Her urine was no longer sandy. She had no PMS or menstrual cramps. She got a new job and was feeling more positive mentally. She felt more creative and better able to make decisions. She felt irritated again for about one week recently. She had a brief bout of conjunctivitis for which she used an antibiotic ointment. We assessed that the remedy had acted curatively.

Two weeks later Gail experienced another episode of cystitis. The symptoms were the same as before, though milder. She had taken a dose of Staphysagria 30C with only temporary improvement. We decided that she needed a higher dose of the same remedy and gave her Staphysagria 200C.

We saw her again five weeks later. She was doing well except for outbreaks of perianal and vaginal herpes, each lasting one week. She had a recurrence of a bump on her left palm which also came and went in one week. She had this bump previously for months. She had no urinary symptoms. She was very anxious lately about moles (3). She had an increased desire for meat (2). She had a bad dream about her ex-husband finding her. She woke up wanting to scream but couldn't. Since she seemed to be feeling well, we waited and did not prescribe the remedy again.

At her next visit, two and a half months later, Gail reported that she was completely over the previous acute illness in a week. She had been working 75 to 80 hours a week. Her boss finally agreed to hire an assistant for Gail. "Maybe now I can have a personal life." She realized that her urinary symptoms often came on when she was angry and didn't say anything about it. (The essence of Staphysagria is symptoms from suppressed anger.) She was feeling chilly. She just bought a new car. She recently dreamed of the wheels being stolen- "like I don't deserve it".

She was experiencing some left foot pain. Again we waited.

Gail experienced another episode of cystitis one week later. She was again working very long hours and attending evening meetings. She felt exhausted (2). Like before, her kidneys ached (2) and she had urinary urgency (2). Her voiding was incomplete (2). She had a sharp urethral pain at the end of urination (3). We again gave her a dose of Staphysagria 200C.

We gave her some Sarsaparilla 30C to take home in case the Staphysagria did not work. Sarsaparilla is a commonly needed remedy for acute UTI's with urethral pain at the close of urination. She called the next day to say she was better.

We last saw Gail three months later. She had committed herself not to work weekends anymore. She was standing her ground more. She had no bladder problems. "I'm in a good frame of mind." She had no menstrual symptoms. "I'm still trying to deal with some of my pent up hostilities. I feel positive more and more often. I'm much stronger. I don't dwell as much on past problems. I feel more together spiritually and physically. I am more comfortable in my relationship. In the past I thought I didn't deserve such a wonderful guy. Now I know I do."

This case is interesting for several reasons. First, it is a classic presentation of a frequently needed remedy. Secondly, it is a case in which the acute and constitutional remedy for cystitis are the same. Thirdly, we see the skin eruptions, in this case herpes, coming to the surface while healing occurs on a deeper level. Fourth, we see that as long as Gail stresses herself way beyond her capacity, she still has a tendency to cystitis. It resolves quickly with Staphysagria. Had she reduced her stress by reducing her work load, she may have had any recurrences of the cystitis. Lastly, we see that, in addition to decreased frequency and rapidly resolution of the cystitis, her other chronic physical symptoms resolved and she felt much stronger mentally and emotionally. As Gail continues with homeopathy, this trend should continue. We expect that she will feel increasingly able to stand up for her needs and be more at ease with accepting a kind and loving relationship.