Dear GM,
Thank you for all the advice you have given my family, my husband and two daughters are presently being treated by you we appreciate your insight. I feel at a loss at my present situation and hope for your input.

I have been seeing the same family homeopath for three years now originally for my seasonal allergies (ragweed, august and september), very itchy eyes, recurrent sneezing. At that time I also had recurrent sinus infections with terrible post-nasal drip resulting in a chocking kind of night coughs(spent many nights on the couch so I wouldn't wake my husband!). I would get sinus headaches (behind the eye, if memory serves me predominantly the right eye) and my husband says I would get very bad breath (he would refer to it as the death breath).

We tried a few remedies, (six or seven, I can't remember which exactly) for a year or so and while the bad breath and night coughs diminished, I began suffering from acute pain on the right side, near my ovary, particularly at the end of my menstruation. I suspected a kidney stone which was confirmed two years earlier and while I had passed some of it, I suspected there still was some remaining. The pain was debilitating but would generally subside on it's own after a few days.

At this point our homeopath prescribed Lycopodium 200 and I have been taking that for almost two years.

Presently, the "death breath" is pretty much a thing of the past and I am able to control any inpending sinus congestion, with breathing steam and nasal saline solution (no decongestants, I hate them, they make me feel awful). The pain on the right side is about 95% gone, with a few minor flair ups from time to time, but perfectly manageable. My allergies, while not completely gone, are also quite manageable. I can't remember suffering from them as much, so I assume I'm doing better.

I take 4 pellets and have re-administered it every 3-4 months. I have avoided coffee products, and mint and camphor but had used nail polish on occasion. I would have a bit of chocolate almost every day and while I didn't drink coffee, I was working in a restaurant where I had to handle it and smell it. I don't handle it anymore as I stopped working there alsmost 9 months ago.

In general I would say I'm doing better physically and have few complaints. However there are some other issues which I feel must be addressed. I feel that I'm becoming increasingly more distant, in a physical way, and generally give off the impression of not wanting to be touched. I feel like I have created a "protective barrier" around me and I seen other people hold back to touch me. I can be quite friendly but can also be a bit of a loner. I was like that as a child and even my family jokes how I didn't like to be touched and how I am the "cold" one.

I was never one for public displays of affection but have always enjoyed being with my husband. However, once our two children were born (under two years apart)I felt that I was always on demand physically as I was either breastfeeding or pregnant. I consciously try to be nurturing to my children, touching and holding them but I must admit, there are times when it can be a conscious effort. It seemed that I had a limited amount of "physical contact supply" and during that time I found myself becoming more reserved with anyone else, including my husband, despite loving him very much. I felt drained physically and would put up the wall.

I am able and do enjoy intimacy with my husband but on a very limited supply. I can easily go weeks and even a month before I start to feel the physical urge. I truly don't like feeling so isolated and would like to feel less treatened by physical contact. I'm sure you can imagine the stress it creates for my husband, no matter how supportive he wants to be. So that's the bottom line, I want to stop being cold and withdrawn and truly enjoy all aspects of the family I deeply love.

My profile:

I was quite healthy as a child and was fully vaccinated. My mother says I was always a reserved child who didn't laugh very much or want to be cuddled. I had my tonsils removed when I was three and my family remembers when, after the somewhat painful procedure, the only person I would let hold me was the hospital janitor (I didn't know him), not my family, no one else.

At seven, I developed an abcess in my gland on the right side on my throat. This was a particularly difficult experience. I was operated as an emergency procedure, and was kept in Quarantine for a week. I recall the day after the surgery, where the nurse had to clean out my wound, while I was conscious and it was excruciating. They did not allow my parents in the room, as they knew I would be screaming from the pain, as I did. To this day, I cannot bear anyone touching me on that scar. As I write this, I wonder if this could be a connection.

I suffered from nightmares, even as an infant and continued to have them until I was grown and married. Most of my nightmares center around intruders in my home or, killers coming after me. I recall these dreams as early as age 5. I would never actually see the "bad guys" in my dreams, but rather feel an extreme sense of terror. I recall waking from these dreams, unable to distinguish from fictional to reality for a few minutes. I have not had such a dream for a few years at least.

I began to suffer from "sick headaches" and feelings of anxiety about 12 years ago and my doctor suspected low-blood sugar. The test indicated a lower reading than desired and I was put on a sugar restricted diet which I kept for at least two years. I was instructed to eat every four hours with some protein to best regulate my insulin. Eventually, I became kind of obsessed with my diet and began to experience the same symptons and when I was further tested, it was determined that my insulin levels were fine but rather I was producing anxiety attacks. Once that was recognized, I was fine. I have noticed that in the past, I suffered from a lot of "stress created" illnesses.

As a teenager I had frequent stomache complaints, bloating, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome often aggravated by stress and school. I still suffer from it from time, to time but not often and not as severely.

I have always CRAVED sweets, notably the creamy kind with a special place in my heart for chocolate. I can pass on cookies, (unless there's nothing else) but if there's cheesecake, or a cake filled with buttercream, or chocolate mousse, get out of the way! While I was eating normally, I did see my moods swing depending on my diet. I also started experiencing headaches and was always hungry, especially for rice and pasta. I then changed my diet,(it's been two years) to restrict my carbohydrate intake to more fruit and vegetables and to balance out my protein. So now, rather than having a huge plate of pasta, I will have some meat with vegetables and some fruit for dessert. All in all a better way of eating. While my insulin levels are deemed normal, I do know that I feel better when I'm feeding my body properly. I will eat almost anything and love most vegetables and fruits. I tolerate most spices well and do feel that I must have a hot meal (even if it's a sandwich on warm toast) at least once a day. I enjoy fats on meats, fat in dairy, give me ice cream over sorbet any day. I'm fortunate that I have been able to control my weight and have remained quite slender despite a "fat period" in puberty.

I had an intense fear of water as a child and forced myself to learn how to swim and even dive off the diving board. Despite being in the pool all the time, I could not participate in horseplay and would feel quite panicked until above water. I hate to swim in ponds or any where else where I can't see the bottom. I will swim, to keep my children safe but prefer not to submerge my head and if I never swim again, that's fine by me.

I don't like insects or spiders but don't get too upset.

My family history includes a mother who is manic depressive with psychotic episodes and an alcoholic father. I think that contributes to my fears of losing control, perhaps me trying to create a safe and non-threatening environment? No physical risks, no potential hurt. Just a guess, who knows?

I hate the heat and prefer cold weather. I love it when I can pile on lots of blanket and weight to sleep under. I prefer to sleep on my right side, but will give that up so I can be closer to the door and sleeping facing away from the bed.

Very easy preagnancies and deliveries with no complications and quick healing.

That's all I can think of now, I apologize for the length of this post but I know the more information you have, the more accurate the remedy can be.

I look forward to your thoughts on my case and will gladly hear anyone else's impressions. GM, whatever remedy I end up taking, I would need to know what I should avoid to ensure profer medication.

Many Thanks,
Lucy

First of all, use camphora c30 one dose each day in three days from now. and then Natrium mur one m, one dose, and stop that saline water nasal sprays.
What you have experienced is supreesive theraphy..

Gm Why would you discourage the use of saline water nasal spray. Nat M I can agree on (although there is a fear of water and nothing mentioned of the ocean) but other clues lead into it. Saline solution would not be something I would think to avoid, although I would make sure the water is sterilized before it used on the eyes.

kylene, read organon, and im not in the mood to argue with your obsession of using salt.use one dose nm.

GM,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I think some past threads indicated to avoid salt when using Natrum Mu (no saline spray, makes sense). I can eliminate most from my diet but must I also eliminate all forms of hidden salt, as in cheese and processed meats as well as condiments. Is coffee and chocolate OK (I haven't had coffee (decaf) in a few years and I miss the taste). I'll stay away from nail polish but do I need to avoid mint.

Since I posted my history my husband pointed out what may be relevant to my case history. After being on Lycopodium for a several months I developed some kind of skin eruption on my face. Not acne, but rather red and bumpy all over. It was months before it was resolved.

While I have brown hair and moderately fair skin, I do have quite a few brown freckles on my arms and back. Not very large ones and all symetrical. I also have suffered from ingrown toenails in the past and cannot tolerate anything remotely tight on my feet.

I also have horrible handwriting.

I don't know if these are relevant, but it doesn't hurt to have it all together.

I'll be taking the camphor tonight.

Many thanks
Lucy

Post what symptomes you have left three days after taking camphor, it may not be natrium after all, thats the remedy, nm sympt can be from that saline spray,and camphor will clean the picture a good deal.
So lets see first before deciding..

Dear GM,

I’ve been trailing any symptoms and reactions to see what crops up. Here’s what has happened within a week of finishing 3 doses of camphor to antidote Lycopodium.

First day of taking camphor: after a few hours felt symptoms resembling the old "low blood sugar" attacks I used to have. Felt a little ill, disoriented, confused and anxious and a bit shaky. Thankfully this passed within an hour or so.

Later that day, became very bloated and was greatly relieved on passing an impressive and loud amount of gas. No pain, no diarrhea.

Good mood for much of the day.

Second day of taking camphor: six or so hours later I began to feel the pain on my right side (ovary location it seems). Not debilitating but rather a dull nagging, throbbing pain which radiates. Gives impression of seeking relief with a bowel movement, but even with a BM, the pain remains. Pain slightly better from keeping leg at 90 degrees to body. Does not help to stretch out. Pain subsided on its own a few hours after onset. No recurrence.

Third day of taking camphor, felt very tired, irritable. Symptoms resembling Premenstrual Syndrome. During these last few days, felt as though my menses were about to start but I would be a week early. I don’t usually experience much breast tenderness but since taking the camphor, while my breast seem a bit heavier my nipples are very tender and erect and not in a pleasant way. This has lasted from day 1 of camphor and now it seems to have completely subsided (day 5, 2 days after finishing camphor). My mood returned to normal early evening, although still very tired.

During my 2 year repeated treatment on Lycopodium, which was also meant to treat my allergies, seasonal and pet dander, I was able to pet cats with little effect. Prior to treatment, exposure to cats resulted in (this order, depending on length of time exposed) itchy red swollen eyes, itchy face, red hives on my face, swollen lips then difficulty breathing. However, on Day 4 (1st day after camphor treatment), I briefly pet a cat and within a ½ hour felt very irritated and swollen on the right eye. That lasted for about ½ hour.

After this time I felt fine but I have noticed feeling a little off (not feeling ill but slightly off) after consuming a lot of fat. All week after taking camphor I have felt well with good energy and very little mood swings due to PMS. ( I used to suffer from mood swings to varying degrees prior to my period). I started my menses on time (28 days) for a change and was quite pained from cramps, predominately on the right side, a bit more than usual. I suffered about 2 hours having found some relief with tylenol and was sore, also through my lower back and very tired. Slept well and woke up feeling much better.

Allergies are beginning to bother me somewhat, especially in the morning on very humid mornings or mornings where we have slept with the air conditioner. Stuffy, dry nose, pressure behind the eyes. Intolerant of heat and humidity, somewhat more than others. Become quite lethargic, feeling heavy and somewhat slower mentally. I sometimes feel a heavy sense in the chest, not quite labored breathing, but a sense of not getting enough air. Slight headache behind eyes, predominantly left side and a bit on the right side. The pain sometimes radiates down to the ears. I have a sense of a "heavy head". This has lasted all day, whether it’s from allergies or the heat, I don’t know.

Also, I’ve been reading on the board that back problems can be very indicative of possible remedies. During my two pregnancies I suffered from a pinched sciatic nerve on the right side, lower back and through the backside and down the leg. After delivering my first child it went away to come back during my second pregnancy. After delivering my second however, it did not go away and persisted several months after to the point of having difficulty walking. I then began chiropractic treatments, intensive at first (3X/week) for a few months then gradually tapering off. Within 6 months I was going for monthly visits and did so for about 3-4 years. I haven’t been back for at least two years and my sciatic nerve doesn’t bother me. I do however, experience upper back pain from time to time, usually off center of the spine (sometimes left side too I think) but I my husband would rub my back and sometimes it would crack slightly, giving me relief. He would also press down on my sore points which would hurt at first but then would loosen up. This back pain usually flares up with stress and fatigue.

So that’s the development for this past week, I certainly appreciate any input you may have.

Lucy

Just use nm now, and report back after some days.

Dear GM,

Thanks for the remedy, I've ordered the NM 1M and should be starting it on Thursday. I need to know what to avoid when taking this remedy. Is coffee, cola, chocolate and mint OK? (Chocolate will be hard to give up, but I will if I have to) Must I restrict my salt intake and if so how much restriction is necessary? I can eliminate it from cooking and seasoning and use salt-substitutes but is salt found in cheese and processed meats a no-no? How about condiments and salad dressings or marinades. I'm not using the saline solution, so that's not a problem.

Thanks for your direction, I want to make sure I give this remedy every chance to work. I'll repost in a few days.

Many thanks,
Lucy

only salt.