Went to see acupuncturist

[Tisha]

I went to see my acupuncturist for unrelated health issues besides my AN.  I have osteoarthritis in my neck and back, degenerative disk disease with osteophytes.  Anyway, when I got there she asked how I was doing and I said "not bad because I've been poping Ibuprofen like candy the last month".  So, I told her my AN problem, and the reason I'm having to take ibuprofen is because of the swelling around the tumor.  Steroids clear it instantly, but I can't take them  alot.  Her immediate response was "I can help you".  She knew about the tumor being in the 8th cranial nerve, etc.    So, I let her.  She wants to see me again next week. 

Now, I've always been a real skeptic about alternative medicine.  I went the traditional route with my arthritis and neck issues.  Celebrex, physical therapy, cervical pillows and back chairs.  I even have a $700 neck traction unit that insurance paid for (cadiallac of neck traction, let  me tell you).  Although it made it better, I was still plagued with pain and discomfort on a 24/7 basis.  Plus, I think the celebrex wasn't good.  So, I thought what the heck.  I heard about this great chinese lady, that the St. V's docs go to, she doesn't have to advertise.  I've seen her since May on a regular basis.  My discomfort and pain is probably down 90% WITHOUT celebrex, physical exercises or neck traction.  I'm such a believer, I can't even believe it!  LOL!   I went each week for a month, then 2 week, 3 weeks, 4 weeks. etc. 

Anyway, she wants me to take no more that 400 mg of ibuprofen at the most...200 mg if I can handle it (I was taking probably 1200-1800 day for awhile).   I'll let everyone know if it effects the swelling around the tumor (which is what is affecting my hearing). 

Tisha

[mimoore]

That is very exciting Tisha... keep us posted!
Michelle 

[Tisha]

Well, I hope I'm not being too overly optomistic, but I think it's working...starting Friday.  After I had it done on Monday, I really didn't feel any better with the distortion and I was still popping Ibuprofen, but really trying to keep it to 200 to 600 mgs a day like she said to.  I noticed that Friday, I wasn't having any distortion, or at least it seemed minimal.  AT the mall on Saturday, it almost felt normal walking around, I could hear everybody very well.  Today at a raquetball center, I could hear everybody talking fine.  Friday at a party, I could hear well.  I can watch TV and it sounds normal, I can hear the music on the radio.  My hearing seems really pretty normal. 

You know, even after going to acupuncturist since May and being a believer...I was still skeptical that this would help the swelling around the tumor.  I'm a skeptic by nature.  But....hmmmm......I really really now believe there is something to this. 

So, for anybody out there whose hearing is distorted because of tissue swelling...or any other medical problem that acupuncture might be able to treat, I highly recommend it.

Tisha

[HCSTARWIND]

Tisha
Thank you for the reply on Physicians. I also have been seeing an acupuncturist and herbalogist since Aug. 08. I has helped me in a way. I feel more balanced after tx. I also am taking chinese herbs that help some. The acupuncture is classical 5 element. Is that what you are receiving? I feel that mind, body , and spirit balance is so important. Ibuprofen can raise your b/p big time so I'm happy to hear you backed off that dosing! Kudos to alternative medicine. Hey what ever works. Helen

[Tisha]

Hi Helen,

I have to say I don't know what 5 element is, but whatever she is doing it works!  I was amazed the first time I went, her office is just packed, her appt book is always full.  I read that what it does is make your own body "work" and do the job of pain relief, etc.  It releases endorphins, which in turn "block" the pain on it's own.  I don't know, nor really understand it.  I just know it works.  Hope you have luck in getting in to see the doctor's you need to!

Tisha

[QRM]

There was a good documentary in the UK on acupuncture.  What they discovered that all the claims that it will cure this and that was scientifically unfounded, but what surprised everyone was how it managed to control pain.  Using MRI scans etc they measured how the needles blocked pain nerve messages to certain section of the brain. It does work very effectively for pain relief, they showed a woman in China having open heart surgery using acupuncture to control the pain.

Thats why people mistakenly believe it cured cancer, arthritus etc. it has not, but it has just controlled the pain.  Theres no denying its a very good and effective pain relief solution.

I am the biggest skeptic of all this snake oil stuff, but the local and well respected hospital in Singapore has an acupuncture department and one of my contractors in London a big old northern bloke with Hate and Love tattooed across his knuckles, the sort that would love a pub brawl, he had chronic back ache for years and he went along for this treatment and he came out swearing like northern builders do,  but this time saying how he cant believe it actually worked.

I will look into it when I come out of the surgery and get back to  Singapore. Beware they are many fly by night operators claiming to be specialist alarm bells should start ringing if they start offering expensive yogi bless crystals to balance on your head. So best to check with the local association to make sure they are properly trained and conforms to all the health and safety guide lines to prevent infections and complications from occurring.

[Tisha]

Hi QRM,

I also agree that they cannot cure you, and that is a "key" word to listen for.  My "A-Lady" had to repeat it twice to me, because I think she thought that was what I was looking for.  She was very serious and said, "I cannot cure you, but I will make you feel better, okay?".  She is from China and I have to have her constantly repeat things because I have a difficult time understanding sometimes.  I was skeptical even with that because she was very insistent and definitive that she could help my arthritis and pain in the my neck caused by degenerative disks.  So, I totally agree that she helps with the pain blocking.  However, this time she also insisted she helps with tissue swelling, and I think it did.  I haven't had a moment's relief with that around my AN since I was on the deca-steroid.  Immediately upon completing that 12 day round, and even after I was tapering off of it, the hearing distortion came back.

I do agree that you can go to the web and there is an association for acupuncturists that list all the one, I think in your state, that are state licensed, etc.  I had heard of her by mouth from several people in my large city, and then did find out she was board certified for this.

I am also one that, even with how well this turned out, still raises my eyebrows at chiropractors, snake-charmers as you say.  But, there has got to be something with this, especially since it's been around for 3,000 years and so many of us are swearing by it. 

Good luck, give it a try.

Tisha

[Tisha]

I'm a total believer now.  I went to the acucpuncturist a month ago for tissue swelling around the tumor, it's causing hearing distortion.  Within 5 days, I had really good hearing like I was on steroids (miraculously, my hearing in my other ear, which is bad), also became really good.  I can't figure that one out since she had no needles on that side.  I went back for another treatment a week later.  The day after that I went to a company lunch (noisy restaurant), then 3 hours that night with friends (really loud and noisy) for 3 hours.  I could hear across the table, etc.  The roaring noise in the restaurant was drastically reduced.  Well, I think I irritated the nerve and the next day my ear was clogged, the hearing aid ear was hearing well and over the next 3 weeks it went back to what it was.

I had another acu appt. Monday.  This was sort of an experience for me to see if it really worked.  Well, as of last night I am hearing much better.  My hearing aid ear is doing well again, better than my AN ear.  I can hear over the phone, things are mumbled, hear music.  This acupuncture works and I now I know it's not just a coincidence.  I still can't figure out why  it is working on my other ear.  I"ll have to ask her tomorrow ( I go for my arthritis tomorrow).

She did tell me she doesn't have much luck with tinnitus.  I don't know about balance.  I read somewhere her that someone was wondering about steroids/ibuprofen.  I'll let you know what she says is acupuncture works on balancing.  BTW, ibuprofen really doesn't work well for me.  I take it when my hearing is really bad, but it doesn't work that well.

Steroids work wonderful, but you can't be on them much.  I have alot of energy on them, but then I also have insomina (so then I have to take ambien at night).  They don't increase my appetite like they do others.

So, I guess the point of my post is to not discount acupuncture for swelling.  It works for me, I'm a believer.

Tisha

[Jim Scott]

Tisha:

Thanks for the testimonial.  Although I realize you can only speak of your own experience with acupuncture, that experience is quite enlightening.  I'm skeptical of non-medical 'treatments' for longstanding ailments but if something works and has no real downside, I see no reason not to employ it to relieve your pain, whatever the source of the pain.  I don't require acupuncture but I appreciate you taking the time to relate your experience with it.  I'm sure others will, too.

Jim

[Tisha]

Hi Jim,

The ironic thing is that I'm a believer because the pain has stopped from arthritis.  Then she says "i can help the tissue swelling around the tumor", and I don't believe.  Then it works.  She just told me this morning when I went, "if you feel drained in San Francisco while having your radiation, call me and I will give you a name of an acucpuncuturist there who will help you with your energy".  Again, I don't believe it.  I'm such a skeptic.  I believe it after she fixes me, but then I still don't believe it will help with anything else?   

Honestly, my husband was very skeptical to and thought it was in my head...like the placebo effect.  But after the ear thing and my not being in pain for 2 months after every treatment, he finally is believing that something is to this.

I just hope that others out there who might be as skeptical as i was, will give it a try.  Like you said...there's nothing that can hurt you at all.  Wish me luck next week!

Tisha

[Dog Lover]

Hi Tisha,

Are you still having good luck with your accupuncturist? I went to an accupuncturist about 3 yrs ago when I still lived in Denver, for my sinus problems and asked him about the tinnitus. He also told me that he didn't have much luck with tinnitus, but he did with sinus problems. He did some tests with my by having me hold different combinations of things in one hand and then trying to push my other had down as I tried to hold it up. IT was very weird how I strong my arm would be when holding some items, and how weak it was with others.

To this day I remember what he told me. He said I had nerve damage in my left ear. Boy was he right. I've actually thought about seeing one out here where I live now. I DO believe that they help - he did maricles for my daughter with herbs and supplements for something that our MD had haphazardly given different prescriptions for for 7+ years. He had it figured out and fixed in 3 months!

Keep believing!!

Cathy

[Tisha]

Hi Kathy,

My last appt. was on 1/5 before my CK.  I go again this Friday and am anxious to see what happens.  Like my back, I think I need to start out by going every week for a month, then start spacing it out.  In doing this, I think it conditions the nerve and/or tissues to respond longer than a week.  Because of her vacation, my vacation and then treatment,  I've only been able to go every 3 weeks.  I'm going to start going regularly beginning this week and see what happens.  I'll let you know.  Tisha