This is the lymphoma case that I mentioned to you over the last herbal course.
Ruffy 10 year old MC Pomeranian weighing 7.3 lbs.
Presenting problem: Lymphoma diagnosed in Dec., 2008. Peripheral lymph nodes as well as liver, spleen, and small intestine affected. Ruffy was anorectic and lethargic which led to the diagnostic workup prior to my seeing him.
Tufts University started Ruffy on chemotherapeutic levels of prednisone (1.5 mg/kg sid). Ruffy developed a lot of anxiety, pu/pd, polyphagia, etc. The owners sought me out for an alternative which would let Ruffy have a quality of life while being treated.
1st appointment 1/2009
Exam: hot dog with excess energy, deep red tongue, yin def pulses. BL-20 /21 reactivity. Abdomen full and round. Was on high pred dose at this appointment.
Plan: Started tapering pred to 0.5 mg/kg bid doses.
Si Miao San, Alfalfa drops, Milk thistle drops, XCHT, Vit a/d3
My initial dosing may have been a little hard for Ruffy, because he developed diarrhea and a rectal prolapse in the first week after our appointment. After stopping and restarting the herbs he was fine. Submandibular lymphadenopathy started to develop as soon as pred dose was decreased. Pred dose 2.5 mg sid for 2 weeks, then 1.25 mg sid for two weeks, then 0.65 mg bid. At this point, I got scared, because Ruffy's energy was dropping off, respiratory stridor worsenning, and lymph nodes enlarging quickly. I increased the pred to 1.25 mg bid, then to 1.5 mg in am and 3 mg in pm. He is having pu/pd at this dose, some decrease in energy, but stable for the moment.
Presently his submandibular lymph nodes are walnut sized and a bother to him. His energy is only a little decreased. Appetite excellent.
Last Appointment findings (5/7/2009):
Pulse: thin, fast and superfial.
Tongue: slightly red, lavender sides.
active points: Bl-13, 17, 18. I treated these plus under chin phlegm point(?), BL-40
Lymphnodes under jaw were big and hot.
Supplementation:
Si Miao San 6 drops qid
XCHT 1/4 tsp bid
Milk Thistle 1 drop tid
Vit A/D3 1 drop eod
Calcium lactate 1 pill sid
Alfalfa 3 drops in pm
Tan Yu Tang 1/4 tsp bid
Help if you can!
Kevin