Time certainly flies, doesn’t it?
It’s hard to believe it was way back in 2012 I wrote the blog post entitled, “Anticipating Surgery? Homeopathy Can Help.” However, even though it has been five years, that surgical protocol can still be quite helpful to you.
Over time, you’ve also sent me other questions as well, both in the comment sections of my blogs and also on social media.
So, I would like to take a moment to answer some of them. Of course, I am not your doctor nor am I there with you, so I can’t address questions about specific cases. But, I am happy to help clarify any confusion you may have as you further your homeopathic education. Last week, we covered whether Arnica is safe to use before or after surgical procedures (I told you about plastic surgeons who recommend the SinEcch™ brand of Arnica to their post-surgical patients.)
Here are four other questions I hear time and again:
1. What is the preferred remedy for post-anesthesia issues?
My earlier blog post mentions Phosphorus and Nux vomica to counteract ill effects from anesthesia, such as headaches and nausea. However, I also want to mention Camphor 200 — one dose/one day. This is a powerful medicine to help clear the slate of the ill effects of anesthesia (as well as the myriad drugs one is given before, during, and after surgery).
(I teach more about Camphor on the blog “Stop It! How to Antidote a Bad Drug Reaction.”)
2. Is there a special homeopathic method to address a sore throat that occurs after intubation?
A sore throat resulting from intubation is not your typical sore throat — it’s an injury! As such, there are certain remedies traditionally used for injuries; specifically, Arnica 30, a few times per day. When the pain recurs, it’s time to take another dose. For instance, if it recurs within three hours, then that’s when it’s time for the next dose. Frequency is generally based on specific needs as dictated by pain or other presenting symptoms.
Additionally, because Ferrum phosphoricum addresses inflammation in tender areas, Ferrum phos 6 is taken in the same manner (alternating with the Arnica 30). (Remember to scroll down to download your free remedy card.)
3. What if I have emergency surgery and am not able to prepare for it homeopathically?
I urge folks to start where they can. Granted, yes, the protocol is generally designed to start the night before surgery. But for instance, 25 years ago I had a completely unexpected emergency surgery. I certainly didn’t have the luxury of starting the protocol the night before.
That’s why I was sure to take my kit with me to the hospital! I started where I was. Once I knew I would have the surgery in the next hour or so, I started with my first dose of Arnica right then. Also, my husband came into the recovery room to administer the next dose as soon as he could get to me.
4. And what about the anxiety before surgery?
I didn’t do it at the time, but I could have taken Gelsemium 6 or 30, which would have helped defend against potential anxiety of the forthcoming event. I actually just didn’t think to take it. My brain had turned to mush, as is wont to happen to most of us in a situation like that.
I relish receiving your questions, but sadly, there’s not enough time in the day to answer every single one (although I try). Rest assured your questions don’t go unnoticed, and I hope to do more of these Q&A blogs from time to time. Plus, I also want to share another surgical protocol with you — after the New Year. So, as always, stay tuned!
Warmly,
P.S. I hope the information in my blogs and podcasts help to educate you as you endeavor to provide healthcare to your own family.
I know though, for me at least, I learned so much more efficiently and effectively in a study group atmosphere. Plus, it was a lot more fun to learn! Should you be interested, I offer a guided study group curriculum called Gateway to Homeopathy,
Learn more about homeopathy with your friends and family in the relaxed environment of your homes or online. My curriculum takes you by the hand each step of the way.
There are quite a few study groups starting after the holidays that you can join — or start your own! What better time to commit to learning more about homeopathy? Make it your New Year’s Resolution.
Hi Joette, you mention Phosphorous and Nux vomica to counteract ill effects from anesthesia. Would you provide the strength of each and how often to take them? Thank you!
Usually used in 200 and used as needed depending on symptoms.
Thank you! This is great! Will the camphor antidote remedies taken prior to surgery?
That is the intention.
Hi Joette, I am assuming that the homeopathic medicines recommended for the ill effects of Anesthesia were established a long time ago. Over the years substances used in anesthesia have changed a lot and the new ones that are replaced have a different pathway & effect on the body. In light of that shouldn’t the homeopathic medicines also change?
Not if the effects are the same. Nausea is nausea. Spaciness is spaciness.
You are right. Thank you.
I can’t thank you enough for the timely post! I had back surgery this morning and the ONLY pain I am having tonight is a sore throat. Should the Arnica 200 that I’m taking to keep surgical pain at bay take care of this sore throat or would Arnica 30 be a better choice? I just added Ferr Phos 6 so hopefully I will get relief.
Usually, one potency of a medicine acts for many conditions.
By the way, the more severe pain is after surgery, the more likely the need for Hypericum 200 or 1M.
Hi Joette; I’m considering a breast reduction. Is there a protocol to speed up the healing process after surgery?
The surgery protocol is on my blog. Just use those words in the search bar.
Joette. Your Q&A are amazing. It has absolute clarity and no confusion. Thank you.
My 8 year old daughter is having surgery next week. If I give her camphor afterwards to deal with all the drugs she’ll be given, can I then give her arnica, etc after the camphor? Do I need to wait a certain amount of time after the camphor dose before giving her remedies for pain, etc?
The hierarchy is to use the medicines that are most needed at the time, followed by those that may or may not even be needed at all.
I used Joette’s surgery protocol for my own appointment with the operating table last week. In specific, I was able to speak to the anesthesiologist before going under to let him know I was a lightweight where sedating drugs were concerned and to go easy on me. Even so, I woke up in recovery with convulsive shivers in legs and arms, so as soon as I was in the car (husband driving) home, I popped a Phosporus 30C and what a quick and miraculous response! By the time I got home 30 minutes later, the shaking and disorientation was gone. I took another dose about an hour later and by evening, I was starving (had fasted 24 hours pre-surgery). No nausea ever! Read in J.T. Kent’s Materia Medica that Phosphorus is used to antidote chloroform — no wonder it worked so well! I also used Staphysagria 200C for pain in surgical incisions to good effect. Still using Arnica for bruising where drug/nutrition lines were attached to my skin. Bonus, threw the surgeon’s “Norco” rx for 30 days in the shredder as soon as I got home without ever taking one.
Please send my remedy card.
Mrs. Calabrese,
What a helpful article, thank you. I learn so much from your blogs, they’re addicting!
From taking GGBG, I understand the use of Camphor one dose/one day for chronics. But I am a little uncertain when using it for an acute such as surgery.
If someone is, say, in a lot of pain after waking up from the anesthesia that first day, am I to give only Camphor and nothing else for 24 hrs? Or may I give Camphor and then also in that day give whatever else is needed for pain, etc?
I understand the importance of “clearing the slate”, but it would seem awfully hard to not treat pressing symptoms that appear for a whole day. Thank you for helping me understand!
Blessings!
You’re absolutely correct. When there’s a need to move quickly, we forego Camphor and press the most outstanding medicines into service instead.
My son had surgery five years ago. Three months post surgery he began displaying ADD symptoms in school and also bed wetting. I was told by multiple Practitioners that it’s the lingering effect caused by the anesthesia. What is to be done?
Would camphora 200 be of any help?
Thank you Mrs. Calabrese! I am abundantly blessed by your teacher’s heart.
May I ask, if all appears well and give Camphor immediately after surgery, but then notable symptoms arise afterward, is it too late to give any other remedies that day? Will they not act if given within 24 hours of Camphor?
Since pressing symptoms are likely to appear, would it be smart to wait until things prove calm, then do the Camphor?
If there’s time, Camphor is the best choice. It will likely not antidote a medicine that is administered earlier than 24 hours.
Beautiful, thank you so much.
Forgive me for asking just one more question please…
If the Camphor does antidote a well-chosen remedy in that first day, am I up a creek? Is there a way to cancel the Camphor?
Once you administer the medicine after CAmphor, it will reinstate it.
Thank you for your time, Mrs. Calabrese.
Greetings! Do you ever, or is it even possible, to use camphor as a homeopathic repeated medicine? Not just once to clear the system or once to antidote, but are there any maladies for which Camphor could be used as a repeated medicine???
Yes, Camphor is a medicine of many abilities, not just antidoting.
Mrs. Calabrese,
Would you take Arnica 30 for a sore throat after intubation AND the recommended course of Arnica 200 for the general surgery protocol?
Thank you very much.
It’s usually more effective to use a medicine in one potency only since it will likely cover more than one condition.
Thank you so very much for your speedy reply! Looking forward to the Pain course in a few weeks!
If you take camphor can you follow up with arnica for pain or should you not take anything else for the whole day you’re using camphor?
If there’s pain, I’d skip Camphor and go directly to pain medicines.
Mrs. Calabrese,
As you answered earlier, we are to forego the Camphor if other medicines are needed immediately after surgery.
My question is, should we use the Camphor after pain, etc. are in hand? Is it better late than never to go after cleaning up the allopathic drug residue?
Thank you.
As always, it depends on the hierarchy of conditions. If pain is paramount, that’s what needs to be addressed. If ailments from the drugs are causing sobering conditions, that needs to be worked on 1st.
Rachel, do you have my guide “A Survivalist Guide to Homeopathy”? The more extreme conditions and diseases are covered in great detail.
Will Camphor antidote a nerve block that was given before surgery for pain?
Mrs. Calabrese,
I have heard you make it clear that Camphor stops the action of a remedy at that moment in time. That really helped me understand that it doesn’t have a retroactive action, but a current one.
However, does it have a forward action? If you wait some minutes after taking Camphor before starting another remedy, does it reverberate out and cancel future remedies?
Thank you so very much!
~ Rachel
It doesn’t act forward.
Thank you very much for helping me understand!
Can Camphor be used to antidote the effects of gadolinium dye used as a contrast medium during MRIs?
We always start with Camphor before commencing other remedies when opening a case. It helps clear the way. But when it comes to concerns regarding substances that are noteworthy toxins, I refer folks to my oncourse titled “Toxic”. It’s more specific and in-depth.
Hi Joette,
I just watched your FB live of 4th Oct 21 on Nausea, where you mentioned about Arnica before surgery.
My dad 90 yrs of age had a fall on 4th evening and had a upper right femur fracture for which partial hip surgery was planned on 5th Oct.On the way to the hosp on 4th I administered Arnica 1m twice as her was in severe pain. Then on the day of surgery I gave him 2 to 3 doses of Arnica 200. His surgery was successfully done at 3 pm afternoon.I didnt give him any Arnica after surgery as he was brought back to his bed very late in the night and I had to leave and my sister stayed.I heard what you said in the FB video and had shivers down my spine, as I have risked my dad bleeding heavily during surgery. No mention was made by the docs but I’m really nervous.
I have started him on Symph 200 and Calc phos 3x 2D and Ruta 30 2D…these for a month.Also gave, Bellis Per 200 1D and Staph 200 1D for the incision…but I’m not confident using more of these two.
I’m still learning and feeling super nervous with what I have done. My dad is delirious after surgery ( which has happened in his previous ones too) but I’m hoping it’s not made it worse becoz of what I did.
I’m learning the GGBG course now and hope to learn and administer remedies correctly.
The concern is not after surgery when there is a natural need for Arnica, but before surgery before it’s needed.
I urge you to delve deeply into homeopathy so that your ability and confidence build.
Delirium after surgery is usually related to general anesthesia; certainly not the likes of homeopathy. Find out what drugs were used and are still being used and go online to see if delirium is associated with them.
What I discussed on Facebook is the OVER use of Arnica BEFORE surgery.
Thanks for your response Joette.Will do the needful..
Thank you so much for the wealth of information you share. I really enjoyed the gateway classes and look forward to more classes in the future.
Would camphora help with an old reaction (from five years ago) to anesthesia that caused secondary enuresis and adhd symptoms.
I am wondering if there are any remedies that should NOT be taken prior to surgery? Like Hypericum for instance for nerve pain that has nothing to do with the surgery but is helping another ailment. Should that be stopped prior to surgery to avoid any potential complications?