Cerium oxydatum: Chronic polyarthritis
(Psoriatic arthritis)

The patient is a 53-year-old man. He first came to the clinic in November 2004 to be treated for chronic polyarthritis: he has had psoriasis since the age of thirteen. He works as an organisational consultant. Later he studied piano: "my childhood dream". Shortly before his final examination at the conservatoire he developed joint inflammation: the small joints of the right hand and wrist, both ankles and the right knee were affected. Several nails on both hands were also involved. His rheumatologist wanted to prescribe methotrexate.

He also sought help through orthomolecular medicine and follows a strict diet (no meat, no sugar, no wine and no wheat products, lots of brown rice); he also takes dietary supplements.

As a child his mother felt that something was not right with him. "She expected me to be happy and grateful, as a child should be. When I was angry or sad she felt she was not a good mother, so that was not allowed...!" His mother died some years ago, and that reopened old wounds. He was an only child; he was very jealous and would not let other children play with his toys. He is now ashamed of his shadow side, the part of him that is jealous and feels unfairly treated.

He has depressive phases. "I don't know what I want." Sometimes he can become very angry and react completely out of proportion. He has two sons; the younger has congenital malformations and has already undergone three operations. Because of this son's problematic physical and emotional development he and his wife have invested a lot of energy.

Food and drink:

Cravings: Indian food (3), curry (3), coriander (3), fish and meat (3).

Aversion: chicory, Brussels sprouts, endive (all three in his youth).

He is extremely thirsty. He loves red wine and likes both very hot and very cold drinks.

His stool is normal.

As a child he had poor appetite and constipation, which he later sees as opposition to his mother ("I wanted to retain my independence.").

Sleep: He sleeps on his stomach. He usually sleeps lightly and wakes early (between 5:30 and 6:00). He has recurring dreams of losing his clothes and finding himself naked in public.

Music: He loves classical music, especially Chopin and Schubert. He has a preference for romantic music: "I play passionately". Music can move him to tears.

Colour preference: Royal blue.

Analysis and follow-up:

It is important that the arthritis began shortly before his conservatoire examination: this fits with stage 9 ("nearly achieving something") of the Silver series (the series of art and creativity).

Prescription: Rhodium 200 K.

Follow-up after 7 weeks: He has more energy and can play the piano for 3 hours daily without difficulty. The joint pains are 90% improved, and he feels emotionally better.

After a few doses of Rhodium MK the joint pains dramatically subsided, and he wants to look for a job in another office.
When asked about his basic feeling in life he says: "I have the feeling of not being of this world." Sometimes he does not understand what human contacts are supposed to mean and feels as if he is under a glass bell jar. This is an old feeling from his childhood.

Second prescription: Cerium oxydatum MK.
Cerium corresponds to the feeling of being in a glass bell jar and looking out at the world. Chronic polyarthritis is an autoimmune disease, and that is a strong indication for prescribing a lanthanide. The oxydatum component relates to his childhood feeling of being treated unfairly.

Follow-ups:
After 7 weeks: He was on holiday in an American city where he felt ridiculed and humiliated by a passer-by. Afterwards he wept for half an hour, which he experienced as a kind of catharsis. His joint pains are much better, and he has composed his first piece of music. The remedy was repeated in the MK.

After 8 weeks: He visited the rheumatologist again, who to his surprise could no longer detect signs of disease on the X-ray. He is re-evaluating his life, and his application for a position in a new organisational consultancy was successful. He is increasingly being asked to give more concerts.

"Through homeopathy I have gained much more energy and self-confidence and feel emotionally much better. I feel more autonomous and no longer feel unfairly treated."

Photos: Lesen und Klavierspielen.com
Categories: Cases
Keywords: Psoriatic arthritis, feeling as if in a glass bell jar, feeling outside the world, feeling unfairly treated, love of classical music
Remedy:Cerium oxydatum