It is long time since this
blog is updated, as the microblog social network is simpler to express things
in few lines. But this time decided to write this blog as it is felt the
message is important and needs to be conveyed. Also normally clinical issues
are not discussed in this blog unless they are really path breaking. Yesterday
afternoon, a seventy year old male patient called up on telephone and informed
that at last he is relieved of the ordeal of daily dressing of his wound in the
right thigh with pus/ fluid discharge. He also said ‘The discharge stopped and
wound healed almost before a week but I want to be doubly sure that discharge does
not reoccur so that I can confidently convey to you’. Amazing it is almost three years I have been
suffering seeing one doctor after other including Ayurveda physician, for the
condition I was diagnosed as Paget’s disease, I never thought that these simple
herbal medicines suggested by you will work’. But I thought it otherwise as the
medicines and herbs prescribed to him are all well researched and have enough
evidence.
For the
common reader who reads this blog, let me explain what this condition is. Paget's disease of bone is
a chronic disorder that can result in enlarged and misshapen bones. Paget's is
caused by the excessive breakdown and formation of bone, followed by
disorganized bone remodeling. This causes affected bone to weaken, resulting in
pain, misshapen bones, fractures, and arthritis in the joints near the affected
bones. Often Paget's disease is localized to only a few bones in the body.
Paget's disease typically is localized, unlike osteoporosis which usually
affects all the bones in the body.
In Allopathy/Biomedicine there is no cure for
Paget's disease, medications bisphosphonates and calcitonin
can help control the disorder and lessen pain and other symptoms. Medications
are often successful in controlling the disorder, especially when started
before complications begin. Paget's disease is rare in people less than 55
years of age. Men are more commonly affected than women.
In
this patient it has occurred in the femur the thigh bone. He has developed
infection and was having a non healing deep fistula type wound with discharge
mostly with pus. His movements are restricted and with very little physical
activity, infection and stress has developed borderline diabetes.
The drugs suggested were the following. Cissus
quadrangularis – Pirandai as food supplement for bone repair, Skimmed milk, Ragi
and millets particularly the ones rich in calcium as breakfast food. Decoction
of Rubia cordifolia – Manjista and Mahavallathy legiyum for its efficacy in
controlling neogrowth and local application of a medicated wick with datura
oil. A blend of Turmeric and Indian Gooseberry to control diabetes was also
given. The results were obvious by the end of two months. Discharge of pus
stopped after 20 days, the serous discharge after two month, with formation of
granulation tissue and wound completely healed in 70 days. The patient is now
able to walk atleast 500 mts without pain or instability with a support of a
walking stick. He is suggested for a X-ray of the femur to confirm the bone
shape. The Expense incurred for this is only 0.01% of the money he has incurred
in the last three years. It is not just about the cost effectiveness but also
the safety and efficacy of these plant drugs in a chronic disease.
CTMR attempts to share its clinical experience for the benefit of the humanity.
