URGENT - Henoch Schonlein Purpura - vasculitis and nephritis in my 9 yo daughter - need help
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:53 am
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
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
I'm saving my nervous