Gout?

[welshjon81]

I woke up yesterday as to with what I can only describe as a badly sprained ankle but without having sustained any injury. Its very stiff, swollen and I can't bare much weight on it. I could barely press the clutch down in my car so had to get a taxi into the office.

I wasn't that concerned yesterday as I just thought it would loosen up throughout the day. Unfortunately not though and today it has gotten worse.

I don't feel the need to go to A&E as that just seems ridiculous, so I rang my GP an have an appointment booked for next week.

Does this sound like gout? I'm a 36 year old male.

[Big Al.]

Not sure TBH, gout for me is severe pain in the toe joints, Big toes in my case bloody painful at the best of times, colchicine oral tablets work for me and lay off the booze.

[anonymous-user]

Gout can attack any joint but it's normally the foot that seems to get it first.

Is the tendeness such that even touching it causes pain? Is it red? Normally these are symptoms.

Do not take aspirin, you need ibuprofen. If it gets really bad you'll need prescription painkillers if it is gout.

I wish you well - I suffered from it from 28 to my mid 40s before going in allopurinol.

[welshjon81]

Thanks for your replies.

Not so much red, but definitely tender to the touch.

I've been over Boots and bought some ibuprofen, codeine/paracetamol and an ankle support. Seems like that's all I can do for the time being..

[Fastchas]

I would suggest it's not gout as this is more centralised in the toe joints and (I think) more sore in the ball of the foot.
As a Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer, I would keep and eye on your other joints, particularly the wrists and finger joints. If no trauma to the site but swelling occurs then there is something more sinister going on.
You state your age as 36. I was 35 when RA struck, this is the average age in a male for it to strike.

[jmorgan]

Sounds like a visit to the doc is in order. Especially if having to dose up on meds.

Mine gets me in the toe, however I manage it through diet and rarely need to touch the prescribed anti inflammatory. Been a good few years now.


Edit.
Re Water below, yep, loads of it.

Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 9th August 11:15

[Grumbly]

I suffer from Gout, initially in my toe joint, but later in my ankle. The last attack being in my knee, very painful. I have found that drinking fairly large amounts of water during the day helps, even once you have had anti inflammatories prescribed.

[anonymous-user]

Fastchas said:

I would suggest it's not gout as this is more centralised in the toe joints and (I think) more sore in the ball of the foot.

Not the case. Over the years I had Gout in my big toe, both big toes, ankles and finally my knees. My last bout, before I went on meds, was in both knees and both feet.

It has been known to attack the hands and other areas as well so it really is indiscriminate.

[Fastchas]

garyhun said:

Fastchas said:

I would suggest it's not gout as this is more centralised in the toe joints and (I think) more sore in the ball of the foot.

Not the case. Over the years I had Gout in my big toe, both big toes, ankles and finally my knees. My last bout, before I went on meds, was in both knees and both feet.

It has been known to attack the hands and other areas as well so it really is indiscriminate.

I stand corrected. I should really give up practising unlicensed Rheumatology...

[The Broker]

For those on Allopurinol, any side effects?

[anonymous-user]

Fastchas said:

I stand corrected. I should really give up practising unlicensed Rheumatology...

Depends what you charge

[anonymous-user]

The Broker said:

For those on Allopurinol, any side effects?

I've been on it for about 10 years now with no side effects at all. Obviously not the same for everyone.

[craig1912]

I had something similiar, swollen, stiff a bit red and i'd had no trauma.
Went to a&e and had x-ray and blood taken- an orthopod was on duty (Sunday am) and turned out I had an infection in it. Not sure how or where from but given a course of strong antibiotics and advised that it was a good job I'd come in as can be quite serious if spreads.
Don't want to be alarmist but keep an eye on it and get treatment if not getting better in a day or so.

[jkh112]

garyhun said:

The Broker said:

For those on Allopurinol, any side effects?

I've been on it for about 10 years now with no side effects at all. Obviously not the same for everyone.

Over 20 years on Allopurinol for me. It does seem to have made my hair go grey and a bit thinner.

[The Mad Monk]

The Broker said:

For those on Allopurinol, any side effects?

Nope.

You have to start on the other stuff (what's it called??)

Allopurinol if for when the gout is under control, it will keep it under control.

Edited by The Mad Monk on Thursday 10th August 20:37

[anonymous-user]

jkh112 said:

Over 20 years on Allopurinol for me. It does seem to have made my hair go grey and a bit thinner.

You sure that's not age?

Edited to say: parrot????

[anonymous-user]

The Mad Monk said:

The Broker said:

For those on Allopurinol, any side effects?

Nope.

You have to start on the other stuff (what's it called??)

Allopurinol if for when the gout is under control, it will keep it under control.

Edited by The Mad Monk on Thursday 10th August 20:37

Allopurinol is a preventative. All else is pain relief so your "other stuff" could be anything

[lj04]

It might be plantar fasciitis. Usually happens as you get out of bed and can feel like a sprained ankle.

[DMN]

If its Gout:

Bath in hot water (as hot as you can stand); this will break the crystals that are causing the pain down. They form at just below body temperature.

Eat cherries; they help the body get rid of the acid that causes the crystals.

Ibuprofen; This will help with the pain and swelling.

[jmorgan]

Or if in doubt, go see a doctor.