Nearly every day on the blog I get a search hit for the phrase acupuncture for POTS, so I thought I should probably update the blog on how the acupuncture is going as it’s been a while.
If you remember, I’m having acupuncture specifically for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) related symptoms of insomnia and migraines. The insomnia was chronic. I was getting about 2-3 hours sleep a night and then doing a full time job. I believe the reason I was still functioning, is because of the reason for the lack of sleep – my brain refused to switch off. It just keeps whirring and whirring. POTS being an autonomic disorder where bodily functions that are supposed to occur automatically, don’t, and for me, this is a massive one.
The migraines were regular and easily triggered.
I have been having acupuncture weekly since the new year. I initially started in about October last year, but stopped temporarily. Has this helped? Well now I’m getting between 6-8 hours sleep a night, which is absolute bliss, though I could obviously do with more! And I’ve only had one migraine which was triggered by a massive stressor at work. Usually I get headachey, but they are a lot more controllable.
My lovely acupuncturist has also been able to help me with my EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). I have turned up for sessions and made comment that the area of my spine that meets my pelvis has been in a lot of pain, she’s done her stuff with needles, moxa heat and massage, and eased it a lot. It has been such a blessing. I still get my usual levels of pain in multiple area’s of my body, but when turning up with a specifically difficult problem, she has been able to help and this makes my life more bearable.
So, do I think acupuncture helps POTS and EDS? Absolutely yes. Would I stop going now? Nope. The level of life quality my lovely acupuncturist affords me is immense. I still suffer. I am still exhausted, though my energy levels have improved. I still have pain and get headachey, but I feel more able to cope and function. This to me is priceless. I only wish I’d tried it sooner.
Have you tried acupuncture for anything? Would you consider it?
It’s great to hear it’s going well for you, especially the insomnia. Although the pain is probably at levels I can’t even imagine, it’s easier to deal with it when you’ve slept well. When you’re exhausted every problem is quadrupled.
Annalisa, it’s absolutely that with the pain and sleep. I found everything so much harder to deal with when I was living on such small amounts of sleep. It’s all intermingled.
I’d never thought about it for insomnia. I’d definitely consider it. Poor sleep really makes a difficult day much worse.
It does. I am awfully crabby when I’m tired as well! Getting 6-8 hours is bliss. I’m still tired and can’t believe I functioned on so little! If you struggle with insomnia, I’d definitely say it’s worth trying.
Thanks, Rebecca, for updating us. I’m so glad you’ve found a therapy that gives you relief and allows you to live a richer life. How wonderful! And how kind of you to share this with others who may be looking for answers themselves.
I just wish I’d found it sooner Margot!
I’m glad it’s helped you! I have a thing about needles, so not going to try it.
I was extremely squeemish when I first started Alex!
So glad it’s helping 🙂
So am I! 🙂
i haven’t but my sister has. she has an unknown ailment that she has tried everything for, including acupuncture. she swears by it about how much it has helped ease her suffering.
It’s great when you find something that helps and I’m glad that your sister has. Thank you for stopping by the blog.
I had acupuncture for migraines and found it really worked. Dr Eve also treated my weak immune system and I found that the acupuncture helped that also. If I could afford it, I would go on a more regular basis as it seems to work for me.
Quite a lot of of what I’ve read up about recently has referred to the meridians in the body that acupuncture uses. Yin Yoga, where you hold yourself in the same asana for a longer period of time, applies pressure to different ‘lines’ that acupuncture also uses. Although a lot of Tudor medicine was notch-potchery, they believed that people would be ill because energy was trapped or imbalanced – acupuncture and Chinese medicine works in a similar way, without the leeches and other guaranteed to kill you accompaniments!
I hope it continues to help.
Thanks Annie. I’m glad you also found it helpful. I’m going to have to cut back from my weekly sessions and hope it has built up enough to keep it under control now. It’s a shame the NHS don’t see it as a straightforward treatment rather than plying us with drugs.
Im glad to hear you’re finding it helpful honey 🙂
xx
Thanks Vikki. It had been brilliant. I’m glad I’ve found something other than more pills to work.
I’m glad to know the acupuncture’s made such a difference for you. The wretchedness of getting by on little sleep is hard to bear.
I had acupuncture for an eating disorder (3 needles in each ear). It was successful, alongside individual treatment at a very good eating disorders clinic in Shooters Hill. I’ve not tested it on its own. My own sleeplessness is sporadic but has to be addressed very quickly or I can go very rapidly into a mania/depressed episode, so that’s medicated.
Long term, acupuncture may be worth trying, too.
Psych has given a new (non-mentally-stimulating) routine and I can’t atm use mobile or laptop after 8pm, which (amongst other soothing routines) has started to calm down my crackerjack mind. 😉
I’m so glad you’ve found a therapy which has improved your quality of life, Rebecca. Long may it continue!
I haven’t had acupuncture, but I do self-acupressure (I did a Diploma so I’m not a total novice, but anyone can learn). I also do Reiki and other energy-healing (I’m a practitioner) and that makes the (huge) difference between feeling awful and feeling human!
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Hi! First comment on a private blog ever! Rebecca, are you still seeing the benefits and doing well with insomnia?
My brother has had POTs ever since he had a traumatic drug trip back at uni (cannabis – doctors found this amusing as they’d never heard of it).
His biggest issue was chronic fatigue, but after having an EP study to quell his paranoia that his the electrical pathways of his heart were all fine (he couldn’t make peace with his tachycardia and was under the constant wirry that he had heart was faulty) — he had some bleeding and wound up provoking his nervous system.
Now he has hypnic jerks / sleep-start, acid reflux / GERD and insomnia most days. Thing is he was doing so well before the EP study!
Anyway! We’ve managed to keep him positive and he wanted to try acupuncture. After reading your post and watching a BBC document on how it’s scientifically proven in studies to work on pain / positively affect brain activity, I’m so adamant I need to get him to an Acupuncturist!