Acupuncture in Houston, TX - Houston Acupuncture & Herb Clinic

We are one of the best, biggest, and oldest acupuncture clinics in Houston, TX.

2405 South Shepherd, Houston, TX 77019.     TEL: 713-529-8332.

2431 West Holcombe, Houston, TX 77030.     TEL: 713-666-5667. 
West Holcombe Clinic is located at the corner of
Kirby Drive and next to the Flower Corner.

Acupuncture Therapy for infertility, fertility, IUI / IVF support, egg quality, and hormone imbalance.

acupuncture  for fertility, infertility, PCOS, IUI/IVF support, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, irregular menstruation, PMS, menopause, miscarriage
 

Infertility/Fertility

  V. L.  Acupuncture helps me get pregnant! 

I am 40 years old and I am eight weeks pregnant. My husband and I consider this a miracle. Several months ago, I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) based on high FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) results—"high" meaning in the teens or 20s for "Day 3" tests, with one "Day 10" test measuring as high as 71 FSH. I had already failed two "Clomid challenges."

Having been healthy and fit all my life, the prospect of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) was, well, inconceivable to me. For the first time in my life, I was at a medical crossroads. If you are battling infertility and have any knowledge of IVF, you know how many injections are involved. . . . IVF terrified me because I have suffered a lifelong phobia of needles. I had traditionally sought massage for pain relief; acupuncture was not something I was interested in.  I knew that if I was going to go through IVF, I would have to get over my fear of needles.

But needles were the least of my worries when I was informed that I had POF. The physician who diagnosed me with POF is considered among the top infertility doctors in Houston. She helped a friend of mine achieve pregnancy twice—the second time brought my friend twins. But this doctor was not optimistic about IVF working with my eggs. She said she had never seen an FSH as high as 71 and advised that, statistically, conceiving with my own eggs would not be possible. I felt as if I had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She gave me photocopies of studies to support her opinion and suggested I seek an egg donor.

I was devastated. But, based on my doctor's expertise, I tried to come to terms with my "condition," and a few months later, I explored the egg donor option. That summer, I moved forward with preparation for a "mock cycle." My doctor ran a battery of tests, including a hysteroscopy. The doctor said I had a "beautiful uterus," explaining she felt the need to give me some good news. I asked the donor egg liaison at my doctor's office if I would be pregnant by September. My mother-in-law was counting on a "summer baby."

As I took copious notes, the donor egg representative said, "I truly understand that everybody wants to be pregnant as fast as they can." But she cautioned against settling on a donor just to get the ball rolling. "Pick a donor that when you look at her profile and read what she has to write about herself and her philosophies and her education and all of that . . . You'll know in your gut that she's the one you want to work with. Because what I don't want to see for you is for you to be four or five months pregnant and go, 'Gosh, I wish I would have worked with somebody else.' That's not fair to you and it's certainly not fair to the child. Once you start to look at profiles, you'll understand what I mean. It's just the way it seems to happen with everybody. They go, 'Well, she's nice. . . . And she's OK . . . Oh . . . here she is."

Long story short, my husband and I never reached that point. And neither of us was ever comfortable with the idea of using another woman's egg. We wanted a child of our own.

We discussed the situation with another friend of mine, who suggested I seek another doctor's opinion. Along the way, I learned some disturbing news about the first clinic I had seen for IVF. The reason their success rate is so high is because they only work with clients more likely to have success with IVF. That clinic discouraged trying IVF with my eggs because with my high FSH, statistically, the odds were it would fail.

My new doctor, Jimmy Gill, was sympathetic to my situation and was happy to try with my eggs, no matter how high my FSH. He understood my reasoning: If I had a baby with another woman's egg, I would always wonder if I had passed over my last opportunity by not trying at least once with my own. Further, I was not prepared to accept defeat over blood tests, which, while helpful indicators of fertility, are no substitute for an analysis of the actual eggs, which can only come from egg retrieval during an IVF cycle. I could not have checked out my egg quality with my first doctor, because that clinic would only try with a donor's eggs.

With my new doctor, I began my first IVF cycle with my own eggs. I wanted to do everything right, so I also sought acupuncture treatment. My first doctor's office had brochures displayed for a well-known acupuncture clinic. I made an appointment and saw an acupuncturist there the day before the retrieval and again prior to and following implantation. My first IVF cycle failed. I would not be pregnant by September.

I visited Dr. Gill for a consultation. We discussed my egg quality, which was "fair." Dr. Gill said he would have felt better about my chances if I had produced four or more eggs. My husband and I decided to try a second IVF cycle immediately. I returned to my first acupuncturist who was familiar with a few doctors from Dr. Gill's clinic, Houston Fertility Institute. But when I learned that the acupuncturist I had been seeing was going on vacation and would not be available the day before my implantation, I went into a panic. The acupuncturist referred me to a colleague at another facility, but that woman was unable to see me. It was late in the afternoon—around 5:00 on a Saturday—and I was running out of options. My implantation was scheduled for the next morning, a Sunday.

Frantic, I went online and found Houston Acupuncture and Herb Clinic. I had driven past the location on Shepherd countless times, but I'd never given any thought to going there. At this point, I would have driven to another city for help. I called and Jannie Chiang answered. She explained that she normally works at the Holcombe office. She just happened to be at the Shepherd location, near my home. I explained my situation and she agreed to see me. She told me not to worry, not to stress out, that everything would be OK.

She was right. During our initial consultation, she asked me for my treatment protocol from the other acupuncturist, and was surprised to learn that I had not been given one. That day, Jannie treated me and gave me a protocol to follow. I immediately felt confident. She seemed to understand my situation and to genuinely care.

I never got those positive vibes from the first clinic that treated me. The other clinic was a very posh place. During one of my visits, a glossy local magazine was there for a photo shoot. But there was something missing. Being there was like visiting a model home. Very nice, with all the furnishings you would expect in a new home, but there was no soul. And at least on one occasion, the acupuncturist seemed without a heart. During one of my treatments, I involuntarily flexed my ankle, which she had affixed with a needle. The pain was sharp and shooting like a lightning bolt. After my treatment, I informed the acupuncturist, but she seemed indifferent. She didn't say, "I'm sorry," or "Are you OK?" She did not ask where I had experienced pain, much less examine the area. Nothing. I got the sense that either she did not care or was hesitant to say anything for fear of a complaint. (Incidentally, she never called to see if I had found someone to treat me while she was on vacation or how my implantation went. Not that she was supposed to, but when a practitioner leaves for vacation and a patient calls frantically seeking a replacement, you would think they would check on that patient and perhaps arrange for a follow-up.)

By contrast, Houston Acupuncture has heart and soul. My experience with Jannie has been positive the whole way. She has been sensitive to every stage of my treatment and has consistently exhibited a refreshing degree of compassion and concern for my needs. The first time she treated me, she noticed my palms were sweating. I explained my fear of needles. She applied a soothing aromatherapy cotton ball to certain parts of my face and I instantly relaxed. I have also found her to be very intuitive. Sometimes it has seemed as if she has sensed any discomfort before I could tell her—e.g., a needle in a sensitive area—and she had removed the needle before I could finish my sentence. But those occasions have been so rare that they don't count. The only reason I mention them is to show how attuned she is to her patients. My treatments have been pain free. I look forward to every session with Jannie. Never have I felt so relaxed and at peace as when I leave Houston Acupuncture. The sessions leave me floating. I also noted that during my first IVF cycle, I suffered insomnia and night sweats. Since I have been going to Houston Acupuncture, I have slept well every night.

I have been faithful to Jannie's protocol and I achieved pregnancy, not by September, as I had wished, but by the end of October, which means I can still have that "summer baby" I promised my mother-in-law. Along the way, I also overcame my fear of needles. I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with competent health-care practitioners. IVF can be a lonely journey, so it helps to have people on your team who fully support you.

It also helps when those treating you have been in your shoes. I learned that Jannie experienced her own infertility issues, but it did not stop her from having a child in her 40s. There is no substitute for actual empathy. The day I told her I had a positive pregnancy test, Jannie seemed as excited as I was. I am so glad I didn't go through with a donor egg. I am now two months pregnant, and have no reason to second-guess my decision or, as the donor egg representative had cautioned, think, "Gosh, I wish I would have worked with somebody else. . . ."

Instead, I am grateful to have worked with people like Jannie and Dr. Gill, who have helped me achieve what I was told was practically impossible. Jannie has been more than supportive. She has kept me well-advised on what to eat and what to avoid and how to monitor changes in my body. Her knowledge stretches back years before her actual medical training. Jannie's mother was an Ob-Gyn. Most of all, she helps me maintain the all-important positive attitude that has carried me this far. Her reassurance every step of the way has been invaluable.

In closing, I must note that the only difference between my first IVF cycle, which failed, and my second, which succeeded, is my choice of acupuncturist. That's why I am pleased to give Houston Acupuncture the highest recommendation, without reservation. Best of luck to you on your journey to have a baby.    -V.L. -

Click here for hundreds of our successful stories in acupuncture at www.houstonacupunctureherb.com

Infertility/fertility due to Qi and blood deficiency

Effects: Infertility, fertility, dysmenorrheal, facial pigmentation, amenorrhea, low back pain, back pain, metrorrhagia, menopausal syndrome, metrostaxis, irregular menstruation, anemia, dizziness.

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Houston Acupuncture & Herb Clinic

West Holcombe Clinic	South Shepherd Clinic

2431 West Holcombe Houston, TX 77030 713-666-5667   Click here for the location map	2405 South Shepherd Houston, TX 77019 713-529-8332   Click here for the location map