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Shana,
major scandal! Eva the Picklet was a winner in our last quiz (Aconite) and we failed to acknowledge her!
Mom, let’s face it, you’re over-worked and understaffed; and, what does Dr. B pay you?
I don’t know if I would call it “pay”, exactly….
Why? What has he given you?
A pony.
Mom! You need a tough negotiator. Let me handle this; in the meantime, start this month’s quiz.
Good idea, Shana! This is a case I like to call “The Sneezies”.
Mom! That is so embarrassing!
Shouldn’t you be out negotiating my contract? Now, as I was saying… this is the case of “Daffy Duck”.
Mom, isn’t “Daffy Duck” a real person?
You could be right. OK. This is the case of “Mickey Moose”. See Acute Case Questionnaire filled out below:
Acute Case Questionnaire
1. Did your complaint come on suddenly or gradually? Describe the complaint or complaints in your own words in as much detail as you can.
I seem to have gotten the cold the children have been passing around. It came on suddenly late yesterday afternoon/early evening. That seems to be key with this thing. We all have gotten it around the same time of day and suddenly.
It began with A LOT of sneezing. At first it seemed almost like allergies. I sneezed and sneezed and would have even some “fits” of sneezing. At first only clear, watery discharge.
As late night neared I could tell my nose wanted to get stuffy. So overnight as I laid down it stopped up. This AM my throat is a little raw from drainage and also breathing through my mouth all night. I do not think this is a big part of it at this point. My throat pain is indistinct and just seems raw.
This AM I began with sneezing again as soon as I got up, but now it has settled a little. My nose is not running, but stuffy on and off from one minute to the next right now. When I do sneeze a large amount of yellow, thick discharge came out a couple of times. It is the consistency of egg whites, not like the watery discharge of last night.
I coughed a couple of times, but it was superficial, from the drainage I think. There is nothing in my chest yet.
2. Etiology–meaning, what was the cause, if you know.
I think I got it from the kids. The weather did recently change and it has been much cooler and also cool in the house in the morning, even with the heat on.
If I were betting I would say the cold weather combined with the readily available germs.
3. Sensation–describe the pain or other feeling.
There isn’t pain really. My nose feels dry and irritated from my wiping and blowing it. My throat is just a little raw and I think with a warm drink will improve.
4. Appearance–what does the person, or the part that’s bothering the person, look like?
My nose is red around the edges.
5. Location–where on the body is your complaint located?
My nose and sinuses, throat a little.
6. Modalities–that means things that make the complaint better or worse
I am definitely worse at night and first thing in the morning. A warm shower is better. Lying down definitely worse. Trying to sleep was awful. Mentals are sort of bad. I am irritable somewhat. I HATE to be sick with a cold- HATE it. The sneezing and such was a little better outdoors. I am chilly, so better from warmth as far as my comfort. I was freezing in bed with the covers to my neck.
7. Concomitants (additional symptoms that are associated with the complaint)
Chilliness
8. Discharges–color, odor, consistency.
Discharge is yellow, but still viscous like egg whites. It was clear and watery last night.
9. Generals–
I’m irritable. I’m tired as I didn’t sleep well with this. I am chilly.
10. The mentals:
I can be irritable sometimes, but this is marked.
11. What have you been saying? For instance: “I’m fine, leave me alone.” “Don’t leave!” “I wanna go home!” “I want ice”, etc.
Honestly, last night while I was getting it, the kids were awful and I didn’t feel the best and wouldn’t go to bed very well, so I was saying, “I wanted a minute to myself.”
12. What are you doing?
Sitting, as I cannot lie down and probably moaning and groaning some because I HATE to be sick.
13. Thirst–
I am sipping hot drinks- fairly frequently.
14. Fever?
Not now.
15. Sweating?
No.
16. Odors?
No.
17. What is most striking about your condition or most peculiar?
That is came on so sudden and the discharge is already yellow within 12 hours. Also ALL the sneezing. I have hardly ever sneezed so much.
18. Is there a diagnosis?
The common cold.
19. Describe your energy
Probably agitated and tired.
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So there it is, people; what was the remedy? Write to me at [email protected] and let me know. Shana, what were you able to get out of Dr. B?
A goldfish.
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OK, listen up, everybody, the answer to this quiz, as far as I can tell, is lost! “Revisiting” in the following month’s ezine is a different quiz! I know, it’s shocking!!!! So, OK, I repertorized this case and it came out to Nux vomica:
Nux v. actually makes a lot of sense. She says she’s never been so irritable, she’s cold, better warm drinks, and has violent sneezing…all of this fits for Nux vomica.
Elaine Lewis, DHom, CHom takes online cases. Visit her website at: elainelewis.hpathy.com
