<p>H has had these attacks for a few years now - they seem to be increasing in intensity and frequency right now. Used to be one or the other foot - side of foot or ankle would swell up, lots of pain. He’s a tough guy, would try to tough it out - but recently has given in to taking the prescribed painkillers (celebrex). Saw a lot of doctors - considered different diagnosis but nothing conclusive. Even saw a rheumatologist. They’ve kind of said that it must be osteo-arthritis Last night it was his hand. The hand was swollen and hurt to even move - he was snarling at me when I touched it. Throbbing pain, couldn’t sleep.</p>
<p>Anyone experience anything similar? Any ideas? </p>
<p>Trust CC folks to have the answers They had tested him for gout (uric acid levels) and had ruled out gout. But last night’s episode was very different - the pain was in his hand for the first time. He saw the rheumatologist today who apparently is convinced it is gout and prescribed some medication for it.</p>
<p>Unclear whether he was able to actually do a fluid test to confirm that this was gout.</p>
<p>Everything I’ve read about gout says to avoid alcohol and meat. H is a vegetarian, only occasionally has a drink. Avoiding that won’t be a problem. But are there other triggers? Or other changes in diet that you found helpful?</p>
<p>Believe spinach and know taro leaves have high uric acid content. When we have high amounts of these in a short time, we have “gout” symptom in large toe.</p>
<p>Have heard that shellfish (not fish) can cause gout symptoms, especially lobster. If he’s a strict vegetarian, probably not eating crustaceans. </p>
<p>Gout hurts like the devil. The classic sign of it, (in my opinion) is that you go to bed feeling decent and wake up “injured” to the point of being disabled. The classic presentation is in your big toe, but I first got it in my knee, and never knew what it was until a couple of years later when I finally had the toe attack.</p>
<p>Gout seems to resolve itself over about 2-4 days. But it’s awful during that time. It varies in its presentations. I know of one young fellow who is only 29 who has it (family condition). </p>
<p>Lupus? Does it get worse after exposure to sun? Is it associated with fatigue? The disappearing/reappearing systems are pretty common in Lupus, though I think the pain is more common in hands/wrists than in feet.</p>
<p>Yes, exposure to sun is a well-known trigger for lupus. There is often also typically a facial rash and blood testing can be helpful in diagnosing lupus. One of the treatments during a flare is (small) doses of prednisone (an oral steroid).</p>
<p>I’m with HiMom about diet- both gout and kidney stones can relate to uric acid concentration. I found the list of foods to avoid (for kidney stones) quite surprising. Will see if I can dig up the link as an fyi.</p>
<p>Taro leaves and spinach are a surprising source to trigger joint pain to many people. If it didn’t happen for both H and me when we overindulge, I’d have difficulty believing it. ;)</p>
They had tested him for gout (uric acid levels) and had ruled out gout. But last night’s episode was very different - the pain was in his hand for the first time. He saw the rheumatologist today who apparently is convinced it is gout and prescribed some medication for it.</p>