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Verbiage and Terms
I am trying to understand certain verbiage I have encountered on this site. First of all, what does it mean when a remedy does not follow another remedy well? If a remedy I want to use does not follow a remedy I have previously been using well, how long do I have to wait to make the switch. Also, what does it mean when one remedy is the 'chronic' of another remedy.Equidae7 on 2010-12-25
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
'does not follow well' is a clinical observation by homoepaths of the past. In their experience, certain remedies do can have unwanted reactions when they follow certain others.
I am not particularly keen on this idea, and will always prescribe the remedy that is indicated at the time. I have prescribed remedies that are listed as 'does not follow well' with no ill effects to the patient, as long as it was the remedy they needed.
However, if a practitioner is in the habit of zig-zagging (using one remedy after another to treat seperate parts of the case rather than using one remedy for the totality) it may be prudent to observe such cautions.
Chronic and Acute runs along similar ideas. Observations of previous homoeopaths have identified certain remedies that appear to follow others, in situations where an acute flare-up occurs.
For the most part, these kinds of rules are there for inexperienced prescribers. As long as a practitioner understands the philosophy, they can make up their own minds about the best way to proceed for any patient.
I am not particularly keen on this idea, and will always prescribe the remedy that is indicated at the time. I have prescribed remedies that are listed as 'does not follow well' with no ill effects to the patient, as long as it was the remedy they needed.
However, if a practitioner is in the habit of zig-zagging (using one remedy after another to treat seperate parts of the case rather than using one remedy for the totality) it may be prudent to observe such cautions.
Chronic and Acute runs along similar ideas. Observations of previous homoeopaths have identified certain remedies that appear to follow others, in situations where an acute flare-up occurs.
For the most part, these kinds of rules are there for inexperienced prescribers. As long as a practitioner understands the philosophy, they can make up their own minds about the best way to proceed for any patient.
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Thank you so much Brisbane! I am dealing with a very frustrating situation and I am hoping I can tax your patience a little longer.
I am looking for help for a horse, not a person. She is an 11 year old mare that I bought almost 5 years ago. When I got her, she had this engorged milk bag despite the fact that her last foal had been weaned 18 months earlier. I have had her to every vet in the area and no one can explain why this is happening. She was on a sulfa antibiotic and the milk bag went back to normal. But within 3 days of us stopping the antibiotic, the bag filled back up again. I have been using Hepa Sulf Cal, Pulsatilla Nig, and Bellis Perennis with moderate response. I do not understand if this is because the remedies have done what they can do and I need something else or if I need to give it more time (she's been on it for 5 days). I'd like to try silicea and Lac caninum, but the ABCHomeopathy web site lists Silicea as 'does not follow Pulsatilla well'. It goes on to list Silicea as a Pulsatilla 'chronic'.
Do you think I should stay with my current regimen or should I switch to the silicea and lac caninum?
I am looking for help for a horse, not a person. She is an 11 year old mare that I bought almost 5 years ago. When I got her, she had this engorged milk bag despite the fact that her last foal had been weaned 18 months earlier. I have had her to every vet in the area and no one can explain why this is happening. She was on a sulfa antibiotic and the milk bag went back to normal. But within 3 days of us stopping the antibiotic, the bag filled back up again. I have been using Hepa Sulf Cal, Pulsatilla Nig, and Bellis Perennis with moderate response. I do not understand if this is because the remedies have done what they can do and I need something else or if I need to give it more time (she's been on it for 5 days). I'd like to try silicea and Lac caninum, but the ABCHomeopathy web site lists Silicea as 'does not follow Pulsatilla well'. It goes on to list Silicea as a Pulsatilla 'chronic'.
Do you think I should stay with my current regimen or should I switch to the silicea and lac caninum?
Equidae7 last decade
You can see how confusing it is - does not follow well, and yet the two remedies are well known to complement each other. One of the reasons I steer clear of what I tend to see as superstitions.
The right remedy will not need other remedies to help it do its work. Only partially right remedies need that kind of aid. However, at times we end up using remedies in such a fashion - as long as the patient improves it is not a big problem.
Another thing to consider is that the potency must be correct as well. If you are getting partial results, it could be an issue with too low a potency. What are you using?
It is hard to given advice without knowing something more about the case.
The right remedy will not need other remedies to help it do its work. Only partially right remedies need that kind of aid. However, at times we end up using remedies in such a fashion - as long as the patient improves it is not a big problem.
Another thing to consider is that the potency must be correct as well. If you are getting partial results, it could be an issue with too low a potency. What are you using?
It is hard to given advice without knowing something more about the case.
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
The Pulsatilla Nig and the Bellis Perennis are 30C, the Hepa Sulf Cal is 30x. I know you will cringe when I tell you this, but keep in mind that I live in a little podunky town in Idaho - the folks up here have never heard of homeopathy and because of the little bit of discussion I have tried to generate about my mare's problems and what I have been trying to do, I have now been labeled as a 'witch.' Not 'witch' as in bad person, but 'witch' as in the broom flying, cauldron stirring, potion making type. In other words, they think I'm a nut. The only source I have been able to find for help (before I found this site) is a health food store (35 miles away). The woman there, who does not claim to be a homeopath, but does claim to be an expert, told me that the potency did not matter much, that it was more of a designation of the dosage between adult and children. I did not really believe her, but she was all I had.
Did I understand your last post correctly? Did you say that Silicea and Pulsatilla are actually complimentary remedies?
Did I understand your last post correctly? Did you say that Silicea and Pulsatilla are actually complimentary remedies?
Equidae7 last decade
Equidae7 last decade
Yes they are complementary remedies. Silicea and Pulsatilla can alternate in the same person, although their basic issues are quite different.
Give me some history of the problem for the horse, give me any other issues with its health, and any observations of changes in its behavior since this problem started
Give me some history of the problem for the horse, give me any other issues with its health, and any observations of changes in its behavior since this problem started
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Well, when I bought the horse, she already had the problem. I tried to ask the people I bought her from for some details, but they never noticed she had a problem. When I first sought help for her, the milk filling the bag was tested and it was found she had mastitis. We cultured the milk and she had a strep bacteria as well as a different gram negative bacteria they could not identify. But the sulfa drug they put her on, Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim tablets) was effective for both typs of bacteria, so that is what they put her on. And it worked, within 3 - 4 weeks, the milk bag went away completely. But when we stopped the antibiotic, it filled back up. However, the milk that was tested in the re-filled bag was free of bacteria. So we started other testing. She went through two test for Cushing's disease - both were negative. She had an ultrasound done and her uterus and ovaries were very normal. The vet decided her hormones must be out of balance so they put her on hormone replacement, which did not improve anything, if anything it made her coat dull and rough, so I put a stop to that right away. They had me putting an udder liniment on her made out of mint oil, but all that did was peel her skin. The vet wanted to put her back on the hormone replacement, which I refused, and I started looking into natural healing. For a while I had her on white willow bark (anti-inflamatory herb) and wild yam root (hormone balancing). The herbs had a slightly positive effect but seemed to stop having any effect after about a month. That is when I tried the homeopathic remedies.
Since I got this mare, she has been a truly sweet and loving animal, she is always respectful and tries to do everything that is asked of her, but she is always guarded. She panicks if you raise your voice to her. She panicks if you move too quickly around her. She over-reacts to general handling. It took me almost 2 years before I could touch her ears without her panicking. She also reacts dramatically to noises she hears at night. Sometimes she just stands in her stall and snorts like she is scared but when I go out there (I keep a baby monitor on all the time so I can hear what is going on with her), I cannot see anything. She will be eating quietly in her stall and hear a neighbor slam a door and she panicks and races out the door to see where the noise came from. Once she has identified it, she will stand there and watch the source for a long period of time. She also has a great deal of flatulence. She is very stiff in her back end and reluctant to let me pick up her back feet (she is fine with me picking up her front feet). The first time I tried to work her, she hyperventilated and passed out, but afterwards, the vet could not find anything wrong with her. She is sweet with my other horse, but absolutely panicks when I take the other horse somewhere without her. That panic is so severe that she actually tried to jump over a fence that is too tall for her - she got hung up in the fence, and tore herself up before I could get to her. But then she managed to get up tried to jump over the next fence, which was also too high, in a desperate attempt to get to her friend. At the time there were other horses out in the pasture with her, but she was desperate to get to the horse that she spends all her time with. I should also tell you that the horse she was trying to get to was only about 40 yards away and she could see her clearly.
Since I got this mare, she has been a truly sweet and loving animal, she is always respectful and tries to do everything that is asked of her, but she is always guarded. She panicks if you raise your voice to her. She panicks if you move too quickly around her. She over-reacts to general handling. It took me almost 2 years before I could touch her ears without her panicking. She also reacts dramatically to noises she hears at night. Sometimes she just stands in her stall and snorts like she is scared but when I go out there (I keep a baby monitor on all the time so I can hear what is going on with her), I cannot see anything. She will be eating quietly in her stall and hear a neighbor slam a door and she panicks and races out the door to see where the noise came from. Once she has identified it, she will stand there and watch the source for a long period of time. She also has a great deal of flatulence. She is very stiff in her back end and reluctant to let me pick up her back feet (she is fine with me picking up her front feet). The first time I tried to work her, she hyperventilated and passed out, but afterwards, the vet could not find anything wrong with her. She is sweet with my other horse, but absolutely panicks when I take the other horse somewhere without her. That panic is so severe that she actually tried to jump over a fence that is too tall for her - she got hung up in the fence, and tore herself up before I could get to her. But then she managed to get up tried to jump over the next fence, which was also too high, in a desperate attempt to get to her friend. At the time there were other horses out in the pasture with her, but she was desperate to get to the horse that she spends all her time with. I should also tell you that the horse she was trying to get to was only about 40 yards away and she could see her clearly.
Equidae7 last decade
Oh, and I almost forgot - several times since we stopped the antibiotics I have gone out and gently milked her bag down until it was completely empty. But every time that bag fills back up withi 12-24 hours.
Equidae7 last decade
Something else I forgot, since we stopped the antibiotics, she sometimes stands in her stall at night and just kicks the walls of her stall. She has actually kicked the wall to the extent that she has put multiple hoof holes in 3/4 inch plywood. That is so out of character for the way she behaves when I am with her and she never behaves that way during the day.
Equidae7 last decade
I'm sorry I keep forgetting stuff - here's another thing. The vet told me three things she thought might be going on; 1) the mare has an abscess in her udder that her body has 'walled off', 2) she has a tumor in her udder or on her pituitary gland, or 3) she has a hormone imbalance.
Equidae7 last decade
The reason I ask this is that the medicine that I believe might help is Opium, and that is not a medicine that typically you will find at a health food store.
Do you have a stock of remedies at home, or do you get whatever you wish to try?
Do you have a stock of remedies at home, or do you get whatever you wish to try?
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Well, I do have a limited access to remedies from that health food store I told you about, but I'm sure they would not have opium. I csn purchase it online, but it will take it about a week to get here.
So you don't like the idea of the silicea and lac caninum?
So you don't like the idea of the silicea and lac caninum?
Equidae7 last decade
Ok, now I get it - I cannot buy opium, or most of its comparables, in the US. But in looking through the list of comparables, I saw beladonna - which I have here at the house. Would that be an appropriate alternative? If so, could I, or maybe I should ask should I, combine that with the silicea and lac caninum? It has been more than 12 hours since her last dose of pulsatilla et al, is it safe to make the switch now?
Equidae7 last decade
There are a couple of principles of homoeopathy that should be followed when treating any kind of chronic problem.
One of those is the principle of the Single Remedy. Any medicine given should be given alone, and given enough time to do its work before changing to another. So my advice would be to only use one remedy at at time.
Another aspect of homoeopathy is the idea of treating the totality - this is an understanding of the underlying problem. The symptoms are a reflection of this underlying issue, and are threaded together by this 'theme'.
Your description of your horse leads me to believe that she has suffered some kind of fright or shock in the past, and it has had a profound effect on her. It is as if she is still living through that frightful event.
This would restrict my choice of medicines to the following:
Aconite
Arnica
Lachesis
Mercurius
Nat-mur
Opium
Sambucus
Silicea
Then there needs to be a general understanding of the state. Of those remedies, the state of terror, fear, alertness, panic, fear of being alone, fear of noise - would bring me to Opium or Aconite primarily.
If you cannot get Opium, then Aconite might fit the state more easily.
This is a description of the state of Aconite:
'The main feeling of Aconitum is of a sudden, intense threat from outside that comes suddenly and goes suddenly. For that moment the person, who is otherwise calm becomes intensely restless, panicky and nervous. This feeling of a sudden threat is seen in the fear of walking across a busy street, fear of accidents, of suffocation, in presentiment of death and in the delusion that he is about to die. Mentally this is expressed as a fear of death, anxiety and restlessness etc., while in the physical sphere, we find a racing pulse, palpitation and flushing of face alternating with paleness, etc.
Aconitum is excitable. The patient can flare up suddenly, can get frightened very easily. Pain can drive him beside himself and again this excitement will be manifested suddenly and violently, with great restlessness - an acute panic reaction.
Great nervous excitability is the most important component of Aconitum. We must look for an excitable person and not a calm one, if we are to prescribe Aconitum - one who cannot take anything easy; everything excites him. Here it comes close to Nux vomica, Chamomilla, Staphysagria, Coffea and Graphites. But Aconitum is also very very restless. There is anxious restlessness. Pierre Schmidt feels it is the most important remedy for anxious restlessness. Nux vomica, Staphysagria, Coffea or Ignatia are not so restless. Aconitum just can't sit still. He tosses about. This is similar to Arsenicum and Rhus toxicodendron, it is only much more intense, vigorous, sudden and acute. It is a sudden burst of excitement, fear or anxiety with great restlessness. He doesn't know where to go or what to do, his mind is ruled over by tremendous anxiety and fear. Then this whole state disappears as suddenly as it had come without leaving a trace.'
David Kempson
Professional Homoeopath
One of those is the principle of the Single Remedy. Any medicine given should be given alone, and given enough time to do its work before changing to another. So my advice would be to only use one remedy at at time.
Another aspect of homoeopathy is the idea of treating the totality - this is an understanding of the underlying problem. The symptoms are a reflection of this underlying issue, and are threaded together by this 'theme'.
Your description of your horse leads me to believe that she has suffered some kind of fright or shock in the past, and it has had a profound effect on her. It is as if she is still living through that frightful event.
This would restrict my choice of medicines to the following:
Aconite
Arnica
Lachesis
Mercurius
Nat-mur
Opium
Sambucus
Silicea
Then there needs to be a general understanding of the state. Of those remedies, the state of terror, fear, alertness, panic, fear of being alone, fear of noise - would bring me to Opium or Aconite primarily.
If you cannot get Opium, then Aconite might fit the state more easily.
This is a description of the state of Aconite:
'The main feeling of Aconitum is of a sudden, intense threat from outside that comes suddenly and goes suddenly. For that moment the person, who is otherwise calm becomes intensely restless, panicky and nervous. This feeling of a sudden threat is seen in the fear of walking across a busy street, fear of accidents, of suffocation, in presentiment of death and in the delusion that he is about to die. Mentally this is expressed as a fear of death, anxiety and restlessness etc., while in the physical sphere, we find a racing pulse, palpitation and flushing of face alternating with paleness, etc.
Aconitum is excitable. The patient can flare up suddenly, can get frightened very easily. Pain can drive him beside himself and again this excitement will be manifested suddenly and violently, with great restlessness - an acute panic reaction.
Great nervous excitability is the most important component of Aconitum. We must look for an excitable person and not a calm one, if we are to prescribe Aconitum - one who cannot take anything easy; everything excites him. Here it comes close to Nux vomica, Chamomilla, Staphysagria, Coffea and Graphites. But Aconitum is also very very restless. There is anxious restlessness. Pierre Schmidt feels it is the most important remedy for anxious restlessness. Nux vomica, Staphysagria, Coffea or Ignatia are not so restless. Aconitum just can't sit still. He tosses about. This is similar to Arsenicum and Rhus toxicodendron, it is only much more intense, vigorous, sudden and acute. It is a sudden burst of excitement, fear or anxiety with great restlessness. He doesn't know where to go or what to do, his mind is ruled over by tremendous anxiety and fear. Then this whole state disappears as suddenly as it had come without leaving a trace.'
David Kempson
Professional Homoeopath
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Oh my, that is wonderful! I have Aconitum Napellus 30X here at the house, will that work? I also have Silicea 30C here at the house. Which one do you think would be the most benefical to start first and how many times a day should I give each one to her?
Renee
Renee
Equidae7 last decade
And again, I forgot to tell you - you were absolutely correct about this mare being traumatized. She actually has been repeatedly traumatized in the worst way. All of my animals are rescues - taken away from people who abused and/or neglected them. This mare was 300# underweight when I got her. She had scars from whip marks and the people that I bought her from, the people that rescued her, told me that her previous owner was in the habit of 'throwing' her whenever she did anything he did not like, and leaving her on the ground for as much as a day at a time. I don't know how familiar you are with horses, but the practice of 'throwing' a horse involves tying two or more feet together and then either pushing them over or frightening them so that they try to run and then they fall over because their feet are tied together. Once the horse is on the ground, they tie any remaining feet together so they cannot get up. I do not even want to think of the stark terror that behavior generates in a horse. Horses are flight animals and every fiber of their instict and dna tells them that to be off their feet means certain death. It brings me to tears to think of what she went through those 3 years with that man and strengthens my resolve to get her through this problem so she can put that time in her life behind her once and for all.
Equidae7 last decade
oh my god that is horrible! I cannot believe that people do that to an animal that trusts them. No wonder it is so fearful.
This is not the state of Silicea - that remedy is unlikely to help. It certainly could match the state of both Aconite and Opium. Use the Aconite 30x although my feeling is that it may be too low a potency. However, since you have it, it is a suitable place to start treatment.
The remedy must be given in liquid form. What form is it in at the moment?
This is not the state of Silicea - that remedy is unlikely to help. It certainly could match the state of both Aconite and Opium. Use the Aconite 30x although my feeling is that it may be too low a potency. However, since you have it, it is a suitable place to start treatment.
The remedy must be given in liquid form. What form is it in at the moment?
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
The remedies are in the pellet form. I administer them by putting 5 pellets into a plastic syringe (wearing latex gloves so I do not touch the pellets) and add about 5 cc's of distilled water. I then let the pellets in the water until they dissolve. Once they are dissolved, I squirt the liquid directly onto her tongue at the back of her mouth.
Equidae7 last decade
Ok you can continue to use the syringe to get her to take the remedy, but it needs to be prepared properly.
Do you have a small bottle that you can dissolve the pills into, one with a lid. Once dissolved hit the bottle firmly against an elastic surface twice (very firm) and then remove a teaspoon of that into more water (about 1/4 cup), stir thoroughly and then use the syringe to draw a small amount out of the cup. Give what is in the syringe to her, then throw the cup of water out.
You should repeat this once a day and report back when there has been a change or after 3 days.
Do you have a small bottle that you can dissolve the pills into, one with a lid. Once dissolved hit the bottle firmly against an elastic surface twice (very firm) and then remove a teaspoon of that into more water (about 1/4 cup), stir thoroughly and then use the syringe to draw a small amount out of the cup. Give what is in the syringe to her, then throw the cup of water out.
You should repeat this once a day and report back when there has been a change or after 3 days.
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
That is what I'll do. I just ran up to Albertsons and got a small canning jar. It is a heavy glass with a metal lid. I'll keep you posted on how she does.
David, I really cannot thank you enough for your help. My failure to resolve this for her for the last 5 years has been eating at me relentlessly. You are our hero!
David, I really cannot thank you enough for your help. My failure to resolve this for her for the last 5 years has been eating at me relentlessly. You are our hero!
Equidae7 last decade
Is it true that one way to know you have the right homeopathic remedy is when administration of that remedy causes an increase or intensification of the original symptoms?
Equidae7 last decade
Hey David,
Just an update, kind of. My mare had an accident last night and tore a 4 inch gash in her face. She is at the hospital now. The hospital is 35 miles away, so I am unable to keep up her homeopathic treatment right now. As soon as I can bring her home, I'll start her back on it - hopefully it will be this Friday or Saturday.
Renee
Just an update, kind of. My mare had an accident last night and tore a 4 inch gash in her face. She is at the hospital now. The hospital is 35 miles away, so I am unable to keep up her homeopathic treatment right now. As soon as I can bring her home, I'll start her back on it - hopefully it will be this Friday or Saturday.
Renee
Equidae7 last decade
How did that happen? Did she hurt herself doing something?
Had there been any response at all so far?
Had there been any response at all so far?
♡ brisbanehomoeopath last decade
It was my fault - I did not notice that one of the screws that holds her feeder to the barn wall had backed out a little bit. I'm not sure what happened that precipitated the injury, but I found her with this gaping 4 inch gash on her face and a big chunk of hair and hide hanging off the screw.
But yes! The remedy did seem to be helping and I credit the remedy for keeping her calm on the way down to the vet hospital. Normally, trips in the trailer are very traumatic for her. But this time, she was quite when we arrived.
But yes! The remedy did seem to be helping and I credit the remedy for keeping her calm on the way down to the vet hospital. Normally, trips in the trailer are very traumatic for her. But this time, she was quite when we arrived.
Equidae7 last decade
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