Big toe joint

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi. My big toe joint has been hot swollen and painful for over two weeks. My practice nurse says it's either a flare, gout or sepsis

shes taken bloods and I'm still awaiting results. Could a flare remain  same for this long?

i haven't rested as I'm working as  a nanny working with twins for four days a week. Any ideas anyone?

2

I have no clue what a "practice nurse" is......in any case, you need to demand to be seen by a board certified rheumatologist.

Blood tests won't necessarily tell you a thing and you're wasting your time.

3

It's really worrying isn't it? A practice nurse makes a vague diagnosis and takes bloods. I wonder what the blood tests were for,? I agree with CA-Lynn demand to see a GP and request a referral to a rheumatologist. I'm a nurse and would never have acted in this way!

4

The nurse was checking for Uris acid and sepsis with the bloods. She did ask when my next rheumy appt was. It's October so she said that's fine

5

Renette do you live in the UK ? If you do then the hospital where your Rheumatologist is based will have a helpline you can ring. If you don't have the number ring the main switchboard and either ask to be put through or for the number. Ring the helpline which will either take your message & pass it into the Rhuemy nurses or you may possibly be able to speak directly to them. I'm sure you'll get something done in a few days, at least advice if not requested to go to see the Rheumatologist. 

6

Connie is absolutely right. The nurse at the surgery is not a rheumatology specialist nurse who is specially trained in rheumatology. She's not in a position to tell you waiting until October is ok.

7

Hi Renette,

in answer to your question about how long a flare can last, a post on Arthritis Foundation website today answers the question by saying that a flare can last weeks or even months before in is brought under control with medication. For myself, my first flare lasted months before being brought under control with a corticosteroid injection.

Good luck

8

Hi Renette

I was recently diagnosed with RA, after pain started in my big toe - I thought I had gout, so plodded (literally) on for 5months under the belief it would clear and I could cope, Then when I could bear it no longer as the pain was spreading, I saw a Dr and further blood tests discovered it was RA. By that time, anti-inflammatory tablets did little good, and only found relieve when I had a steroid injection.

Hope you can get back into Drs and insist on quicker help

9

Nicola you have made an excellent point. We should never put off getting help for joint pain. I had a painful shoulder for 2 years. I went to see my GP a few times who said it was a trapped nerve. Analgesics didn't relieve the pain. It was only 3 weeks ago when I had blood tests to rule out any auto immune problems because I have Raynaud's that it showed I had a high rheumatoid factor. Now I have pain in both feet. I will never put off visiting the doctor again.

10

Thank you all for your messages

I do have a help line number I can ring. I live in London and my Rheumy team is at Guy's. I think I just don't like to make a fuss. When she mentioned sepsis I was a bit concerned but she said not to worry unless it got worse or spread

I'll call the help line tomorrow. They are meant to get back to you within two days

11

Good luck Renette. I think you're doing the right thing. Let us know how you get on.

12

Ditto Matron. Time is precious and the sooner you know what you're suffering from the sooner proper treatment can start. Please keep us informed as I'd be interested to hear how you get on.