Rheumatoid Arthritis- DD Of Some Remedies
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Sep / Oct VOL 5 NO 5.
Compiled by:
T.K.Kasiviswanathan
Ledum-pal
The Ledum rheumatism begins in the feet and travels upward. This is the opposite of Kalmia which goes the other way. Ledum may be indicated in both acute and chronic form of this complaint. In the acute forms the joints are swollen and hot but not red. The swellings are pale and the pains are worse at night and from the heat of the bed, and the patient wants them to be uncovered. This is like Mercurius but with Mercurius the profuse sweat without relief and especially the characteristic mouth and tongue symptoms will decide. I have seen wonderful results from Ledum in such cases. It is well to think of Ledum in all cases of rheumatism of the feet and study it up .(DR Nash)
"Probably no remedy outside the group of polycrests has more influence on arthritic states than Ledum. It has the swelling and stiffness of joints and arthritic deposits in the highest degree; and nowhere else in the materia medica is emphasized more strongly the value of modalities and concomitants. Arthritic states are usually amel by warmth, but where the contrary is true , the group of indicated remedies narrows considerably. The pains of Ledum and the purple mottling of the skin, which is a concomitant , are almost entirely abated by putting the affected limb in cold water, even in ice water. This amelioration from placing the affected part in cold water is common to Ledum, Tarentula, Syphilinum and sometimes to Pulsatilla. Tarentula is differentiated by its restless, cunning hysteria or delirium, and in Syphilinum the relief is but temporary and subsequent aggravation is greater.." ( Dr H.A. Roberts)
" Ledum conditions often follow injuries. In this we compare Arnica with conditions arising from bruised tissues or concomitant with bruised sensations or bruised discolouration of the skin, in relation to arthritis as anywhere else it may be indicated. To Hypericum with its pain out of all proportion to the severity of the arthritic state or the original injury , showing the nerves are affected; Rhus-tox with its well-known indications; Conium and Gloninum following contusions especially of the spine and back and where the arthritic state is most manifest in the back. Ledum is doubly indicated in alternating symptoms of haemoptysis and the acute manifestations of chronic arthritis especially when coccyx is attacked and the whole spine is stiff. Ledum has special affinity for the left eye and right ear , pains in these locations are often being concomitant to arthritic pains . Ledum is a remedy for 'old sinners' especially alcoholics ".( Dr H.A. Roberts)
" Particularly affected are the ankles ( KR 1077- pain, ankles), the feet, the ball of the first toe (KR 1082-pain, toes, first, ball of), the left shoulder and the right hip. Characteristic of Ledum is the rheumatism that peripherally starts in the lower extremities and extends upwards." ( Dr Vassilis Ghegas)
The difference between Ledum and Bryonia may be described in this way: Ledum is useful for rheumatic or gouty inflammation of the great toe; instead of tending to copious effusion, the effusion is scanty and tends to harden into nosodities. In hot swelling of the hip and shoulder joints Ledum is more successful than Bryonia ( Dr Farrington )
Rhododendron
" Rhododendron is very frequently indicated in these conditions and this remedy too has its well- marked modalities and concomitants which differentiate it from the similar remedy Rhus-tox . Both have agg from during storm but Rhododendron has its most marked agg before storm or rough weather and it is never comfortable sleeping unless the feet are crossed." ( Dr H. A. Roberts)
" Rhododendron has good connection with Med. If a patient reacts generally well to Med and if he has now arthritic complaints or combined with testis problem such as chronic inflammation of a testis or a chronic epi-didymitis Rhododendron is the best remedy. It is sufficient in this case to hear a patient to say that a thunderstorm or a loaded atmosphere aggravates the complaint to prefer Rhod to Rhus-tox. ( Dr Vassilis Ghegas).
Again , the pains of Rhododendron which are aggravated in damp weather, differ from those of Rhus-tox in that they seem to be deeper seated and are felt in the periosteum, as teeth, and in the bones of the fore arm and tibia. These pains are , however , not confined to periosteal membranes but attack also muscles and ligaments so as to make it difficult to choose between these remedies. ( Dr Nash )
Rhododendron is particularly useful in chronic rheumatism affecting the smaller joints. It is one of the best remedies for what has been termed as rheumatic gout, and for a hard rheumatic swelling of the big toe-joint often mistaken for bunion ( Dr Farrington )
Carboneum-sulph
"Recurrent attacks of arthritis which may or may not carry a slight rise in temperature, which recover quickly only to light up again in a short time, may require Carboneum-sulph .The nape and dorsal spine are stiff and there is the sensation of a heavy load hanging between the shoulders. The pains fly from part to part and recur at regular intervals and are markedly agg by every change of weather. Enlarged lymphatics , violent headache , neuralgic toothache and flatulence are valuable concomitants". (Dr Roberts )
Kali-bichromicum
" The rheumatoid arthritis of kali- bich can occur periodically and can alternate with other affections such as gastric pains and pulmonary troubles ( KR1045- extremities pain, rheumatic alternating with gastric symptoms and KR-1046- alternating with pulmonary troubles.) An asthmatic patient can develop arthritic pains when his asthma is better.. the typical characteristics of arthritic pains of this remedy are:-1) the pain is located in one spot and the patient can indicate the spot with one finger; 2)the pain has different locations and is wandering and 3) the pains can come and go suddenly; 4)The pains can occur every day at the same time just like the headaches and 5) the pains can aggravate like other kalis between 2 and 4 AM. On the mental and emotional level kali- bich persons are correct and precise people who will pay attention to details. They can complain of very small problems. They can exactly locate the pain with one finger and know exactly the time when the pain will come and disappear etc." (Dr Vassilis Ghegas)
" The pains fly from one place to another like Pulsatilla . There are five remedies having markedly wandering or erratic pains, viz., Kali-bi, Kali-sulph, Pulsatilla, Lac-can and Manganum -aceticum .
Kali- bich does not stay as long in one place as Pulsatilla does, nor is there so much disposition to swell. Kali-sulph is most like Pulsatilla in all its symptoms. The Manganum pains shift crosswise from joint to joint, while Lac-can alternates sides, being worse on one side one day and on the other the next, etc. Then again, Kali-bich alternates symptoms; for instance, rheumatic and dysenteric symptoms alternate. ( Dr Nash)
Manganum is an excellent remedy in rheumatic patients when heels are affected and the patient cannot bear any weight on the heels. It is indicated when rheumatic symptoms come in the dark almost bluish spots ( Dr Farrington )
Ruta
" It is the most important remedy for problems of the periost and one of the most important reasons for periositis is trauma. A patient may develop an inflammation of the periost followed by arthritis. If the patient with rheumatoid arthritis has a lame feeling in his joints , Ruta is the best indicated remedy. You have to think of it in trauma , injury , rheumatioid arthritis in wrist or ankle in carpel syndrome. In rheumatoid arthritis , the patient can become so restless that he constantly has to change position in bed (DD Ars alb, Rhus-tox)
and also fear of death, A patient with acute inflammation of the joints , fever, restlessness , fear of death and a dry mouth did not react to repeated doses of Ars-alb, but he reacted to one dose of Ruta . In the differential
diagnosis between Ruta and Ars- alb you can prefer Ruta if it is about rheumatoid arthritis , periositis or the consequences of an accident. Ruta is better from motion , just like Rhus-tox yet Ruta can be very exhausted after a walk. It follows well after the nosode Med after the trauma remedies such as Arn, Rhus-tox , Bry etc. If you see a picture of Rhus-tox after Calc-phos it is better to give Ruta first. ( Dr Vasillis Ghegas)
Strontium is very similar to Ruta . Think of it in the combination of arthritis , arthoscelorosis and high blood pressure. ( Dr. Ghegas )
