A 54-year-old female patient initially complained of pain in the lumbar region for the last five days. The pain radiated from the thoracic region to the lumbar region. The pain was aggravated on sitting, ameliorated by walking and pressure.
The following day, there were a few red, vesicular eruptions on the left hypochondriac region and which then spread to the back. There was no fever and she complained of weakness. There was intense itching and burning pain especially at night and when she perspired.
All physical generals normal
Diagnosis: Shingles (Herpes zoster)
Repertorial totality:
- Abdomen; eruptions, vesicles
- Back; pain; sitting, agg
- Back; pain; pressure, amel
- Back; pain; walking, amel
- Generals; weakness
Two remedies were differentiated.
| Rhus toxicodendron | Mercurius Solubilis |
| – Vesicles, herpes
– itching intense – worse at night – Pain in back, < sitting – better by motion, walking |
– vesicular eruptions
– worse at night – worse perspiration – Bruised pain in small of back, < sitting |
REMEDY SELECTION:
Rhus Toxicodendron is selected in this case on the basis of intense itching at night. Clinically, it is indicated for herpes zoster. The back pain is aggravated by sitting and ameliorated by walking.
PRESCRIPTION:
Rhus toxicodendron 30 four times a day for three days
FOLLOW UP RECORD:
| DATE | SYMPTOMS | PRESCRIPTION |
| 20/02/2020 | – Burning pain decreased
– Itchiness decreased – Redness decreased – Weakness improved – No new eruptions – some vesicular eruptions were beginning to crust – No new eruptions – Sleep disturbed |
Rx
Sac lac 30 x 7 days |
| 27/02/20 | – burning pain returned (<8pm-10pm)
– itchiness : no change – Back pain returned with the same intensity at T9 area – More vesicles are crusting – No new eruptions |
Rx
Rhus Tox 200 3-3-3 x 3 days |
| 12/03/20 | – No burning sensation
– Itchiness improved – No new eruptions – No backache – Physical generals are normal |
Rx
Sac lac 30 x 15 days |
| 23/03/20 | – No further complaints
– All physical generals are normal |
No medicines required |
