Re: Acupuncture made me worse - what should I do?
Originally Posted by
lkenny
A couple of months ago, I tried acupuncture. I felt fine at the time, but when I got home I felt a lot worse, even though it was the weekend, I was having a relaxing time with my husband and I was in situations where I don't normally feel anxious. I felt worse than I had done for the reasons I was trying acupuncture! I felt very anxious and panicky, worse than I had done for a long time.
I phoned the acupuncturist the next week, as I was due for another appointment. I wanted to cancel this appointment, as I didn't want to feel any worse. I didn't manage to speak to the lady and since then have not done.
Since having the acupuncture, my symptoms have worsened greatly and it has got to the point where I'm considering giving up work, as I just can't cope with it anymore.
I was not told by her before the session that acupuncture could worsen my symptoms, was given nothing to read through about it or anything to sign. Does this woman have a duty of care to her patients? Should I go back and ask to speak to her or complain? I don't want to cause a fuss, but I was not warned of this, and my anxiety is now at its worst and very debilitating.
Sorry to hear you're suffering. However, I wouldn't immediately blame the acupuncturist for your deterioration.
I may be wrong here, but a possibility is that the anticipation of being cured made your anxiety better, and then when it wasn't cured, it suddenly nose-dived again. I've had this experience - feeling a lot better when I imagined a cure was just around the corner, and then suddenly plunged into despair again when my hopes were disappointed. On the other hand, anxiety does go in cycles and rarely stays at precisely the same level, and the fact that yours has recently worsened may not necessarily be related to the acupuncture.
If it WAS the acupuncture that worsened the anxiety, acupuncture may be able to improve it again. Personally I'd bring it up with the acupuncturist in a friendly way and ask for suggestions, rather than immediately getting confrontational, but that's just me.
Last edited by Franz; 09-06-08 at 13:10.
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