Dysmennorhea

I want to pass on my sincere appreciation and belief in Lynn Almloff and the power of her miraculous acupuncture and herbal treatment. I am a 33 year old nurse who had experienced over ten years of menstrual misery. My periods were ten days long and the majority of those days I suffered in severe uterine, ovarian, rectal and bladder pain with intense bleeding. For years, my belief was that because I was single, I didn’t let the pain get too much in the way of my lifestyle… I still had 20 days to be thankful for. I didn’t see a need to take hormones of undergo any type of surgery to find out why I was in such unbelievable pain.

Then, at 31 years old, I got married and started trying to get pregnant in January 2005. After more than a year of trying, my husband and I decided to seek advice from a gynecologist in February 2005. He ordered an HSG and discovered that I had a blocked right fallopian tube. He immediately sent me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). The RE and I decided to undergo a laparoscopy in April 2006 and was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis. The RE who performed the laparoscopy told me that women with that severity of endometriosis normally undergo a hysterectomy because of the severe pain and bleeding. Needless to say, I was devastated and we were immediately directed to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) as our only hope for a baby.

After doing extensive research, I learned that women with stage IV endometriosis needed to undergo 2 or 3 cycles of IVF before achieving a successful pregnancy. Afraid of undergoing more than one cycle, I was determined to find a way to enhance IVF by making myself an optimal IVF candidate/recipient. I read about ways to increase blood flow to the uterus, relax my body and hormones, and increase my egg production by undergoing acupuncture. I was skeptical but desperate to try something on my own to increase my chances of a successful one-time IVF pregnancy.

In May 2006, I met Lynn who immediately learned everything there is to know about me, including my situational depression. She informed me that she would like to treat my endometriosis and depression first. Then, she would move on to prepare my uterus, ovaries and body for IVF. She advised about proper exercise, decreasing stress, eating the appropriate food, and increasing my water intake. She recommended I see her once a week until my IVF cycle in July. I thought she was amazing and felt hopeful after only our first meeting.

My husband and I discussed the cost of treatment and the difficult hour one-way drive. IVF was already expensive, but we thought if we could just do something to increase our chances; it would be worth it! After only 3 treatments of acupuncture, chances had already taken place in my body. My period was lighter and lasted only 5 days. More importantly, the pain was less severe!

In early June 2006, I learned that my package for IVF was incomplete and therefore was pushed to the November cycle. In tears, Lynn was the perfect friend. She consoled me and allowed me to vent my frustrations. She encouraged me to accept the situation and press-on with acupuncture to make my body stronger for IVF. Again, she gave me hope and assured me that there was light at the end of the tunnel. From mid-June to the end of July 2006, she prescribed Chinese herbs to “breakdown” my endometriosis. Consulting one of the IVF docs, I was approved to take the herbs as long as there was a month between taking the herbs and starting IVF medication.

In August 2006, after two months of herbs and 17 acupuncture treatments, I really felt like a “normal” woman with light, tolerable periods. I felt so encouraged and strong that I wanted to try a natural pregnancy for two months before starting IVF. After a disappointing August, my husband and I accepted that September was going to be the same. Then, on September 25th my husband reminded me that I needed to take my prescribed birth control pills needed for the IVF on the second day of my period. Wait a minute! I was supposed to get my period a few days ago! What happened to my period? Four positive pregnancy tests later, we couldn’t believe it. We are miraculously pregnant! The ultrasound revealed a normal intrauterine pregnancy with a strong heartbeat!

We firmly believe that God worked through the power of Lynn’s hands, heart and TLC. Lynn has been our angel on earth. Both acupuncture and traditional herbal treatments were keys to creating a healthy environment for an optimal pregnancy. I am currently in my second trimester and am feeling strong. I saw Lynn weekly for the first trimester and experienced no nausea or vomiting! Since acupuncture has worked so well for me, my husband and I decided to see Lynn until after the baby is born. There are not enough words to express how we feel about Lynn and her practice. Hopefully this testimonial will help you decide to give acupuncture a chance.

-Emmie