Mrs. YM, a 22 years old patient came to us on April 5, 2003 for the treatment of irregular menses (Nov. 25, 2002, Dec. 30. 2002, March 24, 2003) that had been bothering her for the past 2-3 years
Her menstrual history was as follows:
Menses appear every 2-3 months. The bleeding lasts 6-7 days. It is irregular, profuse, dark red, non- offensive and non-staining.
She has pain in the abdomen before menses and backache during menses.
She had a Caesarean section 4 years ago and delivered a male child (breech presentation). If she does not get the menses on time, she would have pain in the limbs, dizziness, fullness of the abdomen and a feeling that she was pregnant. This usually lasts for a couple of days.
She craves fish, sweets, salty food and ice cream. She dislikes bitter food. She is thirst less.
She sweats on the face and in the axillae. It is non-offensive but stains yellow. Her bladder and bowel movements are normal. She is a hot patient.
She lives in a joint family with her husband, son, mother-in-law and brother-in-law. She has studied till the tenth grade.
She is very irritable. Trifles will anger her. She will not control herself and shouts at the other person. “When I am angry, my hands tremble.”
She likes to keep her home clean. If anyone makes a mess at home, it irritates her and she then shouts even if it is her husband or mother-in-law. She is also very emotional. Small things affect her and she weeps easily. But, she will not weep in front of others.
She is also obstinate and strong willed- “If I am right, I will not change at all”.
She is very social and likes making friends. Likes to be happy and jovial.
She gets anxious when she goes to any hospital. “In the municipal hospitals, the staff do not behave well with patients, they shout at us and it scares me.”
There is no significant past or family history of any illness.
On examination:
PA: NAD; PV: Ut- retroverted, Cx- healthy, Fx-clear
Treatment:
(April 5, 2003) 1 dose of Pulsatilla 1M and SL for 2 weeks.
Follow up:
- April 30, 2003: Menses not yet (LMP- 24-3-2003). 3 doses of Pulsatilla 1M and SL for 2 weeks.
- August 16, 2003: Lost to follow up for 3 months. Menses are now regular (30-5-2003, 1-7-2003). Pain in both lumbar regions. Occ. Pain in the hands and feet. UPT- positive On examination: PV- Ut enlarged (6-8 weeks size).
- 3 doses of Pulsatilla 1M were repeated.
- September 3, 2003: Pain in lumbar region better, but persists. Pain in the hands and feet better. Thirst is less.
- On Examination: PV- Ut 8-10 week’s size.
- 3 doses of Pulsatilla 1M were repeated.
The patient had an uneventful pregnancy.
Discussion:
Pulsatilla was prescribed because the patient was thirstlessness, fastidious, often peevish, had delayed menses, felt she was pregnant whenever the menses were delayed, and had a past history of malpresentation of the foetus.