Report on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Project
In this project, that started in December 2003, five homeopaths under guidance of Peter Chappell focused on the physical symptoms of CFS, instead of the characteristics of the individual patients, in order to discover the totality of CFS as a disease. This was experienced by some of the homeopaths as completely contrary to their normal modus operandi, but homeopaths are uniquely qualified to do this as they are well versed in discriminating between individuals and their disease.
Ten first anamneses and about 50 files from a number of homeopaths with many years' experience were put together. In the brainstorm that was held on the second evening, flesh and bones were put to the definition of CFS, and the next day the remedy was developed with the name: PC-CFS. The remedy was given to the patients in the pilot group, together with a manual. It is the intention that the patients take a daily dose till the first follow up on January 20. The results will then be compared, and a monthly follow up is planned till the beginning of May, when conclusions will be drawn, again in the presence of Peter Chappell.
Almost all patients reacted from the moment the remedy
was taken or two or three days afterwards. Most patients contacted their homeopath,
and all were advised to stop taking the remedy. Some patients started taking
the remedy at a later moment, and they too were advised to stop taking the remedy
as with them too, the aggravations were clear.
Most patients had very pronounced aggravations, which they recognized as the
original symptoms of their ailment (vertigo, nausea, pain in the region of the
liver, headache, backache, fears).
Three to seven days after discontinuation, the aggravations had diminished a
lot, and some patients saw the first signs of amelioration (better sleep, less
problems with food intolerances, able to be active for two days in a row, more
energy, ready for leaving house in less time)
In other patients, the ameliorations showed more on a psychic level (less worries
about exams, lawsuit).
One patient still suffered a lot from mental aggravation.
Evaluation: a classical and very welcome reaction to the remedy: a fast initial aggravation which disappears relatively fast and is followed by (the first signs of) an amelioration.
The prognosis in such a case is very favourable.
After the results had been put together and discussed, it was decided to give the patients a new dose, with the direction to take it only in case of stagnation of the amelioration or in case of relapse, and now for maximum three days.
Second follow up on March 5 2004
In the majority of the patients who were interviewed, there was a clear amelioration at the second consultation, and in some this was even striking. When asked to mark their state before taking the remedy and now, the patients themselves assessed their evolution from 3 - 4 before to 7 - 8 now.
A pick from the things that were said in the interviews:
" 'Wake up faster in the morning and more energy, three hours less sleep
a night needed; better recovery during sleep; in the evening after dinner and
washing up able to do a few things at the computer; muscular tension is better
: no more pain, the physiotherapist remarked it too; doing things I want to
do, not because I have to; forgot I had CFS; period of change: starting another
dissertation, which I want to finish in December, the dissertation on CFS did
not get on well; I can read a book again for the first time in 20 years; much
clearer in my head, started going through administration that had piled up...."
One patient started taking the remedy less than 3 weeks ago, and had an initial
aggravation for 14 days, even though having taken the remedy only once, but
ameliorations started to show. One patient does not show any reaction yet, or
at least not definite. Another feels like being at the bottom of the pit: the
first symptoms that showed more than 20 years ago are now churning up.
Evaluation: the ameliorations that set in discreetly in January are now pronounced in most patients. This result is better than expected in so short a period! (about 6 to 8 weeks)
Third follow up on May 5 2004 in the presence of Peter Chappell
In 5 out of the 7 patients from the pilot group who came
for a third follow up on May 5, the amelioration that was already visible in
March continues. After 4 and a half months, the progress is excellent and better
than that of any other treatment of the patients in question in the course of
the history of their disease, which for some is a period of up to 20 years.
("more energy, concentration better; doing my administration again; able
to do the housekeeping and energy left in the evening; food intolerances clearly
better; no more pain in muscles during rest, only on exertion; forgot I had
CFS; looking for work; sleep is better, feel refreshed in the morning and go
to classes; energy left for other activities; can see a whole movie for the
first time since long ")
One patient who reacted strongly to the remedy, and took it for the first time
in February, may not have taken it for long enough (1 dose). Nevertheless, last
time he mentioned his best week since years.
One patient who had an aggravation but no visible amelioration
yet, is under immense stress.
Three persons who did not react, only got the remedy recently, after the positive
results in the pilot group had become clear. Because of the feared aggravations
they took the remedy for only a few days. This may be insufficient; another
possibility is that the period (about 4 to 6 weeks) is not long enough to draw
any conclusions.
For 5 out of 7 of the interviewed patients the Karnofsky score improved on average 17 points, which is a remarkable result.
Taken into account that CFS is not even a precisely defined syndrome, and that the possibility exists that it concerns two or more separate syndromes, a remarkable amelioration of the energy and the general physical and psychic health in more than half of the patients in the project is a remarkable and promising result.
Moreover, as the remedy PC-CFS is easy to administer, cheap, and does not show any side effects, further investigations with it are advisable. The remedy should be given under homeopathic supervision and can be obtained via Peter Chappell: www.vitalremedies.com or via the homeopaths now participating in the project in Leuven: www.ckh.be/CVSproject.htm.
Please keep us informed of your experiences!
Evaluation of the CFS investigation after 1 year.
Leuven, December 10 2004.
Present:
Anne Vervarcke (team leader)
Wim Serneels (cooperative homeopath)
Jenny Verlinden (cooperative homeopath)
On 10 December we have put the results together of:
Four live case interviews and three reports by telephone or mail from the pilot group. Moreover four detailed reports from patients outside the pilot group and some patient files.
3 out of 4 persons questioned were remarkably better in all areas (can do everything normally again; get up in the morning and start doing household; work with the computer; can read again; take care of sick and nearly helpless husband; does not have to economise with energy; can almost study normally; goes shopping; doing household; looking for a job; start doing sports again; food allergies start to diminish; started to clean up and do administration) although not completely free of complaints. It is therefore decided to continue the treatment.
From these records, 1 patient was doing extremely well, working again and standing up for himself (never been so good, according to the mother). Someone else who started the treatment about 5 months ago is talking of "a continuous climbing result" (is trying to increase work hours by ¼ now).
From patient records, there seems to be at least a reaction to the treatment, and in some cases a better functioning of the constitutional remedy or at least a "reaction".
Two patients were "certainly not better" than
the year before. One stopped the treatment in May 2004 because of too much pain
and discomfort, although there was initially an increase of energy during the
previous months. She is taking a detoxicating cure and also acupuncture, but
is considering to start the treatment again.
Another patient had an aggravation for 6 to 9 weeks and took a constitutional
remedy. That way any possible positive effects become irrelevant for the investigation.
One patient started working intensively on himself but has had no positive result
from the CFS remedy. However, he has volunteered for further constitutional
treatment.
One patient has had a long-lasting aggravation during summer and is feeling
well now, but can not tell if this is due to this type of fluctuating he normally
gets. For this patient, conclusions must be postponed.
Treatment :
Independent from each other, the homeopaths involved came to the conclusion they had given the CFS remedy to the patients with individual advices, adapted to the sensibility and reactions of the patient. Two participants had much better results with the constitutional medicine (given respectively in September and October 2004).
Conclusion :
None of the patients has been continuously worse during the year he/she was involved
in the investigation, though some had severe reactions to the treatment. This
shows that the treatment is inoffensive and in the worst case provokes a status
quo.
Patients who did not ameliorate have stopped the treatment early or/and started
other therapies.
Patients who are better estimate themselves up to 30% better and/or up to 90%
healthy, when asked by means of a detailed questionnaire.
Three of the patients said they where willing to testify on a TV show if asked
for the positive effects of the treatment.
Strategy :
Because of the limited number of patients, it is premature to make definite pronouncements
about the treatment. On the other hand it is certain it can be a potential remedy
for CFS.
In view of the encouraging results of this first year, we want to extend the
group of homeopaths working with the CFS treatment. It is important that the
treating homeopaths strictly follow the protocol established by the core group.
This protocol has been developed through the experiences during the investigation
and is crucial for a smooth treatment and the objective assessment of the reactions.
The protocol and the remedies are available at the CKH.
A complete report of this researchproject will be published in the next edition of Homeolinks.
