Recently Answered Questions
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I have gout on my left foot. Is taking Prednisone safe?
Query: Hi doctor, I was diagnosed with gout in left foot. It has been bothering me for a couple of weeks. Last month, I had issue with my elbow and took Prednisone. Recently, doctor said I cannot take Prednisone again so soon and was essentially struggling. Are there any other treatment options or drugs? H... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. No, there is no such restriction about restarting Prednisone. As long as there is a clinical need and we have exhausted other options then there is no contraindication to restart steroids. Surely, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should be tried before proc... Read Full »
I am worried about needing medications for increased urate levels. Please help.
Query: Hi doctor, At my routine blood test, my urate level was tested and came back at 7.3. I do not have symptoms, but I am worried about needing medications. I do not eat a lot of meat or protein shakes. I have gained 77.16 Ibs in the last two years. Before this, the level was 5.3 two years ago, and thre... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The problem is not your uric acid, but it is your weight. Generally, medicines are not needed at uric acid of less than 9.5 mg/dL a patient has gouty arthritis. You need to stop or reduce non-vegetarian foods by 50 percent and reduce pulse... Read Full »
Why is Indomethacin not helping with my joint pain?
Query: Hello doctor,I am suffering from chronic gouty arthritis. It started ten-plus years ago and now progressed to every joint in my body with multiple joint attacks at once. I have constant pain in my joints, even if there is no attack. The attacks jump from joint to joint nonstop. I have seen many doct... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history, and it is a bit unusual for a 40-year-old to have polyarticular gout, that is involving a lot of joints. Firstly, I would recommend you visit a Rheumatologist near you to sort it out. Meanwhile, first, we should rule out if it is gout o... Read Full »
Are joint and knee pain symptoms of gout?
Query: Hi doctor,Over the last few weeks, my wife is suffering from joint pain in the foot and right knee. When I search for this problem online, I found it as a symptom of gout. Can you please explain to me about gout? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.I have gone through your query and also looked at the pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Initially, I would like to throw some information about gout. It is a condition of altered purine metabolism in the body in which crystals of monosodium urate ... Read Full »
Do X-rays help in differentiating rheumatoid arthritis from osteoarthritis?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been having joint pain in my left foot on the first joint of big toe for two weeks. It came on upon waking. The pain was inconvenient, but bearable for the first 36 hours. Then, it was extremely painful on the second day ( a worse pain I have ever had). Then, it has got slightly be... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There is a strong possibility that this is gout. Considering that it occurred relatively acutely, it is possible that it is gout. The diagnosis of gout is by crystal examination in joint fluid and on clinical examination of joints. Of course, osteoarthritis is on... Read Full »
Are my uric acid levels high as mentioned in the lab reports?
Query: Hello doctor, I want to ask for some advice regarding a laboratory result recently. My uric acid is quite high based on the laboratory reports. Is it correct? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your uric acid level is just increased (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Do you have any complaints? I would suggest you take grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries. They are all great sources of vitamin C, which lowers your uric acid le... Read Full »
Please suggest treatment for heel pain.
Query: Hi doctor, I am 29 years old. For the past few days, I am suffering from heel pain. When I get up, it pains a lot for the whole day. Please tell me whether it is dangerous. What to do? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Please mention whether you got any trauma on your heel or anyone hurt you physically before the appearance of pain. Please mention the food taken by you before the appearance of pain. If there is no trauma on your heel, you can have gouty arthritis. It is a kind of ... Read Full »
How to control my uric acid level?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 40 year old male. I have high uric acid for 20 years. Currently, I am taking Allopurinol 300 mg and Methylpred 4 mg. For the last 3 months, the uric acid level has been less than 5. I am confused why there are still some attacks? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you have been taking preventive gout medicine for a long time and have started to have flares for the first time in a while, call your doctor. He may talk to you about changing your dosage or your medicine. In addition to medication, these self-care tips may help... Read Full »