Later I went to see the doctor for a follow-up and to talk about some other health issues. He mentioned that he practiced homeopathy and said this might be of great help to me. I had a passing familiarity with homeopathy from my research into holistic health research, from friends who used it, and from trying remedies from the health food store on occasion. I had even successfully treated my cat for her asthma with Pulsatilla, which a friend had recommended. My cat had had no attacks and no need for prednisone since I’d given her the remedy, so I was sold on the concept already.

When the doctor (I’ll call him Dr. X) said that he felt very optimistic that constitutional homeopathy could help me with some long-standing problems, I was excited. Although I knew the general principle of homeopathy (“like cures like”), I knew nothing about constitutional remedies. Previously, I had been given some remedies by a chiropractor who practiced applied kinesiology, and had taken stuff like combination cold remedies on my own, but other than a brief seminar and some casual reading I had no background in homeopathy. However, I was intrigued, and I certainly accepted the notion of healing with energy, which was my understanding of how homeopathy works.

Dr. X gave me his standard patient handout, with information about homeopathy in general, his approach, and antidotes to avoid. He said that he charged $500 for taking the case initially and giving the remedy, so I left that visit and thought about it very carefully.

That was a lot of money, and insurance presumably wouldn’t cover it. But he had been enthusiastic and reassuring, and I really felt drawn to it. Perhaps I am a holistic health dilettante, but when I hear about something that makes sense to me and intrigues me (particularly when someone makes grand claims for that approach), I usually want to try it!