A 60‑year‑old man presented for treatment of renal failure after a kidney transplant, following one year on dialysis. A biopsy showed that two years later he was still exhibiting signs of rejection of the transplanted kidney, which is longer than normal. He is taking a maintenance dose of prednisolone and complains of side effects: thinning skin, raised blood pressure (180/100), ankle oedema and mild headaches. He also feels restless and tense.
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Years ago he wanted to leave the big city for the countryside to escape the hustle and bustle, as he does not feel at home in the world of commerce, consumption and bureaucracy. He works in social services and is very environmentally conscious. |
"I get so angry at these bureaucrats! Far too little importance is attached to inner human values!" His illness has unsettled him: "I cannot let go of the old fears, they haunt me. A dark cloud is always hanging over me… I cannot forget the kidney. I try to live from one day to the next, always conscious that each day could be the last. I perceive situations intuitively. I am someone who always wants to retain control over his life." In fact he has thoroughly informed himself about his illness. He chooses his therapies carefully, but does not behave particularly confidently; often he lacks self‑assurance and then seeks a second opinion. He is a likeable, unconventional man. He is searching for an ideology and a philosophy of life, but cannot make up his mind and keeps his options open. Many years ago I once saw him walking along the street; his long black coat was blowing in the wind and the most fitting description for him seemed to me the term "magician". Previously he had responded well to Causticum, which had been prescribed in part because of his aversion to authority and his intense reaction to the suffering of the world. After his kidney transplant he received prednisolone acetate and his energy increased. However, after one year there were still signs of rejection of the new kidney. I prescribed Erbium carbonicum.
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One year later he suffers from fatigue and has chest pressure, ankle oedema and stomach complaints. He is taking a whole cocktail of medications: Cozar, Selokene, prednisolone, Nexium, Lasix, Prograf and Mycofortic, which could indicate that some of his complaints are iatrogenic. |
Analysis: We have little provings or clinical experience with these remedies. Therefore we are largely dependent on Jan Scholten's method for identifying the correct stage. In this patient there is a certain caution, self‑doubt and insecurity. His recovery began well but stalled halfway, as if his body also felt "uncertain". In practice it appears that attitude and behaviour can give reliable information about the function of the autonomic (vegetative) system. Stage 4 (e.g. cerium among the lanthanides) is known for its caution: something starts and then comes to a standstill. Prescription: Thorium metallicum 1M Follow‑up: A year later he presents with an abdominal infection due to poor hygiene, which is treated with phytotherapy. His condition is good, but he still suffers from side effects of his medications; his bowel is hypersensitive. The biopsies are negative and he is able to reduce his anti‑rejection medications. **************************************************************************
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Category: Cases ************************************************************************** |
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