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01-10-2013, 04:23 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Irvine, CA (Southern CA)
Posts: 414
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Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chemo???
From some internet searches today, it seems that acupuncture can help with a lot of symptoms from breast cancer treatments. Any personal stories to share? I know I'm going to go for a few sessions if I have any negative experiences with chemo to try it out as I start my chemo next week.
Thanks!
-Julie
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA
Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012
Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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01-16-2013, 08:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 358
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
We had an acupuncturist on staff in our cancer center. She was very well trained (must seek this out because many are not well trained-look at this link to find a nationally certified practitioner http://www.nccaom.org/find-a-nccaom-...d-practitioner ). She was excellent and we used her services for a multitude of symptoms from nausea, pain, bowel dysfunction, stress, etc. I was not a supporter when she was first hired thinking it was not a valid treatment but she proved me wrong. Best wishes.
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TanyaRD
Registered Dietitian
Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
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01-31-2013, 06:53 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
I went to acupuncture throughout chemo (4 cycles Taxotere and Cytoxin). Acupuncture is GREAT. I had minimal side effects - almost none, I did lose my hair. Highly recommend the acupuncture. At the "better" cancer centers (like the one in SLC) they offer acupuncture as part of the wellness center. Unfortunately the cancer center near me did not offer it but I found a good acupuncturist through a personal reference. He wanted me to come one week before each infusion. So, you might want to find your acupuncturist and visit him before you start to see what plan would work for you.
He would listen to my pulse and somehow understand the state of my internal organs. I did also get approval for some herbs to take with my chemo - he went through my doctor for approval. In my case, I went once every three weeks and that was sufficient however before we started he said that sometimes he does see patients as often as once a week.
If you are near SF, you might want to check into my acupuncturist: Robert Levine in Berkeley.
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01-31-2013, 11:59 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 92
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
I went to acupuncture usually one or two days after chemo and weekly during radiation. It helped with nausea, hot flashes and fatigue. I still go monthly. It is the best thing I did for side effects and I highly recommend it.
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Dx June 2010
ER- PR+ Her2+++, Stage 3C
A/C x 4
Mastectomy 8/18 nodes+
Taxol/Herceptin x 4
35 rads
Continue Herceptin for 1 year
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01-31-2013, 06:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
I received weekly acupuncture. It was fabulous. Really helped with aches and pains, insomnia, etc.
I had an infection that started around a drain. Incredibly painful, 10/10. Received acupuncture needles in a knuckle and the pain went away in less than 20 minutes. I've tried it for back pain, totally effective.
If you find the right acupuncturist it is totally worth it.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-10-2013, 11:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 163
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
Oh my gosh, acupuncture was my favorite thing ever for helping with chemo. I was just sharing this in another thread - I had severe nausea and migraines from treatment. I tried several meds with horrible results. Acupuncture alleviated both. It only lasted a day or two though, but any break was huge to me. I started scheduling my appointments the day after chemo to try and prevent my side effects from being as bad. It really helped. I wish that it was covered by insurance - cancer can be so expensive, can't it?! - but lots of acupuncture schools have clinics that are much cheaper, and the students are closely monitored so you are getting great care.
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04-10-2013, 03:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Has anyone tried acupuncture for pain, nausea or hot flashes associated with chem
I have been getting acupuncture for over 14 years and love it.
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