Acupuncture Question

Barbaraek
Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

For those of you who had acupuncture to reduce or alleviate dry mouth....how often did you have it and for how many sessions? We tried the ALTENS clinical study which is supposed to simulate acupuncture but it had no effect. We'd like to try the real deal now. Hopefully a year out we can still reap some benefit. I know several of you here on the board have had success with acupuncture.

Barbara

Comments

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    #2
    I started off at twice per

    I started off at twice per week, then by week four I upped to three times per week. I am certain it helped with dry mouth, pain and nausea because those things were affecting me and then before I could start on Meds, they all eased up.  I've seen many people going for acupuncture after their treatment. I wanted to see if it would help during treatment. 

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #3
    We are all different

    Barbara,

    Many years ago, a survivor here mentioned that he had dry mouth for roughly 6 years and then slowly his saliva came back. This gave me hope as I was about 3 years out of treatment at the time with no saliva what so ever. I think it was around the 4 year mark that I tried accupuncture. The Doctor told me that if I didn't have saliva at the 6th appointment, I wouldn't have any. Long story made short, no saliva on appointment number 6 so I tried an extra one for good measure, no go. 

    Another person I know went for accupuncture, but his Doctor hooked up some wires and sent a small amount of voltage thru the needles. After 2 sessions, he had saliva, did 6 to make sure and was able to stop carrying a water bottle everywhere. He says he only needs water near by at night

    So, bottom line, just like recovery and how we deal with all of this, we all react differently and one size does not fit all. I hope it works for your husband.

    My Best to Both of You

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #4
    Thank you Marine5

    we did do a clinical study with the ALTENS which is the electrical zap. Willing to try anything at this point since the xerostomia really affects quality of life . 

    Barbara

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #5
    Barbaraek said:

    Thank you Marine5

    we did do a clinical study with the ALTENS which is the electrical zap. Willing to try anything at this point since the xerostomia really affects quality of life . 

    Barbara

    One side effect

    The one side effect I had and I think it funny now, but not then. The following days after the accupuncture, I would have a runny nose. I told the Doctor to move the needles over from where they were Frown as he was missing his mark......

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #6
    Acupuncture

    Hi Barbara.

    Acupuncture really helped me. I had weekly sessions during the 8 weeks of treatment and for 10 weeks afterward. My saliva flow would increase about five minutes after the needles were placed. My acupuncturist used a protocol developed by MD Anderson and went there for training. It's been 21 months since my radiation therapy ended and I have had almost normal salivary function the whole time. My throat gets a bit dry if I'm exercising, but a sip of water does the trick. I really hope your husband will have success.

    Beth

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #7
    MarineE5 said:

    One side effect

    The one side effect I had and I think it funny now, but not then. The following days after the accupuncture, I would have a runny nose. I told the Doctor to move the needles over from where they were Frown as he was missing his mark......

    Too funny Marine5

    it's good we can laugh, isn't it ?!

    Barbara

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #8
    MrsBD said:

    Acupuncture

    Hi Barbara.

    Acupuncture really helped me. I had weekly sessions during the 8 weeks of treatment and for 10 weeks afterward. My saliva flow would increase about five minutes after the needles were placed. My acupuncturist used a protocol developed by MD Anderson and went there for training. It's been 21 months since my radiation therapy ended and I have had almost normal salivary function the whole time. My throat gets a bit dry if I'm exercising, but a sip of water does the trick. I really hope your husband will have success.

    Beth

    Thank you Beth

    I think I have the protocol from MD Anderson in my research somewhere. If not I'm sure a few phone calls will help me access it.

    thanks for the info. 

    Barbara

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #9
    Barbaraek said:

    Too funny Marine5

    it's good we can laugh, isn't it ?!

    Barbara

    Yes

    Laughing keeps us from crying at times Laughing

    My Best to Both of You

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #10
    Once a week

    I went once week for the first two months then every other week until the $$ ran tight (it was expensive and insurance didn't cover it. Ironically they would have covered chiropractic). Anyway... it was about the third month in when I realized I didn't need to drink as much while eating and it improved from there. I would say I'm probably close to 85-90% now (I even drool while I sleep! ~lol~)

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

     

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #11
    once a night

    “T”,

    You lucky drool.

    Matt

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