an observation concerning phlegm vs. pathogenic fluids

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues,

 

I want to revisit a discussion that we had about a year ago.  We have discussed

many aspects of phlegm before, and over the years I have presented to you

observations concerning the progress of my wife, who has suffered from an

ideopathic seizure and movement disorder for many years.  What is particularly

interesting is that the seizures were originally accompanied by a clear, viscous

fluid in her throat, and now this fluid is there a good part of the time.  This

is particularly interesting as we are taught that the classics teach that

seizures result from phlegm misting the heart channel.

 

As would be expected, therefore,  the treatment  formula my wife would  always

receive from the time that  I began as a student in 2000  would include  herbs

such as Ban Xia, and Dan Nan Xing, and Shi Chang Pu.  Yet, the " phlegm " would

never seem to be completely resolved, and the seizures would continue to occur

(almost like a menstrual cycle) every 28 or so days.  As I observed the pattern

each month, it started to dawn on me that my " supervisors " just didn't get it,

she would seem to not do better with those herbs, maybe even worse, and whereas

previously her tongue would have a dry " baked " black coating, with a red tip and

cracks, recently, it has had a pale coatless body, sometimes dry and sometimes

moist, with a appearance of piece of raw meat, but pale, not red.  Meanwhile the

" phlegm " is nearly constant, at times drooling from her mouth and interfering

with her ability to talk clearly as if she is waterlogged and  is constantly in

her

throat, and her thinking has become increasingly muddled recent past.   About a

year ago, I purchased an aspirator, which would at least allow her to be

understood, but she hates it and it makes her feel very uncomfortable. 

 

 A couple of months ago, when she had a dental appointment, the dentist gave her

aloe vera juice to rince out her mouth with.  Interestingly, it seemed to

temporarily resolve the phlegm, and so I purchased a gallon of aloe vera juice,

and have been using it instead of the aspirator.  What is interesting, is  that

even though energetically, we know that Aloe is cold, she remarks that it feels

like it burns her throat!  I should mention at this point, four important other

observations: 1.  She has always considered it unlady-like to spit out phlegm

and saliva, and so since childhood, she has swallowed it. 2.   Since her first

acupuncture treatment in 2000, when the supervisor needled Du 26, her jaw has

been shaking, at times violently, most of the time. 3.  Her pharynx is extremely

sensitive to the touch. 4.  The constant shaking of the jaw has clearly depleted

her Lung Qi, and her voice is very soft. 

 

Some months ago, we met with our esteemed colleague , who

suggested that her case seemed to reflect internal wind from pathogenic heat

scorching and injuring Kidney Yin and liver blood.  Essentially, he contended,

the Liver is doing the work of the Kidneys, with water unable to restrain wood. 

He suggested considering formulas such as E Jiao Ji Zi huang Tang or Di Huang

Yin Zi.

 

I think that  he is right, but  that there is another major element which has

profoundly been misdiagnosed and as a result mistreated:  Her " phlegm. "   It is

my firm conviction that it is not phlegm at all, but as we spoke of a year or so

ago, rather pathogenic, inflammatory fluid which the body has created in

response to extreme dryness and inflammation.  Consider why is the throat so

sore and tender to the touch? Because it is inflamed.  What are the four

cardinal signs of inflammation:  Redness, heat, pain and swelling.  Could

not swelling actually be pathogenic fluid?    And if it is not phlegm at all,

but rather Extreme dryness, than it would make perfect sence that needling Du

26, waking her up so to speak, would be the worst possible place to needle! 

Furthermore, to treat this pathogenic fluid with herbs that transform phlegm and

dry dampness would, of course, exascerbate her already pathogenic dryness.  And

why would aloe

vera feel like it was burning her:  because the throat passage is raw and

inflamed, I would suspect.   So recently I began  treated her with a formula

which is a modification of Bai He Gu Jin Tang, Bei Mu Gua Lou San, Shao Yao Gan

Cao Tang and  Sheng Mai San:  Dang Shen 30,  Mai Men Dong 15, Wu Wei Zi 9, 

Bai He 24,  Shu Di Huang 21, Chuan Bei Mu 9, Dang Gui 12,  Bai Shao Yao 15,

Zhi Gan Cao 9, Gua Lou 9,  Tian Hua Fen 15,  Chen Pi 6, Tian Ma 9, Bai Zhu 9,

Gou Teng 15, Bai Zi Ren 12,  Suan Zao Ren  12,  and Ye Jiao Teng 15.

 

Furthermore, for the last two days I have needled her differently than

usual:  Just SI 3,4,5, and 6 on the right hand, and UB 62, 63, 64 and 65 on the

left foot.

 

Oh, and BTW, she has been drinking 2 oz. of Gou Chi juice twice daily. 

 

I am very encouraged with results thus far and will keep you informed.  We

are entering the week when a seizure would be expected.  Your comments and

feedback are appreciated.

 

 

Sincerely,