Saturday, 30 June 2018

Ailments post


Don't laugh, I have a bit of gout in my left foot. Yesterday I could hardly walk, but although it still looks red and swollen, today it is almost painless.

I know what caused it (not necessarily what you might think, before you start on the personal attacks concerning my lifestyle).

Since the heat wave began, I have - as already mentioned - been working in a steel container in around 45 degree heat. I have been drinking water (as well as going outside to cool down) but obviously not enough. When I cannot stand it any longer, I drive off to the pub and drink about 3 pints of beer. That's the wrong way round.

Yesterday I began flushing the uric acid from my urine by drinking many pints of water, then going to the pub as normal and drinking 3 pints of beer.  Not perfect, but better. I have reached a compromise between my previous Summertime lifestyle and the NHS's online advice. NSAIDs help as well, but not too much given my age. I took 2 paracetamol last night.

I was talking to a young barmaid yesterday whilst I drank the 3 pints, and I mentioned the gout. I began by saying, 'don't laugh' as I did here. Far from laughing, she looked shocked and concerned.

"What colour is your big toe?" she asked.

"Well it's red and swollen, as you would expect." She obviously did not know what to expect.

"So it isn't going to turn black and drop off then?"

What a comfort.

18 comments:

  1. My grandfather who did have gout occasionally would say "It's hell to get old". I know now what he meant. I guess it's good she didn't think you had the plague. Take care.

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    1. Actually you can get gout at quite an early age, but it is more common in older people. If she thought it was contagious she would have run away.

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  2. I'm afraid you'll just have to get used to the occasional giggles. As nasty as gout can be, it does have an irresistible comic appeal. Keep up the water intake!

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    1. I attract giggles for many other reasons than gout. I'm used to it.

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  3. How close are you to exiting the hell hole? How I wish for better quarters. As do you. Any hope of reclaiming your shop.

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    1. Maybe 2-3 weeks, maybe more. I will move back to my workshop. It has now been repaired and sits there waiting for me.

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    2. That makes my Sunday morning. So, mid to late July. Good.

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  4. I knew a young man who had gout. He made jokes about it, still drank the occasional beer or two, and got on with things. May you be keeping your systems at bay!

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    1. We seem to have the same approach, but I probably have a 40 year head start on him.

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  5. I detest gout because it doesn’t go away until you behave yourself.

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    1. Like I say, there are compromises that can be made. I am almost over my little bout.

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  6. Replies
    1. My pain only lasted one day and one night. Maybe I am lucky.

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  7. Gout is awful Tom - it is not helped by the hot weather. Drink water and just wait for the weather to get cooler. My arthritis is also very bad in the heat.

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  8. I wouldn't dream of laughing, I get gout from time to time and it's bloody painful. As you undoubtedly know, it's a form of arthritis and nothing to do with lifestyle. Just bad luck. Drinking lots of water is a good move. The doc has given me allopurinol which works ok and seems to be a fairly benign drug with minimal side effects.

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    1. I've got the other sorts of arthritis as well. I don't think mine is bad enough to warrant drugs.

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  9. Not a good companion. Wish you get to feel better soon.
    Greetings Maria x

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