Swelling on big toe and extreme pain!! HELP?

Question

I have been suffering with the following problem for about 2 years and have been to a number of doctors and been on 10 lots of antibiotics!!!

What i am experiencing is swelling of my big toe but it is worse on the left side near the last joint and the nail. it is extremely painful to the point where i cant even have a cover over it or walk on it.

i have had both sides of the nail removed as the doctors thought it was an ingrown nail but despite the nail being removed and the nail bed being killed so nail cannot grow back the sypmtoms have returned.

I have tried googling it and it came back with the being a possibility of gout i went to the doctor who tried to put me on penicillin again despite the fact i am allergic to it. i eventually managed to argue with her into booking me for a blood test to check for gout next wednesday

what i wondered was has anyone else experienced this?? what was it?? how did you treat it?? and most importantly how can i ease the pain??

thanks in advance

Answer 1

Try draining it

Answer 2

You mentioned Dr's but where any of them specialist? Such as an podiatrist, orthopedist, rheumatologists etc. They might be able to offer more insight into your problem.

Answer 3

A simple blood test called a Uric Acid can let you know if it is indeed gouty arthritis. Gout usually comes and goes and is not treated with antibiotics. Don't know why she gave you pcn. Gout can cause redness and inflammation . Try to get into an Urgent Care or walk in clinic vs. waiting a week to check your Uric Acid levels as they may fall to normal level between now and then. You need to get into somewhere while your symptoms are present. If it is gout, it is relatively easy to treat and manage. Good luck.

Answer 4

I know people who have gout & it is not treated with antibiotics.

It is usually treated with NSAIDs like Motrin, Advil, Aleve take 2 every 4-6 hours.  It will take about 4 days to really build up in your system.

There are other arthritis medicines.

Keep it elevated & use ice to reduce swelling & easing pain.

Diet:  Avoid rich, fried, fatty foods; red beef like steak & seafood; alcohol;stick to low fat dairy products.

Alternative meds:  Coffee is said to lower uric acid; so do cherries & Vit. C.

Feel better.