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Hi guys,
Starting to wonder whether or not I have gout? About a month ago I fell over badly on my toe, as a result my toe was badly swollen and so I went to the doctors to see if I'd broken it. I could wiggle my toe around and so the doctor said it wasnt broken and sent me on my way. However I've had pain ever since (not really bad paid more discomfort when wearing certain shoes, and the feeling that any slight knock would hurt it). So today I have just been to my local walk in centre. I showed the nurse my toe which looks displaced and swollen at the joint. At first she said it looked like I had a bunion but would take an x-ray to ensure no fractures. The x-ray came back clear of any fracture but she said there seem to be a lot of excess soft tissue around the joint of my big toe! She says it looks like Gout and has told me to visit my GP! I was very shocked when she said she thought it was gout! I have just turned 30, and excercise nearly every day and am not overweight. I do drink, but only at weekends. Also about 5 years ago I had a knee operation to repair my snapped medial ligaments and remove some cartlidge i suffer from stiffness now and again after playing football, and also I have a pin in my ankle from when I broke that about 9 years ago. Also I never thought twice about the following until I read up on gout: I played football not long ago and had severe pain in my ankle as if it needed to click back into position. I was in discomfort most of the night, but then in the morning it was right as rain and it felt as good as always! I'm starting to worry now that I have gout, I'm only 30 and never thought I would be a sufferer this early in my lifetime. Please could you give me advice if you think I have Gout and what I can do to try and get rid of it!!! Its all new to me and a bit scary!!! Thanks!
Don't start worrying until you get a proper diagnosis – “looks like gout” doesn't cut it.
Gout has many causes, and in your age group, it is either kidney problems or genetics. In these circumstances, an inborn propensity to gout might be affected by trauma to trigger a first attack, but there are many other explanations – you won't be the first patient who has had sesamoiditis confused with gout.
Let your GP test uric acid to get a better indication. Below 5mg/dL (.3 mmol/L) and gout is highly unlikely. Above 6.5mg/dL (.38 mmol/L) and gout is likely. The diagnosis can usually be confirmed by a rheumatologist.
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