BRITISH HOMOEOPATHIC JOURNAL WITH SIMILIE
Vol 89-No 1-Jan 2000
This issue contains reports on two clinical trials of homoeopathic treatment of migraine and adverse effects of radiotherapy. In the migraine study 73 patients were selected but 68 completed the study. Both homoeopathy and placebo groups had reduction in migraine attack frequency, pain intensity and drug consumption by approximately 30%. And hence did not convincingly prove the efficacy of homoeopathy. The lack of superiority over placebo in relief is probably due to defect in study design where the homoeopathic treatment was not isolated from other interventions such as encouraging lesser use of ergotamine and coffee. The aim of the other study was to assess the effects of Bell 7ch and X-ray 15ch on treatment of acute radiodermatitis. In all 66 patients who had undergone conservative surgery for breast cancer and were under radiotherapy, were covered. The best therapeutic efficacy of homoeopathic remedies over placebo was noted when the hyperaemia was most striking and oedema was less severe. Chemotherapy and hormonotherapy did not seem to affect the results.
6 cases presented at the faculty of Homoeopathy Case Conference in March 1999 are given:
A case of a 61 years taxi driver diagnosed as chronic idiopathic de-myelinating neuropathy - progressive weakness of legs especially ascending stairs; unable to get up from crouching position; suffering since 44 yrs of age and became worse after his wife's death 2 yrs ago of malignant melanoma. Grief was the strong feature; became angry. His sleep was restless with the strange keynote of perspiration, sticky, offensive during first hour of sleep. Based on reportorial analysis of the case Conium 6c twice daily was given in July 98; seen in September 98 when he could stand up unaided and there was improvement in muscle strength. Continued with the same remedy in 30 to1M potency in Jan 99; he is much improved and can work long hours as taxi driver. (See Boericke- Sweats as soon as sleeps or even when closing the eyes)
2. Mother of a 6-yr old boy consulted for his clumsiness and hyperactivity, restless and always on the move; had dyspraxia and was clumsy; but so strong that he broke everything; lashed and kicked when angry. Prescription of Bufo 30, 200 and later 1M- one dose each, improved his condition -- was much calmer, worked better and learning disabilities reduced.
3. A 42 yr old female, with breast cancer underwent lumpectomy and 3 weeks of radiotherapy; was clear since. Later, on finding that she had cancer gene and had 80% chances of condition recurring, developed panic attacks but did not reveal this even to her Homoeopath. Based on F/H cancer in mother, sister, aunt and grandpa she was given Carcinosin 30 and Iscado; later Carcinosin was stopped. Ignatia for mood swings and Rhus-tox for backpain; after nearly a year and after stopping allopathic drugs she had panic attacks with terrible waves of anxiety when her husband was away fearing that something untoward will happen to him with a numb feeling in limbs, stabbing pains in chest; terrible fear of being left alone, worse at night and fear of dark. A split dose of Mancinella 30 cured her.
4. A 7-month-old male child with eczema; with severe temper tantrums; wants his way. Ascertained mother's state during pregnancy: mother felt awful during last 2 weeks as the baby was big and its head got stuck during labour; contractions stopped and went into foetal distress. Mother was fearful about baby; forceps delivery, head out shoulders stuck, fractured his clavicle and eventually the child was delivered battered bruised and furious, he yelled and yelled except during feeds. Tarentula- hisp 30 -6 doses bd cleared his eczema and reduced his temper over a period.
5. The case of the ultimate pessimist: case of a 51 yr old male who was disinterested, unshaven, in despair, feeling forsaken and without a job. He was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Based on the rubrics- estranged from society, delusion, isolation, sensation of, delusion persecuted, misanthropy, malicious, morose, cursing, company aversion to, answers slowly, and answers reflects long, Anacardium was prescribed. (I did a computer generated repertorisation on Kent's repertory using these rubrics and that remedy came with 20 marks followed by Phos (11) and Nux-vom(11) way behind-KV of NJH) in 1M potency twice/in 6 months and he became normal.
This Journal in its abstracts of other journals reports two irreversible cases cured. One, of a 69 yr old woman with spinal stenosis, wheelchair bound and unable to remain upright for more than five minutes due to narrowing of spinal canal. Based on the presenting symptoms she was prescribed Phos 200 one to four times daily. There was gradual improvement and she was pain free in 4 months and continued so after a follow-up visit after 3and 1/2 yrs of taking Phos 1M daily. Repeat MRI scan showed that same structural lesions without progression but the spine seems to have readapted. (Advanced Pathology requires much rptn of remedies to get a result. Here a high potency was continued daily-Ed, NJH.)
The second case relates to a 31 yr old infertile woman. Investigations showed bilateral tube obstruction. Thiosinaminum was prescribed based on its keynotes of dissolving scar tissue, strictures and adhesions starting with 4x daily twice to 6x, 8x each for two months. Conceived shortly thereafter and delivered a healthy baby after full term. The hysterosalpingogram repeated after 6 months showed total tubal obstruction on the left but only partial obstruction on the right with contrast passing through, albeit with difficulty. (Both the cases illustrated the fine balance between structure and function and the strange phenomenon often seen in Homoeopathy where there is relief without the pathology improving on investigative parameters. (Food for thought for using organotherapy where appropriate KV, NJH)
