UPDATE: Pulsatilla was the correct remedy, but go ahead and read my parts of this thread if you'd like to understand a situation of a Pulsatilla having an acute cough.


Please make suggestions for this situation of a stubborn cough of my 30-something sister:

Duration: started as an occasional cough some months ago accompanying a cold that responded well to an "acute prescription" that at that time matched the sypmtom picture (combination of Aconite and Natrum mur). My sister and I didn't have the opportunity of discussing a follow-up prescription of her constitutional remedy Pulsatilla to boost her heatlh and I was hoping the lingering remnant of the cough would eventually resolve itself. It did not. Instead the coughing SUDDENLY worsened this week accompanied by fever of 102 degrees F, with aching legs and wrists.

This time a Pulsatilla picture presents, starting with aches originally "flitting about", thirstlessness, and worst for lying down. I prescribed Puls and we watched the fever slowly come down, and with that the bone aches gradually abating, although that irritating cough has been more stubborn!! It's the cough and my sister's total intolerance of it (disturbs sleep, hurts, etc) that lead me to suggest trying some of the well-known "cough acutes":

Eupatorium perfoliatum...several 30c doses. Eup perf fit the picute given the bone aching, and the cough initially seemed to respond temporarily while in the "on hands and knees" posture.

Drosera...gave one 30c dose

I decided to recommend Puls again now, after a week, for the continuing cough and irritated trachea. Cough is:

...worse by: lying down (must sleep sitting up!!), talking, cold DRY air (dry air is the worst!!), drinking

...better by: ??well, not much!! Adding some humidity to warm room and staying away from cold and from dry air. Also, cannot lie down without triggering coughing, so if she does try to lie down, she starts coughing and then is better if sit straight up. Better with gentle walking about.

Someone here mentioned that vinegar is good for Puls cough. This may be why my sister is saying she'd like a glass of wine!! We all laugh because she never drinks wine!! Also, I made a syrup of lemon juice and boiled honey that has had SOME effect on the cough.


Appreciate any insight!!

[This message has been edited by kevin seymour (edited 04 October 1999).]

[This message has been edited by kevin seymour (edited 07 October 1999).]