Think I've got Gout...
Discussion
My big toe on my right foot is aching, feels hot, and it's painful to touch. Also noticeably swollen when compared to the other big toe but not huge and not red or anything. It's making walking a bit troublesome and I'm limping a bit. Doctor Google would suggest a spot of Gout, as this is the curse of the drinking classes and I do like a few beers etc. it would seem to add up.
Anything I can do to ease it? Internet would suggest Ibuprofen but I don't think I'm allowed to take those as I'm on low dose steroids for something else. Will it clear up in a few days? Doesn't really seem bad enough to trouble my docs with.
Annoyingly I went for a slightly extended run over my normal 5k on Friday evening as the weather was so nice except that my ankle started playing up on the other foot mid run, that was a bit tender over the weekend but seems to be on the mend. I went for a run last night with the aim of keeping it steady, the big toe / gout issue was manageable as I have some very cushioned running shoes and it doesn't seem either worse or better today. The ankle on the other foot is also slightly tender but okay. On the one hand I don't want to be able to not walk but on the other hand I'm largely enjoying the running and don't want to lose momentum by having to rest up for a few niggles. Frustrating!
Anything I can do to ease it? Internet would suggest Ibuprofen but I don't think I'm allowed to take those as I'm on low dose steroids for something else. Will it clear up in a few days? Doesn't really seem bad enough to trouble my docs with.
Annoyingly I went for a slightly extended run over my normal 5k on Friday evening as the weather was so nice except that my ankle started playing up on the other foot mid run, that was a bit tender over the weekend but seems to be on the mend. I went for a run last night with the aim of keeping it steady, the big toe / gout issue was manageable as I have some very cushioned running shoes and it doesn't seem either worse or better today. The ankle on the other foot is also slightly tender but okay. On the one hand I don't want to be able to not walk but on the other hand I'm largely enjoying the running and don't want to lose momentum by having to rest up for a few niggles. Frustrating!
It will clear it self up in a few days. However it will likely get worse before it gets better.
Get some cherry juice and fresh cherries and eat them. They will help your body flush the uric acid out.
There was a recent thread here with some tips:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The key is finding out what your trigger food is; in other words what caused the attack.
Get some cherry juice and fresh cherries and eat them. They will help your body flush the uric acid out.
There was a recent thread here with some tips:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The key is finding out what your trigger food is; in other words what caused the attack.
I'm 45 and have been suffering with it on and off for the last 10 years.
It started with hurting my big toe joint whilst playing five-a-side, I trapped the ball badly, pushed my toe sideways, thought nothing of it at the time but definitely the trigger event for the first attack.
Now I get 2-3 attacks a year. Like you I like a beer/wine, so try to moderate that, but to be frank even when taking it easy on that score I can get an attack. Three of my mates of a similar age/lifestyle have it too - incidentally we all work in sedentary jobs in IT, not sure if too much sitting around doesn't help? Then again, we all like a drink!
To manage your attack, drink plenty of water. Loads of it. Need to get that uric acid out. Cherries themselves can be great to help this, alas are very expensive this time of year. Cherry juice does help, if you drink loads of it. I used to take Dicloflex on prescription, which is essentially a double-dose Voltarol tablet - Voltarol tablets you used to be able to get over the counter, however Voltarol (Diclofenac) has been taken off the market in tablet form in recent years because of a small risk of heart problems.
You can still get Voltarol Diclofenac gel over the counter at most chemists, and whilst it does ease the pain, does take a while to act, incredibly frustrating when you can't put a shoe on without crying in pain, or put any weight on the foot. Freeze spray from any chemist can provide temporary relief when it gets really painful, but will not get rid of it. These days Doctors prescribe Naproxen to ease the pain, which is very good and fast acting.
Ultimately you have to face up to it being an arthiritic condition. Nobody likes to own up to having any form of arthiritis as it implies that you are knocking on a bit! I fought against the advice of my mates who have been taking a daily preventative Allopurinol tablet on prescription for a few years, because I didn't want to become tablet dependent. After my last attack in January, which locked up most of one ankle rather than the toe and lasted on and off for the best part of a month(!!) - ironically when we were pretty much off the booze for a month - I bit the bullet, saw my Doctor, got an Allopurinol prescription. Haven't had a twinge since, my joints feel significantly more flexible.
So, mildly embarrassing as a condition to admit to, see your Doc and they can sort it.
It started with hurting my big toe joint whilst playing five-a-side, I trapped the ball badly, pushed my toe sideways, thought nothing of it at the time but definitely the trigger event for the first attack.
Now I get 2-3 attacks a year. Like you I like a beer/wine, so try to moderate that, but to be frank even when taking it easy on that score I can get an attack. Three of my mates of a similar age/lifestyle have it too - incidentally we all work in sedentary jobs in IT, not sure if too much sitting around doesn't help? Then again, we all like a drink!
To manage your attack, drink plenty of water. Loads of it. Need to get that uric acid out. Cherries themselves can be great to help this, alas are very expensive this time of year. Cherry juice does help, if you drink loads of it. I used to take Dicloflex on prescription, which is essentially a double-dose Voltarol tablet - Voltarol tablets you used to be able to get over the counter, however Voltarol (Diclofenac) has been taken off the market in tablet form in recent years because of a small risk of heart problems.
You can still get Voltarol Diclofenac gel over the counter at most chemists, and whilst it does ease the pain, does take a while to act, incredibly frustrating when you can't put a shoe on without crying in pain, or put any weight on the foot. Freeze spray from any chemist can provide temporary relief when it gets really painful, but will not get rid of it. These days Doctors prescribe Naproxen to ease the pain, which is very good and fast acting.
Ultimately you have to face up to it being an arthiritic condition. Nobody likes to own up to having any form of arthiritis as it implies that you are knocking on a bit! I fought against the advice of my mates who have been taking a daily preventative Allopurinol tablet on prescription for a few years, because I didn't want to become tablet dependent. After my last attack in January, which locked up most of one ankle rather than the toe and lasted on and off for the best part of a month(!!) - ironically when we were pretty much off the booze for a month - I bit the bullet, saw my Doctor, got an Allopurinol prescription. Haven't had a twinge since, my joints feel significantly more flexible.
So, mildly embarrassing as a condition to admit to, see your Doc and they can sort it.
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 29th March 10:27
Gargamel said:
It is OFTEN caused by soft sugary drinks, much less about alcohol.
Yep, though the old advice was to avoid meat and booze, not to worry about sugar... "common knowledge" will catch up eventually thoughhttp://tim.blog/2009/10/05/gout/
http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7639/309
Thanks folks, from this and the other gout thread it seems it's likely that it is the cause of my sore toe but luckily I don't seem to have it as bad as some.
No clue as to what could have triggered it, started on Sunday, the weekend hadn't been the greatest for eating healthy food but noting out of the ordinary. Had homemade pizzas on Saturday evening, did a cooked breakfast for Mother's Day, usual red wine, beer & whisky consumption. Oh well one to watch for the future. I've been drinking plenty the last few days to help flush it out. May have to try some cherry juice
No clue as to what could have triggered it, started on Sunday, the weekend hadn't been the greatest for eating healthy food but noting out of the ordinary. Had homemade pizzas on Saturday evening, did a cooked breakfast for Mother's Day, usual red wine, beer & whisky consumption. Oh well one to watch for the future. I've been drinking plenty the last few days to help flush it out. May have to try some cherry juice
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff