Page 10 - Autumn 12

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decided to start his treatment with Carcinosin as a single dose 30-200- 1M potency chord.
I chose Aconitum as Jake’s symptomatic remedy. When Jake became very upset, it was difficult to give him a dry potency of anything, so a few granules of the 30 C were dissolved in water. Ann gave a few drops on his nose or lips one to three times daily as needed. Aconitum suited Jake’s trembling, restlessness, sudden terror, and desire to escape, especially as he showed no violence or anger despite his obvious fear.
During the first month of treatment (January), Jake’s anxiety level improved. He had a lot to deal with, as hunting and ice storms occurred during this time period. His stools were changeable, with several bouts of diarrhea, but overall were better by the end of the month. Walks were still a problem, if gunshots were nearby, but he tolerated distant gunshots better. There were only three minor destructive episodes in the house: there had been six, two very bad, in the previous month. He rode longer periods in the car and settled better at night. Jake was calmer in the office. He settled on the blanket, and only trembled briefly. We repeated the Carcinosin potency chord as improvement seemed to have stalled, and Ann continued the Aconitum drops as needed.
During the second month of treatment (February), Ann only needed the Aconitum a few times a week; she had been giving it at least once a day. Jake was also calmer at home. Before starting treatment he would rise early and roam the house, waking Ann. Now he slept as long as Ann and was still eager for his walk when she rose. The occasional bouts of loose stool were now his biggest problem.
By April, noise triggers were only an issue with very loud sharp nois- es, like close firecrackers or gunshots. The loose stools still occurred for no apparent reason. We decided to start Lycopodium LM 1, one drop after abnormal stools, no more often than once a day, and not within one hour of a dose of Aconitum. If Jake’s overall level of anxiety rose, we would repeat the potency chord, but no more often than once a month. I believe that Lycopodium is Jake’s constitutional remedy. Carcinosin works well as an inter-current remedy, and starting with a miasmatic pre- scription can help move the case forward with less chance of aggrava- tion. When aggravations occur, they are milder with potency chords and
LM potencies, in my experience. Aggravations may indicate that the rem- edy is correct, but aggravations in aggressive or destructive animals are potentially disastrous.
By August, Jake had two more doses of the Carcinosin potency chord; he needed the Lycopodium once or twice a week initially, now he needed it every few weeks. He was very good about noise triggers now, but still anxious on long car rides. Ann reported that his pupils dilate, he trembles and pants heavily, though he no longer barks. I suggested that we discontinue Aconitum and use Belladonna 30 C (diluted as for the Aconitum) for car rides. Ann reported a month later that he did much bet- ter on a 6 hour car ride with a low dose of Valium and Belladonna. Fast forward to summer 2012, and Jake greets me with a gently wagging tail. He notices sharp noises, but they don’t cause intense fear. He goes for one- hour car rides calmly, but still needs his Belladonna (and Valium) for the long rides. He hasn’t received any more doses of Carcinosin, and his stools are normal. Jake has a Lycopodium drop ‘once in a while’; the last time was when there was construction next door which seemed to upset him.
I first saw my next case, Reggie, in September ’05. This orange short-haired moggy was a neutered male, at least 12.5 years old. Lynne brought him in for a routine physical; she declined blood work at this time because he was so afraid. It was obvious that Reggie was terrified: his eyes were huge and he curled up in a ball. He passively allowed handling, offering absolutely no resistance and he didn’t even vocalize. I discussed taking his case to assist with the anxiety, but the owner felt that it was just his nature. In November ’06, Reggie’s TT4 was 81.3 nmol/L (6.3 ug/dL) and he showed signs typical of hyperthyroidism: vomiting (at least every other day) anxiety, excessive grooming, a thyroid nodule, and a grade II/VI cardiac murmur. He showed no response to a month of ther- apy with Thyroidinum, so I finally got to receive his case!
Reggie was cornered and captured by a janitor with a broom as a young adult. He was infested with parasites and dehydrated to the point his paw pads looked like raisins. He was a very shy cat; easy to handle in the office because he freezes, but he can resist vigorously at home as he tries to escape. He will creep into a room with the owners when all is
“Insect Remedies”
Masterclass with Dr Jonathan Hardy
Saturday, 26 January 2013
at Penny Brohn Centre
In this seminar we will look at the fascinating realm
of Insect Remedies.
Most animals on the planet are insects. There is an incredible variety and we will look at remedies from a number of different subclasses. We will get an understanding of the themes common in Insect cases generally – in partic- ular those of restless activity, ambition and the urge for transformation into something better – metamorphosis. We will also investigate the specific themes of various Insect Orders, including Diptera (Flies), Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths), Hymenoptera (Bees and Ants) and Orthoptera (Locusts).
The different groups will be illustrated with case examples on video, edited for clarity. There will be handouts of the general Insect themes, subclass themes and the specific remedies we study.
To cover all this we will need to manifest the Insect theme of intense activity, but it should be fun!
For more information e-mail:
renata.sopiarz@uhbristol.nhs.uk 0117 9466087