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Suggest Treatment For Painful Gout Flare
Posted on
Thu, 3 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 3 Sep 2015
Answered on
Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have had gout for 20 years and am on medication daily for it. Also have medication for severe flare ups.
2 days ago my elbow became bright red and very sore I started the flareup medication, however it doesn't seem to have had any effect. Now the bright redness and heat has travelled 3/4 of the way down my arm. Usually I ignore pain and soreness, but this is getting bad. Also have been throwing up for the past two days. I'm wondering if it could be blood poisoning. My Dr. is on vacation. Should I bother the emergency room at our hospital with this?
XXXXXXX XXXX, age 70. Have had two heart attacks and have type 2 diabetis. Weigh 182lb- but diabetis was diagnosed when I weighed only 136 lb. 30 years ago. It is under control.
2 days ago my elbow became bright red and very sore I started the flareup medication, however it doesn't seem to have had any effect. Now the bright redness and heat has travelled 3/4 of the way down my arm. Usually I ignore pain and soreness, but this is getting bad. Also have been throwing up for the past two days. I'm wondering if it could be blood poisoning. My Dr. is on vacation. Should I bother the emergency room at our hospital with this?
XXXXXXX XXXX, age 70. Have had two heart attacks and have type 2 diabetis. Weigh 182lb- but diabetis was diagnosed when I weighed only 136 lb. 30 years ago. It is under control.
Brief Answer:
PLEASE RULE OUT INFECTION
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
As you are diabetic, I prefer to rule out infection (septic joint) in this condition. please go to emergency and get your joint checked.
It might be a possibility that you are just having a flare of gout, but before considering that it is always prudent to rule out any infection which is a more dangerous condition.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Take care.
PLEASE RULE OUT INFECTION
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
As you are diabetic, I prefer to rule out infection (septic joint) in this condition. please go to emergency and get your joint checked.
It might be a possibility that you are just having a flare of gout, but before considering that it is always prudent to rule out any infection which is a more dangerous condition.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
No follow up question- I went to emergency and it is an infection. They used iv to administer antibiotics. Also I was dehydrated, so they pumped in some liquid too.
Thanks for your advice. Although it sure hurt when they cut open the elbow to expunge the infection (yuck-nasty stuff) it sure was better than a spreading infection.
Thanks for your advice. Although it sure hurt when they cut open the elbow to expunge the infection (yuck-nasty stuff) it sure was better than a spreading infection.
Brief Answer:
take care
Detailed Answer:
oh, I m sorry that it is an infection. although, your history suggestive of infection, but I donot want that. anyway you are diagnosed now and will be cured in few days with antibiotics.
take care and do control your blood sugar level
take care
Detailed Answer:
oh, I m sorry that it is an infection. although, your history suggestive of infection, but I donot want that. anyway you are diagnosed now and will be cured in few days with antibiotics.
take care and do control your blood sugar level
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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