Here's the update - more pain, more swelling. Walking has become very, very difficult. My knee will not straighten and I can hardly put any weight on it. I left work 'early' today, but not really that early since I was in early and worked through lunch since I couldn't leave the office. The drive home was tons of fun. Thankfully it's a German holiday today so I didn't have to deal with too many maniacs on the road. I did see an American driving that for some reason thought he should signal before entering a traffic circle but then not use his signal to exit it. Pretty much on par for most transplants over here, not that the Germans come anywhere close to knowing the proper use of a turn signal either.
Yeah, I'm in a pissy mood and should stop writing. Here are a couple of pictures of my knee. Click on the pictures for the larger version:
Nate,
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry your gout attack is back.
I am just wondering if you have seen my 5/9/10, 5/12/10 & 5/19/10 comments in response to your 5/1/10 blog.
Take care.
Nate, if that first picture showed a pair of legs with Speedos, I'd say that they are MY legs.
ReplyDeleteI sure feel for/with you, even though that does not do any good for you.
Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteAnon - I did see the comments (except 5/19 - don't see one there) and responded to most of them. I try to get back to all the comments if I can.
I'm going to do some more research on soda today. I've been having one or two a day the last week. I needed one vice while I hurt. I guess I really should cut it out completely and see what happens. Still, with the 600mg/day of Allo and low UA, I can't see it hurting that much (especially in limited quantities) but I will read up on it more.
Hans - I don't own any speedos ;) Perhaps I should get a pair as they are popular over here in Europe!
Thanks again. Things are worse this morning and I can barely walk. I'll put up a post soon.
Nate,
ReplyDeleteI am still not sure you saw my 5/9/10 & 5/12/10 comments to your 5/1/10 blog. I am quoting parts of my comments below just in case they are useful to you and you have not seen them.
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May 9, 2010 10:45 PM comment: "Your Gout Tracker is very useful. It helped me understand your gout. ...
May 12, 2010 6:49 AM comment: "...I have noticed that you came off Diclofenac on 5/7/10 and started Tramadol on 5/9/10 without Diclofenac. I was concerned that the inflammation may get worse while you could not feel it because of the masking effect of Tramadol. It seems clear now that the inflammation has been getting worse. It also seems that you need an prophylactic anti-inflammatory even after the pain subsides.
This is what I would do for me: Go back to square one: take both Diclofenac and Tramadol until the pain is gone. Then reduce or drop Tramadol and keep Diclofenac. Finally, reduce the dose of Diclofenac and keep it at a prophylactic level for as long as necessary."
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Now (5/25/10), since you have not taken an anti-inflammatory for weeks while gouty pain grew from 2 to 7.5, you may need stronger prednisone pills or a methylprednisone shot. to reduce the pain, then go back to the routine mentioned above.
You don't need to respond to my comments. Taking care of yourself is the first priority.
Thanks, Anon. Responding isn't a problem. I have some time on my hands, especially today!
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't see those comments and I did look. Weird.
The Diclofenac really messes with my stomache so I try to avoid it when I can. I usually do take naproxen when I have swelling. It works well with Tramadol. I must admit, though, I probably haven't been that good at keeping track of the anti-inflammatories I take. I need to do better at that in the tracker and will make a point of it from now on.
My doctor's nurse is going to be calling me back soon. I should have some prednisone by the end of the day to fight this latest attack.
thanks again. I really appreciate your comments and helpful advice!