Whole Woman Homeopathy

CHAT BEGAN AT 21:00 EST

 

Moderator: Welcome, Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, DHANP, LCSW. Dr. Judyth is a licensed Naturopathic Physician, board-certified in homeopathic medicine, in practice for nearly 25 years. She and her husband are the authors of eight books, including Dr. Reichenberg-Ullman’s Whole Woman Homeopathy: A Safe, Effective, Natural Alternative to Drugs, Hormones, and Surgery, and, most recently, they co-authored A Drug-Free Approach to Asperger Syndrome and Autism: Homeopathic Medicine for Exceptional Kids.

Other books include: Ritalin-Free Kids; Rage-Free Kids; Prozac Free; Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick and Easy Guide for the Whole Family; The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine; and Mystics, Masters, Saints and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment.

They practice at the Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, WA as well as telephone and video consultations and teach internationally. They can be reached at (425) 774-5599 or through the website at www.healthyhomeopathy.com .

 

Dr Judyth: Hello everyone. Greetings from Whidbey Island, Washington!

 

Moderator: Has everyone had the opportunity to read one (or all three) of the articles by Dr. Judyth? Please go to the Chat Room main page, scroll down about halfway, and you will see links to the three articles.

 

Renee: Yes. Good info, thanks.

 

Iwonapio: Yes, thanks. And also many thanks for all your books, especially about kids’ problems.

 

Dr Judyth: Thanks to all of you for your interest. Sounds like it's a ladies' night for the chat room.

 

Lgutowski: What remedies have you found to be the best to help women with memory loss, no hot flashes or other complaints, just memory loss?

 

Dr Judyth: Memory loss is a very broad, constitutional symptom and a very common one. I'll bet if you look at the repertory, there are hundreds of remedies listed. Remember, we are treating patients, in this case women, not the memory loss. We want to know what is most unique about that woman, in all ways. Then we put the pieces of the puzzle together to find a remedy for her. Hot flashes can be treated acutely, but better to treat them constitutionally as well.

 

Lincoln1: What is your opinion about using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

 

Dr Judyth: That's a good question. When it comes to treating women for menopause, again it is important to individualize treatment. Bio-identical hormones are helpful for some women, but there are many other recommendations - homeopathic and naturopathic- that I would make first. They are still hormones and are relatively new, without a long track record, so they are not recommended for women with a history of hyper-estrogenic problems, such as breast cancer, despite what Suzanne Sommers might say.

 

CSymchych: I have been unable to find a remedy to help with insomnia not problems getting to sleep but problems staying asleep after a complete hysterectomy. Any suggestions?

 

Dr Judyth: I hate to sound like a broken record, but, think about it for a moment. There are over 2000 homeopathic remedies, so, how would you know what to recommend, at least homeopathically, without taking a full case? Now, there are certainly naturopathic suggestions, but one of the wonderful aspects of homeopathy is that it can heal the whole person. We are talking about long-acting, deep-acting, transformational changes!

 

lincoln1: I have worked with several homeopaths and naturopaths to find out why I have a yellow discharge, to no avail. What would you consider homeopathically?

 

Dr Judyth: I assume you mean a yellow vaginal discharge. And, again, if you have worked with a number of practitioners, it must have lasted for a long time. So you understand where I am coming from, I would spend 1-1/2 to 2 hours with you, to explore what you experience with the vaginal discharge as well as the other areas of your life. As the puzzle pieces begin to fit together, I would understand whether you needed a remedy/medicine from the animal, plant, or mineral kingdom. Then I would narrow it down to the family. Then the remedy. But, it would be a remedy not only for the yellow discharge (that would need to be covered, of course), but for ALL of you. That is what I try to do in treating women. Not treat the gynecologic complaint, but the whole woman. That is why I named my book Whole Woman Homeopathy. It is different if you are talking about an acute problem, which is simpler and often can be self-treated.

 

14books: I am only a beginner, so could you outline the basics about how you approach repertorizing a woman? Mental symptoms first? etc.

 

Dr Judyth: This process is quite beautiful. All of the threads of the woman's various symptoms, interests, her life, her state, her childhood.... it should all tie together. The important question is WHAT to repertorize. What is truly unique and unusual about the woman? The repertories are tremendously valuable books, as are materia medicas. But “garbage in, garbage out.” You need to take the case in such a way that you understand what needs to be repertorized.

 

BH: I have read your interesting article on harpist Chu Ling, due to my having severe arthritis in right hand, wrist, and right foot and ankle. I have seen a homeopath/acupuncturist who gave Graphites Homaccord with Calcarea carbonica. 200X was the highest potency in the combination. Although it did reduce some of the inflammation, it still is a problem with daily work. When should one consider going to a 1M or higher potency?

 

Dr Judyth: Funny, because I just began writing an article today on potency selection. There are lots of approaches to this. I believe Homaccord is a combination of potencies. I don't prescribe that way, so I can't speak to it. I use C potencies in single or repeated doses and LM potencies, depending on the person. If you email me at drreichenberg@gmail.com, I can send you a copy of my potency article when I finish in the next few days. The goal is to be practical and really explain how we think about it clinically.

 

Dawn: I have a new client who is complaining of lack of sex drive. She was put on testosterone, which helped a lot, but made her a bit violent. I am concerned about her hormone balance because she takes the pill without leaving room for her menstrual cycle. What effects physically and emotionally have you seen this create in women?

 

Dr Judyth: I can well understand how a woman would resort to testosterone to regain her libido. I suggest trying homeopathy first. It is important to be tested before starting any hormonal treatment, and to be monitored carefully because being out of balance hormonally can set a woman on quite the roller coaster- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

 

Dawn: I am a classical homeopath, and that is why we are trying things other than testosterone, which she went off. I just don’t understand how the hormonal effects of the pill are complicating her case. Do you have any resources that may help me understand what is going on?

 

Renee: How you are approaching H1N1? I've had a few cases of Spongia, Gelsemium and a serious case responded well with Carbo-veg.

 

Dr Judyth: First, I am recommending Influenzinum, the 2009 Boiron remedy, prophylactically, taken once. I know some homeopaths and patients are using Oscillococcinum, and it may work just as well. There is a new swine flu nosode out, and a patient told me about a combination of the Boiron Influenzinum and H1N1.

I have treated a number of cases and rely on the presenting symptoms. They often include a high fever at some stage, and may need Belladonna, Aconite, or another fever remedy. The part I have seen that is different from flus in previous years is that there seem to be stages of symptoms needing different remedies, at least in some cases, rather than having one remedy, such as Gelsemium, taking care of it within a day.

 

BH: Thanks for the input on H1N1. Our study group just had an excellent lesson on flu, but you have added some information I will pass on at our next meeting.

 

Amishi: What do you think of biochemic remedies like Oophorinum and Ovarinum 6x for menopausal symptoms along with the supposed similimum?

 

Dr Judyth: I am a diehard constitutional prescriber, though I don't doubt that there are many ways to treat successfully. There are cases in which Oophorinum or any other remedy could fit the constitutional picture. I have used Folliculinum before.

 

Dr Judyth: What other questions might you have? It sounds like some of you beginners might want some guidance on acute prescribing for women's conditions.... rather than the complexity of constitutional prescribing?

 

lincoln1: You indicated you would spend 1 1/2 to 2 hours with me to determine my total picture. Do you do phone consults? If not, how would one connect with you? I have studied homeopathy off and on for years but not in depth but I understand you are talking about needing the whole picture.

 

Dr Judyth: I do in-person visits, telephone consultations, and Skype video consultations (the miracles of modern technology)....

 

Just to see who's awake here, what's the most common acute remedy for stalled labor?

 

Dawn: Caulophyllum?

Kristy: If the mother wants to be fanned, I'd give her Carbo-veg

Minerva: I use Caulophyllum for any stalls in labor as first remedy.

 

Dr Judyth: Yep, right on. That's a good differential diagnosis, Kristy. How about the most common remedy for a bladder infection in women? Don't be afraid to jump in.... I'm not grading! 

 

BH: Cantharis

Dawn: It depends. Cantharis is one, and I am blanking on the other

Renee: Medorrinum

Debra: Staphysagria

 

Dr Judyth: I'll give you a clue. It really is the remedy that I have found to be the most common in my practice acutely. The main complaint is pain in the urethra at the close of urination. If you read my book, Whole Woman Homeopathy, it will be a slam dunk

 

Marianne: Sarsaparilla

Minerva: Sarsparilla

Dr Judyth: Marianne gets the prize! Did you know it off the top of your head or look it up, Marianne?

 

Marianne: I read your article today

 

Dr Judyth: Someone just said she treated a patient successfully with Aconite then Medorrhinum. For what, and why those two remedies?

 

Renee: Chronic weak bladder…  Symptoms of chronic weak bladder, accompanied by a fear, worse at night.

 

Dr Judyth: Aha!

 

Marianne: I am stuck on how to repertorize an under-functioning thyroid as part of my case. There is pain and swelling on the left side as well as hair loss on the left side. Also the lymphatic system on the left side. Any suggestions??

Dr. Judyth: Dear Marianne, I don't think this is the way to find a constitutional remedy for you. Please find an experienced homeopath you trust to take your case rather than trying to be objective about prescribing for yourself, which is impossible, regardless of how experienced a homeopath you might be. As the saying goes, "If you needed surgery, you would find a surgeon." So, if you need homeopathy, find a homeopath to help you!

Dawn: What suggestions do you have for supplements, cell salts, or so on that may be beneficial for women who are going through menopause and have a good constitutional remedy, but who are trying to avoid hormone replacements and so on?

 

Dr Judyth: I typically spend half an hour with perimenopausal women just discussing nutritional supplements, exercise, lifestyle. There is LOTS to say here. Depends on her risk factor for osteoporosis, etc.

 

Dr Judyth: What’s a great remedy for terrible vaginal itching.... enough to drive a woman crazy.... during pregnancy?

 

Dawn: Petroleum?

 

Dr Judyth: Try again.

 

L: Pulsatilla?

 

Dr Judyth: Nope.

 

BH: Rhus tox?

 

lincoln1: Sulphur?

 

Dr Judyth: It is a small remedy, but one that is very useful to know about. Helped a close friend during her pregnancy within a day or two, and she was scratching all the time.

 

Debra: Kreosotum?

 

Marianne: tobacco?

 

Dr Judyth: a clue.... has been used also to help people stop smoking

 

Kristy: Caladium seguinum?

 

Dr Judyth: Right on, Kristy. Caladium it is.

 

14books: Would that remedy work if there was itching but not pregnant?

 

Dr Judyth: Sure, you could give Caladium without pregnancy, but that's the keynote.

How about a few more great questions…. In the meantime, while I'm waiting, what's an unusual remedy to bring back milk production in a lactating mom?

 

Marianne: Medusa?

 

Dr Judyth: While we're waiting, since I mentioned the kingdoms, remember that ANY remedy might be needed. I have cases of Mantis religiosa (praying mantis), Diamond, Red-tailed Hawk, Dolphin's milk, as well as Sulphur, Calcarea carbonica, etc.

 

The answer is Lactuca virosa.

 

Minerva: What are some of the common “flooding” remedies during perimenopause?

 

Dr Judyth: Some of the most common flooding remedies are Belladonna, Sabina, Crotalus horridus, Lachesis. I have also used Trillium and Geranium and Capsella (shepherd's purse) herbally.

 

lincoln1: My granddaughter is a cheerleader in college and does lots of stunts and was thought to have a stress fracture but MRI showed nothing. Edema is their new diagnosis. They put her in a boot. She had pain in the tibia ankle area. Is this a “constitutional” or “acute” situation?

Dr. Judyth: Acute. It is a temporary symptom as a result of the injury and/or the boot.

Moderator: Thank you, Dr. Judyth for all your answers and the fun quizzes! Dr. Judyth can be reached at (425) 774-5599, or through the website at www.healthyhomeopathy.com .

 

Dr Judyth: You are very welcome. I wish you all the best in helping many women with homeopathy.... and yourselves as well!

 

Dawn: THANK YOU!!!

 

Minerva: Yes, thank you!!

 

BH: Thank you, Dr. Judyth, for your time.

 

Dr Judyth: Contact me at drreichenberg@gmail.com if there were unanswered questions. The time went too fast! Thank you.

 

lincoln1: Enjoyed the chat room even though I am not a practitioner. Always continuing to learn. THANKS!

 

Marianne: I really enjoy your kind and positive approach to healing with homeopathy. Thank you!

 

Dr Judyth: What delightful feedback, Marianne. Thank you!

 

CHAT ENDED AT 22:03 EST

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