Homoeopathic management of rheumatoid arthritis- a case report

Dr SR SUSHMITHA

ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)  is a form of autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints and remains the most important form of arthritis seen in rheumatological practice in the developed world. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still unclear and wide variety of factors namely genes, environment and hormones are suspected to contribute.

In homoeopathy constitutional, miasmatic approach is usually used to manage Rheumatoid ‘arthritis. Here is a case of 50 year old female diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was managed with homoeopathic medicine Rhus Toxicodendron.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis.

Following is a case of Rheumatoid Arthritis managed with homoeopathic medicines:

A 50 year old married woman from a middle socio-economic status family reported to the outpatient department of government homoeopathic medical college and hospital, Bengaluru on 15^th February 2019 with complaints of pain, swelling and stiffness in multiple joints since 1 to 2 years.

HISTORY OF PRESENTING COMPLAINTS
Patient gradually developed pain, swelling and stiffness of joints in upper extremities later started in all the joints. Probable exciting cause not known.

Complaints with duration	Location and extension	Sensation/ character	Modalities
Complaints of pain, stiffness and swelling in multiple joints.	Complaints of pain in bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints, wrist joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints, knee joints, ankle joints since 2- 3 years, more since 6 months.	Drawing type of pain . Stiffness (3-4hours) Swelling	<night, standing for long time. <early morning. >movement of joints <flexion of fingers, toes.

Investigations revealed  : Known case of Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2 years.

Past history: Taken allopathic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and stopped the medications 6months back.

FAMILY HISTORY: family history revealed diabetes mellitus in mother and hypertension in father. Others are apparently healthy.

PHYSICAL GENERAL

• Appetite: decreased
• Hunger: good
• Thirsty: 2-3 litres/day
• Desire: nothing specific
• Bowel habits: once daily, satisfactory.
• Bladder habits: 5times/day, 1time/night, no difficulties
• Perspiration: on face only on exertion
• Sleep: disturbed due to the above complaints
• Thermals: chilly

MENTAL GENERALS

• Obstinate
• Duty bound
• Wants company
• Cries when she is alone
• Jovial

RUBRICS used

• Mind – Obstinate
• Mind- Wants company
• Extremities- Pain, stitching, joints
• Extremities- Stiffness
• Extremities- rheumatic pains
• Cold agg
• Appetite – diminished
• Thirst

Selection of remedy:
The selection of remedy was based on considering only certain rubrics which were used for repertorization like- stitching pains in joints, early morning stiffness, swelling of joints aggravated by cold. The remedy best chosen after referring Materia Medica was Rhus Toxicodendron.

FIRST PRESCRIPTION

3/9/2019 – Rhus tox 200. TID for 5days followed by MP 6x TID for 7days. Followup of the case is given in the below table

Date	SYMPTOMS	PRESCRIPTION
23/9/2019	Patient said complains of pain and stiffness in extremities decreased.	Pl 200, BD for 5days
15/10/2019	Swelling of joints is better by 50 percent. Patient complains of pain while sitting which is better on continuos walk.	Rhus tox 200, BD for 3 days. Followed by PL 200, BD for 5days.
7/11/2019	Complains of swelling, pain and stiffness of joints decreased. No other complaints	Pl 200, BD
18/2/2020	Patient is feeling better. No fresh complaints. Generals good.

CONCLUSION: This case shows the effectiveness of homoeopathy in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Dr S.R.Sushmitha
PG Part 2, Department Of Practice Of Medicine
Government Homoeopathic Medical College And Hospital
Bangalore

Download full paper