Andi, I think it's fantastic that you're strong enough to make that decision and choose to be accountable for it. I'm happy to see you taking care of you.

Unrelatedly, has anyone had acupuncture for anything -- I'm interested specifically in migraines, but any experience is fine -- and did it work/what did you think of it?

I keep getting migraines on the order of once every 7-10 days. I've read medical papers about the efficacy of acupuncture for migraines, but I was just hoping to get any personal stories. I think I'm going to make an appointment this week (I mean I'm going to call this week; I don't know when the appointment will be, obviously) and see what she can do. This is nuts.

Unrelatedly, has anyone had acupuncture for anything -- I'm interested specifically in migraines, but any experience is fine -- and did it work/what did you think of it?

I've had acupuncture for PMS and migraines, and it did work for me. I didn't feel the teeny-tiny needles (seriously, they're about the size of a strand of hair) when they went in. My acupuncturist also used a tuning fork (E above middle C, I think) which was strange, but effective.

I don't have a problem with needles (I mean, I don't really want 15-20 syringe-size needles poking out of any part of my body, but acupuncture needles don't bother me.

I've had acupuncture for PMS and migraines, and it did work for me.

How many visits did you need, do you remember?

Unrelatedly, has anyone had acupuncture for anything -- I'm interested specifically in migraines, but any experience is fine -- and did it work/what did you think of it?

I've tried it and it didn't help me but I have known a lot of people that it has. It cured some of my dad's shoulder pain in about three visits. And he's NOT the kind of guy who just believed it would work.

Even though it didn't help the original things I tried, I have considered it because I've been having a lot of neck and shoulder pain and I am honestly willing to give it a shot for something new.

This is the testimonial of someone who does NOT like needles either. It didn't hurt, but it did take a dude I trusted doing it because I was a little freaked out. So long as someone was willing to pause to let me breathe, I would totally try it again though.

Acupuncture did nothing for me, but I know several who said it helped. And one guy who doesn't know if was what cured him, but after he had acupuncture in China, no more migraines ever.

And, Andi, I am glad you are making the choices you feel are right for you. And sticking with them. That can be really hard to do.

I've had acupuncture alleviate a migraine I was currently having, but it didn't seem to stop them from coming back.

Maybe I should try it again.

I've had good experiences with accupuncture. Not like with a chiropractic adjustment where i felt the results immediately, but it is insanely relaxing. If you are gonna invest in a lot of treatment, a lot of places have "group accupuncture" or "community accupuncture" which is basically where you pay for 10 minutes of the practioner's time, then do the whole chillaxin in a recliner in a room with other people. It's waaaay cheaper (like $15/visit) but you are sharing a room with other patients. Who sometimes fall asleep. And snore. YMMV

I've had acupuncture alleviate a migraine I was currently having, but it didn't seem to stop them from coming back.

Considering your pain meds don't seem to work great all the time, it definitely sounds like an option! I've never tried it, but have definitely thought about it (especially after hearing of the whole "community acupuncture" thing (though I don't think it's $15 here!))

Andi, I think it's fantastic that you're strong enough to make that decision and choose to be accountable for it. I'm happy to see you taking care of you.

I just kept thinking of all of you, imagining you being disappointed in me if I ignored the warning bells sounding, not so much about developing a dependency on the Ambien (because things happen, bodies have reactions to chemicals and that is one of the them), but for not saying anything, not asking for help. It's not like I am having physical withdrawl symptoms; but, I'm thinking about the Ambien way too damn much.

Unrelatedly, has anyone had acupuncture for anything -- I'm interested specifically in migraines, but any experience is fine -- and did it work/what did you think of it?

Needles squick me, so I've not done acupuncture, but I have had some good results from using acupressure on myself. Notably, it tremendously relieved my first bout of plantar fasciitis (would have helped more with the second and third ones, but I'm less bendy than I used to be, and couldn't reach some of the points as well). And has eased tooth ache and that ache that comes from coughing too. Damn. Much. I don't get migraines enough to test any of the points on myself, but I believe it would be worth trying if I did.

And, Andi, I am glad you are making the choices you feel are right for you. And sticking with them. That can be really hard to do.

Thank you.