Vol. 22 No. 2 April 2002

by Margaret Loughnan

There are many remedies in the homœopathic materia medica that have never had a proving. Clinical indications are given with few mind indications, if any. Calculus renalis is one of these remedies.

In the first case of Calculus renalis outlined below, it was given to solve a situational problem but proved to be a deeper constitutional remedy that made a profound effect on the life of the patient.

In my practice it is now a polychrest, and I would like to introduce this old remedy as if it were new.

Clarke’s Materia Medica reference to Calculus renalis, under the name Calcarea renalis, cites a Dr Bredenoll, who in 1839 had taken grain doses of his own passed kidney stone, triturated in sugar of milk. He cured himself of kidney disease and in so doing a hard nodosity on his finger disappeared and tartar on his teeth became detached and fell off. (Dr Bredenoll’s report follows this article.)

To illustrate the remedy four constitutional cases are given and four clinical cases. Only the 30c potency was used.

Constitutional Case 1
E, aged 30, postwoman; first seen 15/9/99.

Appearance: Tall, fair slim; dressed like a teenager with purple lipstick, blue painted fingernails, mod clothes; friendly, bright, and expressive; every thing is either “simply wonderful” or “simply ghastly”. She seems rather immature for her age.

Presenting problem: She says she would like to go flatting, she is tired of living on her own, but she feels panicky and has to check doors and switches several times at night and, worse than that, she is up to urinate 6-8 times a night, and “nobody can put up with that”. She also writes lists, like shopping lists.

On questioning about the frequency to urinate, she says she feels the need to pass urine and so goes to the toilet “in case.” It is part of the repetitive compulsive disorder that she appears to have.

These problems appeared when she was 16. E’s parents separated at that time and she left home to live with her father. He was away a lot and left her with little food in the house. She started writing lists of what she needed. “I felt scared, frightened, and so alone,” she said. She was very unhappy, had no friends and felt suicidal.

When she was 8, a friend and her were approached by a man who asked them to help find his lost dog. She can’t remember all the details but they went behind bushes; the next thing she remembers is that her friend and her were separated and she was in a police car with barking dogs, and was scared out of her wits. She was taken to a doctor’s surgery and was examined for possible sexual abuse, which she found traumatic.

In other incidents a group of boys pulled her plaits. “I was a mess,” she said. In her twenties, she went to live with a boyfriend and washed dishes in a café. At this time she was drinking a lot of alcohol.

Dreams of dead, rotting fish; of a long house, spic and span – it was not for her. Doesn’t belong, wants to fly off, be somewhere else, wants to go, wants to be nowhere, place doesn’t exist. Everything is dark and sinister.

Treatment: I didn’t know the remedy for this case, I felt sure it wasn’t a known sexual abuse remedy. What was interesting was that she didn’t come for her fears or phobias but the frequent desire to urinate at night before sleeping because it interfered with her life to such a degree that she felt she couldn’t live with other people, and so lived alone. Now she had the opportunity to go flatting, and really wanted to.

I prescribed Calculus renalis because I had used this remedy many times successfully for nocturnal frequency, particularly in elderly people.

Follow-up: Patient rang within 2 weeks to say she felt much better and to give her new address. She had a throat infection at this stage and required Phytolacca. Calculus renalis was then repeated.

At four-week follow-up visit: Feeling good, enjoying flatting. Up twice before sleeping, then sleeps through. Has an upstairs bedroom; feels safe. Checking switches and locks less, keeps a diary rather than writing lists. Wakes up with a sense of calm and relief; stable on the ground. “Feel I could cope with the day, have the strength, more even-keeled.” Butterflies gone from her stomach. Feels happier and positive about life, even though the postie job is becoming a burden. Dreams about houses and beautiful gardens. She can speak out now and laughs more.

Did the remedy do all this? Or had she improved because she is now living with someone and feels safe?

I deliberately antidoted her treatment by giving another remedy. A phone call the next day – “everything was black”. I instructed her to write down her feelings then take another Calculus renalis.

This is what she wrote: “Feel like running away, or like hiding. Like to hit the wall. Need a friend. Mad. Speed-up. Can’t cope – no strength or certainty. Frightened, scared, suspicious of everyone, can’t trust no one. Need someone to hold me and keep me on the ground. Stabilise me. Feel like a mad woman. Don’t know what to do with self.” Calculus renalis 30c took away all these feelings.

Over the year she has required a few repeats of the remedy. She is now in a stable relationship and is happy; she would like to change her postie job particularly at Christmas time. Frequent urgency to urinate at night is not there. Repetitive checking has ceased.

In July she required a dose of Sepia 1M for typical Sepia symptoms – tired, emotional, sensitive, PMT, late menses, dragging down discomfort, better for exercise, etc. There was a good response.

But it was the Calculus renalis that had a profound effect and gave her life back.

Last seen on 8/1/01. Remains well and happy with a sense of calmness inside. When problems arise she can put them aside and deal with them later. Still in the same stable relationship.

Constitutional Case 2
Lad of 13, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome; first seen 30/9/99.

Presenting problem: This child was vomiting bile every school morning, but was fine in the weekend. He didn’t eat until after school. The extreme anxiety behind the vomiting occurred at the beginning of secondary education when there were more expectations, academically, socially and in sports. Sports days were worst. He was excused from sport as it was difficult enough to get him to school.

His mother dressed him and took him to school, when she could. He never completed a week. At school he was withdrawn and only participated in the work that he liked to do. His language, reading and spelling skills were good. Maths, research and problem solving skills were poor, as were his organisational and social skills.

He wouldn’t clean his teeth, wash his hair or shower, and now that he was beginning to grow stubble he wouldn’t shave either. It was a hassle to get him to do anything. He was very forgetful, indecisive, self-conscious, lost and didn’t know what to do. Music was an interest and he played the piano. Computers were fine until he couldn’t do something, and then he would bash the keyboard or monitor.

He would shut himself in his bedroom, close the windows, pull the drapes and stay there for hours. Once when he was 9 years old he locked himself in the bathroom, panicked, screamed and wouldn’t or couldn’t unlock the door. The fire brigade was called to rescue him.

You couldn’t send him on an errand, because he would wander off and not come back. He wasn’t afraid of talking on the telephone. Was a bed-wetter until 11. Didn’t bother him. Strong smelling urine. Encopresis occasionally at 5-7 years that didn’t appear to bother him either.

He used to eat quickly with his hands and was very untidy. Wandered around talking to himself, as if in a dream world. Diagnosed as autistic. When he went to school it was discovered that he was dyslexic as well.

At the interview I could not engage him in a conversation about anything. He would walk over to his mother and whisper in her ear. He wanted his mother’s attention, and wanted her to buy something. He wasn’t misbehaving, he just didn’t appear to know how to answer questions. His mother said he had high pain tolerance; when he hurt himself he didn’t complain.

Appearance: Fair, tall, round-shouldered, poor posture. Weight lost through not eating in the mornings. Skin is red, dry and scabby on his face.

History: Born jaundiced, forceps delivery, oral thrush, cradle cap and eczema. A crying baby. The mother said there was nothing she could do that would pacify her baby. She also gave further relevant information – in pregnancy the mother decided to adopt this baby out, so separated herself emotionally from the child to protect herself from the grief trauma of losing a child. There was no pregnancy bonding, rather a denial of the baby’s existence.

I believe we are not only connected to the mother through the umbilical cord, there is a deeper “soul” connection as well. If this is not nurtured the child can enter the world lost and forsaken with a deep yearning to be loved and to belong. I think this was the case here, where there was so much mother dependence.

At 2 the child had urinary tract infections; urine was bright yellow and strong smelling. He was catheterised, and obviously suffered a lot, his penis swelled up and he was drugged for pain relief.

Treatment: This was a desperate case, as the mother was at the end of her tether. I needed to do some work, so as a temporary measure I gave a few tablets of Aconitum 200c with instructions to give one to the patient in the morning. Aconitum helped, but he still vomited.

Then I gave Carcinosin 10M, on the grounds of autism, anxieties, desires music, and learning difficulties. There was no change.

Analysis of the case indicated that this teenager was blocking the world out. He was living in his own world. In the past, bedwetting and encopresis didn’t bother him and he blocked out pain as well. Anhalonium 30c was given.

This remedy made a difference – he became more communicative, less apathetic and it was easier for him to have a shower and clean his teeth. He had talked to his mother about school and his fear of getting things wrong. He will only attempt whatever he feels confident in. He still felt sick on school mornings and vomited.

But now we can have a conversation. He talks like a lawyer choosing his words correctly. He is academic. He came first in his English class even after missing so much school time.

The next remedy given was Calculus renalis 30c. It was then that the vomiting stopped. He still didn’t have breakfast, but he went to school and continued to attend. The mornings were easier and he developed an interest in drama, which he loves. His skin improved and lost the red, dry scabby look. His mother said she noticed most improvement in her son after Calculus renalis and said, “He’s a regular pupil now and has made friends.”

Anhalonium dealt with the autism, the closing down and shutting off. It really brought him back into the world. Calculus renalis settled him down in his anxieties, which was the cause of the vomiting. It was indicated on concomitant urinary tract problems from the age of two years – probably the cause of the “crying baby syndrome”.

Further study of Calculus renalis reveals a deep fear of child being separated from mother. During gestation this is what happened on the emotional bonding level.

Last check by phone 12/1/01. Has had a good school year, eats breakfast, no vomiting. A shy teenager but is able to get on with his life.

Constitutional Case 3
Woman aged 55; first seen 23/9/99.

Main complaint: Arthritis for 10 years and menopausal hot flushes.

Appearance: An overweight person using a walking stick.

Presenting problem: Arthritis affects her feet, ankles, left hip, left elbow, shoulders, neck and hands. Pains in hands sharp and shooting. Her other joints were hot and burning. She was worse for eating strawberries, tomatoes, asparagus, citrus fruit and alcohol. Worse in cold, damp weather. Worse sitting in one position for long. Worse standing. Worse walking. Her hip and lower back were sore at night. She loved cooking and eating and was overweight although she thought she was a comfort eater. General lack of mobility. Felt dull, heavy and sluggish.

History: Hysterectomy at 32 because of fibroid tumour with heavy bleeding, pains from lower back and lower abdomen with dragging down.
One child out of wedlock at age 15. Perforated bowel from birth of child. Since married but unable to have children due to repeated miscarriages.
Severely constipated, stool once a week. Perforated bowel and prolapsed bowel were repaired. Umbilical hernia. Compacted and twisted bowel as a child.
Cyst from left breast removed. Lumpy lymphatics, and a cyst in the right axilla.
Varicose veins. Haemorrhoids removed.
Urinary tract infections.
Hot flushes mainly at night.
Swelling of ankles.
All aunts and uncles on her mother’s side had cancer – cancer of testicles, prostate, uterus, breasts and stomach.

Her story: Her mother used her as a cover-up when she went out to have affairs with other men. The ploy was that they were going shopping and she was bought sweets, then left sitting in the car.

Had a good relationship with her father until puberty when she was referred to as a slut. Always told she was bad. Wasn’t allowed out. Father became an alcoholic.

Didn’t have her parents’ support during her teenage pregnancy. Very low self esteem and lack of confidence. Baby was adopted out. Guilt, hurt, shame.

Treatment: Sabina 10M was given on the indications of hot flushes, fibroid tumour with heavy menses, swollen ankles, arthritis, repeated abortions, pains from sacrum to pubes, cysts and warts.

Follow-up 20/10/99. Good response, no hot flushes, lost vaginal dryness that I didn’t know about. Feels more clear headed, has lost dull sluggish heavy feeling. Hands good, no pain using them. Elbows, shoulders and neck fine. Left hip bothering her at the moment, which was worse in the morning, and worse walking. It felt weak as if her leg would give way.

Still constipated, with no urge to evacuate bowels. When she passes stool there is pain in the lower abdomen like contractions and stool is hard and dry. She has bloating and flatulence. Urine dark brown in the morning.

Second prescription was Aesculus 10M, followed 2 days later by Calculus renalis 30c, one three times a day for 5 days.

Indications: Aesculus – hip-joint disease, haemorrhoids, constipation, anal problems. Calculus renalis – severe constipation and bowel problems since an early age, abuse as a child, past urinary tract infections, urine dark brown, arthritis, cysts and lumps in the axilla, asthma, bloating and flatulence.

Follow-up 17/11/99. The pain has gone from her hip. No walking stick. Stool three times a day. Arthritic joints have lost their heat and swelling. Neck fine, no clicks. Lumps and cyst in the right axilla are gone. Comfortable in bed.

She refers to Calculus renalis as her “happy pill”. Waking naturally, feeling bright, calm and energetic. Doesn’t feel the hurt or shame of the teenage pregnancy. “Feel I don’t have to keep in touch with adopted-out daughter and make up to her. I am happy now to move on. I felt abandoned and rejected by my mother, father and boyfriends; now I am over these feelings. I am seeing more into myself and have found myself. It is easier to make life-style changes. I am eating healthier, more fruit and vegetables and less meat, dairy and spicy food. And drinking more water. I am in control,” she says.

“But I have caused a conflict at home. My husband likes to be the boss. He likes to take me shopping and pay for my garments. I went out and bought a pair of sunglasses by myself with the business card. He packed a sad, he was not happy. I need to have my own money, to spend as I like.”

Check up on 28/3/01. Husband has accepted her need for financial independence. She has lost 14 kg over 7 months. Takes regular exercise including dancing. Bowels move regularly. And is emotionally on top of the world, to use her own words.

Constitutional Case 4
Woman of 44; first seen 27/9/99.

Presenting problem: Anxiety and irritability with pre-menstrual tension. Treated over last 2 years with Pulsatilla and Sepia, with improvement of her premenstrual tension. But there was an underlying irritability and anxiety that never really shifted.

She knows she is being unreasonable, but she wants the house tidy all the time and they have two young children. She snaps then gets upset and hates herself. Worse before her menses. There is a shadow over her pulling her down. She talks quickly and nervously. “I get so irritated by little things. I can’t bear the children helping in the house, and they are four and seven years old. And I need to keep busy like my mother who is a workaholic.” Feels she has to use her time, otherwise feels lazy. Her husband works long hours, so she doesn’t have his support at home. This causes resentment. And he doesn’t talk to her.

Her story: Her parents separated after she was born. Out of curiosity, she found her father and introduced herself. She was disappointed. His reply to her introduction was “so what.” She felt let down and feels this has had a big impact on the way she sees herself.

Then she remembered something else, which brought tears to her eyes. As a new child at school she needed to go to the toilet but the teacher didn’t allow her and she wet her pants. She was called “the new girl who wets her pants – don’t play with her.” This was so humiliating that it still affects her even 40 years on.

Wherever she is, she makes sure she knows where the toilet is. She is a toilet spotter. She feels most uncomfortable on a bus, in case she needs to go. When she arrives anywhere the first thing she will do is go to the toilet and it will be the last thing when leaving so as not to be caught out. This has little to do with a full bladder but a deep fear from having been humiliated before. She is claustrophobic through this need to be free to go to the toilet. The first thing she did when her own children went to school was to show them the toilets and check with the teacher that they will be allowed out of the classroom to use them if needed.

Treatment: This problem mirrors an essence of Calculus renalis. A psychological anxiety with urgency to urinate. Calculus renalis 30c was given. Three times daily for three days.

She has been on a five-hour bus trip to a music festival. She was relaxed and felt comfortable and could nod off. The fears of worrying about where the next toilet stop would be were gone. She took a remedy before the trip and had them with her, as it was a real test. They had a birthday party with guests, and she allowed the children to ice the cake without a fuss. The party was enjoyable and she didn’t “lose it” by snapping.

Telephone follow-up on 1/2/01. Her voice has changed. She is happier, more relaxed and less racy. She repeats the remedy when she feels trapped and tense, which has not been often.

Check 23/3/01. Patient is well; she says she is more accepting of situations, such as lack of communication due to her husband’s tiredness. Premenstrual tension is not a problem. She doesn’t feel anxious about toilets.

Clinical Case 1
Woman, 56, with kidney congestion; first seen 16/4/98.

The symptoms were bloating and distension extending from the kidneys round to the abdomen which was worse for touch. The patient could stand, or sit on the edge of a chair, but could not lean back or lie down. After a few hours, rusty-brown coloured urine was passed with relief. There was vomiting as well.

On the indication of her urine colour Terebinthina was given, which aborted further attacks, but failed to resolve the problem.

Calculus renalis 30c in repeated doses, given when needed, cured over a period of two months and in that time the patient’s asthma improved as well.

Clinical Case 2
Woman, 75, bowel cancer; first seen 13/9/99.

Recently diagnosed with bowel cancer. Surgery was ruled out. She was given chemotherapy, which she stopped as it made her more ill. There was a lymphoma in the left groin; one had been removed 3 years ago from the right axilla.

She had rumbling noises in the lower abdomen with sharp shooting pains. It was hard for her to swallow food; it felt stuck in her oesophagus, causing her to vomit. Even warm water was difficult to swallow. She had no energy, no appetite, and was constipated. She was sad and depressed. “Why me?” She had lived a healthy life and played lots of sport.

History: Husband had died 10 years ago of multiple myeloma. She had taken care of him and was now caring for another sick relative. The only health problem was a history of kidney pain since a chill. Her urine at that time was bright orange. She is aware of her kidneys and put her hands on them to show where the pain was. This pain recurs from time to time. She talks about “heebie jeebies” in her stomach, which I interpreted as anxiety. She takes a sleeping tablet every night.

Treatment: Calculus renalis 30c morning, noon and night for 10 days.

Within 2 weeks the lymphoma was no longer palpable, and the specialist said, “What ever you are doing carry on doing it”. She looked well, felt well, her appetite had returned and she was eating and drinking without pain.

Sleeping tablets were taken at night from habit, then a cough was suppressed with Prednisone, and she relapsed. Calculus renalis was repeated and she bounced back.

She has needed a course of treatment six times in the last year and an intercurrent dose of Nitricum acid for her fears of cancer.

I don’t consider this patient cured of bowel cancer, but it has given great relief and extended her life.

Check-up 12/1/01. She looks well, has been walking a lot, gardening, and travelling. Her appetite is good, she is most grateful and has more confidence.

Clinical Case 3
A retired man; first seen 19/5/99.

Presenting problem: A node on the right index finger that is interfering with his golf swing.

Treatment: Calculus renalis 30c given three times a day for ten days.

The node disappeared and has not returned. Incidentally his digestion improved. Rich food and reheated food was causing heartburn and bloatedness.

Clinical Case 4
Man of 72; first seen 4/2/00.

Presenting problem: Diagnosis of cancer of the bladder in 1998. Has had four operations to remove tumours from the bladder in the last 2 years. Was treated with BCG vaccine injected into the bladder. There has been no pain, but there has been blood in his urine for 5 years. He had 2 weeks of profuse bleeding.

What troubled him more was an old back injury and arthritis. Has been taking Voltaren for 16 years, and he is taking antacid for indigestion. Short-term memory is poor and he talks in the third person.

Treatment: Calculus renalis 30c morning and night for 3 weeks.

At 3 months a scan showed bladder clear of tumours. Digestion improved in that eructation was easier. Arthritis in his spine, hips and knees troublesome, and worse for rising.

I changed the treatment and gave Aesculus 10M and ascending potencies of Calcarea fluorica. It is hard to say if this medication helped, but his wife said he was doing more at home.

At six months, one small tumour was removed. Following this he has been taking one Calculus renalis 30c daily. Six months later, on 10/4/01, there is no sign of tumours in his bladder. Kidneys and liver were clear as well.

Other intercurrent remedies given were Crotalus horridus 30c for retinal haemorrhage. At one stage he became withdrawn and wouldn’t have anything to do with the family; Aurum met 10M brought him out of it.

Prescribing Calculus renalis – Possible indications
Congestion, particularly congestion of the kidneys.
Frequency of urination at night, particularly in the elderly.
Frequency of urination in association with panic, anxiety or past humiliation, such as a memory of wetting one’s pants in public.
These people can become “toilet watchers”.
Nervous urination.
Pathology associated with urinary problems, e.g. a chill in the kidneys.
Cancer of the bowel with lymphomas.
Cancer of the bladder.
Cysts, nodules and tumours.
Kidney stones and gravel.
Recurring cystitis or urinary tract problems.
Abuse remedy, child abuse where urinary problems have developed.
Extreme fear and panic, phobias and compulsive behaviours.
Separations, particularly child separated from mother. Deep sense of abandonment, anger and resentment.
Tartar on the teeth. Rigg’s disease.
Arthritis with nodules. Arthritis with fluid retention in ankles and hands.
Indigestion with painful distension, similar to gallstone colic.
Asberger’s syndrome, with poor social skills, looking and feeling lost.
Chronic congested sinuses, nasal polyps.
Asthma – congestive asthma, with tight chest and nasal congestion.

Observation: the patient may burp (eructation) within a short time of taking the remedy.

Rubrics
MIND
Fear, phobias – general
Fear, ailments from
Fear with panic, consuming
Fear known or unknown
Fear with trembling anxiety and sweat
Fear of child separated from mother
Fear of urinating in public
Fear with need to urinate
Anxiety – general
Anxiety – attacks of
Anxiety with fear causing vomiting

BLADDER
Cancer of
Urging to urinate frequent
Urinate frequent at night, elderly people
Urging to urinate when anxious

CHILDREN
Abuse of, ailments of
Anxious
Asthma
Confidence, lacking of self esteem
Delicate, puny, sick
Strangers, presence of aggravate
Recurring colds with nasal congestion

DELUSIONS
Forsaken, being
Dreams, anxious

HEADACHES
Sinus headache from catarrh
Worse bending forward
With pain in the teeth and earache

GENERALS
Cancer, general
Intestinal, colon
Bladder
Colds, tendency to take
Constitutions: Asthmatic, nervous, melancholic

KIDNEYS
Aching in
Bright’s disease
Nephritis, inflammation kidneys
Colic pain of kidneys
Congestion of kidneys
Kidney stones
Pressing pain in kidneys
Chill in kidneys, ailments from

LUNGS
Asthma, general
Asthma alternating with congestion of kidneys
Asthma alternating with congestion of the abdomen
Asthma in children
Coughing, asthmatic
Expectoration, ameliorate
Wheezing

NOSE
Obstruction
Breathes through mouth
Children, nasal obstruction
Chronic obstruction
While lying
Morning and night
Post-nasal catarrh
Chronic sinusitis
Discharge copious morning
Discharge greenish yellow
Discharge thick
Discharge difficult to dislodge

STOMACH
Vomiting from anticipation
Vomiting from fear
Distension bloating
Indigestion

URINE
Bloody, dark

RECTUM
Cancer of
Constipation
Constipation with pain

Compare
Anacardium: Sense of evil. Indigestion, depression, frequency. Indecision.
Aurum: Despair.
Benzoic acid: Kidney insufficiency and nodules.
Berberis vulgaris: Renal colic.
Calcarea carbonicum: Depressed, melancholic, kidney colic and incontinence. Strong smelling urine. The nightmares of Calc carb are the daymares of Calculus renalis.
Calcarea fluorica: Arthritis with hard nodules.
Carcinosin: Fears and anxieties, compulsive disorders.
Cimicifuga: Nervous urination. Gloomy, black cloud over everything.
Cubeba: Frequent urination of nervous origin. Ignatia: Hysteria and grief.
Staphysagaria: Cystitis, urinary tract problems associated with suppressed emotions.
Terebinthina: Dark urine, kidney stones and painful distention. Asthma.
Vesicaria communis: Frequency at night.

Further study
I would like to see Calculus renalis extensively tried and tested in homœopathic practice. What is the kidney temperament? Can we compare it to the liver temperament?

The Calculus renalis used by Margaret Loughnan came from the Lincoln Mall Pharmacy, Henderson, Auckland.