Clinical Cases

A Plumbum Metallicum Case

A Plumbum Metallicum Case

Janet Banerjea presents cases of Plumbum, Cyclamen and Arsenicum.

CASE 1

NP Age 12

PC

Chronic constipation from birth, extremely slow transit in the transverse colon- Surgeons offer ACE as the allopathic solution.

Ante grade colonic enema surgery (ACE) or Malone ante grade colonic enema (MACE) is a procedure that is designed to help empty the bowel of faeces. The procedure allows the emptying of the bowel (Homeopathy for Bowel Incontinence) by using fluid (similar to an enema) that is inserted into a small opening in the side of the abdomen rather than into the rectum.

The reasons for the surgery include problems such as constipation and faecal incontinence. These problems may be caused by many conditions. They may be congenital (present at birth) abnormalities that affect the rectum and anus, or they can be caused by neuropathies (nerve supply problems) that result from spinal abnormalities.

ACE surgery is performed when other methods to control constipation or faecal incontinence have not been successful. These other methods might include bowel training, dietary changes, medications taken rectally (suppositories or enemas), or medications taken by mouth.

Currently she has an enema each night. Character of stool-small, black, offensive hard balls

This controlled the situation until 2 years ago when her face and legs became swollen, inactivity from colon.

Small amounts twice a week with mucus and some blood from tearing.

Some staining of underwear. Some blood from tears.

Oedema, bloated. Pain, cramping and spasm continuous in epigastric area. > pressure.  Overall pain 7/10

Occasional vomiting but not >

Black, offensive stool.

Medication

Containing macrogol (polyethylene glycol), which is a type of medicine known as an osmotic laxative. Each Movicol sachet also contains sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The contents of the sachets should be mixed with water to make a drink. Macrogol is an inert substance that passes through the gut without being absorbed into the body. It relieves constipation because it causes the water it is taken with to be retained in the bowel instead of being absorbed into the body. This increases the water content and volume of the stools in the bowel making them softer and easier to pass.

Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride (electrolytes) are included in each sachet to help ensure that the laxative works without causing the body to gain or lose significant amounts of sodium, potassium or water that are needed for proper functioning of the body.

KLEAN-PREP is a bowel cleansing agent that is dissolved in water. This means it flushes everything out of your intestines (gut) through a laxative action so that they are completely empty and clean. Each sachet of KLEAN-PREP contains the following active ingredients: Macrogol 3350 59.000 g (Polyethylene glycol 3350) Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate 5.685 g Sodium Bicarbonate 1.685 g Sodium Chloride 1.465 g Potassium Chloride 0.7425 g The content of electrolyte ions per sachet when made up to one litre of water is as follows: Sodium 125 mM Sulfate 40 mM Chloride 35 mM Bicarbonate 20 mM Potassium 10 mM

5/6 admissions to hospital for Klean Prep

Last time was 19/11

Grandmother died after a 4 week illness 4 years ago, grieved appropriately.

Conflicts at school.

Headache when severely constipated

Forehead, aching, >dark,>cold appl.>lying down

Eyes Ache when concentrating

Ongoing dental treatment as teeth are broken and weak

Tongue is clean

Taste of vomit /acid

Tonsillectomy Age 4

Skin, Cardiac, Joints  N.P

No menses

Generals

Sweet, Sour, Savoury

Fish, Meat     Hot Food

Thirst +++

Perspiration in bed at night. No odour

Sleep  Good

Chilly patient

Character/Nature

Quiet, shy, Determined, Bossy, Irritable with blockage

Easily embarrassed

Inactive –    Reads, Computer, Painting,

Swimming twice a week

Not so good at math or retaining information

Anxious 7/10(high)

Foetal life Good

Tonsillectomy age 5

Comment

A tough case for which the conventional treatment is only surgery. Homoeopathy is indeed slower in this instance, however the patient’s surgeon is supportive of the patient’s choice to delay surgery and we can only look forward to a positive outcome.

Indications

Ball like stool

Paralysis of gut, constrictive sensation, intellectual apathy

Impacted faeces, > pressure

Plumbum Metallicum 200C

First Follow Up

Urge to evacuate present

1 day in 14 a ‘normal’ stool

50% less bloated

Less pain, Complexion better

So this is a good improvement

Over the ten month treatment period the patient is steadily improving. The pain remains at 1/10 as opposed to 7/10 overall.

Nausea is completely gone.

No headaches

No more emergency hospital visits.

Small bowel movement every 5 days.

CASE 2

A ‘Door Handle’ Case of Cyclamen

Briefly, the case of a female aged 36 years, with one son in a steady relationship. Aches and pains, migraine headaches each month and low energy, (2/10) with a social phobia.  She found it extremely difficult in any social gathering of more than 4 people, and was nauseous and anxious in such gatherings, even if they were people she knew well.  She felt it was limiting her life. She presented with lack of self worth and very low confidence.

We went through the usual case taking procedure and I went through possible causations such as hypothyroid, anaemia, depression and so forth.  Clinical tests verified that all was in the ‘normal range’.

She desires sweet flavour the best, woke in the early hours of the morning, had a strong connection with and fidelity to her whole family and was much better in the company of her son and partner.

On full assessment the case appeared to be Kali Carb which I duly dispensed and made a follow up appointment.

As she opened the door to leave, she found the courage to say

‘I had a termination 16 years ago’.  I have felt unwell ever since. I cannot forgive myself’

I called her back, applauded her honesty and insight and changed the prescription to Cyclamen 200 followed by 1M.

Since then she has bought a cabriolet car, finally accepted the repeated proposal from her partner and married on the beach and is generally well.  She stated

‘I am worth it’

A case which illustrates the simple prescription perfectly.

Cyclamen –‘Terrors of conscience, grieves over neglected duty. Depression’ Boericke

CASE 3

A classic case of Arsenicum Alb

Female patient aged 50 years.

Unwell as 20’s progressed to date. Bed/house bound since early 30’s.

Diagnosed, eventually, as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after investigations for Addison’s disease. A gradual deterioration in health, numerous anti-depressants over a number of years.

The key elements in the case are:

Vision loss, Weakness and Sensitivity to sound, Insomnia.

She said ‘I feel like I’ve been in a car crash and been abandoned’

The patient had written 5 sides of A4 explaining her history and various treatments and ‘mismanagement by hospital staff’.

Summarised

The key to the case seemed to be:

Weakness 9/10 both physical and mental

Self centred

Anxiety- high level

Restless

Sensitive especially noise

Scalp – full of ice

Vision loss

Burning pain in the back

Pins and needles

Constipation

Dry skin

Chilly

All are covered by Ars Alb 30C

This case was initially taken in May 2016 and now in November 2016, the patient is better overall.

Weakness 5/10 both physical and mental

Anxiety- reduced level, especially the internal agitation

Restless- reduced

Sensitive to noise-no change

Scalp-full of ice-reduced

Vision loss- Images are better, blurred but improved

Burning pain in the back- Disappeared

Pins and needles- Disappeared

Constipation-improved

Restlessness and anxiety considerably reduced

The patient had an altercation with carer and stood her ground.  Organised a replacement carer without assistance.

‘I have found some happiness and peace’

The case is a work in progress and we look forward to more permanent changes over the coming months.

No repeat of medicine has been given.

Potency Selected 30C because the indications were good and weakness was present. Although the patient was very articulate and has a bright mind a 30C was selected in order to generate energy and to avoid any aggravation of weakness and anxiety.

Indication for the medicine 

Weakness

Anxiety

Restless & Agitation

Sensitive

Scalp-full of ice ‘icy feeling on the scalp’ – Boericke

Burning pain in the back- Boericke

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About the author

Janet Robinson Banerjea

Janet Banerjea (RsHom) has been practising since 1991 and is Joint Principal of the Allen College of Homoeopathy in Essex, England. Her frequent trips to Calcutta provide a unique opportunity for CPD and a refresher on the power of homoeopathy in all types of cases. Her interests include textile art and walking her dog in the Lake District.

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