Have you ever heard of anyone crazy enough to tell her doctor she was glad he had just diagnosed her with gout?
Well, you have now.
My doctor’s face looked just the way your face is looking right now. Incredulity bursting forth.
When I got home, I ran in the house and yelled to Steve, “Honey, I have gout! Yay!”
Same look.
About two months ago, I started experiencing swelling on the right side of my ankle.
There was pain accompanying it, but not all the time. It was the kind of pain that would catch me out of the blue and just stab at my ankle for about ten minutes and then dissipate for a while before surprising me with a stab again, almost making me stumble.
My general practitioner looked at it and said it appeared to be a bad sprain. When I told her I wasn’t aware of spraining my foot, she sent me for an x-ray which showed that the pain and swelling were probably due to “arthritic changes and a bone spur.”
Do you know how depressing that news was?
There’s not a whole lot that can be done about arthritis and a bone spur. In my mind, this very unsettling condition had no cure, and I would be dealing with difficulty walking for the rest of my life, probably seeing it get worse over time.
Not happy news.
Well, last Wednesday, I had to go to my podiatrist about another small issue, and while I was there, I asked if he would take a look at my ankle. He asked a few questions, took a glance at my foot, poked it once with his finger, and said, “This swelling is rock hard. You have gout.”
And that’s when I said my infamous line about being glad.
You see, gout is not curable, but it is treatable. I have been on two meds for several days, and the pain has largely disappeared. I realize that gout can flare up from time to time, and I will have to deal with those flares, but at least it’s not a life sentence like arthritis and bone spurs.
And therefore, I am the weird person who says, “I’m glad I have gout!” (A couple of times when talking to Steve about it, I’ve inadvertently called it grout, which puts me in a new medical category altogether.)
I am extra thankful for the timing of that visit to the podiatrist. After he had told me what was going on, he asked me what my doctor had told me. When I relayed her diagnosis, he said, “Did she follow up any more after that?”
When I said no, he just shook his head. He said that when gout is left untreated, a lot of bad things can happen. He put it in more conversational words, but here is the official gist of it copied from the internet.
“Untreated gout leads to more frequent, severe, and long-lasting attacks, resulting in permanent joint destruction, chronic pain, and mobility loss. Chronic, high uric acid levels can form tophi (hard uric acid nodules) under the skin, cause kidney stones, and increase the risk of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and heart attacks.”
I also read that since it is considered a male disease, it often goes undiagnosed in older women. If I hadn’t had that “unimportant” appointment, who knows when (or if) I would have gotten a proper diagnosis.
One of the medicines he prescribes is a stronger form of Prednisone, and besides erasing the pain from my foot, it has also erased it from my back and neck. Plus, it is giving me all sorts of peppy energy. That made cooking for our Easter meal a joy. I ran around the kitchen all day Saturday, thinking, “So this is how healthy people feel all the time!” Quite an eye-opener.
So that’s my story for the week–puzzling my podiatrist and my husband as I rejoiced over grout–er, gout.
Steve had bought some tulips the day before, one of my favorite kinds of flowers.
We had a lovely Easter lunch together, each of the families arriving at the house from our individual churches. Steve and I attend Hope City Church North and love it. So thankful for not only our blood family but also our church family.
And we are also thankful for our two doggies who complete the circle.
There are so many thanksgivings this Easter weekend but the biggest one of all is the ressurrection. Happy Easter, to all my dear readers.
What about you?
What did you do over your Easter weekend?
Becky, I love that you’re weird and also see the immense relief of having an actual diagnosis and that it is treatable!! I’m glad you have gotten relief from the pain! And steroids are pretty great on occasion. I don’t sweat like normal people do and it doesn’t cool me down at all, but if I ever have to take prednisone, I feel so good and I actually sweat properly to cool down my body! Huzzah!! 🙌🏻🎉
I’ve also gotten strange looks and been called weird because I actually get excited when I have to have surgery. Not THAT I have to, but because I know it will fix my issue. I hate doctors. I hate that they always pass me off to other doctors and never actually try to figure out what’s wrong. But I do like when one actually does and can help me! That being said, after 5 surgeries in 2 years, then an angiogram the following year, and 2 ER visits in the past 3 years, I am not at all trying to go to another doctor for as long as possible! I’m actually trying very hard NOT to go!
Happy belated Easter, also! I didn’t know you had found a church you like, let alone love, but I’m so happy for you!
Lizz,
Wow. Your medical dance card has been full in recent years. Hoping along with you that your doctor days can be over for a while.
Yes, it took us a very long time to find a church but we are happy where we are and looking forward to becoming more and more a part of the church community.
I’ve never heard of prednisone helping someone perspire! Glad it works well for you.
I think it helps just because it makes my body work the way it’s supposed to? Not 100% sure why but I love it. Too bad I can’t be on it forever. Haha. Not really. I don’t like taking any meds.
Hi Becky,
Love that you were happy about your gout! 😁 I really think they could have given that a cheerier name somehow.
When i read your story, I’m thinking wow because I was at the Podiatrist on Monday. I have had a very painful heel for over 2 months. I seen my dr too, and she put me on a medicine for a month that did nothing. The Podiatrist says I have plantar fasciitis. I have been on steroids all week and don’t think it’s helping. The pain is real. So I feel for you as we are kind of in the same boat. I pray you have faster, better results than I am at the moment. Glad you felt pain free for Easter. Good timing!
Alway so happy when you have the whole family there together! Beautiful family picture! Love to all!
Carol
Carol,
I’ve had plantar fascitis as well. No fun! Sorry you are going through that and not getting relief.
I remember going to a PT for it and he did some stretching stuff with my foot and ankle and also used a small tool on it, maybe a stim machine? It didn’t hurt (I could set what level I was comfortable with) and really made a big difference.
Hugs!
For us it was a quiet, take it easy weekend. I, too, am glad you have gout since you are able to get some relief from your pain (and yay for pain relief in other areas of your body too). Your fur-babbies look so cute lying in the sun on “their” rug. I hope you have a wonderful week!!
SueEllen,
Glad you had a quiet weekend; those are always a treat.
I love that our fur-babies match each other so well; you can definitely tell they’re siblings, especially lying side by side.
What a beautiful picture of your family! Am so glad you have something that is treatable. Hopefully the pain will be gone soon.
Sharyn,
Glad you liked the photo; it was Meagan’s idea to take one and I’m glad she thought of it.
Yes, hoping for pain to go away!
So good the “grout” was routed out! Ruth
Ruth,
That sounds like a joke Steve and Arn would enjoy! 🙂 Good one.
Yay for gout! So glad you’re feeling better!!
We went to church and celebrated the resurrection. Then came home and the family gathered at our home for a meal together. The weather was beautiful so we were able to be outdoors. A perfect day!
Happy Easter to you and your family! A great picture of all of you! 🙂
LeeAnne,
How nice you had good weather for Easter. We had rain on the outside but lots of sunshine inside the house. It’s such a privilege to be able to gather with family.
Always good to get a diagnosis that is treatable!
We had a quiet Easter of breakfast at Church before the service, singing my favorite Easter hymn-Christ the Lord is Risen Today (which has not been sung as often on Easter in past years), and ham lunch with just the 2 of us. Glad that you could all be together-great group shot.
Patti,
I’m right there with you; I love the old hymns. And that one you mentioned is extra good.
Hey you could also stylize it as “The Char10tte!” Not as short and snappy though. 🙂
Ellen,
How clever are you? Love that idea!!
What great perspective! Always glad to hear from you!! We spent the day as a family (minus J who now lives in Australia) and had a great time doing a scavenger hunt for easter baskets!
Chris,
Good to hear from you. Time spent as a family is always special; greet them for us! (And enjoy your new adventure in Hawaii.)