A Case of Grandmal Epilepsy
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1996 Mar / Apr Vol V No 2.
Kasim Chimthanawala.
Cases.
` Ph-ac.

It was on 3rd of July 1990 that a colleague of my old medical school approached me in a desperate state for the treatment of his only son suffering from Grand Mal Epilepsy for the past few years, after practically all possible remedial measures in the modern school having proved futile. He was on maintenance dose of antiepileptics but still the attacks continued though mild and infrequent.

LIFE HISTORY:

A young boy of about 20, the only son of doctor parents, brought up like a prince, with every possible luxury at his disposal. For future studies (Jr. College) he was shifted to a nearby township where he had to stay in a hostel. It was on 21st July 1986, hardly 15 days of attending college, that he got the 1st attack of convulsions, which lasted for 35 minutes.

Thereafter, the fits were episodal in nature and 1 out of 3 began with a cry followed by blurring of consciousness and convulsions (tonic followed by clonic) lasting for 15-20 minutes. During the attack the eyes remained open with watering. When severe, there was frothing at the mouth and biting of the tongue. The entire episode lasted 35-45 minutes and every seizure was followed by a deep sighing sleep for about an hour followed by heaviness of head for 24 hours thereafter.

Temperamentally, he was sensitive and intelligent but looked apathetic, indolent and in a confused state all the time. His replies were emotionless and in low pitch. He avoided company and preferred to remain alone, probably due to inferiority complex. (or superiority? EDITOR).

He was of a nervous nature and during interrogation, used wrong words like cramps instead of fits, father in place of paternal uncle.

On close enquiry it was observed that the attacks started after 15 days of staying at the hostel and was noticeably absent or of very mild nature whenever he came home during holidays. 2 years ago, he had an affair with his classmate for hardly 3-4 months, but no sooner she got married, he started feeling forsaken and lonely and since then, the intensity of attacks have increased.

At times he complained of vertex headaches when exposed to sun, mental stress and loss of sleep. Relished oranges and melon but dislike bread.

Suffered from Cerebral Typhoid at the aged of 8 years, Repeated worm infestations since he remembers. Had a fall from a tree when in school and had measles with high fever along with convulsions, which lasted for 3-4 days.

The following symptoms were taken for repertorisation

1. Convulsive seizures, epileptic.
2. Ailments from disappointed love.
3. Aversion to company
4. Makes mistakes while speaking.
5. Sensitiveness
6. Confusion, Indolence and Apathy.
7. Desire juicy fruits.
8. Aversion bread.
9. Headache, vertex, from exposure to sun.

After repertorisation from Kents Repertory, Nux vom and Natr-mur were selected and administered in rising potencies at infrequent intervals for a year but with no relief.

The case was posted for discussion at one of our clinical meets. After much debate, it was agreed that the patient was a pampered child and he became homesick when he was sent to the college. So Homesickness must be taken as the causation for the disease.

Kent and SR were referred: Capsicum, Causticum, Helleborus and Phosphoric-acid came up.

Taking the mental state and desire for juicy things into consideration, Phosphoric-acid 200 was selected and one dose was given followed by SL for 6 weeks.

Expectedly, there was no major attack during that period. He got a severe attack after about 12 weeks (during examination studies) for which no medicine could be given.

Thereafter the boy started shifting towards Natr-mur picture and so one dose in 200 potency was administered on 12th November. Multiple boils appeared all over the body (the mother recalled it only when they errupted) which lasted for more than 4 months. Surprisingly, the doctor duo, (lie the parents) kept their patience and the boy, who is now a medico, is absolutely fine without any major complaint worth reporting.