Hello all,

I just have a simple (or is it complicated?) question. How long does it take to arrive at a remedy that will help you?

I ask because I'm arriving at a desperation point. I've been seeing a homeopath (off and on) for more than 7 years now. According to my ND it takes a min of 10 hours to get to know a patient and root out the needed remedy. But of course, no one can spend 10 hours with a ND! Anyway, I estimate that I've spent more than 25 hours (stretched over that time) with this homeopath.

As well, it may help to know that this ND has also been treating other family members (so he is aware of extra info) and that at one point, several years ago, out of what I can only think was sheer frustration, he told me that he wouldn't be able to help me and that I should seek another homeopath. I was very heartbroken because I guess I had always hoped that homeopathy and this specific ND would be able to help me - and I guess I still do. Anyway, I went back to him several years later and he informed me that he had undergone a lot of growth and maturation and we plowed right back in again. My latest remedies have been Conium (no real effect that I can remember) and Calcarea Silicata 200 (just a few days ago), if that helps at all.

Anyway, at which point should I draw a line in seeking another avenue or another homeopath? Is it normal for homeopathy to take so long? Or am I just really screwed up?

Thanks for your input.

This is always a difficult question.
IN situations when there isn't ONE remedy taht is going to cure, we always ahve the option of going one step at a time, curing the most obvious picture and then moving to a deeper expression as it manifests.

I do not thing 10 hours is necessary to find a remedy. Taking a focussed and complete history is more necessary.

There ae 2 recourses in situations like this - see a homeopath who uses a different approach (as in prescrinbing indicated remedies step by step) or see someone who uses a completely novel way of finding a remedy.

Usually a versatilve homeopath would be ready to try both options.

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http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Hi Ruffles,
It's not your fault someone doesn't know what remedy to give.
Natropaths are not homeopaths, IMO they should leave homeopathic prescriptions alone. I've had treatment from an ND, with good results, but not homeopathic remedies.
If a remedy is taken you can usually see some change ranging from instant to within a few days to a month. A properly selected remedy will boost your emotional/physical levels so that you can tell something has happend for the better.
If it happens to be the wrong one then nothing will have an effect, or you will feel depressed, at which time an antidote or a proper case should be taken again.
Hope this helps.
Regards

Leela,

Thank you for your help. I think the homeopath that I'm seeing does subscribe to the school of thought that there is that ONE remedy that will unlock everything. Atleast this is what I gather from the feedback I've gotten so far. Yet, I don't officially know what style they have adopted. To be honest the whole session is 95% me talking and then at the end I'm given a prescription.

At the same time, I do know that this homeopath helped me with a problem, albeit not THE problem. I was simply astounded when this problem went away. It was actually a few days that I hadn't noticed it and then I was simply elated to discover that it was gone. I don't know if this is what you mean by the step by step approach or not. But I have to confess that when this happened, not only did it renew hope within me that perhaps everything could be taken care of, but it also gave me hope that this homeopath would be the one to do so.

Does homeopathy help everyone? and does it then simpy depend on the homeopath that one is consulting? or is it something that is of use for some and not for others?

Can I ask, what do you mean by "Taking a focussed and complete history is more necessary"?


Parachute,

My mistake. Without meaning to I equated ND to homeopath. I'm not seeing a ND but a homeopathic doctor. Thanks for the chance to clarify.

There are some people who cannot be helped (adequately) with homeopathy for various reasons.
They are on too many prescription drugs, they have had therapies in the past that have caused mechainical blocks (eg: mercury fillings, electroconvulsive treatment, etc). they may be taking therapies that block the action of homeopathic remedies - various herbs, or even Ayurvedic treatment. Many of these remedies are made along with camphor or other substances that counteract the subtle effect of the homeophatic remedy.
There are some who are just not ready to tolerate or be committed through the process with its ups and downs. Especially if they usually have a fixed and unchangeable allopathic mindset about disease cannot be overcome(prejudice).

A Partially indicated remedy can help a specific complaint. This is the way many homeopaths unfortunately practice knowingly. It has its place but as you know it does not "cure' in the longterm
You homeopath, though, thought he was giving you a similimum - but it wasn't - based on the response. Possibly you needed a salt of that remedy or a related remedy as a similimum.

A step by step approach does not require so much of digging for a history. But it requires a complete history in terms of the chief complaint and related mental and physical generals. The indicated remedy moves the case forward to the next picture in the RIGHT direction according to HEring's law of cure and Miasmatically. When the new picture is thrown up, the remedy similimum for that (next) picture is then prescribed.

Assuming that every case requires a single remedy (only one similimum) is actually creating a homeopathic handicap, because to find that elusive remedy means we are not able to help people like you where the (ten hour long) history taking does not elicit such a remedy! There are a group of people - many just 25% who would require just one remedy.
Life today has become very complicated, with urban life and with a lot of unnecessary medical intervention and therpaies available that can create complications in treatment.

__________________
http://www.homeopathy2health.com

dear ruffles,

you have an interesting question but your situation is not uncommon. it is just that you are aware of your situation whereas many may not be.

as far as seeking answers from others is concerned (seeing things from your/ patient viewpoint and not mine / homeopath's viewpoint)- you will find 2 things;- a) different people and different opinions. so how do you know which one is right? you have already gone through a 7 year experience...
b) In general one may recommend that you change your homeopath but then how do you decide whether the other is better than the previous one?
the next homeopath may have a lot of theoretical answers/explanation to give about your question or on the issue of one remedy / step by step appraoch etc. or may give you other views and theories....how will that help you? you want relief and that's all. isn't it ?

I have a simple solution for you. you may change your homeopath (if you are not satisfied) and as far as your question is concerned, I would suggest that you read the book "the science of homeopathy" by george vithoulkas. you will get perfect answers from an expert world renowned homeopath.

then the rest will fall in place.

dr manish agarwala

Can certainly relate to this problem!

Please could you tell us more about the type of "people who cannot be helped" and the possible underlying reasons for this? Like Ruffles, I find it very difficult to know what to expect and what it's reasonable to hope for (after nearly 4 years with homeopathy). I know that homeopathy is working for me; I clearly respond to the remedies so know that I'm not antidoting them (if that's possible with "well chosen" remedies). I feel better in myself and have homeopathy to thank for that but somehow a physical cure eludes me. Homeopathy seems to be working around my main physical complaint!

Must confess that I do still have 2 mercury fillings (3 removed a couple of years ago, intend to have the others removed asap) - but how can I possibly tell whether it's this, or something else, which may be affecting me? Would it constitute a permanent block or just a temporary delay to a physical cure? I sometimes feel I need a checklist as there must be something I'm overlooking.

I read "The Science of Homeopathy" some time ago (must retrieve it from my sister's!), and this did increase my sense of hope and optimism. Couldn't quite place my own case in reference to this though - maybe it's just too hard to accept I could be incurable, but also I just didn't really seem to fit into any of the graphs at the back and at no time did I get the impression he was talking about someone like me. I remember feeling convinced at the time about the approach, but since then, as a result of my own experiences, I really feel that things can be just so "hitty-missy" with homeopathy. Kind of an ongoing experiment in which I make gradual improvements but never hit the jackpot. Perhaps I need to re-read this book.

Recently read an interesting article in "The Independent" regarding homeopathy, in which they quoted a doctor from the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital as saying that homeopathy, whilst very useful, can't help everyone (not a direct quote, that, just the bit that sticks in my mind). He referred in particular to high blood pressure and genetic disorders. Bit of a double blow for someone like me!

One thing though, I'm determined to stick with homeopathy as it sometimes seems to be the only thing which has fundamentally affected my outlook and changed my approach to life. I cannot tell how far it will take me but I know it's worth pursuing. It's just so surprising to stumble across homeopathy, having first experienced a number of much more superficial approaches to healthcare.

And also, d'ya know what? A big part of me just doesn't believe the doc from the RLHH! I can feel changes within me that I believe to be positive and permanent. I'm just waiting for the physical reality to catch up! Hopefully Ruffles & I will one day be posting on the "cured cases" board!

HI JEnnilee,
I was trying to find a case that Vijaykar had treated with a heriditary heart problems and how the homeopathic remedy helps in compromising with the (incurable) problem to allow a near normal lifestyle. But for some reason, I can't find it! I'll post it as soon as I do. It will give you some perspective for your homeopathic journey.
You're faith in homeopathy will pay off.
D.r Leela

__________________
http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Thanks Dr Leela,

Any case histories regarding hereditary problems would be really interesting for me. I keep going with homeopathy simply because I can feel myself changing, from the inside out, into a more well balanced human being. Sometimes, though, out of sheer frustration, I can't help wondering whether it is actually possible to relieve the symptoms of a genetic disorder as I seem to have made little or no progress physically.

My first homeopath did advise that it should be possible, in the case of my two young sons, to treat them homeopathically so that symptoms of the late onset disorder (as you might remember, PKD) I might have passed on to them will never materialise. I would be overjoyed to find that this is the case but have so far been unable to find any instances of any PKD families who have had success with this (or who have even tried). That's not to say they don't exist, though, & I do think that many factors other than genetics are at play in a disorder like this. The fact the PKD symptoms are extremely variable both in the general PKD population and even within families would suggest that the individual's susceptibility plays a large role. Some individuals are severely affected early in childhood, many become symptomatic during their middle years, but some live out their entire lives with few symptoms. I'm hoping that more PKD patients can be helped, through homeopathy, to move towards the latter category.

I think one of the stumbling blocks might be my own expectations, which are (of course, given my typical UK education & background!) really based on the promises of allopathic medicine (which now seem rather hollow to me). When I started on this "homeopathic journey" I didn't actually realise that I'd shaken loose from my moorings at all, much less that I had embarked upon something that might last for years and alter the entire course of my life. I find this journey extremely rewarding and fascinating but, as very little has happened physically, I'm not really in a strong position to argue my case with my family, my consultant (whom I see less & less) and all of the other PKD patients on my support group. Which I think is a great shame...

To Ruffles and jennileeMy suggestion is to change to another homeopath,as many have said on this subject already. A different homeopath can have a change of outlook a new way of looking at the problem from a clean slate. (it's like an artist working on a painting way too long,needs to put it down and walk away to clear the mind comming back much later) I do the same within my own cases,the initial casetaking is done all notes on board so i dont elliminate key thoughts,then i take a walk,or meditate just to clear my mind from the bombardment of input.
Each homeopath has different knowledge,expierence yet practicing the same "homeopathy'.
From what i have seen so far in my practice i have only come up with one incident that perhaps homeopathy can not help that is my post here on this forum regards 'snakevenom bites'. So far no reply from firsthand expierence treating cobra venom bites with the use of homeopathic remedies,many suggestions but no actual on site firsthand expierence and in this case it's a matter of life or death you only have a few hours to do something quickly.
To have someones life in your hands in this critical moment we as homeopaths cannot afford to 'try this and try that''.........it HAS to work the first time.
Regards a chronic ailment as many patients have a steady on going process of removal of disease layers is needed this all takes a long time.
Gina TYler