Nux vs. Sepia

Francine is really a tall and slender chiropractor. She's always been very athletic and a devotee of the outdoors. I have treated her over the last six years for seasonal allergies, which were intense initially but minimal the last 3 years or so. Historically she's responded very well to sulphur in single doses.

There happen to be occasional acute emotional crises when this normally cool and level-headed lady felt as if she was facing a wall and acted irrationally. Ignatia has been magic during these situations.

Now the challenging economy has hit. Her husband, who is an engineer, has been out of work for several months. He loves computers an internet-based gaming and has lost himself in that world. He and Francine appear to rarely communicate. Although verbally intent on finding a new job, in fact there's been little ostensible effort to complete anything except perhaps get to the next level in whatever shoot-'em-up game is hot.

Francine has two adult sons, one recently divorced and attending grad school, another recently unemployed. Both are now back living in your own home. The second son arrived with his newest girlfriend, who is five months pregnant.

Francine is enthusiastic about her work and her family. For months now she's stoically supported the whole brood. Lately, however, system is creeping in. How can her husband not seek employment more actively? The admission that they feels less respect for him leads to a wave of tears. The kids are grown and yet not contributing. Money issues take presctiption the horizon. “We are sinking plus they do nothing.”

None of these things, however, were Francine's chief complaint. This emerged from behind after some inquiry.

The commanding reason behind visiting the clinic was premenstrual headache: Two or three days before menses there will be headache, much emotion and severe cramping.

Other symptoms:

• There could be a mounting anxiety to begin panic
• A desire to sell the home and move – an impulse to just get out
• A craving for chocolate
• Coldness, especially during the night. Without a hot water bottle at the feet there isn't any sleep
• During the day the hands are extremely cold

Both Nux and Sepia appear to be competing to find the best spot here; both make a specific amount of sense.

We possess a case of PMS syndrome in a person seen as a this chronic frustration and anxiety. How do we differentiate these remedies clinically? Which questions might I ask to get this individual probably the most similar remedy?