Add gout to chronic pain list? Maybe? Low dose aspirin?

Posted by woojr @woojr, Jun 19 1:37pm

Like so many others here, I've had chronic pain for so long I can't remember when it started. Recently I had what I'll describe as a flare up of pain in my index and then middle finger followed by my heel. I've had this before but never so painful that it made my right hand almost unusable. It took about 4-5 days to recede. I see low dose aspirin can cause similar symptoms. I've been taking 81mg aspirin since I had double bypass heart surgery in 2008. I also developed easy bruising on my arms and hands. But the recent pain in my fingers mainly have me wondering if this is from something more than my diet or the aspirin. The recent flare up is the worst ever. I'm in pretty good health otherwise (for 72yo with spine and joint issues.)
Anyone have any thoughts?

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Jun 24 7:24am

Gout is an arthritic condition along with your other arthritic ailments. Any chance your finder issues may be from your nerves in your neck and not gout? Did you have any blood work done yet?

woojr | @woojr | Jun 24 8:54pm

Well I'm getting some advice recently from an old friend who has suffered with gout for decades and he convinced me my diet is suspicious. Over the last few days I've experimented with sweets, chocolate bars specifically. I didn't eat any meat Sunday and my fingers felt better today. I'm waiting for how it feels tomorrow after the chocolate today.

As far as nerves and my neck they've been trumped lately by my worn out left shoulder (it's been falling out of place). I've had shots there three times in two years, the last being in April. Doc says I need a replacement. Also my failed spinal surgery chimes in when the others are quiet. Yard work has been aggravating it the last week or so. Today I had to bury one of our cats. She died yesterday of what I believe was heat stroke. Very difficult. It was so hot yesterday and she was an indoor outdoor cat so we didn't see her until we found her unconscious. We've had cats over fifty years and this was the saddest loss.
Back to gout, my symptoms, mainly sharp pain and swelling, have flared up more recently than my nerve issues. They were first discovered in the 90's, like 1995 I think.

slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Jun 26 4:24am

Gout usually affects the big toe or instep of foot, not fingers. That sounds more like arthritis. Since it was combined with heel pain, it would be a good idea to see a rheumatologist, especially if heel pain is in Achilles tendon area. The rheumatologist can do bloodwork to see if you have an inflammatory arthritis and do a uric acid level for gout. Then you’ll know what you’re dealing with and get appropriate treatment.

woojr | @woojr | Jun 26 2:39pm

Excellent suggestion. I have my annual physical in early August with bloodwork. I'm going to see whether I can get uric acid level then. My discomfort lessened yesterday. My heels are fine, but I am still feeling low level pain in finger joints of both hands. If it worsens I'll have to move that visit up.

Thanks for the great info....