My Fertility

After a wonderful acupuncture session last Thursday, I left with a few helpful hints that I plan to implement starting now.

I need to stop thinking in “industry” terminology. No more references to infertility or measures in terms of success or failures. This is about assisted reproduction. My RE is helping us improve our chances of conception using advances in science. I am fertile. Just because I’m unexplained, doesn’t make me infertile. Trying to conceive with the help of ART simply gives us a little boost over what my body is able to do on its own. It’s still my husband and I coming together to create a new life. It just so happens that another man gets to take frequent peeks at my vagina.

Next steps:

• No more tagging or categorizing blog posts with terms like infertility and IF
• Talk more about my fertility, not lack thereof
• No more focusing on failures — just looking ahead to the new opportunity that each cycle brings

Another thing my acupuncturist mentioned was the idea of creating a “field of dreams” for my baby to be. She mentioned that she knew someone who made a quilt for their future baby. Creating something to symbolize and welcome your future baby helps you to focus on the positivity around the thought that one day — maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next month, but eventually — there will be a baby in your arms to cuddle and snuggle and smooch. I am working on some ideas. I’ve always thought I would like knitting or cross-stitch.

Lastly, I’ve been doing such a great job of building walls around me during this TTC journey, that over time I’ve managed to exclude many people who care about me deeply. Perhaps some of the important people in our lives should be included in what we’re going through. Maybe sharing our struggles and stresses with them will help us feel more connected and supported. Telling my friend last weekend was such a relief. Is my mom the next person to hear our story? I’m putting some serious thought toward it.

I feel like we’ve been at this long enough that I’m bound to slip up anyway. As a matter of fact, just last week I was discussing the flexible spending account offered by our insurance company to an employee and I accidentally called it the FSH program instead of the FSA program. Geesh!

[Via http://ventingvagina.wordpress.com]

Anemia Is Improved by Acupuncture in Cancer Patients, by Dr. Arthur Fan

Anemia is a comon result of various cancer, it also could be seen after chemotherapies.

Many cancer patients seek acupuncture as a complementary therapy when they get conventional oncological therapies, such as various chemo, radiation, surgical treatments.

We have several cancer patients. One patient had very bad anemia, after 2 year acupuncture treatments, her Hb improved from 5 g to 12.5 (recently). And her complexion improved a lot.

One patient under chemotherapy, his WBC droped down to 1,500, after two session acupuncture in one week, before his MD considered using drug to stimulate blood production, his WBC already got up to 6,500.

Our patients also told us,  after acupuncture, their energy level goes up, eliminate some uncomfortable due to some therapies, could tolerate more chemoand other strong treatments.

www.ChineseMedicineDoctor.us

 

[Via http://arthuryinfan.wordpress.com]

Migraine Daily News

Today’s round-up of news about migraine, visual snow, persistent aura and related illnesses:

One More Reason to Ban Artificial Sweeteners from Your Diet. Posted by: Dr. Mercola. November 17 2009. Individuals who consume a diet high in artificially sweetened drinks are more likely to experience a decline in kidney function, according to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual meeting in San Diego, California … Among the risks, the phenylalanine in aspartame dissociates from the ester bond and increases dopamine levels in your brain. This can lead to symptoms of depression because it distorts your serotonin/dopamine balance. It can also lead to migraine headaches … a similar mechanism.

Worker Sues After Termination for Legal Marijuana Use. November 16, 2009. A newly hired employee of a Washington company failed her initial drug test because of her use of medical marijuana recommended and prescribed by a physician. The company fired her for drug use and she sued … “Jane” suffered from migraine headaches. In June 2006, her doctor authorized the use of marijuana as treatment for her migraines. On October 3, 2006, TeleTech conditionally offered Jane a job at the Bremerton facility. As part of the hiring process, it gave Jane the applicant drug policy, which stated that all applicants were required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and receive a negative result in order to receive employment.

[Use of cannabis has a statistical link to development of adverse medical conditions. Being an hallucinogen, it is possible that its use may also trigger "visual snow" or aeropsia; though I have found no direct evidence to support this. Cannabis use is illegal in many countries. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_%28drug%29#Long-term_effects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_snow See also the PMA & Visual Snow FAQs page.]

‘Complementary medicine useful’. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 » 07:55am. There is a place for complementary therapies such as herbal remedies and acupuncture in Australia’s hospitals, an academic says … Prof Cohen is overseeing a trial in two Victorian hospitals, in which people arriving at the emergency department with back pain, migraine or injuries like a sprained ankle are offered acupuncture for pain relief.

 

How long am I CONTAGIOUS? "Common Cold"

 

Common Virus

Being sick the last few days I have had several friends stear clear fo me like I had the plague or swine flu, can’t say I blame them either.

So it prompted me to do a little blogging about when are you contagious and when is it “safe” to be around people again. This goes for Flu and Common Cold.

To keep it simple and short.

First onset of Symptoms wait 7 days

After last symptoms wait 24 hours

Cold Virus can stay on things like stair rails, phones, refrigerators etc…for up to 2 days
Did you know:

Exersice is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick, just moderate exersice daily can reduce the risk by 33% hmmm no wonder we as Americans get sick, 2/3’s of us are overweight.

 

Postpartum Recovery & Breastfeeding Dietary Suggestions

“The first duty is to take care of the body, which is the means to the pursuit of spiritual life.”
-Sanskrit proverb
Chinese Confinement-”Zuo Yuezi”

When I was studying Chinese medicine I had always heard about this 30-day indoor period that was required after childbirth. I chalked it up to the lack of indoor heating in 300BC and the fact that some traditions never die but I have to say I am starting to think that there is more to it than that. I definitely didn’t stay indoors for 30 days-I was eager to get out and mingle with other moms, push my stroller around and well, just get more tired. So I started thinking that maybe some elements of this confinement period would be really useful.

The idea that the body needs to recover after childbirth is no mystery-but just how long? The western concept is 6-weeks for a vaginal birth but what can you do during that 6 weeks? You are still allowed to shower, drink water and eat vegetables-all activities that are forbidden in traditional Chinese post-partum recovery.

The theory is that the body is very weak after childbirth and there is usually substantial blood loss. This makes the body more susceptible to chills and pathogens which will further weaken the woman. Not showering keeps the pores closed and pathogens out.

Cold foods also weaken digestion and can dilute the blood which, needs to be thickened. As a matter of fact the whole body is considered “cold” after childbirth so all the foods are aimed at “warming up” the body.

She must stay at home and stay warm. She must avoid cold temperatures, cold water, cold wind and cold foods. She must refrain from washing her hands, take occasional warm baths and only eat certain “warming” foods.

Stricter rules include, no drinking water (only boiled red date water) and absolutely no washing your hair for 30 days. Youch! I think I’ll go for the ginger laden foods and have some people come over and help!

Some warming foods include:

* Chicken with sesame and ginger
* Pig trotters in vinegar-?? Go figure?
* Boiled red dates
* Ginger

Recipes & Breastfeeding Foods
Congee or Jook is a great food for getting the body up and running fast. Congee is a diluted rice soup that is very easy to digest…and it can me made a million ways. The following recipe is great for post-partum recovery because the adzuki beans help tonify the blood, the sesame oil nourishes the uterus and ginger and garlic keep the internal organs warm.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup of rice (white, brown, jasmine etc)
* 1/3 cup adzuki beans
* 6-10 cups of water
* 2 scallion stalks
* decent wedge of ginger
* 2 garlic cloves
* sesame oil to taste
* soy sauce to taste
* salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:
Cook the rice and beans with the water in a pressure cooker or regular pot. Bring to a rapid boil and then let it simmer for about an hour or two. The mixture should be the consistency of drippy gruel when it is complete.

In a seperate pot saute the ginger & garlic and add to completed congee.  You can also add cooked chicken or pork to the soup. Garnish with scallions and sesame oil….. Delicious.

Breastfeeding Foods:
Potential Irritants:
·    Chocolate
·    Tomatoes
·    Dairy
·    Beans, tofu, tempeh
·    Citrus fruits
·    Cabbage family, kale, broccoli
·    Dried fruits
·    Peanuts
·    Caffeine
·    Bubbly drinks
·    Garlic and onions

Beneficial Foods:
·    Rice, grains
·    Spelt bread
·    Avocado.papaya
·    Salad
·    Carrots, squash
·    Apples, pears, bananas
·    Eggs
·    Cranberry juice
·    Fennel, fennel tea (Mother’s Milk tea)
·    Seaweed
·    Amazake, mochi
·    Chicken and Fish
·    Almond milk
·    Protein shakes

Acupuncture treatments are also fabulous to help restore mom after the long journey.

Treatment within the first few days of pregnancy is geared towards moving blood through the uterus to ensure that all of the products of birth are out. After three days or so treatments involve a lot of moxa to help warm the center to strengthen mom. These treatments are suitably called “mother warming”.