncture and herbs. I know it is hard to know what helps and what doesn't. I felt Kerri's advice helped. I saw her in Falls Church, but I know she has other offices. 703-231-3930 |
Anonymous
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I have done two IVF cycles but both failed. Before the second cycle I started doing acupuncture. Although I cannot say it has helped me get pregnant (at least not yet), the difference in the symptoms (side-effects of drugs) was huge. During my first cycle, I had terrible headaches, pretty bad nausea, severe mood swings, etc. Although I did have some symptoms in the second cycle, they were muuuuuuch lighter (even though the dosages of the drugs were higher). I already knew acupuncture is great for people going through chemotherapy (to reduce the side effects of chemo drugs), so I was not surprised it helped me with the side effects of the fertility drugs.
The acupuncturist I tried is Kerri Westhauser. She has offices in DC (close to Dupont Circle), Maryland (Bethesda) and Virginia (Falls Church). She is very nice and seems to know a lot about fertility. Even if the only benefit is to help you deal with the side effects, I would highly recommend it. Good luck. |
Anonymous
I recommend Dr. Arthur Fan. I've been TTC since June 08, but no success on my own. I went to ShadyGrove for 3 months (Clomid,gonal-f+ Timed Intercourse) didn't work. They're busy and lack of communication. So, I went to Dr. Muasher for IUI (we concieve on the first try, with 1 follicle)and also did accupuncture with Dr. Fan for the first time. It works!! I'm pregnant 8 weeks 
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Anonymous
| I also used Lisa Eaves - www.heal-from-within.com - in conjunction with Clomid/Metformin for PCOS. Who knows whether the acupuncture helped or not, but I'm expecting next month.... |
Anonymous
| Okay I hate to bring this old post up again but I am looking for a new acupuncturist because of Njemile Carol Jones too. She is often rude and obnoxious. I haven't figured out if its because she simply doesn't like me or if she is suffering from the effects of menopause-moodiness. My mother was very hard to deal with during her menopause so I thought maybe she's going through something similar. If I arrive five minutes late, she berates me, but if she is running fifteen minutes late she scarcely can apologize. If I have to cancel because my child is sick, she says she understands but then says her time is precious and she loses money with last minute cancellations. I told her to bill me for the cancellation. If I ask a question during treatment she flips out and says she can't concentrate if I "talk so much." I am a ball of stress upon arriving at her office so I finally realized its counterproductive to see her. Sorry Njemile but all these people can't all be wrong. |