I am a 54 yr. old female. 10 months ago I became very ill and was hospitalized with septacemia suspected from a kidney infection. Liver enzymes were highly elevated and SED rate was very high. Subsequently had several more “septecemias”. Had persistent pain in upper left abdomine. Had to have a huge kidney stone removed (long history).Although stone removed, continue to have upper abdominal pain.(Not diagnosed) Kidney speciatist says not related to stones although CT scan shows many stones remain. Liver enzymes eventually returned to normal. Approximately 8 weeks ago , developed acute sudden pain in hip that lasted several hours. Pain left the hip and went into both elbows and knees. Now seems to have settled in left elbow and knee which are both swollen. Have deformities of fingers in both hands (osteoarthritis) with big nodules. Sometimes get excruiating pain in left big toe. Doctor says blood work is all normal. 3 different anti-inflammatories did nothing. Very high dose of Prednisone helped “somewhat” but now that dosage is tapered down, pain and swelling has returned. Waiting to see a specaialist. Doctor says she suspects a “galloping” rheumatism of some kind, butis frustrated due to normal blood results. Generally feel unwell and body temerature is very low (96.1 at times). No fever but get chills. Any thoughts on what all this could mean??

I was recently diagnosed with gout, after suffering unknowingly for 15 years. I always had attacks in my knees, but grew up with Osgood Schlatter’s Disease, and a “torn” cartlidge football knee, so I always thought the attacks were part of that scenario. in 2000, I had my first attack in both big toes, and went to a podiatrist, who first told me. It was only a week or so after that my knee flared up also. I went to my Dr. who really didn’t do anything. ANYWAY, now it’s been another few years and my pain in my joints has moved to excruciating pain, all over. The kind that makes you yell out, cry, almost suicidal. What do I do, see a specialist? I worked construction all those years, (and more), now I can hardly get out of bed, and I’m afraid I’ve permanently damaged myself internally.

Any new treatments for gout?

My wife’s knee started swelling on-and-off approximately 3 years ago in 2001. Doctors could not find anything wrong with her knees or any blood disorders. She stopped taking her diuretics for a period of time, but this did not help. She stopped drinking beer and wine which seem to solve the problem. She walked 4 miles recently and has not encountered any knee swelling for three months.

About three weeks ago at 3 AM in the morning my mother, 84 years old, woke up with massive pain in her left arm.  We called 911 right away.  She still had time to put deoderant on and change her shirt because she did not want to embarass the paramedics.  We all thought that it could be a heart attack or a stroke. So when the ambulance came, they took her to Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Coniva, California. Her EKG was alright.  After the X-Ray the doctor said she had an inflamation on her left arm.  My mother has arthritis in General. This is my question…..based on our general knowledge of arthritis, it comes gradually in with the time of a regular day.  What happend that night?  Why all of a sudden a massive attack of pain?  Why all of a sudden at 3 AM in the morning when she is sleeping?  Isn’t it supposed to rest while you are sleeping?