I am, to say the least, mildly confused by a great many things these days. Most of them, however, I can do nothing about, and it truly doesn't matter if I'm confused or not.
Among those things are the fact that this country hasn't had a budget in 1,000 days, and the fact that our debt is now equal to our economy...
But...
Here's my question for now. It's of a personal nature... one I can, and have, done something about, but the question remains.
Several months ago I was diagnosed with gout.
It sucks. It is the most painful form of arthritis there is. I have days when my foot hurts so badly the idea of putting my boots on to go to work is akin to deciding to be water boarded.
I do it and I hurt, a lot.
I've changed my diet, learned to a certain degree what triggers a gout flare (alcohol is gone forever from my 'diet', so are ham and processed meats...)
It brought my gout level down to around a 10 or 11.
When I asked my health care provider about treating it, her response was 'Let's just keep an eye on it.'
I didn't like that answer, especially not in light of some of the information I've gotten online.
So... I went back to my old doctor, the one I trust a great deal.
According to him, untreated gout will 'destroy your joints'...
Waiting is not a good plan, unless you want to undergo joint replacement surgery sooner than later.
I figure I've had gout for at least 10 years, without it being diagnosed. Waiting to treat it was a fool's option.
So...
Why did my health care provider suggest it?
I really don't know.
My pharmacist told me it was how they once handled it, but the research has shown it to be a bad option.
Why does any doctor suggest waiting as an option when there is a treatment available?
I'm on medication now and at the moment it is kicking my ass. Nausea and I have become best friends. Drowsy means falling asleep if I close my eyes for more than five seconds...
But I'll take it. I'll even take the gout flare they warn may be a side effect.
I'll take them because I know they'll go away.
Joint replacement won't.
4 comments:
Dunno, I have a friend that has it pretty bad too. All of his doctors have been treating it asap.
The biggest thing is to stay on the meds between attacks to prevent future ones.
The internet is your best friend with all these odd ailments. And sometimes the strangest (against common sense) things can work.
If the help/cure doesn't obviously seem self-destructive, give it a try and see if it helps.
(We have the "oddest" cure for diaper rash you ever heard and NO ONE wants to believe it until they've tried it. The reason Docs and others don't recommend it?
It's almost free.
Jinksto -
I guess my first medical provider was a bit to old school for my good. I do give her credit and I will be in her debt because she thought to test me for what is commonly a 'man's disease' in the first place.
GB -
I've checked it out, which is why the idea of waiting to treat it made no sense.
And, unfortunately, the information on gout is confusing and contradictory at times. I'm working out what I should and shouldn't be eating. Alcohol is forever gone. It's not worth it.
So, what is your diaper rash cure?
cjh
Normal flour, browned in an iron skillet. Powder the baby's butt with it. Works every time.
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