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Ok,as an opening statement, and first time introduction, let me take a moment to say that this site is a wealth of knowledge, and good friendly humor. Jmutt its the screen name I took, but John is my given name. I reside outside of a little itty bitty town with three letters as a name, in the upper portion of Ohio, in the States. A lot of corn, beans, and sometimes rude drivers, is about the lot, of my daytime drive to my place of employment. Now as to not give any misgivings right up front, I'm a foundry guy. Ouch! Admitting it is the first step they say, hehe, we'll get down this road together. I've been in the foundry since I was the ripe age of 17, and am pushing 39. A pup in some people's eyes, I do assure you however, this pup is seasoned, (some might say with dirt and fingernail trimmings, but I assure you that I believe that I was seasoned with sugar and honey).
Side note: when a foundryman tells you that he is made of sugar and honey, it is best to turn head, lift heel, and run like [email protected], as most foundrymen are completely full of crap, and will go an extra length to talk nonsensical, illogcial, and sometimes even a complete blithering nonsense, for up to 4hrs straight, and never less than 25 minutes. All making for a complete non-productive work day.
Back to my story, (let me applogize now, as it must be absolutely apparent of two things at this point, 1.I love to blather on and on, about absolutey nothing, and make it a point to drag that nothing on, in some hopes that I can convince you all that there is something funny about to happen, or maybe even some bit of interesting fact, that is about to jump out and surprise the lot of you, 2. that I, simply stated, cannot spell).
My gout story started about 2-1/2 years ago. It first showed its face in my right arm, at the elbow and wrist. For 6 months, I couldn't straiten my right arm, and walked with it in a cradled position the whole time. It did not only affect my joints, my muscles were really hurt as well, a complete loss of strength ensued.
The pain never went away (until recently). Mayhem followed suit on my whole body, as very quickly the pain spread thoughout my body, first the neck, right shoulder, left knee, left leg through the foot, ribcage, spine, jaw and face, right leg, fingers, then my hips. I quickly learned, very slowly, that the U.S. medical system is really a very flawed system. Great if you have a tooth ache, or a bout of diarrhea, but to actually find a problem that cannot be looked up in a pamplet that the drug companies have printed out for them to help diagnose their patients, good luck.
I first went to my family doc, then on to a neurologist, another neurologist, sports medical doctor, and a couple of doctors that I don't even recal what they were. Multiple MRI's were taken, catscans, blood work (enough to clone me 7 times), and for a long tme, all anyone could see was a very low vitamin D level. Vitamin D, the new doctor's religion, don't, please don't get me started on Vit D. I'm beginning to believe that rocket ships are powered by Vit D. It was only recently that I saw a Rhumy. His first test was for gout. Bingo!! He immediately started me on gout meds, and a run of steriods. For the first time in a couple of years, I had know some relief. Not a moment to late either, as my job was (and still is, thanks docs :p) in serious jeopardy. I had at that point missed so much work, and pretty much given up on life, that I was in some pretty bad shape. The wifey only half believed me that I was suffering, and the strain that, that took on the relationship, was to say without a doubt, quite a rollercoaster. So I had a couple of months of relief, but as the weather has turned cold, I find myself, once again, in complete misery. I cannot seem to get my gout under control. Now after reading some info on the site, I see that I need to make my doc see me more than once every three or four months. I may be ugly doc, but I have such a lovely personality.
I also have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, (I've always had Tourrette's), and now Gout. I've been on so many meds in the last two years, that the list would trump what I have written here today. Some with some pretty dang serious side effects, that, well, have affected me.
I am currently taking the 100mg of allopurinol a day for the gout, so I am going to have a talk with my doc on Wednesday about where this is all going.
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Ok, there's a peek (ok, a long boring stare) into my story. I look forward to torchering you all later with more questions, and insights, as my journey to wellness continues.
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thanks for reading all
J for John,
Welcome to the site John. I'll keep it short & sweet
100mg is a waste of time beyond the first 2 weeks to check whether you're allergic to it. You need to be taking at least 300mg p.d.? Do it today & when you run out tell your Doc you want a scrip for that much in future + a blood test immediately. Don't take no for an answer. When you get the results, ask for the exact figures, not some vague response like a bit high/low/normal etc. You need to be taking enough Allo to maintain a level of around 5.00mg/dL. Get your blood tested again in 1-2months.Are you taking any meds for the Parkinson's & Fibromyalgia?
Let me second odo's claim that 100 mg. is a useless dose ol allopurinol more apt to CAUSE pain than to prevent it.
Go to 300 mg. immediately?after getting a blood test for?serum uric acid. After several months judge whether you are improving.
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The pain never went away (until recently). Mayhem followed suit on my whole body, as very quickly the pain spread thoughout my body, first the neck, right shoulder, left knee, left leg through the foot, ribcage, spine, jaw and face, right leg, fingers, then my hips. I quickly learned, very slowly, that the U.S. medical system is really a very flawed system. Great if you have a tooth ache, or a bout of diarrhea, but to actually find a problem that cannot be looked up in a pamplet that the drug companies have printed out for them to help diagnose their patients, good luck.
It sounds like 22 years of foundry work has taken its toll in repetetive stress injuries. (I once ran a lab in a steel mill so I am familiar with?how gruelling some of the jobs can be.)?Yes, you are so right, I think the only diagnostician left in America is fictional and his name is GREGORY HOUSE. But now the big question is GOUT OR NOT-GOUT? The allopurinol and the blood test should shed some good light on it. Can you have pain from several conditions? Of course, even made up ones like fibromyalgia (which means doctors cannot make a diagnosis)? and Parkinson's can be very painful too…as can Lupus, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, scleroderma etc.
Your list of aches and pains are not typical of gout but gout CAN hit any part of the body.
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?all anyone could see was a very low vitamin D level. Vitamin D, the new doctor's religion, don't, please don't get me started on Vit D. I'm beginning to believe that rocket ships are powered by Vit D.
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Yeah, me too. What IS it with this latest fad, that everyone has a Vitamin D deficiciency. Decades back any mention of Vitamin D supplementation carried the warning: NEVER supplement more than 400 iu's?it is poisonous in large quantities. Now EVERYBODY is being put on large amounts, up to 5,000 i.u/day. How do doctors spread these fads among themseelves? I wonder what's next?
In truth, I came upon Vitamin D supplementation all by myself when I asked myself the question: Why do people get colds in Winter and my answer? Because there is less sunlight, so I started with 1000 units Vitamin D.
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When can you get a pension?you will certainly soon have the time put in, but there is that pesky age requirement? What 55?
If you lose the job, I guess SS disability might be in your cards. It is bad enough putting up with illness without having resulting job loss hanging over your head. Do you think a career change could be?possible? (I know that sounds a little Marie Antoinettish :D)
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But let's hope the 300 mg. allopurinol sorts out a lot of your problems.
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A caution on?your treatment: a course of steroids will ease the pain caused by a great many musculoskeletal diseases or trauma. Taking steroids with allopurinol may mask the cause.
Welcome John, great first post
Jmutt said:
?completely full of crap, and will go an extra length to talk nonsensical, illogcial, and sometimes even a complete blithering nonsense, for up to 4hrs straight, and never less than 25 minutes. All making for a complete non-productive work day.
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This is also true and compulsory for website forum owners. It is optional for sailors, but perhaps more common than we think.
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