A 31-years-old male, Mr. A.B. (PIN 29535) visited Life Force Homeopathy on 19th August 2016 to get treated for his Ankylosing Spondylitis treatment. He experienced the first symptom of ankylosing spondylitis before 8 years. Initially, he ignored his symptoms, but, when he noticed his complaints were getting worse, he finally went to see a specialist and learned that he had that gene i.e. HLA-B27 positive and was diagnosed as the patient of Ankylosing Spondylitis. His pain started first in the lower back and then to hips and the knees. He was having sacroiliac pain, pain in the lumbar spine, and stiffness in lower back and legs. He was suffering from severe pain as if someone has stabbed. He was experiencing a difficulty in lying down, turning in bed, and raising from sitting position.  His pain would aggravate at night, while climbing stairs, and in damp weather. Due to the pain, he was unable to do even his day-to-day activities. His pain was so bad that he couldn't stand or sit. His sleep was disturbed, as pain would wake him up in the middle of the night. He was continuously on painkillers from the last 8 months without much relief in the pain. And, in the past, he had used strong steroids.

Besides ankylosing spondylitis, he was also suffering from a recurrent headache and acidity.

Family History:
He had no other major illness in the past. In his family, his father was hypertensive, mother was suffering from osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism, and his sister had hypothyroidism.

Physical Generals:
He had cravings for sweets and sour foods. His thirst and appetite were normal. He was sensitive to the cold temperature. He had no urinary complaints. His stools were also satisfactory. His sleep was disturbed due to the pain. He had dreams of people praising him or defaming him.

Self And Family Set-Up:
He was into the business of curtain fabrics wholesale & manufacturing, and his wife was a chartered accountant by profession. He was from Kolkata originally but, for business, he shifted to Surat, Gujarat. He was highly irritable and anxious by nature, and his irritability had increased due to his ailments. There were constant disputes between him and his wife, and once he had tried to threaten the family by injuring himself by wrist cutting. According to his wife, he is more image conscious, pretends and portray the things, and would always feel inferior among friends and cousins. 

Prescription:
Dr. Shah studied his case in detail and all reports were thoroughly evaluated, based on which Dr. Shah prescribed him LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 30 along with his research-based medicines. He has advised physiotherapy or some stretching exercises along with the medicines.

On 22nd October 2016 in his first follow-up, he reported his pain in back, hips, legs, and stiffness during the daytime to be 50% better and, during the night time, it is better by 30%. As his pain was better, he had tapered the dose of his Painkiller. 

On 21st December 2016, he reported his complaints were better. But, in between, his pain and stiffness had started again due to the change in weather. The patient was counseled that in the cold weather the muscular and joint pains would get worse. Based on the feedback, revised medicines were prescribed to him.

On 6th February 2017, the patient informed that his pain and stiffness had reduced by 50% and he has stopped his painkillers completely.

After another six months in the month of the July 2017, he was almost 75% better in his complaints. There was no need to take painkillers or any other conventional medicines. He showed persistent improvement in his complaints.

On 29th December 2017, his pain had reduced considerably and his movements had also improved significantly. His symptoms of a back, hip, leg pain, and stiffness had reduced. He reported that he was completely pain-free, and, in the last 8 months, he had not taken any Allopathic medicines. Now, he was able to do his day-to-day activities which were difficult for him previously.

Conclusion:

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory auto-immune difficult condition and does not have any cure. But, with the help of homeopathic medicines, one can expect a less painful life, if not pain-free in all cases. With homeopathic treatment, one will be able to live an active lifestyle with a better control of the disease. Homeopathic medicines are as effective as allopathic painkillers and that too without side-effects.

- Written by Dr. Mithila, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah M.D.