Acupuncture - UPDATE

I am glad to read that you have around 60% saliva. I have zero saliva and did try acupuncture. A Military friend of mine had tonsil cancer, had issues with saliva and did a couple of sessions and had his saliva restored. He did have to sip some water during the night, but no longer needed to carry a water bottle everywhere he went during the day.

I tried it and the Doctor I saw told me that if I didn't have saliva by the 6th session, I probably wouldn't get it back. After the first treatment, I had a runny nose for 2 days but no saliva. After the 6th treatment, still nothing, so I went for one more to be sure. It didn't work for me, but worked for my Military friend, go figure. I do have to mention, he was only a year or two out from treatments and I was roughly 4 years out at the time. So that could have played a big part in my results.

I have also read on this board or another that a person got their saliva back around the 6 year mark, it just started working again for them. I had hopes that I might be so lucky, but have not been. All is good though. I do my flouride treatments daily, and sip water and use the Biotene mouth spray, etc to get by.

Give it a try, yes, the treatments are not cheap. My first treatment was $150 and the following treatments were $75 every 2 weeks.  I hope you have success.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

I tried acupuncture for lack of saliva and it seemed to have worked a little, but I still have far below normal saliva. Other than a little damage to the wallet, I don’t think it can do any harm, so it’s worth a try.

I received my treatment at the intergrative medicine department of Sloan Kettering in New York. They did tell me that there are acupuncturists with special training in treating lymhedoma and lack of saliva from head and neck radiation. If you are going to try it, you should seek out such a person. I know they do give referrals to acupuncturists with this specialized training outside the New York area, and you might try giving them a call and asking if they could give you a referral in your area. The number of the intergrative medicine department is 646-888-0800.

It was surprisingly painless and relaxing, and interestingly most of the needles were in my lower arms and lower legs with a couple in the ears (yes I did say painless and relaxing).

Good luck. 

Hope it works for you.  Interested to hear your results.  My hubby went to one and after about 5 visits, decided it wasn't working for him.  You say you're in Virginia; can you tell me where?  We are in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

Cindy

fishmanpa said:

Fro Ro

I'm in Front Royal The accupuncturist is in The Plains.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

I'm in the DC area. Would you mind sharing the person's info? I'll try to find someone closer to us but i like that this person has experience with H&N

I wish you good luck and that this does work for you.

thanks,

Avisemi

I have done 3 sessions of acupuncture to help with my dry mouth and throat and it is helping a lot! For my neck and back pain, due primarly bone misalignment and muscle compensation, I am doing chiropractor and clinical massages: I have done 4 sessions and I am much more flexible and relaxed in that area.

Acupuncture help if it is not related to bone issues.

Hope you will get benefits

Monica

fishmanpa said:

UPDATE

I posted this in response to another thread on the subject but here it is again...

 

I had my first session last Tuesday. He asked a lot of questions both from a medical and psychological standpoint, explained the basics and did the first treatment. He said the first few treatments would be basically "tuning up" my body, getting things in line etc. He used 7 needles. one at the base of my sternum, one on each side of my stomach, one on each thigh and one on each foot where the ankle meets the leg. Felt no pain at all. I was on a table relaxed and he left the room. Next thing I knew he was back in the room and I had been there for 30 minutes! I was out!

I can honestly say, I feel better! I went in there having not taken any pain meds for two days (wanted nothing to mask anything). I was in extreme pain and spasms in my neck and walked out relaxed and pain free. In fact, I've only taken 4 Tramadol since the treatment and 2 doses of ibuprofen. Normally, I'm taking 50-150mg of Tramadol a day and at least one dose of ibuprofen. Also, I realized I wasn't having a sip of water with every bite of food. Call me crazy, but I think this is going to help!

I have an appointment on the 27th for the next tune up. I will add that this therapist treats many cancer patients and is a survivor himself. I'll keep you all posted. It's not cheap (insurance doesn't cover it) but worth every penny if it makes a positive difference.

Positive thoughts and prayers.

"T"

Yuppie!!!!! I am very happy to hear it is working. You will feel better and better 

Hi Everyone.

I have been a way for a while now.  It has been a little over a year since I finished my treatment for NPC.

I would like to chime in regard to Acupuncture treatment for side effects of the treatment.

First I would like to reveal that I am a licensed Acupuncturist and Chiropractor in the sate of CA.

I have not treated anyone with nead/neck cancer side effects beside myself.

Ironically, just prior to my diagnosis, I attended MD Anderson seminar for Acupuncturist regarding to complimentary treatment for cancers.

So what I say is my personal experience as a patient and practitioner of myself.

I find utilizing acupuncture treatment (needles) improved my symptoms post chemo and radiations treatment. ( I had 3 chemos and 33 radiation daily)

The saliva has improved from a dried desert especially at night to able eat and swallow food such as burritos, hamburgers, lasagna, noodle soups...etc...still need tiny sip of water to help flush down with each bite.

Occasional headaches were taken care immediately with acupuncture as they come.

The swallowing has improve as measured from type of solid food I can ingest.  ( I was unable to swallow at all including my own saliva or water for that matter.  I had feeding tube in the course of the conventional treatment but it caused more pain to my stomach.  I had/insisted the doctor take it out after 1 month during the treatment.)

Neck weakness is slowly gaining strength.  I was unable to turn left or right when atempt to make turn while driving.  Had to move my entrie body just to look.  I tell people that I am a wobble head figure glued to dashboard.  

Chiropractic adjustments have help with the neck in term of stiffness and sorenss.  The soreness is from the joints (vertebras) not moving due to the weak neck muscles.  These muscles have been shrunk and shriveled up like beef jerky in my experience.  The adjustment help to loosen up the joint.  It is similar to having bed sore. Agressive massage such as trigger point therapy or / and deep tissue help with with the neck muscles in term of soften and stretching them out.

I prescribe and take raw Chinese herbs to tie all the treatments together.  Of course this procedure would depend on one ability to swallow since it is in tea form.  

There were other symptoms such as mucous formation that wake me up every hour during sleep.  I had to get up and spit them out otherwise I would drown in it.  

Since I am getting better and gaining weight back, I have the energy to come back to this website and be relevant.  

The members here have guided me through from their experiences of the treatment.  I was going through the unknown and all of you have alleviated some of my fear when I started treatment.  I thank you everyone and if I can be of help to you, I would gladly return the favor.  

PM