Gout anyone??

[HotJambalaya]

So I've had a recurring injury in my foot for the last 7 years, I'm pretty sure it started when I stepped off a curb badly. About once to twice a year and usually just after a gym session it happens again.

No end of specialists, osteopaths, physios, a couple of mri, a few x-rays, an ultra sound, a cartigram, and a cortisone injection (no effect), all gave conflicting opinions. The one I didnt take seriously was gout, especially since subsequent to that I saw my gp and asked them to test me for that, and they reckoned it was fine.

Anyway, after another episode I was good to go, and 3 weeks later did it again, but this time it was in the other foot. Given that injuries dont magically change sides, I gave a bit more credence to gout. Called in a doctor, and being in the states, they quite happily injected me with an anti-inflamitory, and a steroid injection, and gave me 5 days worth of prednisone to take. Well, 12 hours later I was dancing around the room, whereas before it took me 5 minutes to get to the toilet to take a leak. She said that it could be gout and/or arthritis and that what she was giving me would work for both, but obviously not help in determining what I had, I missed a flight, but just needed to get mobile, so didnt care about that at the time.

So my questions is, if I do get back and have a gout test what that generally mean apart from cutting out high purine foods etc. If it flares up in the uk can you have a couple of jabs to get back on track? I seem to hear more about people being forced to wait it out? is anyone on constant medication for regulation of uric acid? Do these steroid jabs wear off in efficiency after a while?

Any sufferers?

[HotJambalaya]

very weird, I would have thought that too. I did a search which came up with zero matches, my search seems to be doing that a lot recently, even with stuff that I know is there. Just tried it again, and its all back to normal. Was getting a bit paranoid there for a minute!

[HotJambalaya]

Sorry, didnt realise this thread carried on.

Right, had blood tests done, and again it shows im 'threshold levels' but given what I've told this doctor he (still) doesnt believe its gout, x-ray normal again.

So he's also booked me in to the muscular skeletal team for examination, since he thinks its ligament issues.

Ironically the day after I saw the doctor it hurt a lot, I had 2 days of prednisone left, took them, and it went away. However it then came back in my other foot a few days later.... Doctor still not convinced.

However the blood test showed a couple of other causes for concern, a high liver enzyme signifying either alcohol problems or 'fatty liver', since I've been doing epic boozing and piling on the lbs recently it could be either, so its off for an ultra sound on the stomach to check the liver out. In addition it seems I have high blood sugar, not dangerous yet, but possibly pre-diabetic. So either way a pretty drastic diet overhaul needs to happen which has started already, along with cutting out the booze for a little while!

More blood tests booked in too, so quite a lot needs to be worked out!

[HotJambalaya]

dave_s13 said:

So your showing signs of metabolic syndrome and gout can be part of that but could be sub clinical at this stage?

Sort your st out. Lose weight, exercise, better diet etc and it won't be a surprise I'd the gout pain sorts itself out.

Think of the gout (suspected) as a symptom of a wider issue, you need to treat the cause as best you can to get the best outcome.

Oh and what specific part of your foot hurts? Just out of interest.

Very interesting, that looks like it could be it.

As for the foot, it depends, usually the outer edge and the area around the ankle bone, spreading to the balls of the feet. Doctor here still isn't convinced its gout.

Just had a load more blood tests today, 6 vials taken.

Have already started a strict diet! but thats often the way, I manage to drop some weight eat healthy but then go away for a month or two. Its going to need a lot more focus to stay healthy on the road, but obviously needs to be done!