URGENT - Henoch Schonlein Purpura - vasculitis and nephritis in my 9 yo daughter - need help

[McPhee Family]

Hello,
Just returned from 2 week "vacation" where my 9 year old daughter was stricken with HSP - Henoch Schonlein Purpura. Began with colic-like stomach pain which responded immediately to Colocynthis. Three days later she had aching in her left leg. She had a long horizontal cut on the pad of her foot below her toes about 2 weeks prior that was still a little sore so I gave Ledum Palustre (in hindsight should have given this sooner). The next day the leg pain was completely gone. However, later that night, she began with purpura (large purple rash and bruising) from the toes up to the waist. The day after that, it covered her entire body except her face. HSP is a vasculitis in which the blood vessels over respond. So even gently brushing against her was causing huge hematomas and bruising all over her body. Even laying on a pillow caused a huge bump and bruise on her head. She also had joint pain and paralysis in both legs and both arms - however it alternates sides. [See full symptom picture below.] The symptom picture was changing rapidly and we went through Rhus Tox and Urtica Urens (which had no effect) and then over the next 4 days - Apis, Bryonia, Causticum, Phosphorous, Ledum, Lachesis, and Staphysagria with some effect. Natrum Muriaticum, 200c - no effect. She was in *extreme* pain which is the only reason I changed remedies so quickly trying to match the changing picture.
She spent the last 5 days in and out of 3 different hospitals. She had pain in her chest which was determined to be inflammation of the joints of the rib cage surrounding her heart. She developed nephritis and hematuria was at 4+. Creatinine is at 0.7. I gave her Phosphorous and then Staphysagria which helped the nephritis - 0 blood cells in urine within 2 days. Kidney pain resolved. However, the purpura, bruising, and pain continued to worsen.
She must use a wheelchair and I have to lift her to the bathroom, etc. She has no fever or other symptoms. The doctor said HSP can start after a virus or IGa allergy. We think it was from a peanut reaction. (She had peanuts the night before the stomach ache and then a peanutbutter sandwich the day the rash appeared. Looking back she has had stomach aches with vomiting in the middle of the night for no apparent reason and we thought it might be apples but now we see she was eating peanut butter with the apples.)
Also, all 3 of my kids had a virus 3 weeks ago with a fever above 104. This was the first time my daughter did not get a "post-viral paralysis" following a high fever. She has had a post-viral paralysis following a high fever virus on 3 other occasions. The last time she took Nat Mur, 200c which cured it within 10 minutes. We think now that she was having the start of HSP each time but never progressed to the rash.
She has a history of a reaction to her MMR - developed the measles and began with sensory integration issues. Like many vaccinosis issues, HSP is an over immune response (of the blood vessels). So I am thinking there is a connection here.
I have ordered Kalmia which seems to fit the arthritis-like pain and paralysis. But I would truly appreciate any further thoughts or tips from anyone who has seen these symptoms before. Although the picture changes frequently, I'm outlining the general symptoms below. I am concerned mostly with pain right now because I want her to be comfortable. Phosphorous seems well indicated but does not help the pain. Bryonia, 200c did not help pain today. Apis did not reduce the swelling last night. I would like to find one remedy to cover all the symptoms (obviously!) but can't seem to pinpoint which one.
Red/purple Purpura covering entire body - began on lower extremities (feet, ankles, then traveled up the body) and now covers entire body except face
Petechiae - covering entire body
Hematomas and bruising - covering entire body
Joint pain - entire body
colic like stomach pain - comes and goes
blood in urine - comes and goes
Paralysis of lower and upper extremities - alternates sides - severity comes and goes
Swelling of ankles and lower extremities - coming and going
Swelling of the glabella - comes and goes (had this during the prior virus too which responded to Silicea)
Better in the mornings - worse as the day progresses
Symptoms - alternates sides
Worse for movement
Worse for touch
Desires - ice cold water - but alternates between thirsty and not thirsty
Lower extremities - *very* cold to the touch - feet are very cold
Desires to be covered

"Why me" feeling although otherwise not irritable
Slightest touch is painful - pressure does not amel. However, sometimes wants feet rubbed when pain subsides.
Her chronic remedy has been Natrum Sulphuricum for the past 6 months. Other things that may be helpful - before we left for vacation, we had to bring the 5 kittens we had rescued and had been caring for to the humane society. She was extremely upset and crying - Ignatia seemed to help immensely. However, she is missing the kittens and knew we would be coming home to them not being here. Also, 2 weeks before, I had yelled at her rather harshly for something and I normally don't raise my voice. It was harsh enough to make her cry.
Surprisingly, the doctors in the hospitals were all very supportive of homeopathy as there is no real treatment for HSP - except Tylenol and Prednisone (which we do not do). They are finally recognizing homeopathy! Their response to the homeopathy was way different from years ago when we used to be at the hospital with my son.
Thank you for any information. Although I am confident homeopathy will help her, it is frightening, sad, and overwhelming. We were told attending school will increase the risk of a reoccurrence because any illness can spur HSP to reoccur and it can come and go for years. I'm just taking one day at a time right now.
Truly,
Erica

[Rochelle]

Just an immediate thought - have you tried Arnica for the bruising/purpura.
I feel for you as I had an active son age 6 with thrombocytopenia for a month and had to keep him still so he didn't bleed internally!!
Rochelle
Registered Homeopath
EFT(Advanced) Practitioner
www.southporthomeopathy.co.uk

[ELM]

Thanks Rochelle,
Yes, I forgot to mention that! Arnica was the first thing I tried when
the bruising started. No response at all.

I understand what you went through!
Thanks for trying, I may try it again if nothing else seems fitting.
Truly,
Erica

--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "rochelle" wrote:
bruising/purpura.
for a month and had to keep him still so he didn't bleed internally!!

[Jean Doherty]

Had a case that used Crotalus horridus in a girl who rumbled and grumpled a bit. Later complemented with Rhus Tox because of restlessness. Off course was on Cortisone as well as people I see mainly orthodox but I feel remedies were useful. Now OK for 2 years.
A recent case failed on this remedy and Phos Ac. The latter seemed well indicated. Presently have started China Sulph after visiting their igloo type home which is ongoing in formation for 10 years or more.
I can not remember where I found the rubric , may have been this
GENERALITIES; HEMORRHAGE; tendency or actual; passive, oozing (18) : carbn-s., chin., aln., ars-h., bov., bufo, caps., carb-v., crot-h., ferr-p., ham., kreos., mill., ph-ac., sec., tarent., ter., ust.
SKIN; ECCHYMOSE (70) : Arn., Led., Ph-ac., Phos., Sec., Sul-ac., ars., bry., carb-v., con., crot-h., ferr., ham., hep., hyper., kreos., lach., nux-v., petr., puls., pyrog., sulph., tarent., ter., thlaspi, aeth., anthr., arg-n., bad., bar-c., bar-m., bell., bell-p., benz-n., bor., both-l., calc., carc., cham., chin., chlf., chlol., cic., coca, coll., cop., cosm., cub., dulc., erig., euphr., foll., iod., iodof., kali-chl., laur., meli., merc., mill., morg., mur-ac., par., plb., rhus-t., ruta, supren., tab., thal., uran-n., verbe-h.

Good Luck Jean

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

Thinking outside of the box, this is what I found in Marsh's clinical repertory:
Skin; PURPURA: aceclo., auroth., furose., hydral., hydrocth., imipra., isonia., lovast., mmr, nifedi., phenel., phenyl., rifamp.
And you describe a history of reaction to MMR, so that might be the remedy you need.

Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD, NMD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind".

[Rosemary C. Hyde, Ph.D.]

Dear Erica,
Wow! What a distressing situation! I can certainly empathize, being a mom.
Dr R's suggestion is a distinct possibility.
Your comment about her sensitivity to reprimand made me think about Carc, which might be helpful at some point(auto-immune diseases, ailments after MMR...)
Bry does seem well indicated as well -- given her state of resignation that you described -- you might want to experiment with potencies and observe it for a longer time to see if it helps perhaps starting somewhere else than the pain, or in intermittent pain reduction or some other longer-term pattern.
There are actually a bunch of possible remedies because it's a fairly complicated picture with the remedies she was given before getting to the hospital, the diversity of symptoms, and the several possible causes.
As you observe her, do you see a characteristic general or mental modality or symptom that makes you think of a specific remedy and eliminate others? Except for her resignation, for instance, one might think seriously of Aconite. Does her apparent resignation indicate a degree of depression or hopelessness, or is it just being matter-of-fact? That could help in narrowing the remedy field as well.
You haven't mentioned any particular anxiety or chilliness, or one might think of Ars.
Sul-ac covers the symptoms, but you would see the characteristic hurriedness in some way, I would assume. (Sal-ac is another acid possibility).
I'm sure you see what I mean - a careful differential remedy diagnosis, eliminating remedies that might fit if the important characteristics aren't there. Perhaps you can enlist a homeopathic friend to help you with this -- I have a feeling you're not in an emotional or logistical space that would facilitate this kind of analysis.
Also, taking the opposite approach, in this kind of acute-ish situation, sometimes you just perceive something in passing and a remedy flashes into your mind. Go with that feeling, investigate a bit more to be sure if you need to, and often that remedy is a helpful one.
Good luck!! Warmly, Rosemary

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[ELM]

Thank you Rochelle, Jean, Dr. Rosencwajg, and Rosemary,

All helpful suggestions. I had actually just been discussing trying
the MMR remedy with my husband when I came back in to check messages
(kismet). She took it about 3 years ago with not much response but
that is before we began water dosing so I am going to try it again.
My instinct is telling me there is a connection here.

Rosemary, interestingly enough, her first remedy was Carc. and it
began the once-a-week stomach aches and vomiting. After 5 weeks in a
row of Saturday night at 4 a.m. stomach pain and vomiting, her
homeopath decided she was proving it and we stopped it. She had not
experienced any improvements. Prior to that she had rarely vomited
(she was 5.5 yo when we started homeopathy). The symptom continued
here and there over the past 4 years.

The last remedy I gave was Bryonia, 200c in water (1 tsp) this a.m.
and let it ride all day. At first it brought the stomach pain back
out and then it seemed to keep her at bay (no better or worse) all
day. Tonight her nose ran clear (and then blood streaked from right
side), and she developed a small fever (100.1) and her feet are
finally warm so I believe it is working! (Good insight!)

Actually, the remedies were given one at a time and spaced out in 12-
24 hour intervals before changing. Those are just the various
remedies that have been tried in the past 7 days. Sorry I wasn't
clear about that. I changed mostly based on "keynotes" popping up as
the general symptoms fit for many. Wanted icy cold drinks and was
freezing cold all over... weepy and asking "why is this happening
*to me*"... saying "I want to go home" ... but right now there is
not much to go by - she's being a trooper and just resolved that she
needs to rest. She is normally very forthright with complaining and
extremely sensitive so she's handling it well - as much as could be
expected. Although she is starting to get weepy at small things so
I'm watching her mood. (Who wouldn't be?!)

Another interesting note, she mentioned out of the blue "what about
China?" She has a way of doing that (also clairvoyant). But I had
just read about it and I wasn't sure if she was picking up on that
or ... I'll have to revisit. I'm going to look at the other remedies
mentioned as well.

One of my strong points is an ability to objectively observe
symptoms but I know when it's your own child, it's trickier. I also
have control issues which seem to work well for me in times of
crisis! (Last year when I was having an anaphylactic reaction, I
offered the EMTs a cup of coffee! I'm saving my nervous
breakdown for later.

She is looking very much like Bryonia/Phosphorous to me right now.
I'm going to see what presents in the morning and consider the MMR
remedy which I know is an unusual approach but "unusual" usually
works for us!

Thanks again to all who have responded with great information. Any
more thoughts are definitely welcome!
Truly,
Erica

[ELM]

Another question... she has been asking to homeschool recently
(school starts in 2 weeks). We just moved to FL this year and she
had to catch up on her multiplication facts (math is difficult for
her as she has memory and learning "disabilities").

Her teacher told her if she didn't learn her facts quickly the
teacher this fall will yell at her! (Nice!) So she is afraid of that
happening. As mentioned, she is sensitive to reprimand and easily
embarrassed.

Would this factor in and if so which remedy?

Interestingly enough, some doctors suggest homeschooling with HSP as
exposure to more germs increases the likelihood of reoccurence. We
tried homeschooling the year before last and it was a nightmare. She
is not motivated and wouldn't do any work. She ended up repeating
3rd grade because she didn't do the homeschooling. She wanted to go
back to school last year but is now asking to homeschool again
because she's afraid the teacher is going to yell at her. She's very
social and loves seeing her friends at school.

Thanks!
Erica

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

You know, since I read your first email, Pulsatilla has been screaming in my mind.
I checked it against purpura, hemorrhage, bleeding, ecchymoses, nothing really stands out, but the ever changing symptoms and the emotionals you keep describing are driving me madly towards it....what do you reckon??? If you repertorise her without the purpura, does that make any sense?
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD, NMD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind".

[Gail]

Hi Erica,

What a difficult time - make sure you keep your adrenal nutrition up!
just some random thought reactions....
not everyone who proves Carc has such a strong periodicity, so
presumably that is part of your daughter's constitutional
susceptibility picture.
where did you go on holidays - is weather exposure or sudden change
of temperature part of the picture?
I know there were a lot of other things happening but was there also
a measure of 'ailments from excitement' before you went away?
I guess you've seen the rubric - 'Mathematics'.... And Gallavardin's
Repertory of Pshycic Medicines has some interesting suggestions about
learning abilities.
Interesting that she fears the teacher will yell at her, and got
herself into the position of you yelling at her, and now you're
totally tangled up with her need. Could be better to have a mother
who will help her pick up the pieces after being yelled at by someone
else. Maybe part of the picture is around the need to separate or a
fear of independance which goes with extreme anxiety? Given that a
strong fear is often a protection from a strong desire, perhaps
underneath she really does want to go to school. What does she fear
losing if she is independant?

Good luck, Gail.

--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "ELM" wrote:
that
as
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very