I have been following this thread, and probably out in left field - but after reading Snoopy's post and the discussion about obstinacy something else came to my mind - and I don't want to be rude to Sam but
how about self centeredness and/or egocentric remedy?

Dear Sam,

Sorry this is taking so long! I was sick all day yesterday with a headache (it could happen!) and got nothing done, spent all day Monday reading your case, will try to comment tomorrow.

Take care,
Snoopy

The most difficult thing about taking cases over a BB is no opportunity for observation. So even if a patient is egotistical is it in a childish way or excessicve to try and show they are hiding weaknesses and do so in a defensive way or that they truly feel they are superior. usually if it is about being superior they do not have panic attacks and are fearless and aggressive and depending on what drives it or how they feel when showing they are egotistical, is often what matters the most. Point is, the net effect of a symptom is often more important than the symptom itself as it shows the excessive energy use more than the initial symptom and should be given more consideration.

Just like the weeping of pulsatilla is different then the weeping of caust, nat-m and ignatia but they may all be in the same general rubric so you must further understand the symptom to differentitate remedies and this is hard to do from written symptoms. Of course you can ask and should about the quality of weeping.

Snoopy,

Hope you feel better!
JO

Dear Sam,

There's no question but that you improved on Thuja. I have made horrible mistakes leaving remedies that worked because something else looked better on paper! You say that maybe you've plateaued and and the case has slowed down; in that case, Thuja LM/3 might be a next logical step.

I turned to HAHNEMANN REVISITED, a modern homeopathic text book that walks you through everything, and looked up what it said under
"Time for the second prescription", and here's what it says:

"When it is clear that the present remedy has done all it can (in increasing potencies)...then the time is right for the next prescription. Often the next remedy will be the complement...
'remedies that follow well'....Another possibility is that a new layer has come up...in this case the 2 remedies will not necessarily be related. The last appearing symptom will be the guide to the next remedy. Under the action of your first prescription, old symptoms reappear....(Remember that as long as old symptoms resurface and disappear for good, no new remedy must be considered.) Finally a new symptom appears, not an old symptom on its way to final departure. It is even an error to think of a new prescription when the symptom picture is changing: you must wait for permanency or firmness in the symptom picture before making a prescription. ... So often I have seen beginners choose the first remedy correctly, then lose the thread of the case by changing to a new remedy because of a 'new picture'."

Sam, I think there is wisdom in this paragraph for you. Let's watch this return of old symptoms that you've had. Let's see if it's permanent or fleeting. Let's see if you continue to improve or if the improvement slows down.

Snoopy