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A (Patient Ref. No. S-2024), 14 years
old female, Miss S. N. A. was brought to the clinic by her
parents for complaints of progressive weakness of the
limbs since childhood. She was unable to climb stairs and
unable to get up from the ground without support of a
stool that was at least 2 feet tall. She also had the
tendency to fall occasionally when walking and experienced
marked difficulty in running. She had weakness of arms
which made it difficult for her to lift heavy objects. She
also had weakness of neck and trunk muscles and there was
diffuse wasting of the limbs. His serum CPK level was 623
(N: 24- 190). EMG study was strongly suggestive of a
myogenic lesion (Primary muscle disease) and the Nerve
conduction study was normal. Serum calcium level was also
below normal (7.9 mg/dl). Muscle power on examination was
moderately reduced in all four limbs, especially
proximally. She had been diagnosed as Polymyositis by her
Neurophysician and he had advised her a course of
steroids.
She also had complaints of frequent colds which she would
get every 2-3 months.
She was a lean thin girl with generalized emaciation. Her
appetite was normal and she had craving for pungent foods.
She disliked sweets and milk. She would sweat profusely
and was sensitive to cold in general. Her bowel and
bladder functions remained normal. Her menses were regular
but scanty and painful. She would get sound sleep and her
dreams would be pleasant and she would often dream of
decorating her house.
Her family included her parents and 2 elder brothers. She
was a very pleasant child by nature. She was very
expressive but would remain quiet most of the times. She
was obedient and sympathetic.
There was no history of any major illness that she had
suffered from in the past. Her mother had been operated
for goiter and also had congenital ptosis. Her grandfather
had suffered from a cerebro-vascular accident that had led
to paralysis.
Based on the above history she was prescribed Causticum
200 repeated twice daily with intercurrent doses of
Carcinosin and Syphillinum that were used from time to
time. At the end of about one year of treatment she
reported to have better mobility and it was easier for her
to get up from the sitting position from the ground. Her
disease had not progressed any further as this had been
halted by the medication. She would not fall down while
walking as frequently as before. She would be able to get
up from the stool without support. The weakness of her
arms and legs improved over a period of time and she
became much less dependant on others for managing her
activities. She continued treatment for a long time for
significant improvement of her symptoms. Her muscle enzyme
levels were repeated from the time to time and it showed
improvement over a period of time as charted out below:
CPK: Normal levels: 24- 190 IU/ L
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Date |
CPK level (IU/ L) |
| 22-04-1998 |
623 |
| 18-02-1999 |
435 |
| 04-09-1999 |
305 |
| 25-04-2000 |
275 |
| 26-12-2000 |
159.8 |
This case illustrates to us that how
even difficult conditions like Polymyositis can be
effectively treated with Homoeopathy. This case shows us
that even though such conditions cannot be cured
completely, yet we can halt the progress of the disease in
such (progressive) conditions. The patient may not be able
to lead a completely normal life yet he can develop the
ability to carry on his day-to-day activities without much
dependence on others for the same. And all this can be
achieved without putting the patients on steroids which
carry so many side-effects and put the patients into a
cycle of dependence on steroids.
Remark: The remedy
prescribed in this case is patient-specific i.e. it has been
prescribed based on the symptoms specific to the patient at
that point of time. It is advisable that the patient does
not indulge in any self-medication.
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