A Day In a Homeopaths Clinic

Points to keep in mind when reading the following cases:

1. The cases presented from this clinic day are ‘snap-shots’ rather than full cases. Identifying features about each case have been either changed or removed.
2. Chronic conditions form the bulk of homeopathic practice. For this reason, most of these cases consist of repeat appointments. The homeopathic treatment of chronic conditions is a process rather than a one visit wonder; ill-health that took years to develop also takes time to unravel but with successful treatment improvement should be seen from appointment to appointment.
3. Homeopathic remedies do not ‘control’ the body in the way of conventional medicines. Instead they stimulate and strengthen the body’s innate ability to heal. As a result, the body itself determines how quickly healing takes place, and in what order; the homeopath and remedy can’t impose anything.
4. These people had already seen a conventional doctor for their condition. Conventional drugs were being used either in conjunction with the homeopathic treatment or had been stopped and replaced with homeopathy because of lack of improvement or side-effects.
5. Remedies (medicines) were chosen according to the total symptoms the person experienced rather than by the name of the disease from which they suffered. For this reason, is possible that ten people with the same disease may have each been prescribed a different remedy.
6. Not only do remedies have to be matched to the person’s symptoms, the strength and frequency of dose has to also be matched to their sensitivity. Sensitivity varies from person to person. This is the reason why a test dose has been recommended at the beginning of treatment for some of these patients.
7. The names of the remedies prescribed have been omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion. More was involved with their selection than what could be included in these case synopses.

7.45am: Arrival at Clinic.

This is the time for a cuppa before opening – we settle in and discuss plans for the day ahead.

8.00am: Phone-in Time.

Clinic opens – 8:02am the first phone call comes in. (8 – 9am is the time existing patients know they are most likely to catch me to give brief reports on their progress or ask a question.) Eight calls are received this morning.

9.00 am: First Appointment of Day. Depression, Lack of Energy, Eczema.

Follow-up appointment for Mina, a 41-year-old woman. Moved interstate last year – this fourth appointment is by Skype. History of repeated episodes of depression. Does not tolerate antidepressants. Lacked energy and motivation. Feelings of suffocation. Eczema on hands that cracked and oozed sticky fluid. Cracks and other injuries slow to heal and easily infected. Frequent belching. Craved chocolate and sweets. Indigestion from fatty foods. Difficulty sleeping at night.

Impression and Treatment: Mina has progressed well. Many symptoms are either improved or non-existent. Eczema on hands is still a problem. Remedy was changed at last appointment to match changing symptoms. Mina reports eczema is better with the new remedy but flares for a day after each dose – a sign the dose is too strong for Mina’s sensitivity(see Tutorial 15: What to Expect for more information about this). Instructions given on how to dilute dose so improvement continues without aggravation. Follow-up appointment made.

9.30 am: Asperger’s Syndrome, Behavioural Problems, Food Avoidance.

Follow-up appointment for Jack, a 9 year-old boy who lives overseas. This is his third appointment by Skype with his mother who initially sought treatment for Jack’s tantrums, rages, and verbal abusiveness. Jack had difficulty with change, felt life was unfair, ate a limited range of food and had poor eye contact. Behaviour was affecting friendships and performance at school.

Since treatment began, he rarely has outbursts of anger and is much more reasonable. Can now look people in the eye. Eats a wider range of food. New symptoms at this appointment: craving meat; sweating in sleep; shyness in company; itchy scalp with dandruff.

Impression and Treatment: Current remedy has done all it can do. New remedy needed to treat emerging ‘symptom picture’ if improvement is to continue. New remedy prescribed according to new symptoms. To phone in one week if no improvement. Follow-up appointment made.

10.00 am: Unstable Angina, Osteoarthritis, Loose Cough.

Follow-up appointment for Irene, a woman in her 80s. Long-term patient. First came 8 years earlier with complicated medical history of: cancer removed by surgery; heartburn, indigestion and nausea; osteoarthritic pain in neck, shoulders and hips; hot flushes; poor sleep; bronchiectasis; unstable angina; episodes of faecal incontinence. Concerned about the number of prescribed medications she was taking.

Over the years many symptoms have improved. No longer has hot flushes, poor sleep, heartburn, indigestion, or nausea. With doctor’s oversight she has now reduced many medications. Osteoarthritis is still present but pain significantly reduced – it no longer disturbs sleep. Has not had angina for years. Brochiectasis (lung damage from decades of smoking) still present but cough managed (as needed) homeopathically.

Past homeopathic treatment involved several changes of remedies as presenting symptoms changed plus a specific remedy for angina. Last appointment a new remedy was prescribed for deep grief following death of close friend – Irene said she was coping better within hours. This appointment, arthritic pain, faecal incontinence and loose cough now returning.

Impression and Treatment: Stop ‘grief’ remedy – no longer needed. Symptoms from chronic state that had improved are now returning. Return to chronic remedy. To phone in 3 days if symptoms not settling. Follow-up appointment made.

10.30 am: Psoriasis, Enlarged Prostate, Dry, Itching Skin.

Follow-up appointment: Ron, a middle-aged man, sought treatment for dry, itchy skin and psoriasis of feet. Other problems included: prostatic enlargement with frequent urination at night; feeling overly hot with excessive sweating; gastric reflux and heartburn; cramping in the thighs at night; fear of heights.

Now, after 3 appointments, complaints are either mild or non-existent. Skin is much less dry. The psoriasis is the best it’s been for years.

Impression and Treatment: Symptoms are progressing well – no need to change anything. Continue with the same remedy in the same potency. New potency supplied in case symptoms return before the next appointment. Follow-up appointment made.

11.00am: Morning Tea and Whooping Cough.

Kate brings me a cup of tea. Break for 30 minutes but often shortened to return phone calls. Short acute appointments are also scheduled at this time – today I have a whooping cough case.

Mother explains her daughter was swabbed and diagnosed with whooping cough one week ago by doctor. Antibiotics were commenced but with no improvement. Cough worse in warm rooms. Hard to draw breath. Gags, retches, and vomits with cough. Thick, stringy expectoration.

Impression and Treatment: Classic symptoms of a common whooping cough remedy. Prescription made. Mother advised that with a correct prescription, the cough should be significantly better by end of week. Also advised that if symptoms change, the prescription will also need changing. To phone the following day if the cough is not improving. Follow-up appointment needed only if cough isn’t resolving within the week.

11.30 am: Sleepless, Clinging, Cross Baby.

New appointment for Rose, a 14 month old baby. Will not sleep unless cuddled by mother; wakes with angry screaming after one or two hours; wants to stay awake; only eventually goes to sleep if in her parent’s bed cuddled by mother. No sign of teething; clings to mother throughout day; shrieks, screams and hits mother if wants are not met; fear of men and male voices. Eczema in creases of joints; long-term watery, acidic bowel motions. Mother is exhausted by behaviour.

Impression and Treatment: Baby previously checked by doctor – no apparent cause for wakefulness. My examination also reveals nothing untoward. Remedy chosen according to overall symptoms plus Rose’s angry rather than anxious behaviour when not getting her own way. Mother to report response by phone in 3 days. Follow-up appointment needed only if sleep and behavioural and bowel problems don’t settle.

12.30pm: Asthma, Heartburn.

Overseas follow-up appointment by Skype for Helen, a 48-year-old woman. History of asthma and heartburn; waking at night; had to sit up in bed and use an inhaler to breath. Stressed by work colleagues who were too lax with responsibilities. Liked routine, structure, following the rules. Low energy.

By 4 weeks of homeopathic treatment asthma and heartburn symptoms almost non-existent. Energy better, feeling happier at work.

But now symptoms from years ago are reappearing – blisters on finger-tips, cramping of calves during sleep.

Impression and Treatment: Case progressing well – symptoms improving, energy good. Reappearance of old symptoms is a good sign – should be short-lived. Continue treatment with existing remedy and potency. New potency supplied should symptoms worsen before next appointment. Follow-up appointment made.

1.00pm: Lunch Break and Middle Ear Infection.

Kate brings food and drink (thank you!). A homeopathic student, close to graduation, arrives to ‘sit in’ and gain clinic experience through this afternoon’s appointments.

I take a phone call from the mother of a child with otitis media (middle ear infection) who was seen yesterday for an acute appointment. Mother reports prescribed remedy did not help. Symptoms reassessed – new ones have emerged indicating a different remed. Mother advised to use this remedy from her home use kit. To phone tomorrow if no improvement.

1.30pm: Anxiety. Nausea. Hearburn. Insomnia. Dry Skin.

New appointment for Maria, a 32-year-old mother. Wakes frequently at night. Many anxieties about: children’s health; someone breaking in; developing cancer; catching AIDs. Poor appetite – very thin. Dislikes meat. Regular migraines. Black spot in centre of vision (scotoma). Frequent heartburn and afternoon nausea. Relatives say she is tense, driven and irritable.

Impression and Treatment: New appointments are longer than follow-ups (1 ½ hours compared to 30 minutes) so that a full record of medical history and symptoms can be collected. The success of future treatment is measured against this baseline. Many things should improve with a good prescription – not just the initial problem of concern.

Maria was worried about her insomnia but her prescription was based on her other symptoms as well. To assess how sensitive she was to homeopathy, Maria was asked to take a test dose of the remedy and phone in 3 days – the strength of her response would determine the frequency of dose (see Tutorial 15: What to Expect for more information). She was also asked to request further investigation of her scotoma from her doctor – while it is probably related to her migraines, it may also be a symptom of something more serious.

3.00pm: Afternoon Break. More Whooping Cough.

Right on time, Kate brings another cuppa. Time to chat with student about significant aspects of Maria’s case. Clinical experience for students could not happen without the generosity of willing patients. Confidentiality and patient permission is crucial.

A new call comes in from a mother whose child was treated for whooping cough at the Clinic two weeks ago. His sibling is now coughing and has been formally diagnosed with the disease. (This epidemic goes on and on in spite of remarkably high rates of vaccination.) Kate schedules him as an acute appointment for tomorrow morning.

3.30pm: Frequent Colds. Enlarged tonsils. Poor Energy.

First follow-up appointment for Rachel, a 13-year-old girl. History of enlarged tonsils (since infancy), frequent colds with profuse yellow-green mucous, tiredness and forgetfulness. Very shy and emotional – dislikes being separated from family; will not undertake activities if alone.

At this appointment mother reports some progress – interested in friendships; managed one ‘sleep-over’; more energy. So far, no colds. Says energy slumps two days before each dose is due. On examination, tonsils slightly smaller but still enlarged.

Impression and Treatment: Doing well with remedy – no need to change prescription. As symptoms are returning before each dose, mother advised to give remedy more frequently – two times a week rather than weekly. Follow-up appointment made.

4.00pm: Milk and Wheat Intolerance. Behavioural Problems. Hyperactivity.

Anthony, an 11 year-old boy. Follow-up appointment. Used to fly into rages with brother – would insult, kick, punch, bite and swear. Distressed when reprimanded – felt he was the victim. Would storm off to bedroom and refuse to talk. Shy and quiet at school – few friends. Other problems included: gluten and casein sensitivity (behaviour would worsen); sour, acidic breath; ‘rotting’ flatulence; extreme restlessness.

One remedy in a range of potencies was used over the course of treatment – and now, 1 year later, no sign of previous symptoms and the remedy hasn’t been needed for over a month.

Impression and Treatment: Anthony’s symptoms were probably the result of food intolerances, gut dysbiosis (overgrowth of the wrong organisms) and ‘leaky gut’ effects but treating these problems separately never gets deep enough to prevent their return once treatment stops. Once a remedy is prescribed according to its totality of symptoms, the body is stimulated to heal ‘broad and deep’ so the cause of the different symptoms is removed.

Initial improvements for Anthony were rapid, tapering off toward the end of treatment. His problems now seemed resolved. No follow-up appointment needed. Mother advised to rebook if new or past symptoms return.

4.30pm: Frequent infections. Tires easily. Profuse Perspiration.

Jason, a 32-year-old man. First follow-up (prior appointment cancelled). History of repeated infections since childhood. Always catching colds. Frequent gastric upsets and diarrhoea. Low stamina. Overheated easily – heavy sweating on minor exertion. Loud snoring; would wake gasping for air. Tired and fell asleep during day (possibly sleep apnoea?). Constantly felt hot – sweated profusely on exertion.

Jason reports that he had been doing well at beginning of treatment (increased energy, less sweating, sleeping better, less tired) but all symptoms now returned in spite of taking the remedy.

Impression and Treatment: Jason had cancelled first follow-up appointment because of work commitments. Now, more than two months late, all symptoms have returned even though initial improvement was good and the remedy is still being taken. Discussed with Jason that the action of his existing potency had been exhausted and that chronic problems frequently need more than one potency for symptoms to be permanently cleared.A new potency of the remedy would be needed he was to continue to improve.

The same remedy in new potency was prescribed. Advised that symptoms should be reducing by end of the week. To phone if this was not happening. New follow-up appointment made.

5.00pm: Clinic Draws to a Close.

Time to discuss final cases with visiting student. Kate brings the list of phone calls that still need a response. Maybe I can leave by 6.30pm today. Folders are sorted, tables are cleared. Hopefully someone else at home is preparing the evening meal.