Hi there - not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but here goes. I've suffered from chronic rhinitis for the past 5 years - it began when I was working a summer job at a corporate property company - at the time I thought it was hayfever, but 3-5 days of every week were basically me sneezing non stop, constant runny nose etc. GP prescribed the usual steroid sprays, oral steroids, as well as anti-histamines. 3 months later, no improvement so I figured it was the office building, the air conditioning etc, and I finished up the job. GP tried prescribing various different medications, and a year later when symptoms were still persistant, I was referred on to two ENT specialists in two different hospitals. Both came back with totally different diagnosis - one said it was allergic rhinitis (though allergy testing at Charlemont Clinic confirmed that while I had a couple of food allergies, I was not allergic to dust, mould, pet dander, pollen etc) and prescribed medication accordingly, the other ENT said I had nasal polyps and that surgery was the option. Both only saw me for approx 10 mins each (and I forked out 500 euros for the two short consultations).

4 years on, and various doctors, specialists later I am still suffering from this. While it may not be life threatening or very serious, it is very severe and as a result every day that I have a bad attack of this, I am unable to breathe, work, my throat is horribly try, and my entire face hurts. Its like having a really really bad cold 3-4 days a week.

Last August, I went to a homeopath because as a child Homeopathy seemed to work for me as opposed to conventional medicine (which supresses the cause and only treats the symptoms - steroid sprays etc would be an example). I know most people disregard Homeopathy as being a gimmick or whatever and while I had zero expectations, I found that a week after taking the remedy my symptoms got so bad - far worse than they had ever been, and then gradually over 2-3 months they disappeared completely. However, due to personal circumstances, the past year has been pretty screwed up, and with the exception of about 3-4 months, my symptoms are pretty bad again (especially the past 2 months). The remedy I was on was Natrium Murium (Nat Mur), taking 5 drops in a little bit of water at night. It was definately the right remedy for me, because I was grieving for many things, including loss of loved ones, and my homeopath was somehow instrumental in getting me through this time.

Six weeks ago, the symtoms returned (lifestyle is not as good as it should be, I work many many long hours, and my diet was dreadful even though I am vegetarian). My homeopath switched me on to Folliculinum, and my symtoms got much worse, recurring every 2-3 days. Two weeks ago, my homeopath switched me back on to Nat Mur, but I am still suffering every 4-5 days.

I am really at my wits end, I don't even know if its the damp weather, damp old house I am renting (complete with 1950s carpet which I do my best to keep as clean as possible), overwork, diet (i'm vegetarian) - I just don't know. I am really really struggling to deal with having life disrupted - as I said I know compared to many illnessess this is stupid and trivial, but it is affecting my relationship, job and day to day quality of life.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

i cannot see that a damp old house and decaying 1950s carpet which is probably foam backed and giving off formaldehyde will be helping your situation

it could well be that milk and dairy products are involved as these are well known for producing catarrhal states

also if your veggetarian diet is not extremely well balanced you could be very deficient in any of the vital vitamins and enzymes, amino acids etc

i am sure a skilled homeopath will find a solution but i think you need to get the basics of life right too

many thanks myankle. You're absolutely right on all accounts - I am, however, very careful about keeping the house as clean as possible, and at the moment, moving accommodation is simply not an option (too many reasons to state here). Its a rented house, and stripping the carpet out is also not an option :-(

I have been careless about my diet for the past year, but again that has been, in part, due to the difficult life circumstances that have come up. In the last 4 weeks, I have maintained a really good diet, porridge, dried fruits and nuts, lots of spinach, garlic, herbs, good spices, vegetables and fruits.

I dont like diary products, i use soy milk, but take a little regular milk in my coffee - i love chocolate and coffee, and spicy food, but again I have been trying to limit consumption of all of the above.

I don't smoke, don't drink, am very petite and slim, walk a lot, so am frustrated that my rhinitis has not shown any improvement despite the work/life/diet balance being maintained.

I don't know if its a vicious circle - I feel terribly down, depressed, unhappy when my rhinitis is aggravated, as I can't work or do much for the day. On days when its not aggravated, I am very positive, happy and in good form, but I also hav worries at the back of my mind that every 3-4 days it does get aggravated.

Thank you
Karikat

"Six weeks ago, the symtoms returned (lifestyle is not as good as it should be, I work many many long hours, and my diet was dreadful ................."

"I have been careless about my diet for the past year.............................................. .........................................."

"I take a little regular milk in my coffee - i love chocolate and coffee, and spicy food, but again I have been trying to limit consumption of all of the above................................"

Milk=Congestion,even a little bit is NO good,ALL DAIRY IS NO GOOD specially when you have the symptoms your suffering from. It causes yeast to manifest/candida caused by the allopathic meds taken prior to Homeopathy
Coffee= antidotes homeopathic remedies,no good
chocolate=sugar- increases mucous,congestion,no good

limit consumption?- "STOP" consumption all together.

Homeopaths should engage "the Maintaining causefactor" with their patients as these are massive hurdles to a cure.

1-The remedies might be the well indicated ones,but due to dietary faulters a return of symptoms.
2-The remedies might be the well indicated ones,but being antidoted.
3-The remedies might be the well indicated ones,but not the correct potency. You cant keep taking the same potency........................................... ....

" I found that a week after taking the remedy my symptoms got so bad - far worse than they had ever been, and then gradually over 2-3 months they disappeared completely."...................................... .................................................. .................................................. ..
Homeopathy most often gets worse before it gets better,the remedies are surely trying to expell the imbalance you have suppressed via allopathic meds. This takes some time With chronic cases it may take months to a year of follow appts.Dont loose hope.

__________________
"Great ideas often recieve violent opposition from mediocre minds"...................Einstein

thanks gina, i had no idea dairy and coffee/chocolate/sugar were so bad. My homeopath has changed my dosage from 5 drops to one drop, so i wonder if that will help too.

meantime i'll stop all of the above from today and report back. i eat oats for breakfast, is that okay??

my diet is now going to be very healthy (other extreme) but as a vegetarian/vegan i want to ensure idont miss out on essential nutrients or overeat soy products!!

many thanks.

Dear Karikat
One drop of what? The same/different remedy/different potency?
One drop on a daily basis may be doing harm.Redosing should only be done on the basis of individuality,One should NOT repeat the same potency.

Is your dose succussed prior to dispensing?

Is your homeopath a cLassical homeopath?

Not to worry about being vegan,half of this planet is vegan- Asia/India,My family is vegan- There are no reasons you need to eat Dairy,Meat,sugars, coffee-these foods cause an ACID PH level in your body=causes disease.
(google; PH levels in foods-Acid Alkaline)
here is a link to a great website for all holistic heath matters this includes homeopathy,PH levels,Dangers of prescription drugs; www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com
You might find your answers here...................................(go to shirleys searchbox and type what your looking for-this site is over 500 pages long so be specific)

__________________
"Great ideas often recieve violent opposition from mediocre minds"...................Einstein

You said you eat porridge for breakfast .........normally porridge includes milk

Oats are of course an excellent cereal however eat them raw .........simply make a muesli with addition of a few nuts /dried fruit and some fresh fruit or fruit juices

Theres no need to cook them ,,,,,,,,,natural foods are much better for you

Interesting case, for sure.

Some thoughts.

1.) Nat Mur does seem to be the right remedy, or at least part of the right combination. Kali Bichrom could be a possibility, Sarsaparilla as well, and a bit more obscure but still a good fit to your symptoms is Aurem Met.

Since you are clearly a sensitive individual I would stick to low potencies only.

2.) I think in order to start the healing process you need to create a good condition for healing to take place. And that means reducing stress and getting a good nights sleep. Also, I'd get some warm socks and wear those at night.

3.) Have you thought about purchasing a dehumidifier for your house? You can get them at a "Home depot" type store where people use them to prevent mold in basements.

4.) It's not a bad idea to see a doctor, since you do want to make sure you don't have nasal cancer

5.) As a vegetarian you may be anemic, in which case I'd see if some hematinic suppliments would help you. I'm pretty sure they would.

MORE on DAIRY
www.notmilk.com
www.nomilk.com

lets look at anti-vegetarian myths such as:

1) Meat eaters have lower rates of heart disease
than do vegetarians.

2) Meat eating men make for better lovers because
they have higher rates of the male sex hormone.

3) Meat eaters have lower rates of all of the
major diseases than do vegetarians.

4) Vegetarians have higher mortality rates than
meat eaters.

5) A vegetarian diet is not appropriate for a
pregnant woman or nursing mother.

6) Children born to vegetarians are smaller
than children born to meat eaters.

7) Meat eaters obtain more vitamins and nutrients
than vegetarians, because the animals they eat also
consume vegetables.

8) It is a proven fact that vegetarians have higher
rates of heart disease than meat eaters.

9) Meat eaters have lower rates of diabetes than
do vegetarians.

10) Meat eaters have lower rates of breast cancer than
do vegetarians.
_____________________________________

ONE BY ONE, LET'S DISPEL THOSE MYTHS
_____________________________________

1) Meat eaters have lower rates of heart disease
than do vegetarians.

"Significant atherosclerosis is rare in peoples
whose diet over the life span is predominantly
vegetarian and low in calories, total lipids,
saturated lipids and cholesterol."

Nutrition and Athersclerosis by Louis Katz. 1958
______________________________________

2) Meat eating men make for better lovers because
they have higher rates of the male sex hormone.

"The study measured testosterone levels in 696
Oxford University men. Of the study participants,
233 were vegan (ate no animal products) and 237
were vegetarian (ate milk and dairy products).
The remaining 237 subjects were men who ate meat
on most days of the week...vegans had higher
testosterone levels than vegetarians and meat
eaters."

British Journal of Cancer, 83(1), July 2000
______________________________________

3) Meat eaters have lower rates of all of
mankind's major diseases than do vegetarians.

"Scientific data suggest positive relationships
between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for
several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions,
including obesity, coronary artery disease,
hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and some
types of cancer."

Journal of American Dietetic Association, 11/97, 97(1)
______________________________________

4) Vegetarians have higher mortality rates than
meat eaters.

"Vegetarians often have lower mortality rates
from several chronic degenerative diseases than
do non vegetarians."

British Medical Journal, 1996; 313
______________________________________

5) A vegetarian diet is not appropriate for a
pregnant woman or nursing mother.

"Vegan diets are appropriate for all stages of the
life cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation."

Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59(suppl):1176S-1181S.
______________________________________

6) Children born to vegetarians are smaller
than children born to meat eaters.

"Vegan diets can meet the nutrient and energy needs
of pregnant women. Birth weights of infants born
to well nourished vegetarian women have been shown
to be similar to birth-weight norms and to birth
weights of infants of non vegetarians."

Pediatrics. 1989;84
______________________________________

7) Meat eaters obtain more vitamins and nutrients
than vegetarians, because the animals they eat also
consume vegetables.

"Vegetarian diets offer disease protection benefits
because higher concentration of antioxidants such
as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and phytochemicals."

Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;63(suppl)
______________________________________

8) It is a proven fact that vegetarians have higher
rates of heart disease than meat eaters.

"Mortality from coronary artery disease is lower in
vegetarians than in non vegetarians."

British Medical Journal, 1994; 308
______________________________________

9) Meat eaters have lower rates of diabetes than
do vegetarians.

"Type 2 diabetes mellitus is less likely to be a
cause of death in vegetarians than non vegetarians."

Am J Clin Nutr. 1988;48(suppl)
______________________________________

10) Meat eaters have lower rates of breast cancer than
do vegetarians.

"Breast cancer rates are lower in populations that
consume plant based diets."

American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures, 1994

__________________
"Great ideas often recieve violent opposition from mediocre minds"...................Einstein

Iron Status in Vegans

Surveys of vegans have found that iron deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than among the general population.

The reason for the satisfactory iron status of many vegans may be that commonly eaten foods are high in iron, as Table 1 shows. In fact, if the amount of iron in these foods is expressed as milligrams of iron per 100 calories, many foods eaten by vegans are superior to animal-derived foods. This concept is illustrated in Table 2. For example, you would have to eat more than 1700 calories of sirloin steak to get the same amount of iron as found in 100 calories of spinach.
Another reason for the satisfactory iron status of vegans is that vegan diets are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C acts to markedly increase absorption of non-heme iron. Adding a vitamin C source to a meal increases non-heme iron absorption up to six-fold which makes the absorption of non-heme iron as good or better than that of heme iron 4.
Fortunately, many vegetables, such as broccoli and bok choy, which are high in iron, are also high in vitamin C so that the iron in these foods is very well absorbed. Commonly eaten combinations, such as beans and tomato sauce or stir-fried tofu and broccoli, also result in generous levels of iron absorption.
It is easy to obtain iron on a vegan diet. Table 3 shows several menus that would meet the RDA for iron.
Both calcium and tannins (found in tea and coffee) reduce iron absorption. Tea, coffee, and calcium supplements should be used several hours before a meal that is high in iron 5.
Table 1: Iron Content of Selected Vegan Foods
Food
Amount
Iron (mg)
Soybeans, cooked1 cup8.8Blackstrap molasses2 Tbsp7.2Lentils, cooked1 cup6.6Spinach, cooked1 cup6.4Quinoa, cooked1 cup6.3Tofu4 ounces6.0Bagel, enriched3 ounces5.2Tempeh1 cup4.8Lima beans, cooked1 cup4.4Swiss chard, cooked1 cup4.0Black beans, cooked1 cup3.6Pinto beans, cooked1 cup3.5Turnip greens, cooked1 cup3.2Chickpeas, cooked1 cup3.2Potato1 large3.2Kidney beans, cooked1 cup3.0Prune juice8 ounces3.0Beet greens, cooked1 cup2.7Tahini2 Tbsp2.7Veggie hot dog1 hot dog2.7Peas, cooked1 cup2.5Black-eyed peas, cooked1 cup2.3Cashews1/4 cup2.1Brussels sprouts, cooked1 cup1.9Bok choy, cooked1 cup1.8Bulgur, cooked1 cup1.7Raisins1/2 cup1.6Almonds1/4 cup1.5Apricots, dried15 halves1.4Veggie burger, commercial1 patty1.4Watermelon1/8 medium1.4Soy yogurt6 ounces1.1Tomato juice8 ounces1.0Green beans, cooked1 cup1.2Kale, cooked1 cup1.2Sunflower seeds1/4 cup1.2Broccoli, cooked1 cup1.1Millet, cooked1 cup1.1Sesame seeds2 Tbsp1.0Sources: USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18, 2005 and Manufacturer's information.
The RDA for iron for vegetarians is 14 mg/day for adult men and for post-menopausal women and 33 mg/day for pre-menopausal women.

__________________
"Great ideas often recieve violent opposition from mediocre minds"...................Einstein