Gout and about

Bad news: I am currently suffering from one of my occasional bouts of gout.

It got progressively worse during the week and yesterday the impressive swelling around the joint in my big toe got so bad I could barely walk because of the pain, and I also got very little sleep last night.

I've been trying to get some anti-inflammatory tablets but on Tuesday the NHS app wouldn't let me order them because they're not on my repeat prescription list, even though I've been prescribed these particular pills several times before.

Yesterday therefore I drove the half mile to my local surgery, hobbled the final 20 yards from the car park to the dispensary, and filled in a repeat prescription form in person but, while the member of staff was sympathetic, she said it had to be signed off by the duty doctor.

This morning, having heard nothing more and being in considerable pain, I rang the surgery at 8.30 and requested a phone appointment with a GP. I was put in a queue (#15) but I didn't have to wait on line because the automated system said someone would ring me back if I pressed ‘1’, which they duly did 30 minutes later.

A phone appointment was made for 11.00am but a GP rang before ten and was extremely helpful, not least because he understood the urgency of my request.

I should add that the situation is complicated by the fact that I have to drive to and from Chester to collect my mother to take her to her brother's funeral in Colchester on Monday, and I really don't want to spend the weekend unable to walk more than a few yards, as is the case at the moment.

Another complication is that the GP offered me two strengths of tablet – 250mg and 500mg. The latter will work faster and may be more effective, but I've been warned that it can also cause stomach problems such as ulcers so it's issued with a further tablet for 'tummy protection'.

Yikes.

The good news is that the GP is going to add the 250mg version to my repeat prescription list on the app, so although requests still have to be approved, it should make the process much easier, and quicker, in future.

Meanwhile I have discovered that another capsule that was already on my repeat prescription list - whose purpose I had forgotten - can also be used 'to treat mild to moderate acute pain and relieve symptoms of arthritis or gout'.

I don’t think it’s as strong as the other tablet I’ve been prescribed but it's good to know I have a choice!

See also: Gout im himmel and Around and about with gout

Comments

[britinkiwi]

Simon - sympathies for your symptoms. Acute gout is hugely disabling.

I'm a little concerned at the 250g and 500g tablets - I hope you mean mg else your tummy troubles will be in spades.

Pedantry, I know, but something we pharmacists like to get right.....for some odd reason.

[Simon]

Thank you, I have corrected it to mg!

[Pat Nurse]

My husband gets the occasional bout of gout too but he declined the repeat medication because of side effects, which can apparently affect the kidneys, and decided instead to just seek help and tablets to deal with the occasional flare up when it happens.

Something that really helps is to put a thin wet towel in the freezer for a while and then use that on the affected area to bring down the swelling and soothe the burning.

You have my sympathy. I know what hell it can be. Get well soon.