Zero to Hero in 7 Days
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2003 Sep / Oct VOL V NO 5.
Dr Vishpala Parthasarathy
Dr Bhavini Shah
'Nux-vom

Introduction Brief:
On 20-11-03 a patient brought her husband with severe backache since 1 week. On examination-he had a marked scoliosis. His SLR (Straight Leg Raising) was positive³ (just 1⁰; just on lifting the ankle from the examination couch he had severe pain) and then too he just grimaced with pain (Naturally, a 100 kg man certainly could not scream!!!)

We asked for MRI-LS spine which was done the next day and showed: Early degeneration lumbar spondylosis. Small left lateral protrusiod L4-L5 contacts existing nerve root and causes mild left foraminal compression. What to do? MRI report called for immediate surgery and release of pressure but I was sure Homoeopathy will work. Anyway he had waited 1 week with Allopathy, so why not a few days more with Homoeopathy, I thought?

We took the case and put him on 4 hourly medication. In 48 hours when he was examined, his SLR was 45⁰. Medication reduced to BD. On Day 4 it was 60 degress. He could walk comfortably. I still advised him bed rest and said I would examine him on day 7 and then send him to work. No way! Pt went to work straight from my clinic, without asking me or telling me!

On Thursday, Day 7 SLR was NOT POSITIVE. ie there was no pain; only local pain in a minor degree at the L5-S1 region. His repeat MRI was asked but patient has not done yet.
Can you guess the medicine? Here is all the data we got. (Answer on next page).

Full CASE
Mr PV 36/M is in advertising, having a sedentary job. He came to me on 20/11/03 with acute severe pain3 in lumbar region radiating to Lt leg since 1 week (13/11/03). 1^st day pain was very mild but then increased, making him stay at home since last 2 days. The pain also disturbed his sleep modalities < movement³ Rt side > rest. > Warm. > Turning Bed. O/E his SLR was positive (1⁰). X- ray showed narrowing of L4 - L5 disc space.

Also C/O Rt & Lt shoulder pain when he is overstressed occurring thrice per wk.
Nose block 1/wk in cold climate.
He carries irregular sleep habits; awake till 2 am; up at 9.30, not feeling fresh next morning.

Patient as Person:
Appearance: Tall and obese Ht:6’4’’.Wt:105.2 Kg. He gained his wt within 3 mths after joining advertising in 1997.
Appetite: Normal. Acidity++, flatulence <evening.
Thirst: 4-5glasses/day
Cravings: sweets³, chicken³, fish³, spicy², meat³.
Habits: smoking3 (10-15 per day since 12 years. P/H consuming alcohol 2/W stopped since 2 years)
Stools: 2-4 day not satisfactory.
Urine: Normal
Perspiration: profuse, non-staining, non offensive.
Thermals: summer<. Likes winter. Fan: S++. W+.A/C++. Covering S-. W+. Bathing with warm water in all the seasons.

Life situation and mental state: (in patient’s own words)
15/5/1966: I was born in Jammu. Elder of 2 sons. Studied in Public school. Fa was working in a finance company. He was transferred to Delhi.
I was an average student. Met Shabnam in college and fell in love.

1989: Gave combined Defence service exams just to help his brother in Science Subjects but topped. I was not really interested so did not join. Problem in getting married was that I was not earning. I never could stick to any one job. So both the families were worried. I was in Calcutta. Family pressure on my Girl friend to get married to someone else. So we decided and got married and then declared it done at home. How parents called us back and got the marriage socialized. Her family accepted in 1 month. My Mother compromised but my Father took 2 yrs.

2^nd incident of stress was in 1994 when I started a new business in Calcutta. There was severe financial crisis. I was alone in Calcutta. Wife was in Delhi. There was complete numbness and blankness in the mind. Depression, nervous breakdown. Wanted to be alone, went into withdrawal, didn’t go to work. There was desperation, frustration. Became irritable, shouted at trifles. Talked to myself.’
He took treatment for bipolar disorder, was given antidepressants which stopped on his own since he realized that he was becoming drowsy.

1997 went to Delhi, though still not mentally well. Still drinking. Then realized he must come out. Thought of joining the theater.
Today in 2003, attacks of depression feeling still continues periodically. At those times, does not feel like interacting with people. Feels gloom around himself watches tv < evening. > next morning. > busy. Can not focus on reading. He felt that amount of work which he should have, was not there. There is a habit of over-commitment and over-achievement.

Mentally he is introvert, opposite to his wife. He talks only to selected people. Irritable³. Anger violent. < contradiction. Rebellious. Reserved. Fear of authority. Obstinate. Spendthrift-does not plan for future. He also had rejected feeling. Lazy³.

Rubrics selected:

• A/F financial loss
• Anger violent
• < contradiction
• Reserved
• Obstinate
• Rejected feeling.
• Squanders money
• Laziness
• Smoking
• Prolapsed disc

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