Hello, everybody!

I decided to post on this site because of my little Girl, Annabelle, who will be 9 months on the 21st. At the age of 5 months, she was diagnosed to have a constitutional eczema (other doctors called it infant eczema ot atopic dermatitis, but I think that boils down to the same thing).

Shortly after that diagnosis, a friend of mine recommmended homeopathy as a treatment "from the inside out". We started that with a local homeopath who administered Calcarea carbonica 12D 2 x 3 glob./d alternating every four weeks with a single dose of Tuberculinum 200D 5 glob.. That did not work out, so that the ND increased the potency of Calcarea to 30C 3 glob./d after 5 weeks of treatment. The rash seemed to get better (but not in the correct Hering order, that is to say, not from the head downwards, from the inside out or from actual complaints to former ones), but the itching grew worse - or perhaps she only learned how to scratch and rub herself? - so that the ND administered Sulfur 6D 3 x 3 glob. together with the Calc., which did not work.

I have read quite a lot about homeopathy up to this day and came to the conclusion that what has been done here was not exactly quackery, but not far from it. I am especially angry about the schematic dosage of Calcarea 30c daily for quite a long time (without major improvement) and about the combination Calc./Sulf. which, as far as I know now, is a contradiction in itself.

Shortly before christmas, my daughter's history was taken again (which had not been done properly before), and the ND changed from Calc. to Lycopodium 12D. That did not change a single thing, only her rash got worse over christmas an New Year's eve due to teething.

I am really desperate at the moment, sleepless and nervous myself, because Annabelle does not sleep at night (she wakes up 6 - 10 times a night and can only be calmed down by breastfeeding). She normally is a happy, friendly, very sociable and peaceful baby, but now she is getting more and more restless (not only at night, but also during daytime), irritated and "difficult to handle", almost as if she also became hyperactive, now.

I feel very guilty because I do not use any corticosteroids up to now (she has only been treated once with that in the beginning, I stopped that after two days), and she suffers so terribly! I have tried Fenistil (anti-histamine) occasionally, but that does not work for her, the effect only lasts for 1 1/2 hours, then the itching is back again.

So, that is our long story up to now. I know that the experts on this site need detailed information about all the modalities of her disease in order to make a suggestion, but what I wanted to ask first of all: How many chances are there that my baby can be helped/cured by homeopathy? Does anybody here have experiences in those cases? How long do we have to wait until we see results? I know that we have to be patient and cannot expect "instant" solutions, but it's so terribly difficult at the moment!

I have decided to change my homeopath and have an appointment tomorrow morning, but I think I need some moral support right now...
Sorry to be that hysteric, but it's really awful to see your little one suffer...

Greetings

Mottemama

Bless your heart, Mottemama,

Yes, Homeopathy can CURE this. I was pleased to see your intuitive reticence to give your baby steroids! Steriods cause so many problems!!

There are many cases that have been cured - much like your daughters, but remember every case is individual, so to answer your question about how long it takes....that simply depends on how accurate the prescribing, and she will cure/better at her own rate.

Do go and see your new Homeopath, and give the case of your baby. Make sure to tell her state prior to Homeopathic treatment - and her progress or lack of it after Homeopathic treatment.

Then, see how you feel - and let the Homeopath know you understand, somewhat about Hering's Law of Cure - and watch how it goes, so you can assess - and ASK QUESTIONS if something doesn't seem right (and you can even post those questions here, if you need to).

One note: Please don't give her any anti-histamines - those can be just as suppressive as steriods and creams that are used to control the itch. Try to note what gives ANY relief to her discomfort and make sure to tell your new Homeopath.
Also, make sure the new Homeopath practises according to the Classical Priniciples - ONE dose and wait method - and ONE remedy at a time - and see if s/he has enough patience to WAIT for the duration of the particular remedy...it does take patience...as our bodies are stimulated to heal - and they each have their own time-table.

I hope you have an encouraging appointment when you go tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.

All the best and hang in there!! This can and will be cured!
Lisa

PS - has she been vaccinated? Just curious - as this is often cause for many problems - can be a factor...make sure to tell your Homeopath which ones and when

[This message has been edited by Lisa~Annan (edited 10 January 2001).]

Hello there,
U ask about the chances, I say 100 percent. How long should it take. I think atleast 3 months for complete cure. But the benefit should be evident within 15 days of administering the right medicine. Please don't give steroids, U will make it all the more difficult for any homeopath to help your daughter. Wishing U and your daughter health.
dr B.

Hi,
Just wanted to give you some support. Both my daughter have eczema. The eldest started mild eczema at 21 months which really flared up and became uncontrolled after we took her to a local homeopath for her ear infections. We were not too happy with the results and that was when I found this bb and started frequenting this place. Few months back GM started helping me and her eczema is much better, I can see the scars going away slowly. GM also suggested use of vitamin D and that has made a great difference.
My younger daughter who is now 7 months started showing signs of eczema at 1 month. It started off with extreme baby acne (or was it eczema) which they wanted me to use hydrocortisone ointment, thankfully I came here and GM suggested Tub and the rash disappeared in 2 days. She has been given the usual vaccinations and that might have triggered it. She is not completely cured, but we are getting there. I was concentrating more on her spitting up problem and now she is outgrown/cured of that.
Anyway, just wanted to tell you that homeopathy can really help with this.
Sarah

Hello, guys!

Thank you so much for your answers and your support - you really raised my spirits!

Of course I will tell you everything about my appointment tomorrow...

To Lisa: Yes, she has been vaccinated twice at the age of 3 months and 4 1/2 (DKTP/Hib); since she developped a badly inflamed eczema on her neck ten days after the 2nd one, I did not let her have the third. I do think that there is some connection - even though my pediatrician refused that thought and called me "irresponsible". A typical case of allopathic narrow-mindedness, I would say. So, Lisa, do you think one should antidote the vaccinations before starting a constitutional treatment? I read something about the "post-vaccination syndrome" on Titus Smits' homepage and found his approach quite interesting - even though it does not seem classically homeopathic to me, at least not in Hahnemann's sense. As far as I remember, he (Hahnemann) emphasized that illnesses should not be cured by a remedy exactly "like" it, but only by a "similar" one, didn't he?

To Sara: Thank you for your "case report". I do not know if I would choose an "on-line" treatment with GM as you did it (I find that a bit too unpersonal), but I really think he is a gifted homeopath (and an interesting personality, too !!!). Good luck and health for you and your little ones!

Greetings

Mottemama

Hi,
Just a note. I was not trying to push GM on you. I just wanted to let you know that there is a cure. Dr. Bhatia actually covered that. I included GM's name in my post just to give credit where it was due. In fact I'm grateful to many members of this board. I obviously can't name everyone so I just specified the one who helped me most. I just wanted to let you know that there is hope even after a wrong treatment has been given. I found this board very helpful, not just for consultation, but to see homeopathy in action. I have come here with many questions and have always got people willing to help and give support.
Best wishes to you and your baby
Sarah

Hi Mottemama,
I'm only a student still, just so you know .

Hahnemann and others thought it was very important to consider the risks involved with vaccines. Kent didn't seem to be totally against them, but he warned of dangers from some of them.

I would stay away from the MMR vaccine as well.

I don't know if it is good to be of ONE mind in the approach to 'undo' the damage that vaccines have caused. I think it is an important factor in any case - to know which ones were given and what symptoms arose after them. I also think it is important that your Homeopath just looks at the totality of her symptoms - considers her short history and your family history as well, and then proceeds on her presenting symptoms.


Please heed what I said about suppressing her symptoms tho, because this could clutter her case - and possibly mislead the Homeopath or at the very least, make it harder for him/her to select the most similar rememdy for your baby.

Nevermind what that doctor told you - Geez, she all of a sudden had problems within 10 days? THAT is pretty telling, don't you think??

It is odd to me how the 'scientific community' continues to deny all the cases where these reactions have been reported by ever-so-watchful mums!

Anyhow, do go to your new Homeopath and see how comfortable you are with him/her....and try to be as objective as possible - but ask the questions that you need answer to - cuz this is important (in my opinion) to establish a good working relationship from the first appointment.

And yes, I agree with your comment about Hahnemann saying we are to find the most similar remedy - not the exact same. So, I would tend to stick with the Classical Approach as it is proven to be effective and safe .

Take care..and do let us know how it goes tomorrow ..good luck.
Lisa

When I was a homeopathic student and sat in on clinical cases the very experienced homeopath suggested to the parents with the eczema baby to bandage her up from head to toe at night to stop the scratching. They were to put a layer of E45 - a bland moisturising cream - on the skin first and with the bandages it keep the eczema cool.
Just a thought.

That sounds like a fantastic idea, Ricky!

What kind of cream, though? I guess one would have to be careful about it in case of sensitivity? Any suggestion which cream would be safe?? And not also end up causing suppression?

Just questions that popped into my mind .
Lisa

E45 was the one that was discussed at the clinic but as Anna suggests that since then there have been a lot of new plant based ones out. It is best to get a sample sachet first to check that it doesn't burn. I have know SOS a new plant based cream burn on a patient. At least E45 does nothing and is not supressive. Have you any ideas for a cream Anna?