|
Case of
post-herpetic neuralgia
This is the case of Ms. A.P (Patient Ref. No. L-6947) a 15 years old female who had
complaints of burning pain in the right side of the
abdomen since 1 month. The pain had initially started on
the right side and later involved the left side too. There
was extension of the pain to the back also. There was no
visible rash on the skin. She had received chicken pox
vaccine some time back and thereafter there was history of
contact with a cousin who was suffering from chicken pox.
After this she started getting excruciating pain in the
abdomen, which would be worse in the morning and in the
evening. Touching the affected part or pressure on it
would also worsen the pain. The pain would be relieved
temporarily by application of ice on the affected part.
The condition had been diagnosed as (?) Post-herpetic
neuralgia and she had been put on Gabapentin and
Carbamazepine by her treating physician.
Homoeopathic approach of the case:
This is the case of suppression of the chicken pox rash
which later on presented as neuralgic pains due to the
affection of the deeper tissues (nerves). Since the
disease could not express itself at the superficial level
of the skin, it traveled deeper to affect the nerves.
Although she was put on the conventional medicines used to
treat post-herpetic neuralgia, she did not have much
relief from the pain.
What next?
The patient was started on homoeopathic medicines named
Capsicum and Rhododendron for the
control of the neuralgic pain. She also required doses of
another remedy called Rhus Toxicodendron in between. At the end of 3 weeks from
the date of commencement of the treatment, the parents
reported that she was doing much better with the
homoeopathic treatment. Her pain was almost gone in this
span of time and she was doing much better in general.
What is achieved in the end?
This case is an example of how homoeopathy can be of great
help in those cases where the conventional medicines fail
to offer effective pain control especially in cases of
neuralgic pains. Even in those cases which have an unusual
presentation (such as in this case), homoeopathy can come
to the rescue of the patients and can offer significant
relief from the symptoms.
Remark: The remedy prescribed in this case is
patient-specific i.e. it has been prescribed based on the
symptoms specific to the patient at that point of time. It
is advisable that the patient does not indulge in any
self-medication. |
