I have seen to a homeopathic doctor here in France and walked away with several remedies at a low dosage 7ch. It didn’t seem to help much and I never went back because we ended up moving – yet again. But I am curious as to why he gave me several remedies at the same time and at such low doses. On this website and most of the books I’ve read the single dose remedy is sought after and much higher doses are used. Now I’m a bit confused. As a beginner to homeopathy I have read that it is better to stick to the lower doses, but if I do, how much and how often and how long do I have to take it? Lots of questions, so I thought I would be best off writing as much as I can about my case and ask for HELP!!!!

Here goes. It’s a little disjointed as I try to get as much down as possible to give you the best overall picture of myself.

I am small - 5’4” (165cm) 120 lbs, (53kilos) brown hair with slight red highlights with a few grays starting to appear. I am 44 years old. I am slim and have a very good appetite. Large dark bags under eyes. Unhealthy skin. I am a smoker who would very much like help in quitting. I am physically strong and in fairly good shape, although since this last move, about one year ago I have spent more time sitting on my rear end in front of the computer or TV and not getting as much exercise as I normally do.

I was a skinny little kid. I suppose I was what was called a sickly child (or my mother was very much a worrier). I remember seeing my file at the doctors when I was about 16 years old and it was already about 2 inches thick. Mostly ear infections I think, and plenty of antibiotics. I had warts on hands that wouldn’t go away (they were burnt off, cut out…..but kept reappearing) when I was about 12yrs. Finally my aunt took me to visit a “secret” doctor in France and they all disappeared within 3 weeks. This man just held my hands for a few seconds and that was all. Strange for a 12year old to take in.

Hardened nodes in crease at top of thighs (both sides) and the hip. No pain involved.

A Varicose vein appeared while pregnant with twins on my right leg. Not very much pain. The entire vein is not very swollen, but there are 2 spots, one above and one below the knee, on the inside, that are quite swollen. Like small nodules, soft to the touch.

I get severe outer ear infections that become grossly inflamed and sore. This almost always will happen after swimming in either ocean or a pool. Sebaceous glands become inflamed around my ears and discharge is very smelly, like old cheese. I feel my ears are dry and itchy and often find myself with cotton swab, scratching away inside ear which only aggravates any infection. I have found that putting cotton saturated in Castor oil in my ears alleviates pain and swelling, but I would like to find the remedy that will correct this so I can enjoy swimming without the fear of painful infection.

Mental: Procrastinator, generally fairly positive, can be quite jealous and suspicious. Escapist tendencies – (Novel reader, tv/film watcher, wine or beer drinker). Nervous in large social situations (better with a glass of wine). I am fairly good one on one with people but I will start to sweat if have to talk to a crowd or someone who intimidates me. Frequent difficulties in expressing myself in social situations where I do not know the people or even with close friends if the conversation has emotional connotations. I am very sensitive , perhaps overly so and I try to avoid angry confrontations. I am more of the peacemaker, but if pushed, I will vent my anger big time. I make friends relatively easily and tend to keep them for long. I have many friends from childhood that I still communicate with even though we live on different continents. I am very indecisive. Disorganized. Occasionally depressed. I am a very messy housekeeper. I feel quite insecure. ( I find this mental stuff hard to talk about - makes me feel even more inadequate. Ask me some pointed questions here and I will try to answer. )

Occasional tightness in chest. Seems to be either emotional or food related. Only for the last 6 months or so. I generally have low blood pressure.

Small occasional sharp pains in the appendix area and sometimes same type of pain on the other side but this is more rare. This symptom is relatively new, last 6 months or so.

Head: very few headaches. When they do come it is usually a dull ache. Scalp flaky but not dry. Oily hair must wash every day. Scalp has small inflammations that become itchy, I scratch and they become inflamed crusty scabs, slow in healing.

My hip occasionally seems to pop out and back in, leaving a slight pain for a short while. I think it is always the right side while walking.

Lungs: I have smoked approximately 1 pack of cigarettes a day for the last 30 years with only occasional successful breaks, the longest lasting 2 years beginning when I was pregnant. Would love to get some help to finally rid myself of this and other destructive addictions – wine and coffee amongst them. I am a very shallow breather.

Sleep: I am a deep and heavy sleeper. I sleep with my mouth open and snore occasionally. No real troubles here. Occasional dull pains in my leg as I try to get to sleep and lately I have had sharp pain on the outside edge of my big toe (left) – bizarre.


Have to pee as soon as I wake up. If I wake up in the middle of the night (or even 2 hours after falling asleep) I have to get up in order to pee. It is not that I am being awakened by a need to pee, but that as I wake it becomes a real need.

I had malaria 4 times in the last 3 years.

Very light menses only lasting a few days (this I like but I am sure it is not normal). Bartholin gland inflamed once years ago, I applied reiki and it diminished but it has never completely receded and tends to get enlarged again (no pain) when I become more sexually active than normal.

Skin: pimples, boils, cysts and abscesses (all seem the same to me just varying in size depth and duration). Worse when I ovulate. They take a long time to heal. Seems like all the poisons in my body (and there are a lot) are coming out of my skin in the form of pus. The pus generally smells bad, like camembert cheese. Particularly from the cysts that have appeared regularly behind and around my ears for 20 years.

I get sores on my upper arms during the hot summer months. Initially they feel like small pimples but they have very hard white nodules that are rooted deep inside. If I squeeze it, it does not come out completely, becomes infected crust like scab that takes a long time to heal particularly since I cannot seem to avoid picking at them.

I can not seem to be able to stop picking at all the irregularities that come out on my skin. Therefore obviously have a lot of scarring.

I also had a cyst on my tailbone about 20 years ago that was operated on twice. Better since, though it still becomes slightly inflamed occasionally but not too bothersome.

Liver spot on my right hand that comes and goes. Worse when all my other symptoms are bad. Goes away when I am feeling good, physically and mentally.

Front teeth sore, like pressure on them, feels better when I put pressure on with my tongue.

I have had a wart on the bottom of my right foot for the last 3 years. Treated it with garlic, essential oil ….etc. but no success in completely eliminating it. It gets smaller then enlarges again. This wart appeared after I had several vaccinations before moving to Africa. Could be possible cause??

Cold sore on lip occasionally, especially when stressed. I also have this thing that happens occasionally on the inside flap or my nose that I also think could be herpes – but maybe not.

Many pimples are deep and sore especially when ovulating. Then they take so long to heal that my face is just starting to look okay and I start ovulating again and more zits. They can appear on my face, back of neck, shoulders, back &/or butt.

Scratching inside throat always same place, left side half way down, causing coughing, worse at night just as I am trying to sleep.

My jaw cracks while chewing. No pain involved.
My ankles crack when walking. I can’t sneak up on anyone.

I now have quite a few dark coarse hairs growing on my chin. I pluck them out but have noticed that recently, in the last year, that they are increasing quite rapidly.

Most of symptoms are worse in moist heat.

This is all I can think of for now. Please let me know if you need more information.

What I really want help with immediately is the skin troubles, the procrastination and releasing my bad habits (smoking, wine consumption – esp. since moving to France where smoking and drinking wine is accepted behavior.).

By the way, this site is fantastic

I have learnt much already. Thank you!!!!

HI,

You could probably tell us a little more about your likes and dislikes in food, perspiration distributions, Thermal state.

With regard to your mental symptoms, you culd elaborate on the above:
What situations make you jealous and suspicious?
What is it about social situations that intimidates you?
Are you reserved or an open person in relationships? Why?
You are sensitive and a peacemaker. COuld you explain that with an example?
What are you priorities in life/

Warm regards,
dcotorleela

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http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Hi Doctor Leela,

Thank you for your response. In answer to your questions:

I enjoy eating most foods. The only thing I seem to have an aversion to is apples, and it is not that I don’t like them, I just find it difficult to eat an entire raw apple. It doesn’t sit well in my stomach. No nausea, pain or anything, I just don’t feel good as I’m eating the apple. I enjoy a variety of foods, hot and spicy, savory, raw vegetables ….. I don’t have a strong sweet tooth. I will occasionally have dessert but I am much more inclined to snack on salty foods and cheese than on chocolate or sweets. I like fruit but don’t seem to be inclined to eat it when it is around. I usually go for the cheese and bread. I usually don’t eat anything until late morning or sometimes noon. Before that it is just my morning coffee.

I don’t perspire a great deal unless doing strenuous work, in excessive heat or in stressfull situations. I think I have a normal thermal state – not usually too hot or cold. Though my feet and hands are often cold even if I feel quite warm.

My husband works out of country and if I feel that he isn’t giving me enough attention when he returns I may start to feel jealous and suspicious. Juvenile behavior I know, but at times I can’t help it even though I know that my husband is faithful and loyal.
I can also feel jealous of those that I perceive to be better than me (ie: beautiful, intelligent, good career, ………)

I’m not sure about the intimidation…..it could be that I feel inferior and don’t want to appear stupid….insecure….

I think I am a very open person in relationships. I speak of my personal philosophy and experiences in life and if it seems resonates with the other person then we become quite good friends with an open relationship where we talk about all sorts of things that we perhaps wouldn’t speak of to others. If my view of life does not resonate with the other person then we never become more than just acquaintances. Is this not fairly normal in relationships? I have very few casual acquaintances. Either people become good friends or we loose touch completely. I guess I feel that either people accept me as I am or not at all. I think I am very honest and that sometimes offends others (and I am perhaps a bit tactless).

I don’t like disharmony. When family members argue I try to smooth things out and reason with both parties.

My Priorities in Life? Good question. How to answer…….I suppose my children and their wellbeing, my husband, my marriage. I think my priorities always tend to be others. I don’t know. I’m feeling rather old these days and my memory is not what it was. I would love to seriously study homeopathy now that my children are older but am unsure if I can do it. Also living in a country where all my dealings are in a foreign language can be quite stressful…….I think I am now rambling on. I will definitely have to give more thought to my priorities, if not for you, for myself.

I hope the above information helps, Thanks again Dr Leela,

Gini

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Gini

Hi Dr. Leela,

I forgot to answer about being sensitive. I cry at the drop of a hat. I cry when watching movies (sad and happy parts), reading books. I can be very sensitive to critisism. I seem to cry alot in difficult situations - when having an argument with my child or husband.

Does that help?

Thanks and warm regards,
Gini

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Gini

My overall impression Gini, is that Silica (30 or 200) would be a very good remedy for you.

I would only wonder if you needed Calc Silicata, esp since you cannot handle conflicts too well. Otherwise Mag Silicata, since you are able to "Smooth things out" easily.

Warm regards,
dcotorleela

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http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Mag-sil is an interesting idea. I was thinking of Mag-phos, with all the issues about communication.

But I think the main remedy that pops up here is Pulsatilla - soft, timid, jealous, insecure, cries easily, < hot weather, craves attention, focussed on the well-being of husband and children, craves cheese, craves bread, < apples, timid, aversion to disharmony and quarrels, < in company of strangers but better with people she knows, indecisive. Silicea suits many of the physical complaints, so I guess would act as the complementary.

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David Kempson.<br />Dip.Homoeopathic Medicine.<br />Lecturer Australian College of Natural Therapies (Brisbane Campus)<br />Member AHA, AROH, HMA<br />Member Australian Homoeopathic Association. Member#0442.

Hi Dr Leela and David Kempson,

Thank you both for your advice. I had looked at both Silica and Pulsatilla and they both seemed to fit. Are they complementary? Can I take them both at the same time? Is there anything else that I could tell you about myself that would determine which remedy would be the constitutional? I'm off now to find both Silica and Pulsatilla in 30 and/or 200.

I also tried to find information on Mag Sil but was unable to find any. Can you advise where on the internet I might find info on Mag sil. I found mag sul no problem but doesnt seem to fit well to me. The calc sil is also a remedy that I had been looking at as it seems to fit quite well. I will also pick it up today. Please advise which I should take first, how many pills, how long to wait etc. before taking other. Thank you so much for your time, advise and patience. Warm regards,
Gini

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Gini

Dear Gini,

Only Scholton gives any information on Mag Sil. Ordering this remedy may have to be done Online. But its more important to take the one remedy that fits than try many that seem to. Don't take Puls and Sil together, and the indications will be different. Best to differentiate on the physicals.

I don't think you should buy all remedies though! Just Silica and Puls is enough.

I think you should take a dose of Sil 200 and wait for at least 2 weeks on it, you may not even need to repeat for more than a month. Most of your physical symptoms indicate Silica (as your mentals do). It is improtant to be guided, as over doasge can cause problems, and taking an unindicated remedy may distort things!

Warm regards,
doctorleela

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http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Hello Dr Leela,

Thank you for the advise. I will not be able to obtain silica 200 until sometime next week. I was able to get 30 and have taken one dose. I'll let you know how the weekend goes and perhaps you can advise me next week if I should take a dose of the 200 as well. Thanks again
Gini

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Gini

Hi All, I found a unicist homeopath here in France and saw him for the first time yesterday. I'm not sure how I feel about it. The appointment lasted about one hour, interrupted by several phone calls. We spoke French and I think I was able to communicate well, but on my way home I felt I hadnt had the time to tell him all the things that were bothering me. Perhaps he felt I had given him enough info and those pecularities (that point to the one remedy) that he was confident in giving me the remedy after such a short visit. From what I have read on this BB most first visits are closer to 2 hours, with many questions asked that he did not ask. He did give me about 30 globuls of undisclosed remedy at 1M potency. He told me to take all the globuls at one time and call him in about 3-4 weeks. I took them yesterday.
Is it normal to take so many globuls at one time? I thought it would be somewhere between perhaps 3-10 globuls. I understand that not disclosing remedy to the patient is quite common but I feel a little anxious now. What if he has given me the incorrect remedy? Will this complicate my case? How do I know if it is acting well for me if I dont know what it is? What type of response should I be looking for? I also understand that at high potency like 1M there could be strong aggravations? How do I know if the aggravation is normal? At what point in the aggravation do I say this is too much. Any advice here would be helpful. I am not yet feeling the effects of the remedy, but would like to be prepared should i get intense aggravation.
He said he would let me know what the remedy was when we knew if it was the correct one. If it is not the correct one, it would seem to me that I should also know what it is, for future reference.
I have also read that most of us have several layers. If for instance I have 4 layers, and the remedy chosen was the 2nd layer, what happens to the 3rd and 4th layer? .......Or if he is very good and managed to pin point my initial (the one I was born with) constitutional (perhaps I have not understood at all yet - excuse me if I havent) what happens to the other layers. Do they just dissolve or ...... I am very confused
Thanks for any advise you can pass on. I do not want to get into the situation where my case is unduly complicated (as I have read about here on this BB) by high doses of incorrect remedy and want to know what to look out for if that is the case. Thanks.

[ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: ginimas ]</p>

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Gini