Do you want to test your homeopathic knowledge? Do you think you're a competent homeopathic prescriber? Why not try to find the remedy for the following paper case.
The numbers in brackets indicate the intensity of the symptom.
Paper Case #8
6th follow-up, 25 year-old woman (height 1.72, weight 61 kg).
Student.
First visit to a homeopathic doctor 11 months ago.
Is a highly stressed, very introverted person. Psychological problems caused her to visit the homeopathic doctor (anxiety, low self-esteem, fear of exams, has dropped out of her studies, phobias). Had occasionally taken psychotropic drugs before coming to the homeopathic doctor.
Given Cocculus 1m 11 months ago, Gelsemium 10m 7 months ago, Staphysagria 1m 4 months ago, Antimonium crudum 1m three months ago and 1 month before the following follow-up.
The anxiety and tightness in the stomach are better, the self-confidence is a little better too but remains low (2). The energy level remains low.
She does not open up and speaks little.
Disgusted (2), fears being infected by germs (2), washes her hands many times a day.
Jealous (2) of her sister and her friends for their achievements, which she has not got.
Suspicious (3), in particular of the quality of her food. Does not eat out in restaurants, is afraid of indigestion and vomiting.
Is afraid of vomit (4) (is uncomfortable even when hearing the word), of being alone (2), of madness, of cockroaches (3) (even in a photograph), of exams at the school (3), particularly the spoken exams, of dogs (2), of illnesses.
Wants to be comforted (2).
Sleeps on the right side (hears her heartbeat when lying on left side).
Feels the cold (2) but also feels discomfort in a very warm room.
Improves with a fast walk in the open air (2).
Cannot bear anything tight around her neck (3).
Desires sweets (2), cheese (2), pepper, soups.
Is disgusted by fat (2) and oysters.
Seasonal allergy in the spring with redness on the body.
Has never had sexual relations. Three weeks ago met a man she likes. Is afraid (3) of a relationship. Her parents cause her to fear falling in love, they consider her to be immature, a child.
Correct remedy for Paper Case 8 :
Lach 1m was given. We thought of Lach because 2 remedies are given in the Synthesis repertory under fear of vomit – Lach and Acon. Jealousy and suspicion lead us to Lach. The fact that she cannot sleep on the left, but especially the fact that she cannot bear anything tight around the neck reinforce Lach.
Follow-up one month later:
Feeling of well-being. Improved self-confidence and less jealousy.
Is full of energy. Stays up late every evening with her friend and sleeps only 4 hours, though she doesn’t feel tired. Is afraid of sex.
The fear of vomit is improved, although it has not quite disappeared. She can have light meals in restaurants but does not eat in the evening.
No other remedy was given, only instructions not to stay up late!
Follow-up 31/2 months after Lach 1m.
Continues to stay up late.
Feels guilt (3) at having had sex ‘I wish the earth would open up and swallow me’.
Fear of vomit has returned. She has planned to go on holiday with her boy-friend but is afraid she will be sick and vomit on the airplane.
Repeat Lach 1m
Four months have passed and she has not returned.
Paper Case #7
Male 29 years old.
Psychologist
Main complaint is herpetic eruption with blisters and burning on the genitals. It appeared after coming back from a trip abroad.
He is homosexual and feels guilty about it(2). Has increased sexual desire(3), and four to five lovers every month.
Perfectionist with his work, studies a lot.
He is afraid that his partner won’t be faithful, while he himself was so in his two longest relationships (twelve and six months long). After having sex with someone he leaves first and this makes him feel strong.
He has fear of death of his loved ones (mother, father)(2), cancer(2), AIDS. He has fear of his employers finding out that he is homosexual. He weeps from fear of death (2), he is atheist (he feels that soul does not exist)
He looks upon his lovers contemptuously (2), because he feels that he has psychoanalysed himself and as a result has self–knowledge and they don’t.
Critical towards his parents (2)
Haemorrhoids(2). They used to bleed in the past.
He likes the sea. He did not use to go in the past as he used to be self-conscious due to him being overweight.
He likes travelling(2), theatre(2), company(2). He is sociable.
He likes the night(2). He sleeps from 4 am to 10am. He sleeps on his abdomen.
Desires pasta with sauce(3), ice-cream(2), salt(2), ice-cubes(2).
Correct remedy for Paper Case 7 :
Platina 200c, 1M, 10M on the first, second and third day respectively. It was based on the homosexuality with intense sexual desire and many sexual partners. The haughtiness, the fear of death and the fear of cancer also support the prescription.
Follow-up
The herpetic eruption had gone in two months time. He had pain in the haemorrhoids in the beginning of the treatment.
Sexual desire still high but he can control it. He is able to be more eclectic in the choice of his partners.
He looks upon the others in a less haughty way.
Paper Case #6
Woman 50 years old. Weight 58 kgr (128 lb.), height 1.64 m (5 ft. 5 in).
Patient had breast cancer (left side), diagnosed a year ago. Tumour and local lymph glands removed surgically. Five months of chemotherapy and 7 months of radiation therapy. Now receiving anti-estrogen treatment (Tamoxifen).
Has had no menses since starting the medication. No leucorrhoea. Occasional hot flushes.
Family history: Mother died of breast cancer at age of 50.
Personal medical history: Tonsillectomy at age of 6. Headaches until age of 32. Does not remember the last time she had a high fever.
Patient is cold (3). Has cold feet (3) at night in bed. In winter has to wear socks in bed but removes them later in the night. Sleeps on her abdomen. Wakes up after midnight (1:30–2:00 a.m.) and goes back to sleep.
Introverted (2), used to be much more so.
Does not trust people easily (1).
Cries easily (1) when alone (2) and for no reason. Does not cry in front of others, because she feels embarrassed.
Thinks of her cancer as a dream, and that her illness is not true.
Never talks about her problems (2).
Cries from consolation (1), feels sorry for herself: that is why she does not like to be consoled.
Likes company but she never says much. Other people trust her. She thinks of other people’s troubles to the point that she can’t sleep.
Easily offended (2).
Always observes herself. After talking to someone she analyses what she said. Tries not to hurt anybody.
Sleepless from thoughts (2) about her children and her life.
Divorced her husband 7 years ago because he was an alcoholic. Very sad because of this, feels sorry for him. Remembers the good things from the past and she cries (2).
Patient is a foreigner. Does not want to return to her country although her 2 daughters are still there.
Cannot tolerate the sun (3).
Likes dancing (3), “dancing is my life”. Feels better [OK? or “symptoms ameliorated”?] from dancing (3), and fast movement (3), “I never get tired.”
Fear of closed spaces (2).
Feels suffocated when she takes off her pullover, must do it quickly.
Fear of water (she cannot swim), road accidents (2), thunderstorms (2).
Correct remedy for Paper Case 6:
The differential diagnosis was between Natrum Muriaticum and Sepia. Natrum Muriaticum was finally chosen because patient was an introvert, wept when alone, did not like consolation and dwelt on past events; she also had a strong aversion to the sun and to fat and desired salty fish. The separation from her husband also seemed to be a major cause of the Nat-m pathology. After a detailed repertorisation [How was the diagnosis made in the first place?] it was also obvious that the totality of the symptoms supported the choice of remedy.
The patient was given Natrum Muriaticum 200C (one dose, the first day) and 1M (one dose, the second day), and Nat-m 6x for the next 30 days.
After a month she said she felt better in herself. She was more open, less shy and she expressed her opinion freely when she did not like something. Her desire for work was increased. Patient given Nat-m 6x again.
Paper Case #5
Woman 60 years old, 200 lb., height 5 ft. 7 in.
Thyroid gland removed in 1996 (Thyroidectomy; she takes Ô4)
Gall bladder removed in 1999 (Cholecystectomy)
Takes Centrac (Benzodiazepenine) and Seropram (SSRI).
Patient is a housewife, married with two children.
Consults doctor because of obsessive ideas.
Has “bad thoughts” that her 25-year-old son will die, that he will drown or will be killed. Feels guilty about having these thoughts, feels that it is a sin to think such thoughts, cries and prays. She herself wishes to die.
Prays (3) that her daughter, who has bipolar disorder, will be cured.
Loquacity, talks a great deal (2).
Afraid of illness, of cancer (2), of death (3), of lightning (2) (she was struck by lightening at the age of 13), earthquakes, madness (3), the dark (2), ghosts (2), snakes (3), dogs (2).
Superstitious (2), easily influenced. Ôhe choirmaster told her that the full moon influences sleep, and at every full moon and for two days before, she is sleepless.
Not jealous or envious.
In the past, felt of lot of anger. Used to shout at her children and curse them.
Weak memory.
Wants company.
Tires easily (2), lazes about (2), has no appetite for work.
First sexual experience was at the age of 28 with the man who is now her husband. She married him because she was pregnant.
Sexual desire decreased.
Anger (2) towards her husband.
Sleeps on her right side. Sleeplessness. Nightmares. In the past, had dreams where she was falling. Dreams that priests are chasing her. In a recent dream, saw her father, who warned her that something bad was going to happen to her, and she is afraid. (3).
Feels the heat.
Does not wear clothes with closed necks (2).
When under stress, back itches. .
Had eczema on right elbow in 2004. It disappeared by taking supplements of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Sweats under her arms.
Has history of nosebleeds in childhood.
Despair of becoming well (2). She places all her hope in homeopathy. “I am scared by my own madness. My life is a living hell.”
Correct remedy for Paper Case 5:
The patient was given Mancinella 1M (June 2005).
One month later she developed large, itching eruptions on the abdomen and legs. She thinks much less about the harm that might befall her son. No longer sleepless.
She was told to wait and see what further effect the remedy would have. Has not needed to communicate with her doctor since then.
Read a short description of Mancinella by Prof Vithoulkas.
Paper Case #4
Woman, 46 years of age, married, with a 10-year-old daughter.
Patient was seeking help for muscular-skeletal pains.
Pain in the lumbsar region, sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left. She has lumbar disc hernias. Pain extends to thighs and buttocks.
Pains in the back of the neck, in cervical region of the spine. Pain extends towards the right arm.
Pain in the knees (2) (cartilage disease). Worse in the right knee and worse after dancing; better from stretching.
Anxiety (2) feeling of incompetence (2). Feels tired, both physically and mentally.
Sleeps only five hours a night. In the morning wakes up tired, and wants to sleep more. Sleeplessness when she is anxious, and sleeplessness the day before menstruating.
Copious menstrual flow (3). Indifference to sex. White leucorrhea (2).
Worse in the morning, doesn’t want to do work, doesn’t want to do her chores, better in the evening.
Anger (3). Towards herself and towards her family. She shouts (2), hits her daughter
Cries from anger and exasperation.
Guilty feelings (3) about not being a good mother.
Reserved (2). Does not talk about her private life, although she is sociable. Doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her, doesn’t (3) want comforting. Doesn’t want her weaknesses to be exposed.
Does not easily forgive herself or others. Does not easily express her love for others because she is afraid they may exploit her.
Strong and independent, she will be the first to leave a personal relationship. Does not fear the separation.
Quiet (2) and sulky when she disagrees with her husband, .
Puts off (2) doing chores. Doesn’t want responsibilities.
Afraid of impairment (2) (physical disability).
Feeling of pressure in her chest like a stone(2) since her mother died (when patient was 8 years old).
Bites her nails.
Jealousy. Does not express it.
Stubborn (2)
Likes dancing (3) and swimming (2).
Likes to eat fish (3), lemons (2), spicy and starchy foods, soup, eggs (3).
Strong dislike for fruit (since her daughter was born), sausages, salt and sweet foods.
Feels the cold (2), has cold feet (3), wears socks in bed.
Cannot bear the sun.
Finds cigarette smoke disturbing.
Wrinkles on forehead.
Family history of cancer (mother died of cancer of the ovaries at the age of 35, grandmother had pancreatic cancer, and her aunt had leukaemia).
Correct remedy for Paper Case 4:
The patient was given a single dose of Natrium muriaticum 10M.
Three months later she felt more “calm” and more “stable”. The muscular-skeletal pains were also better. Sleep was improved . Still indifferent to sex. No remedy was prescribed.
Nine months after the first prescription the complementary remedy Sepia was given. Since then she has not needed her homeopathic doctor.
Paper Case #3
Woman 49 years old. 55 kg (121 lb). Height 1.60 m (5 ft. 3 in.). Architect.
Seeks help for fatigue and depression.
Thyroid nodules for 7 years. Euthyroidism (normal thyroid gland function), no medication.
Menopause at 37.
Feels tired (3).
Not happy with her marriage. Got married at 34. Has two children.
Bad relationship with her mother-in-law – not on speaking terms.
Mentions difficulty expressing her feelings. “I freeze”, she says.
Describes herself as an “apathetic” child. Felt depressed at home.
Used to sneak out of the house without her parents’ knowledge.
She feels anger at her husband but doesn’t express it. Describes him as “bossy”.
Used to cry a lot as a child. Now she doesn’t cry. She sighs. “I don’t feel joy”, she says.
Feels inner turmoil, like being rushed.
Indecisive, procrastinates.
She doesn’t forgive (2). During arguments with her husband she “keeps it inside” and talks about it later to her husband. Rarely does she “lose control and tell him about his bad points”.
Now she is thinking about having an extramarital affair. It is hard for her to decide on a divorce now. Five years ago, she took her children and left home in an attempt to separate from her husband. He was very religious at the time, was a member of a cult. Finally he backed off (he left the cult) and they did not separate.
Low self-esteem (2). At home, she sometimes disconnects the phone to avoid getting a phone call from work and hearing about something she didn’t finish. Feels guilty about the mistakes she makes at work.
Was very sad after her father’s death in 2002. She felt guilty for not having taken very good care of him.
She is afraid of dogs (3), airplanes (fears a possible crash), sickness, cancer.
She likes to be praised (3), doesn’t want consolation (2), doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her.
Changeable mood (2).
Likes poetry, dancing, swimming and music.
Throws off the bed covers during her sleep. Wakes up feeling refreshed.
Feels better during the morning and worse after lunchtime, 2 – 4 pm.
Indigestion (2). Has feeling like a rock in the stomach when she cannot express (verbally) what she feels.
Cigarette smoke bothers her indoors.
Wart on the sole of her left foot. Removed by laser in 2002, but it came back.
Small brown spots on the face from her first pregnancy.
Small lipoma on the top of the head.
Worn heels (ie cracked skin).
Intense erotic desire (2), with difficult orgasm. Used to cry after orgasm.
Wants to sleep with arms around her husband, but he doesn’t want her to.
Unimportant relationships and one-night stands before her marriage.
Desire for sweets (3), lemon (2), fruits, fish, wine (2).
Doesn’t like cheese (2), fatty foods, milk.
Dislikes onion and garlic even more – they give her gas (2).
Correct remedy for Paper Case 3:
Patient was given one dose of Lycopodium 10M (case first taken in May 2005).
After 5 months, higher self-esteem, not afraid to answer the phone. Fights with her husband. During the next months, when she used to visit her homeopath every 1-2 months, was given sac-lac.
7 months after the first appointment, developed intense talkativeness and irrational jealousy of her husband.
Patient was given one dose of Lachesis 1M. 1 month later she developed a urinary infection that resolved itself without medication.
5 months after the Lachesis prescription (about 1 year after the first consultation), she notes that her relationship with her husband is much better. She is not jealous any more, she is “balanced”. At her last appointment (March 2006), the thyroid nodules were smaller. The patient did not feel the need to consult her homeopath again.
Paper Case #2
Girl, 5 years old.
Mental deficiency, masturbation
Normal birth; was vaccinated (all vaccines).
Attention deficit disorder. Delayed walking and talking.
Until 4 years of age could not control sphincters of micturition and stool. Now enuresis at night (2).
Talks but says only words, and can not form sentences.
Has masturbated (4) since the age of one year, day and night, with her finger or a toy dog. Sometimes used to masturbate on the corners of table; now she covers herself with a bed sheet when she masturbates.
Leucorrhoea (2), which stains her underpants yellow.
Nervous (2). When she gets angry, pushes the tablethrows things.
Afraid of heights (2), dogs (2), pigeons. When she sees a dog or a pigeon, runs to to the shelter of her mother. Afraid of the dark (2), wants a light on when she sleeps (2). Until last year, slept in her parents’ bed.
Likes music. Dances.
Hyperactive, runs, jumps up and down.
She cries out suddenly (whining tone) without cause, or laughs nervously.
Jealous of her sister.
Weepy (2), whining . Needs consolation. Likes company. When someone kisses her, she wipes her cheek.
Awkward, stumbles.
Desires ice-cream (2), salt (3), lemons (3) (eats lemons).
Thirsty.
She likes bathing (2) and thesea (2).
Sleeps on her back or side.
Redness at the external edges of her vulva.
During case taking, she lay on her stomach and tried to masturbate.
Correct remedy for Paper Case 2:
Medorrhinum 10M (one dose) was given. She has improved mentally, can form sentences, is more co-operative during speech therapy, masturbates much less.
Paper Case #1
Boy 3 1/2 years old. Parents consulted homeopathic doctor because of his constipation and behavioral disorders.
Constipation (3), has a bowel movement only every 5 days. Constipation appeared before 4 months.
Hard stool (2).
Jealous of his 6-month-old brother. Hits him (2).
Kicks cats.
Cries when someone doesn’t do what he wants (3). Stubborn (2), grumbles (2).
Hyperactive (3), cannot sit still on a chair.
Gets upset (3) and throws out-busts [meaning unclear. There is no such word] (2) things.
Impatient (2), gets very upset if he isn’t given something that he wants.
Screams (2).
Gets upset and goes to his room by himself.
Sometimes he is risky, doing dangerous things, e.g., gets on to the table and jumps off in order to attract attention
Fear of the dark (3), desire for light and company when he sleeps (2); sleeps in his parents’ bed. Dislikes taking a shower (2). Fear of lightning and thunder.
Puts his hands on his mother’s breast.
Talks to himself (2); a few days before, he said in his sleep: “I won’t have a stool today either.”
Late going to sleep. Sleeps from 11.00 p.m. to 8.30 a.m. While asleep, takes the covers off his bed. Perspires at the nape of his neck (3), perspiration wets the pillow.
Desire for milk (2), eggs (2), fish (2), mandarins (2), lemon on his food (when he was younger, he would pick one and eat it).
Normal birth; was vaccinated.
Recently had a high fever (39 C). Had bronchitis 1 1/2 months before the homeopathic consultation. Had to use inhalers for 3 weeks.
Correct remedy for Paper Case 1:
Hyoscyamus 10M (one dose) was given, with excellent results in a few days. He is now calm and the constipation is gone.
More paper cases and homeopathic quizzes will be presented here every week.
