We then did a Reference Works search of "wringing pain around umbilicus at close of urination" and find the following under Colocynthis :

Clarke: "tenesmus in urethra and rectum after urinating", Allen: "twisting pain in bowels"; "griping around the umbilicus".

4/7/94. Phone follow-up with Christine:

"I think people still look at me, but I don't notice. I'm not as irritated with people. One week after the remedy,

I was lying down reading and I felt a release in my lower abdomen. It lasted for about three or four days. The discomfort in my bladder with urination happens less often. It was every day and now it's about twice a week. It's a kind of bloated pain.

I still have my personality problems... I feel dimensional. I don't feel a really deep connection to who I am. I almost have a fear of it. I want to float up high and not conect myself to the earth. I want to escape. I don't know what I'm scared of.

I made myself look for work. It was easier than before. I found a job in accounts payable work. That's what I wanted to do. I want to get away from working with the public for a while. I was offered all these waitressing jobs, but I didn't take them. I'm not taking what others say as seriously. The other day at work, I told my boss that I'd like to learn to make soap from flowers. She replied, "I can think of better things to do." I just thought it was funny. Before I would have gotten really upset. I still think I'm different from other people, but I supposed I feel more relaxed with people... less put on the spot. I used to make dates with friends and then cancel them. Now I go and don't cancel out. I feel a little more hopeful. Not that feeling of desperation.

I feel this remedy has profoundly affected me physically. It felt like that abdominal release was a letting go from way back when I had the P.I.D. I just don't feel that everything is such a major thing. I'm no longer afraid to make a decision. Before I felt like I couldn't move... I still don't like others' expectations. I don't feel so intensely that others are unfeeling. At work, I used to feel offended at each person who came in. I don't feel that way anymore.

The one other remedy which my other homeopath gave me that made me feel strong was Staphysagria."

Christine, like Laurel, continues to feel well, although more follow-up is definitely needed for her over time.

Conclusion:

Learning to understand more deeply the state of the person and the state of the remedy has helped us tremendously in our prescribing. We sincerely hope that it will help you as well so that you, in turn, can help many more patients.

Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman are board certified by the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. They are instructors in the Professional Course of the International Foundation for Homeopathy, of which Judyth is President. They teach and write widely and are just finishing their first book, The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Treatment. They practice at The Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine at 131 3rd Ave., N, Edmonds, WA 98020. (206) 774-5599.