Case Series of three Diabetic Patients treated with Homeopathy
by Seyedaghanoor Sadeghi M.D & homeopathic researcher and Mrs. Fahimeh Mahdavi homeopath
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is now considered a pandemic disorder, and a public health challenge. Three - seven percent of the global population, more than 280,000,000 people, are suffering from a disease which is indeed a syndrome or a collection of symptoms.
Type 1 (formerly Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus):
Usually juvenile onset but may occur at any age. Cause: Insulin deficiency due to selective destruction of secreting pancreatic beta cells. Patients always need Insulin and are prone to hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and weight loss. It is associated with other autoimmune diseases (> 90% carry HLADR 3 and/or DR4).
Type 2 (formerly Non Insulin Dependent ) diabetes mellitus:
It appears to be prevalent at ‘epidemic’ levels in many places mainly due to changes in life style, but also because of better diagnosis and improved longevity. Higher prevalence occurs in Asians, men, and the elderly (18% in men over 80 in Liverpool).
Most are over 40 years but teenagers are increasingly getting type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Cause: decreased Insulin secretion and Insulin resistance. It is associated with obesity, lack of exercise and calorie excess about 80% concordance in identical twins, indicating stronger genetic influence than in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Typically progresses from a preliminary phase of impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a rare autosomal dominant form of Diabetes Mellitus affecting young people with a positive family history.
The authors have used an integrative approach to treat patients suffering from different tableaus of the syndrome which are unique in every patient. Therapies include: keeping conventional treatment, diabetic regimen, daily exercise plus homeopathic remedy and diet.
Case # 1
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) Patient
Analysis of the patient
A 13 yr old school girl who had been suffering from this disease for 8 years was referred to us. Her parents were both nurses and very much worried about their daughter’s condition. She was not cooperative before the first visit and in her face-to-face interview.
Spells of nightly hypoglycemia along with shrieking, despair of getting better and disregarding her diabetic diet. She had an FPG of 230 mg/dl and chronically high HA1c of 10 this all revealed the patients’ and her family’s’ poor control.
Her main rubrics
1-MIND: STUDIOUS, mania for work
2-MIND-ANGER easily
3-MIND: AMBITIONS, increased
4-GENERALS: COLD, agg
5- GENERALS: PAIN-cramping. Muscles
6-URINE: SUGAR
7-MIND: THEORIZING
Prescription
Nux-v. 30c in liquid form, 20 drops (more than 1.5 cc’s) was prescribed and taken by the patient.
Report of course of treatment
After prescribing the remedy, her Insulin was continued, until her FBS decreased from 230 mg/dl to the normal condition of 110 mg/dl after 60 days of taking the remedy.
Of course she had experienced an aggravation of her blood sugar which had risen to 290 mg/dl after 3 days of taking the first dose of Nux-v.
Thereafter it began to decrease, coming close to the normal range of 110mg/dl after about 2 months on the 13th of December 2008. Her remedy was repeated every other day after potentizing.
I started to decrease her Insulin one unit by one unit along with strict monitoring of her FPG and evening BS for about 3 more months.
Her second remedy was Sulphur as a miasmatic remedy according to her new situation after taking Nux-v. Fortunately she helped me by following her diets. She had become more energetic and hopeful and thus more cooperative.
After one year of treatment, I called her up and asked about her condition and her feelings. She was happy and content with her treatment.
She had not experienced hypoglycemic spells after taking Sulphur. Her father said that her last tests had been:
FBS of 135
HA1c of 8 and
Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
They were all happy about her significant healing and cure. She is taking 10 units of NPH Insulin in mornings and 4 in the afternoon. She has titrated down by 4 units (25% decrease) over the last year. Her base-line FPG has decrease to 95 mg/dl.
Conclusion
The results of this case report reveal multi- potential capabilities of the prescribed homeopathic remedies, Nux-v. and Sulphur. They not only decreased the patient’s need for Insulin by 25% but also almost normalized the patient’s FPG (135 mg/dl decrease) and decreased her HbA1c (20% improvement). Overall her mental symptoms improved. Her despair was replaced with hopefulness, this was a significant shift. And with her elevated mindset she became more compliant and cooperative.
Case # 2
Integrative Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) Patient
Analysis of the patient
Referred to us on the 10th of December 2009 was a tall, thin and sad 70 yr old widowed woman. She had been suffering from this disease for the past 9 years,
Her father and brother were diabetic patients as well. Her 2nd daughter had been affected by a stage 4 Breast cancer 6 years ago. She had been deeply influenced by the stressful event.
The patient had been self-reliant mentally and financially (almost) over the past 35 years, ever since her husband was affected by a schizoaffective disorder.
She used to reproach him and her children before others badly. Cramped muscular pain had been bothering her, especially during sleep.
She liked to sleep even during the day while sitting. Her eyes showed periorbital edema without any renal involvement. After taking the case, Nux vomica was found to be the most similar remedy.
Prescription
Nux-v. 12c in tablet form was taken by her which caused her mild hypoglycemia and was treated instantly at her home. Her fasting blood glucose was checked twice a week. Thereafter she was put on liquid form of Nux.v 30 c. which was taken continuously after dynamizing the remedy, by shaking 12 times ( Organon of Medicine, 6th edition).
Report of course of treatment
After prescribing the remedy it was insisted that she follow her diabetic diet and her oral anti-diabetic medications - Metformin and Glibenclamide. She did so until her FBS decreased from 130 mg/dl to the normal range of 85 mg/dl after 28 days of taking the remedy repeatedly.
After 60 days of close observation and follow up her 3 tabs of 500 Metformin and 3 tabs of Glibenclamide were tapered gradually and stopped. Thus she became free from the oral anti-diabetics after 60 days of treatment.
She had become more alert during daytime and would carefully follow the authors’ recommendations.
Her mental condition improved. She felt more energetic so she started managing all of her seven children who were married. Thus she again imposed a high level of stress on herself.
Thereafter her blood glucose began to rise again. A single dose of Sulphur 30c was prescribed and given as a complementary remedy to stabilize and deepen the effect of Nux-v.
She had been loquacious since the start of treatment, and very fearful of snakes but she had a strong sense of self-confidence. She took 2 other remedies during the 17 months of follow up as single doses: Lachesis mutus 30c and Lycopodium 30c.
Her last blood and urine tests was taken on Jan. 16, 2010 , her Fasting blood glucose 102 mg/dl ,Hb A1c ~7.4 percent and her blood pressure ~130/80 ,her blood cholesterol and triglyceride had not changed and effected by the treatment ,and were mildly higher than normal limit.
She was visited at her home on Monday, January 16 2010. Her mental condition was positive, hopeful and optimistic. At this point she was only taking one and half tabs of Glibenclamide bid. She was happy and content with her treatment. She has experienced an aggravation of Nux-v. which was the growth of a wart behind her left ear.
Conclusion
The results of this case reveal multi-potential characteristics and capabilities of the prescribed homeopathic remedies: Nux-v., Sulphur, Lachesis mutus and Lycopodium.
They not only normalized the patient’s FBS and significantly reduced her HbA1c, but also freed her from taking the anti-diabetic drugs after 60 days. Ultimately her need for anti-diabetic tablets decreased, while her mental / emotional health improved and vitality increased.
Her children who were, at first, very anxious about adding homeopathic remedies to the therapeutic regimen, have become very excited to observe such a wonderful effect on her totality of symptoms.
Thus the homeopathic treatment has not only been effective in normalizing her blood sugar, and decreasing her need for anti-diabetics medicines (thus lowering their side effects); but the remedies have also improved her symptom expression and significantly impacted her mental / emotional state.
Authors note: If the complementary remedy of Sulphur had been prescribed and taken right after ceasing the first remedy, she could have experienced longer duration of cure or had become totally cured.
Case # 3
Homeopathic treatment of a type 2 diabetes patient
Analysis of the patient
On May 12, 2011, a tall male physician aged 43 was visited for type 2 diabetes mellitus with a duration of 8 years. His parents have been stricken by the same disease.
He is working in a very stressful health council organization dealing with patients who are evaluated for health status. Based on the health evaluation the organization determines whether they may continue their jobs or if they must be exempted and move into retirement.
Many of them suffer from psychiatric and mental problems, and they sometimes get aggressive towards the staff.
He is a religious person, fast reader, has an active memory, is suspicious, self-reliant, thirsty, and has a hunger for fresh veggies and fruits. He is also loquacious, suffering hyperglycemia and FPG of 200 - 320 mg/dl and urinary frequency.
He decided to only to use homeopathic remedies, after recently self-prescribing the discontinuation of oral anti diabetics.
Main rubrics are as follows
1-MIND-LOQUACITY
2-MIND-SUSPICIOUIS
3-MIND-RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS- too occupied with religion
4-GENERALS-WARM, agg
5-URINE-SUGAR
6-BLADDER-URINATION, frequent
7-GENERALS-FAMILY HISTORY of – diabetes mellitus
Prescription
Though the rubrics are in favor of Lach, tincture of Syzigium and Carcinocinum 30c in liquid form were prescribed, this was due to his double positive family history.
Report of course of treatment
On May 26, 2011, 2 weeks after prescribing the remedy the patient was visited for a 2nd time. His FPG was still 200 mg/dl though he experienced an inner calmness and had more patience with his patients. The patient said, “In spite of being alert of hyperglycemia, I did not experience stresses which I had before. I could also handle my work better than before.” His FPG lowered to 120 mg.
The same remedies were prescribed for the patient, and he was recommended to report his condition once a week and to keep his exercise plan and diet. Two other remedies were prescribed; Lach. and Lyc. 30c.
It was suggested that he change his job to reduce work stressors, this was viewed as a maintaining cause. He did not succeed in doing so. He experienced hyperglycemia again and finally shifted to Insulin for managing his condition.
Conclusion
The results show the capabilities of the prescribed homeopathic remedy, Syzigium and Carcinosinum at the beginning of treatment. The patient experienced an inner calmness, more energy for his demanding daily work and a decrease of 60 mg/dl of FPG 4 months after taking the homeopathics.
However continuing his stressful job mostly with mental and psychiatric patients, worsened his condition and made him shift to Insulin injections to manage his diabetes.
Analysis of the cases
In all three cases, 100%, homeopathic remedies decreased the patients’ FPG to normal or close to normal values. In the first case, the girl with type 1 diabetes, a prominent decrease in Hb A1c from 10 percent to 8 percent was obtained. In the 2nd case her Hb A1c also improved to close to normal. In the 2nd case the client experienced two months of being completely from all drugs and remedies.
However in the third case of the Medical Doctor, he primarily experienced higher energy and a prominent decrease of FPG after 4 months of taking the remedies. However this stressful job was maintaining cause and increased his FPG, so he shifted to Insulin to manage his diabetes.
Mental and emotional betterment was observed in the three cases, in other words100% of patients. Increased energy was also experienced in the 2nd and 3rd cases, or 66.6 % of patients.
Randomized double blind clinical trials are suggested to assess the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies on different variables in diabetic patients.
References:
The Organon of Medicine 6th edition,2006, by Dr.Samuel Hahnemann
The Science of Homeopathy, by Professor George Vithoulkas
3- Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, 7th edition, 2007 by Longmore et al
4- Radar 8.1 Repertory Software
5- Boericke’ s new manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica, 9th edition, 2000 by William Boericke
6- Synoptic Materia Medica, 2006 by Vermeulen F.
