RHEUMATISM, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatism refers to any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues.

rheumatoid_arthritis, atrophic_arthritis, rheumatism

A chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities; something (possibly a virus) triggers an attack on the synovium by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of the joint.

‘rheumatic disorders’ include:-

Ø Polymyalgia Rheumatica – in this disorder there is pain and stiffness in a lot of different muscles, especially those around the shoulders. It affects mainly the elderly.

Ø Tenosynovitis – This is an inflammation of the sheathes of the tendons – they are the cord-like structures in the wrist and elsewhere, which many older people call ‘leaders’.

Ø Capsulitis – this is an inflammation of the capsule (the covering) of the joint, often the shoulder.

Ø Bursitis – This is an inflammation caused by friction between soft tissues and underlying bone. A ‘sac’ of fluid develops.

Homeopathic Medicines for RHEUMATISM, Rheumatoid Arthritis

#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
From the earliest homoeopathic times Rhus has been the great rheumatic remedy of the school, comparing only with Bryonia; and the difference between these remedies must be repeated once more.

Rhus
Restlessness and desire to move about continually, on account of the relief it to the aches and pains.

Bryonia
Disposition to keep perfectly still, since moving causes an aggravation of of all aches and yet sometimes pains force patient to move .

Rhus
Suitable especially to rheumatism affecting fibrous tissues, sheaths of muscles etc., Rheumatism from exposure to wet when overheated and perspiring.

Bryonia
Suitable to rheumatism of the joints and of muscular tissues itself. This is not especially the case with Bryonia, though a Bryonia rheumatism from these causes.
All Rhus rheumatic symptoms are relieved by motion. They are worse from sitting and worse from rising from a sitting position, or on first commencing to move; continued motion, however, relieves. Warmth also relieves the Rhus rheumatism. Damp weather and the approach of storms aggravate. Cold also aggravates. Rhododendron is similar, in that change of weather aggravates. The character of the Rhus pains is first a stiffness and soreness. there are also tearing pains,drawing, paralyzed sensations and even stitches. The sudden pain in the back known as "crick" is met well with Rhus. Rhus has an especial affinity for the deep muscles of the back. It is perhaps the most often indicated of any remedy in lumbago. It is also, it may be mentioned in passing, a remedy for the effects of overexertion such as sprains, wrenches, etc., being to fibrous tissues what Arnica is to the softer structures. The rheumatism keeling for Rhus may appear in any part ;of the body; the lower extremities seem to have suffered most in the provers. The great keynotes of Rhus are the following: 1. Relief from continued motion; the lumbago, however, being sometimes worse from motion. 2. The stiffness and soreness. 3. The aggravation when first beginning to move.4. The aggravation from damp weather and cold. cold air is not tolerated; it seems to make the skin painful. 5. The relief of all the symptoms by warmth. Rhus will not cure every case of rheumatism, but it will cure a good many.

#Bryonia. [Bry]
The rheumatism of Bryonia attacks the joints themselves, producing articular rheumatism, and it also inflames the muscle tissue, causing muscular rheumatism. The muscles are sores and swollen, and the joints are violently inflamed, red, swollen, shiny,l and very hot. The pains are sharp,stitching or cutting in character, and the great feature of the drug should always be present, namely the aggravation from the slightest motion. Touch and pressure also aggravate. There is but little tendency for the rheumatism of Bryonia to shift about like that of Pulsatilla or Kalmia. It is not liable to be mistaken for any other remedy. Ledum has some points of similarity. It would come in in articular rheumatism, where there is a scanty effusion, while Bryonia tends to copious exudation. Bryonia seems to suit well the acid condition of the blood, which gives rise to rheumatism; it has a sour sweat; also, Kali carbonicum has stitching pains, but absence of fever will distinguish it from Bryonia. Bryonia, Ledum, Nux and Colchicum are the four chief remedies having aggravation from motion. General constitutional symptoms will most likely be present in cases calling for Bryonia. Excessive tenderness of the soles of the feet in rheumatism may suggest antimonium crudum.

#Causticum. [Caust]
This remedy resembles Rhus quite closely in many respects. The following are some of the differences:

Causticum.
The restlessness of this remedy occurs only at night. Rheumatism caused by dry, cold frosty air. Pains impel constant motion, which does not relieve.

Rhus
Restlessness all the time. Rheumatism from damp wet weather. Motion relieves the patient temporarily.
The symptoms calling for Causticum are a stiffness of the joints. The tendons seem shortened and the limbs are drawn out of shape. It is a sort ;of rheumatoid arthritis. As with Rhus, there is relief from warmth. There are drawing muscular pains sand soreness of the parts o;f which the patient lies. It has been found useful in rheumatism about the articulations of the jaw. Rhus has a cracking of the lower jaw when chewing. Colocynth has a stiffness about the joints and is also a useful remedy in articular rheumatism. Causticum, like Guaiacum and Ledum, has gouty concretions in the joints. There is much weakness and trembling with Causticum, as with all the preparations of potash, and it is ;of little use in arthritic troubles if fever be present. Weakness of the ankle-joint, contracted tendons, and a sprained feeling in the hip-joints are some of its important symptoms.

#Ledum. [Led]
Ledum is one of our best remedies for rheumatism ands gout, especially the latter. The great symptom which has always been regarded as the distinctive characteristic is the direction the pains takes, namely, going from below upwards. Like Caulophyllum and some others, Ledum seems to haves a predilection for the smaller joints. Nodes form in them and the pains travel up the limbs. The pains are made worse from the warmth of the bed. the effusion into the joints is scanty and it soon hardens and forms the nodosities above mentioned. Ledum, like Colchicum, causes acute, tearing pains in the joints; weakness of the limbs and numbness and coldness of the surface. Kalmia also has pains which travel upwards, but the character of the pains will distinguish. It may also be mentioned that Ledum is an excellent remedy in erythema nodosum, which is of rheumatic origin. Ledum produces and cures in certain cases an obstinate swelling of the feet. Wine aggravates all the symptoms of this drug. The characteristics of
Ledum may be thus summed up: 1. Upward extension of the pains 2. Tendency to the formation of nodes in the small joints. 3. Aggravation ;by the warmth ;of the bed. 4. Aggravation by motion. It is useful, too, after the abuse of Colchicum in large doses.

#Pulsatilla. [Puls]
Pulsatilla is usually brought prominently to mind when there is a tendency for the rheumatism to shift about, wandering rheumatic pains being one of its red strings. But other remedies have this symptom also, prominent among them being Kalmia, Bryonia, Colchicum, Sulphur, Kali bichromicum and that member of the tissue family most resembling Pulsatilla, namely, Kali sulphuricum. There is little trouble in distinguishing Pulsatilla from any or all of these remedies by its general symptoms. Kali sulphuricum, however, will give the most trouble, but it is not a well-proven remedy and need only be thought of to try when Pulsatilla seems the remedy yet fails. Other characteristics of the Pulsatilla rheumatism are the aggravation from warmth, aggravation in the evening, and the relief from cold. The knee, ankle and tarsal joints are the most usual seat of the trouble when Pulsatilla is indicated. There is, too a restlessness with the remedy, the pains are so severe that the patient is compelled to moves, and slow, easy motion relieves, as also with Lycopodium and Ferrum. A prominent use for Pulsatilla is in gonorrhoeal rheumatism. The joints are swollen and the pains are sharp and stinging, with a feeling of subcutaneous ulceration. Kali bichromicum is also a remedy for gonorrhoeal rheumatism, as well as for wandering rheumatic pains; it has relief in a warm room, which at once distinguishes it from Pulsatilla. Thuja is another remedy for gonorrhoeal rheumatism. Rheumatism dependent on disturbance of the liver or stomach is apt to find its remedy in Pulsatilla.

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