Worst. Episode. Ever.
I'm now over a week into what is probably the worst episode of gout I've had so far (I'm hedging because there may be recency bias). Looking back at my gout tag, I've blogged about attacks in March 2011, September 2008, March 2008, and March 2007. So I don't know what the fuck it is about March, but...
Usually the pain follows a bell-ish curve shape and the worst part lasts maybe 2-3 days and I regain, oh, 90-95% function within 7-10 days. The current episode has lasted well over a week and I have been firmly in the upper part of the curve for 5-6 days now, and although up until last night I would've said my peak pain level this time was still below the worst I'd ever experienced (maybe 8 out of 10 if 10 was the previous worst) I think I reached 11 last night, so now I have to re-normalize.
There is a flash of blinding pain whenever I put on or remove my shoe. So needless to say once I put it on for the day, I try to leave it that way until I get home again. Putting on is worse though, compounded by the fact that my foot is swollen to the point that it's a tight fit. If you're wondering why I bother at all, I don't own sandals, and having it in the semi-rigid shoe does help a bit with support and spreading out the pressure when I stand. Still, I should probably endeavor to spend less time on my feet.
For several nights I was also getting fever chills, and would wake up with the sheets soaked in sweat. I'm not sure what that was all about, and I wonder if the body releases chemical signals for pain/inflammation that, in large quantities, cause the immune system to kick in.
Another annoying side effect is that I'm getting shooting sciatic nerve pain that comes and goes, and I can't tell if it's just because the nerves in the foot are overloaded sending pain signals, or if my altered gait has done something to pinch the nerve higher up.
In short, although I'd previously looked at the list of side effects of allopurinol, considered that my attacks are relatively infrequent and said "no thanks," it is sufficiently annoying when it does occur that I am seriously reconsidering that stance right now. (I am also starting to doubt the efficacy of cherries as an ameliorative agent, although I don't think the science on that was ever very settled.)
Usually the pain follows a bell-ish curve shape and the worst part lasts maybe 2-3 days and I regain, oh, 90-95% function within 7-10 days. The current episode has lasted well over a week and I have been firmly in the upper part of the curve for 5-6 days now, and although up until last night I would've said my peak pain level this time was still below the worst I'd ever experienced (maybe 8 out of 10 if 10 was the previous worst) I think I reached 11 last night, so now I have to re-normalize.
There is a flash of blinding pain whenever I put on or remove my shoe. So needless to say once I put it on for the day, I try to leave it that way until I get home again. Putting on is worse though, compounded by the fact that my foot is swollen to the point that it's a tight fit. If you're wondering why I bother at all, I don't own sandals, and having it in the semi-rigid shoe does help a bit with support and spreading out the pressure when I stand. Still, I should probably endeavor to spend less time on my feet.
For several nights I was also getting fever chills, and would wake up with the sheets soaked in sweat. I'm not sure what that was all about, and I wonder if the body releases chemical signals for pain/inflammation that, in large quantities, cause the immune system to kick in.
Another annoying side effect is that I'm getting shooting sciatic nerve pain that comes and goes, and I can't tell if it's just because the nerves in the foot are overloaded sending pain signals, or if my altered gait has done something to pinch the nerve higher up.
In short, although I'd previously looked at the list of side effects of allopurinol, considered that my attacks are relatively infrequent and said "no thanks," it is sufficiently annoying when it does occur that I am seriously reconsidering that stance right now. (I am also starting to doubt the efficacy of cherries as an ameliorative agent, although I don't think the science on that was ever very settled.)