Hi
@littlems, 5-6 packs is for 1 person (at least from my personal experience). How long they can last depends on your frequency in taking them, but one month is about right. For tiao-ing and TTC purposes, you typically consume 1 pack for 2 days, rest 1 or 2 days, and then consume for 2 days and so on. TSB will give you specific instructions on which days to take the medicine, which days to rest, and she will give you enough medicine until your next appointment.
I actually think TSB is okay in terms of temperament. I have encountered much worse TCM drs. with PMS issues, haha. They will ask weird questions like "Why do you bother to look for me if you have already decided to do IVF?" or say unpleasant things like "You are not ready to do IVF yet. You need to tiao for some time first. I can't work on you while you do IVF!" Turns out all these things they asked/said were redundant, as my experience with TSB showed. TSB never reprimanded me for doing IVF at the same time that I consulted her, and she was willing to work with my IVF schedule to adjust the herbs to suit the cycle. She proved the other TCM drs. I saw wrong. Turns out I was fine with doing both TCM and IVF at the same time! I'm grateful to TSB for her diligence in this sense. And of course I didn't rebut her when she wanted to take the full credit for my BFP-ing on my 2nd fresh cycle. It is okay to ask questions. She seems to like patients who have confidence in her skills and treatments. Tell her you heard many good recommendations about her on the internet and that you trust her to do the best for you. She likes to receive praise from patients and she will then be nicer to you. I have been seeing her regularly for close to a year and I think she is bearable so far, and very much worth the effort for a baby.
I agree with you that acupuncture seems to help more with relaxation but less on fertility. Maybe Dr Zou's acupuncture works magic as many sisters here recommend her. But the acupuncture I did when I was in Sydney presumably for fertility didn't help me.