Rheumatoid Arthritis- DD Of Some Remedies
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Sep / Oct VOL 5 NO 5.
Compiled by:
T.K.Kasiviswanathan Colchicum
" Colchicum is useful in recurring attacks of arthritis , particularly with eye involvement but when Colchicum although seemingly well indicated fails to reach down far enough , consider Benzoic-acid especially when there are concretions in the joints. ( Dr H. A. Roberts )
." Benzoic-acid is a fine remedy for rheumatoid arthritis and gout especially if it goes together with the characteristic odour of the urine. The affection is often located in the region of the toes. If after a general good reaction to Med the rheumatic complaints do not disappear and if the urine is offensive Benzoic -acid is the indicated remedy and not Nitric- acid . ( Dr Vassillis Ghegas )"
Colchicum arthritis can occur every year when the weather conditions change in the spring and in autumn. The most important locations of rheumatoid arthritis in Colchicum are the hands and fingers. Think of this remedy if the rheumatoid arthritis is combined with Nephritis , Haematuria and Pericarditis. The characteristic of Colchicum is the enormous over-sensitivity of the nasal organ especially for food , eggs and fish and they get nausea from it (Dr Vassilis Ghegas )
Caulophyllum
Caulophyllum or cimicifuga are rarely indicated in men and they are the feminine counterparts of Actaea-spicata. Whenever these remedies are indicated there is apt to be sexual derangement. Arthritic conditions developing at the climacteric often calls for Graphitis . In pregnant women Cocculus or Dioscorea may be needed . ( Dr Roberts )
" The characteristic of Caulophyllum in women with rheumatism is that the small joints are affected , particularly the fingers. The pain and stiffness can alternate from one joint to the other every minute. In arthritis in the small joints combined with uterine problems , pregnancy, spontaneous abortion you have to think of this remedy . If rheumatoid arthritis goes together with painful menses or with other uterine problems and if neither Puls nor Caulophyllum acts think of Cimicifuga ( Dr Vassillis Ghegas ).
Case: A married lady , aged 40, with wry neck of long standing was seven months pregnant. She was attacked with severe pains and swelling of all the finger joints. The only way she could get relief from the intense pain so that she could rest or sleep at all, was by enveloping her fingers in mustard. I prescribed Caulophyllum 3 which relieved the finger joints but brought on severe labour pains that I was obliged to discontinue it for fear of premature labour. Then the bearing down pains ceased and the finger pains returned and continued in full force until she was delivered of her child when they also ceased for two or three days. Then the lochia instead of decreasing gradually or normally , increased until it amounted to metorrrhagia. The flow was of a passive nature , dark and liquid. There was great sense of weakness and internal trembling and now , to crown her suffering ,the terrible finger pains returned again. I was afraid of giving Caulophyllum although it seemed indicated because it brought on the bearing down pains when I gave it before. But after giving Arnica, Sabina, Secale and Sulphur, without the least improvement , I gave Caulophyllum high ie 200th potency and cured the whole case promptly and permanently. Now this was a perfect Caulophyllum case and if I had given it properly in the first place I would have saved that woman all unnecessary suffering. ( Dr Nash)
Actea-spicata
It is indicated in rheumatism which goes together with swelling of the small joints especially the fingers and the wrist. If in rheumatism of the fingers , Rhus-tox, Caul, Ruta and Guaj do not act think of Actea.. If in the case of rheumatism in the fingers you see a picture of Caulophyllum in a male it is better to think of Ruta or Actea-spicata ( Dr. V Ghegas )
" It has this characteristic: the patient goes out feeling tolerably comfortable, but as he walks the joints ache and even swell. " ( Dr Farrington )
Causticum
It is useful especially when the joints are stiff and the tendons are shortened drawing the limbs out of shape. Rheumatic pains particularly attack the jaw. Rhus-tox has restlessness and relief from motion all the time while in Causticum the restlessness occurs only in the night. Further Rhus-tox is worse in damp weather while in Causticum it is worse in dry weather. Gauiacum is to be preferred to Causticum and follows that remedy well when in gout or rheumatism there are contractions of the tendons drawing the limbs out of shape aggravated by any attempt at motion, particularly if there are well developed gouty nodosities in the joints.( Dr Farrington)
Nux- vomica
It is indicated when all the joints are invaded ( Puls ) especially the large joints, with pale, tensive swellings, numbness or twitching and extreme nervousness and oversensitiveness to pain; fever, heat, especially showing in the red face, but wants to be covered, the least uncovering makes him chilly. Again it is especially indicated if the disease extends to large muscles of the trunk, chest and back ( Dr Nash ).
Sources:
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis - Vassillis Ghegas, Homoeopathic Links 2/96
2. Treatment of Arthritis--Dr H.A. Roberts, Hahnemannian Gleanings , December 1981
3. Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics, Dr E. B. Nash
4. Clinical Materia Medica-- Dr E. A. Farrington
