Conquering Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome with Homeopathy.
Master A.N. (Patient ID: 54520), a bright eight-year-old boy, started online homeopathic treatment at the Life Force homeopathy Chembur branch in May 2024. He had been suffering from steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome for six years, with a recent relapse in April 2024. Before the relapse, he had achieved remission from 2022 to April 2024 with the help of Rituximab injections. He had also been on T. Wysolone (Prednisolone, a steroid) on and off from 2018 to 2022 and Mycophenolate Mofetil 500 mg (an immunosuppressant) twice a day for 2 years till 2022.
At the time of starting homeopathic treatment, he had been on Prednisolone 40 mg daily (tapered from 60 mg) since April 2024 and Mycophenolate Mofetil 750 mg twice daily for 1 month. His urine protein was 3+, and he passed frothy urine.
The associated complaint was obesity that developed over the past 2-3 years. His weight had increased significantly from 42 kg to 48 kg in just six months, partly due to steroid therapy. He experienced fatigue during physical activities due to the excess weight.
The patient had a good appetite with marked cravings for chicken and spicy food. He showed an aversion to vegetables. His thirst was normal at about 1.5 liters per day. He was thermally hot, with generalized profuse perspiration, particularly on the face. His bowel movements were satisfactory, and his sleep was sound.
The patient lived with his parents and was studying in third grade. His father worked in the investment business, and his mother was a housewife. He was good at English and mathematics, showing quick learning abilities.
The patient was intelligent with good memory and analytical skills. However, he showed marked irritability, getting angry easily over trivial matters. He was also noted to be agitated and had developed an addiction to mobile devices. His food cravings were intense, particularly for chicken.
Family history revealed diabetes in both paternal and maternal grandparents. His father had hypercholesterolemia and hypothyroidism, while his mother had COPD and hypertension.
Past medical history included an episode of hand, foot, and mouth disease. In 2018, he experienced significant swelling of the face and abdomen during a nephrotic syndrome episode.
Dr. Shah studied the case in detail and prescribed homeopathic medication considering the totality of symptoms, including the patient''''s mental and physical characteristics, along with his family history.
In the follow-up of May 2024, his urine protein had reduced to nil, and he was maintaining stability on reduced doses of conventional medication Prednisolone 30 mg and Mycophenolate Mofetil 1500 mg.
By August 2024, he continued to show improvement with no relapses, and his conventional medication was further reduced to Prednisolone 20 mg on alternate days. Mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued.
In October 2024, the patient achieved a significant milestone as all steroids were successfully stopped, with continued stability and no relapses.
The December 2024 follow-up showed complete remission with a negative 24-hour urine protein test. All conventional medications had been discontinued, and the patient remained stable with no urinary complaints.
By January 2025, the patient maintained his remission without any conventional medication. His daily dipstick tests for urine protein remained negative, though his weight had increased to around 50 kg with a height of 132 cm, indicating ongoing concerns about obesity that needed attention.
While the primary condition is well-controlled, the patient continues under our care with focused attention on lifestyle and dietary modifications. He is being actively counseled on healthy eating habits, strategies to manage food cravings, and age-appropriate physical activities to address his obesity concerns.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the successful management of steroid-dependent Nephrotic syndrome through integrated medicine, leading to complete remission within eight months. The patient progressed from requiring multiple medications (steroids and immunosuppressants) to achieving medication-free stability, with consistently negative urine protein tests demonstrating that conditions like Nephrotic syndrome can be effectively managed through a careful integration of different therapeutic approaches.
- Case study written by Dr. Nafisa D, Associate Doctor, to Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD (Hom)