Gout

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Went to the doctors today as I thought I had gout. She checked me out and said that it might be gout but she couldn't be sure until I go for blood tests in 4-6 weeks. I've done my homework and it certainly seems like it. Anyone had a gout attack and give me some advice?
Ball of my foot was sore on Saturday but thought nothing of it. Took some Ibuprofen and it was manageable. Was the same on Sunday and kept going with the Ibuprofen. Was a quiet weekend and I wasn't on my feet a lot. Monday went to work. Was PE day and so was wearing trainers and was a little bit sore at the end of the day. Tuesday and yesterday had to wear smart shoes and was pretty much on my feet from 7am til about 8pm as we had parents evenings. Was really sore on Tuesday night but then last night it was the worst pain I have ever felt. It was like someone was stabbing me in the foot and putting it under the duvet just wasn't going to happen. This morning couldn't even put a sock on. Whole ball of my foot is massive, hot and angry (sounds like one of my old flames!!!) Joking aside, it's bloody sore!
Doctor has given me some anti-inflammatory tablets that she said are pretty strong. Just hoping they kick in soon. She's also made me an appointment to have a blood test in 6 weeks (seems a long time to me!)
Does this sound like gout? If it is any help or advice would be greatly received.
Thanks,
Russ
 

Garz

Squat Member
Location
Down
Why are the blood tests not being done sooner?
 
Sounds much like it. Anti -inflammatories will help reduce swelling around the affected area, it will not actually help the gout much. Ibuprofen/paracetamol will help the pain. I think both may be taken with the anti-inflammatories, check first with a pharmacist.
I think the wait for the blood test is because they want to see if you have it after the current condition has settled down. Even so, 6 weeks seems a long wait. Ask the GP why the wait.
There are numerous things which can exacerbate your predilection to gout - alcohol is one (not just port; beer is far worse!), mushrooms (IIRC) are another. Unfortunately, there is no real cure and finding out what makes it worse is a time-consuming process of trial and error. But there is a drug taken in tablet form that helps keep it at bay. I've been on it for 20 years!
There is plenty of information about it on the web, some of it conflicting in terms of cause and cure. But a good place to start.
 

rosski

Well-Known Member
I have had gout attacks a few times on the ball of my foot. Your description sounds similar to what i have experienced. I manage to keep the gout under control by watching what i eat and drinking plenty of water
 

Broadside

Guru
Location
Fleet, Hants
I suffer with chronic acute gout (consultant rheumatologists words not mine) and mine is managed with a hefty daily dose of Allopurinol which is a prescription medicine. My GP was very poorly informed about gout (as I think many are) and had me on way too low a dose to be of any benefit, I only got the right medication after a referral to a specialist. There is also lots of mis-information about the causes, I have tried the whole restricted diet thing over the past few years and never isolated the cause.

In my experience drugs like ibuprofen will not get anywhere near soothing the pain of a true gout attack, so if ibuprofen is helping then I would question if it really is gout, it may just be some other trauma to the ball of your foot. Your description of having a swollen angry hot foot that you can't put under the duvet does sound like gout though I have to say.

To stop the pain of gout you need a prescription NSAID (non steroidal anti-inflammatory) such as Diclofenac or Arcoxia, 48 hours after taking these should see the inflammation and pain begin to calm down but it is more like 4 days before the pain actually goes.

I was happy to go on a daily dose to prevent attacks as the pain is horrendous and akin to a broken bone, and as my attacks were coming along every 8 weeks or so I was concerned about the long term joint damage if the attacks were left unchecked.

I agree with the other posters, if you have raised uric acid levels then that will be obvious in a blood test now, it is pointless to put up with the pain for 4-6 weeks before they investigate. Unfortunately I think this is the typical way lots of GP's treat people with gout, they suspect that it is over-indulgence of some sort and they expect you to live with it.
 

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
Acute gout is normally treated with non steroidal anti inflammatories such as Diclofenac/Naproxen/Ibuprofen - so assuming you are one one of these medicines, you should not take a 2nd one as well. Paracetamol can be safely taken in conjunction with non steroidals - but is not greatly useful for gout.
It does sound like your condition is likely to be gout - but the blood tests will confirm this if your uric acid levels are raised.
Allopurinol is the main medicine used to prevent gout - but should not newly be prescribed during an acute episode as it can worsen the symptoms and prolong their duration.
An alternative treatment for acute gout is Colchicine - which often damps the symptoms down very quickly. Colchicine is normally taken until the sufferer develops diarrhoea - at which time they have reached the effective therapeutic dose and should discontinue taking it. None of the above should be taken as anything more than general information and if you are still in severe pain after a few days of taking the medicine prescribed by the doctor, I would advise that you seek further professional advice.
 
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