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[Corrik]

Disclaimer:
The following advice or diagnosis is from forum users and is not actual medical advice.







I'll start. For about 7 years now, my knees (only one at a time) will randomly swell up and lock up. It creates intense pain to walk initially. Going down stairs is the worst. It happens very infrequently. It may not happen at all for 8 months, and it can happen 5 times in 2 months. Walking on it loosens up the joint and makes it not hurt, but as soon as you stop for awhile, it locks back up. Generally, this is felt the worst upon waking up as you were not walking for hours.

Ibuprofen helps with the swelling over a day or so and with the pain. The knee at times will be swollen to almost 3 times the normal size.

Recently, I experienced this not at all most of last year. But, starting in December I experienced it twice. Both in the left knee. I did notice both times this happened (about 7 days apart) that I had drank a Monster Energy drink earlier in the day. I felt safe saying that triggered it. I do not drink those often (rarely) and had both those days it triggered.

About two weeks later the right knee swelled up with nothing that stood out as being the cause.

Then 2 nights ago, my left foot felt intense pain. Like that it was weak. Hurts to bend the foot or to put weight on it. Same as before. Until I walk on it some. This has slowly went up my leg and as of now my foot is in pain and my left knee is swollen.



So what causes this? What is it? My uric acid levels have been high most years in my yearly. Except for last year it was normal. This points to gout. My PCP has suggested pseudogout instead of gout.

Most people tell me when I say I think I have gout that it is from drinking. I, however, have not drank alcohol since October. I do not think that is what is triggering this.

What is some of NeoGAFs expert (yet not expert) opinions, thoughts, ideas, experience?

Or share a medical problem of your own to discuss.

 

[WaterAstro]

Ah, I have nothing to add, but have you seen a doctor about that?

 

[Corrik]

Ah, I have nothing to add, but have you seen a doctor about that?

Yessir.

My PCP has suggested pseudogout instead of gout.

They keep doing x-rays of my knee. Not sure why. They all come back fine. At one point they suggested coming in when it is enflamed, but by time you can get in for the appointment it has gone away by then. Haha.

 

[prag16]

Corrik Have they done an MRI? I have an issue with one of my knees where it'll kind of do what you're talking about at times. I tore up cartilage in college and still have pieces floating around. One orthopedist thought I should get it scoped to clean it out, but I didn't bother. These days it's mostly fine and very very rarely flares up. But the 'damage' I had didn't show up on x-rays, only MRIs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Corrik]

Corrik Have they done an MRI? I have an issue with one of my knees where it'll kind of do what you're talking about at times. I tore up cartilage in college and still have pieces floating around. One orthopedist thought I should get it scoped to clean it out, but I didn't bother. These days it's mostly fine and very very rarely flares up. But the 'damage' I had didn't show up on x-rays, only MRIs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I had one MRI only on the left. They said it was fine. It happens in both knees though. They just did it on the left because they felt that one was "worse" of the two.

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

Be real with me, how shitty is your diet and often do you exercise?

If you aren't old I would suggest cleaning up your diet, especially of things that cause inflammation like sugar and dairy products.
Then, if you don't work out, start walking or biking daily.

Inflammation is a killer. Lowers our quality of life and leads to early death.

 

[Jon Canon]

Do you have any psoreasis of the skin?

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I’ve had gout since I was 27 and your symptoms sound very similar to mine.

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

Young people with gout is so strange. I'll bet this wasn't prevalent a hundred years ago.
Diet and exercise, people. Control your inflammation.

 

[Volcane]

Maybe Ankylosing Spondylitis. Can cause inflammation of the limbs.

 

[Geki-D]

How do your blood tests look? In terms of CRP & white blood cells?

Maybe Ankylosing Spondylitis. Can cause inflammation of the limbs.

I was thinking this too, I actually have this condition myself.

 

[Corrik]

Be real with me, how shitty is your diet and often do you exercise?

If you aren't old I would suggest cleaning up your diet, especially of things that cause inflammation like sugar and dairy products.
Then, if you don't work out, start walking or biking daily.

Inflammation is a killer. Lowers our quality of life and leads to early death.

My diet has been relatively shitty. I started cleaning up my diet about 2 weeks ago calorie wise. Which is why this bout hitting me after doing so was relatively unexpected. Zero caffeine, soda, alcohol (any beverages besides water actually), smoking, chips, candy, sugary snacks, etc.

I find it relatively impossible to hit recommended fiber intake daily or to stay under sodium intake. But, is what it is for now.

Do you have any psoreasis of the skin?

No.

How do your blood tests look? In terms of CRP & white blood cells?

I was thinking this too, I actually have this condition myself.

Everything was good besides uric acid usually. Was some issues in the urine the past 3 years with crystallis or something and blood and elevated white blood cell. They did some tests and tell me I am okay there, but who knows.

Otherwise, all good!

 

[Geki-D]

High uric acid in your blood & crystalluria would point towards gout...

 

[Corrik]

High uric acid in your blood & crystalluria would point towards gout...

That is what I figured also. It has always been like .1 or .2 high on it. What's the upper limit 3.5 or something? So 3.6 or 3.7. Last year it was 2.9 though.

My PCP thought pseudogout and said neither gout or pseudogout can really be fixed, just basically attempted to avoid triggers of it.

 

[Geki-D]

It's rare in young people but it sounds pretty possible. Seeing as your doctor thinks it's that, it's kind of surprising he or she hasn't asked you do a arthrocentesis to analyse the fluid.

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

My diet has been relatively shitty. I started cleaning up my diet about 2 weeks ago calorie wise. Which is why this bout hitting me after doing so was relatively unexpected. Zero caffeine, soda, alcohol (any beverages besides water actually), smoking, chips, candy, sugary snacks, etc.

I find it relatively impossible to hit recommended fiber intake daily or to stay under sodium intake. But, is what it is for now.



No.

Everything was good besides uric acid usually. Was some issues in the urine the past 3 years with crystallis or something and blood and elevated white blood cell. They did some tests and tell me I am okay there, but who knows.

Otherwise, all good!

That's great. If you can, focus on eliminating sugar.
Combine that with a lot of water intake and your inflammation is going to drop every month.

 

[Corrik]

That's great. If you can, focus on eliminating sugar.
Combine that with a lot of water intake and your inflammation is going to drop every month.

Well, I normally do not have any inflammation in months. It is extremely erratic.

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

You likely have full-body inflammation that leads to these extreme acute flare ups
Most people don't know what it is to live without inflammation. We thing everything is normal until we make a change and situations improve

Growing up my diet was terrible. I always though I couldn't breathe through my nose.
As an adult I cleaned up my diet and that airway cleared. It was amazing.

 

[prag16]

Yeah dietary changes should almost always be the first place to turn for a multitude of chronic type issues (even if doctors and especially drug companies aren't always interested in that line of thinking). The last few years I've focused on cleaning up my diet compared to where it was at prior, and literally everything about my body is better, even though I have less time to exercise than before. And I haven't even cleaned it up THAT much. It can do wonders.

 

[Geki-D]

That's great. If you can, focus on eliminating sugar.
Combine that with a lot of water intake and your inflammation is going to drop every month.

Just want to point out that pseudogout isn't really caused by a bad diet, in fact diet has no real bearing on how much or how little it'll flare up. With gout it's another story and high uric acid would point more towards gout, but your doctor is going for pseudogout because it's in your knees mostly. The only way to be sure would be to do a arthrocentesis to see what type of crystals are in your joints.

That said a good diet is always cool, just don't expect it to be a cure to what your doctor reckons you have.

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

Don't expect a lazy or overworked doctor to nail your diagnosis on the first try, either.
A clean diet and frequent exercise is more broad spectrum than a visit to some old prescription-happy PCP.

 

[Corrik]

Just want to point out that pseudogout isn't really caused by a bad diet, in fact diet has no real bearing on how much or how little it'll flare up. With gout it's another story and high uric acid would point more towards gout, but your doctor is going for pseudogout because it's in your knees mostly. The only way to be sure would be to do a arthrocentesis to see what type of crystals are in your joints.

That said a good diet is always cool, just don't expect it to be a cure to what your doctor reckons you have.

Is there a way to stop pseudogout? Cuz if a good diet doesn't help it... What does? I have heard doctors aren't sure what causes pseudogout.

 

[black_13]

I have no idea but I would suggest doing some exercises. Specifically some weight machines for your legs. Don't go too hard too fast just in case it makes it worse.

 

[Corrik]

Don't expect a lazy or overworked doctor to nail your diagnosis on the first try, either.
A clean diet and frequent exercise is more broad spectrum than a visit to some old prescription-happy PCP.

My PCP is... Lol a sub 30 yr old girl. = ) She isn't your typical PCP.

On top of this issue, I have the urine issue and Meniere's Disease (which that just is what it is). Otherwise, I am perfectly healthy other than some poor eyesight! Lol

It is funny cuz all my life up til like 25 I went to doctors for nothing because I don't believe in going unless basically dying. The past 3 years I have probably been there more than the rest of my life tripled over. Which still is just like 10-12 times but still.

 

[Corrik]

I have no idea but I would suggest doing some exercises. Specifically some weight machines for your legs. Don't go too hard too fast just in case it makes it worse.

I need to wait for a couple of things to finish up first, but I have plans to reactivate my gym membership when so. I used to go to the gym every single day from like 16-21. Time to get back on that horse some!

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Young people with gout is so strange. I'll bet this wasn't prevalent a hundred years ago.
Diet and exercise, people. Control your inflammation.

When I first was diagnosed I was 168 pounds, and I’m 6’3. Was in the best shape of my life.

I had no reason to suspect my kidneys couldn’t properly filter uric acid until I had my first gout attack, which ironically occurred the morning after an all day ultimate frisbee tournament, which is great exercise.

Thanks for being judgmental and condescending though.

Gout is about kidneys and what you put in your body for those kidneys to filter

 

[Corrik]

When I first was diagnosed I was 168 pounds, and I’m 6’3. Was in the best shape of my life.

I had no reason to suspect my kidneys couldn’t properly filter uric acid until I had my first attack.

Thanks for being judgmental and condescending though.

How often do you get flare ups?

 

[Kotzen Ducha]

It's not a judgement on health or fitness.
I'm simply shocked at the prevalence of these issues and wonder what's causing it.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

When I first was diagnosed I was 168 pounds, and I’m 6’3. Was in the best shape of my life.

I had no reason to suspect my kidneys couldn’t properly filter uric acid until I had my first gout attack, which ironically occurred the morning after an all day ultimate frisbee tournament, which is great exercise.

Thanks for being judgmental and condescending though.

Gout is about kidneys and what you put in your body for those kidneys to filter

Again.

Gout is about your kidneys and what you put in your body for them to filter.

Since being diagnosed my quality of life has suffered greatly and that’s with regular indomethacin and allopurinol.

Some cases are more severe than others. I have a severe case. My body is constantly in a state of inflammation and the slightest misstep can trigger crippling flare ups for me. Most common is my knees. They will blow up overnight, horrifically.

 

[Geki-D]

Is there a way to stop pseudogout? Cuz if a good diet doesn't help it... What does? I have heard doctors aren't sure what causes pseudogout.

Meds, pretty much. You've been randomly selected by the shit-outta-luck lottery to have a crappy, incurable condition that has no known causes and you're just going to have to deal with and hope it remains at least stable and the attacks happen as rarely as possible. Well done and welcome to the club.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Meds, pretty much. You've been randomly selected by the shit-outta-luck lottery to have a crappy, incurable condition that has no known causes and you're just going to have to deal with and hope it remains at least stable and the attacks happen as rarely as possible. Well done and welcome to the club.

You sum it up perfectly.

It’s terribly bad luck

 

[O.v.e.rlord]

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

To the topic creator. If your uric acid level is chronically high than you need treatment. At the beginning I had very hard time accepting that I would need meds for the rest of my life and was determined to keep it in check with diet and exercise. It just doesn’t work that way. Low purine diets and exercise are helpful but if you actually have gout then you have a legit medical condition.

Without treatment the flare ups will get more frequent. The uric crystals will eventually damage your joints (I’ve lost some range of motion in my right knee). You will develop kidney stones eventually as well. My gout started when I was 27 and now I’m 33. I waited way too long to accept actual treatment and paid a price for it.

 

[Corrik]

To the topic creator. If your uric acid level is chronically high than you need treatment. At the beginning I had very hard time accepting that I would need meds for the rest of my life and was determined to keep it in check with diet and exercise. It just doesn’t work that way. Low purine diets and exercise are helpful but if you actually have gout then you have a legit medical condition.

Without treatment the flare ups will get more frequent. The uric crystals will eventually damage your joints (I’ve lost some range of motion in my right knee). You will develop kidney stones eventually as well. My gout started when I was 27 and now I’m 33. I waited way too long to accept actual treatment and paid a price for it.

Hmm. You make good points. I just do not know what the actual treatment is. I am 31 now. This probably started at 25 to the best of my recollection.

 

[Corrik]

Left foot continues to be in pain. Throbbing pain I have gotten used to and stabbing pain while walking on it. Seems moreso not to be a weight on it issue but when my foot bends at all, especially when lifting the foot.

My knee did start swelling also on Thursday, but I took an ibuprofen and the swelling of that knee went away. The foot is still an intense problem atm. Called doctor to make an appointment, and they can't see me until Monday.

Not sure if the foot is a gout related issue or plantar fasciitis or something. Luckily, I didn't see any of the bosses at work for them to send me home or anything. = /

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

Could be a postural problem and muscular imbalances. Your weight may not be travelling down through your body correctly. Which over time stresses the joints and can give inflammation.

How active are you?

Worth a try to fix. Do loads of stretching and strengthening the core, lower back and legs. Work on correction of pelvic tilt etc. And drink a shit ton of water.

 

[LordPezix]

Every time I talk about this I get eye rolls, but if you have Netflix maybe you would take the 54 minutes out of your day and watch the documentary "The science of Fasting".

I am a fasting vegan who had severe medical issues many years ago. I've been doing a fasting/vegan/juicing diet for almost 4 years now. All of my medical ailments have receded/are gone and I am healthy has a race horse.

I know to most, the idea of changing what and how you eat doesn't seem like it would make a difference besides just weight, but I can tell you, it does.

 

[Corrik]

I'll look into it. Woke up Saturday and pain was gone mostly in the foot. About 95% better. Going to cancel my Drs appointment on Monday. (Earliest they could get me in. Surprise surprise.)

 

[Corrik]

Every time I talk about this I get eye rolls, but if you have Netflix maybe you would take the 54 minutes out of your day and watch the documentary "The science of Fasting".

I am a fasting vegan who had severe medical issues many years ago. I've been doing a fasting/vegan/juicing diet for almost 4 years now. All of my medical ailments have receded/are gone and I am healthy has a race horse.

I know to most, the idea of changing what and how you eat doesn't seem like it would make a difference besides just weight, but I can tell you, it does.

It says that documentary is on Amazon Prime not Netflix.

https://endpoints.elysiumhealth.com/the-science-of-fasting-2f5b56a2a65d

If this is what it is, I kind of alrdy do this accidentally. That said, I work shifts so I can never eat always at the same time every day.

 

[LordPezix]

It says that documentary is on Amazon Prime not Netflix.

https://endpoints.elysiumhealth.com/the-science-of-fasting-2f5b56a2a65d

If this is what it is, I kind of alrdy do this accidentally. That said, I work shifts so I can never eat always at the same time every day.

Oh, I get my streaming services mixed up.

In my experience it has helped a lot. I don't know if it would fix your issue, but to me anything that is free to try and could alleviate health issues I am all for it.

 

[Greedings]

This new-age "diet fixes all" stuff drives me crazy. People mentioning "inflammation" as if they even know what it means. Please, define the inflammation for me. What markers? What tissues? What source?

 

[Corrik]

This new-age "diet fixes all" stuff drives me crazy. People mentioning "inflammation" as if they even know what it means. Please, define the inflammation for me. What markers? What tissues? What source?

I mean, I am sure weight is a big indicator of health issues.

 

[prag16]

This new-age "diet fixes all" stuff drives me crazy. People mentioning "inflammation" as if they even know what it means. Please, define the inflammation for me. What markers? What tissues? What source?

You kidding? Diet driving the majority of your wellness (beyond just weight) is a crazy premise to you? Yeah the people that think diet can fix EVERYTHING and pound the table for crazy fringe raw food only diets or what have you are likely taking it too far (though that stuff definitely works for some people, I've seen it first hand). And it's not hard to peruse the pubmed database, using search terms involving gut health and inflammation. There's a ton of information out there. It's not all just fringe crunchy granola nonsense.

 

[AlphaMale]

Disclaimer:
The following advice or diagnosis is from forum users and is not actual medical advice.
So what causes this? What is it? My uric acid levels have been high most years in my yearly. Except for last year it was normal. This points to gout. My PCP has suggested pseudogout instead of gout.

Most people tell me when I say I think I have gout that it is from drinking. I, however, have not drank alcohol since October. I do not think that is what is triggering this.

What is some of NeoGAFs expert (yet not expert) opinions, thoughts, ideas, experience?

Or share a medical problem of your own to discuss.

Sounds like gout to me. Lots of foods can trigger gout, and it doesn't necessarily have to happen right after eating said food/drink. You could have the food/drink the night before, then wake up with painful, stiff joints in the morning.

Anyways, from your description, I'm going with gout.
Take care!

 

[betrayal]

You problem sounds like arthorisis in an early state. High sugar things like your monster drink can lead to inflammable reactions, especially if you really spike you insulin with this crap and dringing 50g or more sugar within a few minutes is good way to go. I guess you also did not eat anything with other macros to slow the absorption into the blood vessels.

You probably can't do shit against it. Maybe dry to eat less simple carbohdydrates (sugar etc.) within a short time frame or at least eat something with lots of fat when you drink shit like this.

 

[Fbh]

OK medical GAF.

I have a light asthma. It's not bad, I've never truly had problem breathing but I have a light chronic coughing that mostly goes away if I use my inhaler but I'm a terrible patient and forget to use it all the time
Anyway, every now and then I feel a pressure on my chest. It's not strong enough to make it hard to breath or anything but it just feels like someone is pressing with a light to medium strength on my chest.

First time it happened I got scared and went right to the doc who checked my heart and X rayed my lungs and said everything was ok and it was probably related to my asthma. It has happened a few times over the years and I've since checked with 3 doctors and all of them say they can't really say what it is but they think it's probably because of the asthma or chronic coughing.

Anyone has any idea what it could be more precisely?

 

[prag16]

OK medical GAF.

I have a light asthma. It's not bad, I've never truly had problem breathing but I have a light chronic coughing that mostly goes away if I use my inhaler but I'm a terrible patient and forget to use it all the time
Anyway, every now and then I feel a pressure on my chest. It's not strong enough to make it hard to breath or anything but it just feels like someone is pressing with a light to medium strength on my chest.

First time it happened I got scared and went right to the doc who checked my heart and X rayed my lungs and said everything was ok and it was probably related to my asthma. It has happened a few times over the years and I've since checked with 3 doctors and all of them say they can't really say what it is but they think it's probably because of the asthma or chronic coughing.

Anyone has any idea what it could be more precisely?

My wife has mild to moderate asthma, and experiences the exact same thing. Apparently it's a result of the asthma (but no 100% proof of this I guess). In times when her asthma isn't acting up much, she almost never feels this. But when it is, she has this happen routinely. The way you describe it is almost exactly how she describes it. Sorry for not bringing any new info to light. Doctors haven't really been able to "help" her with this either.

 

[Corrik]

OK medical GAF.

I have a light asthma. It's not bad, I've never truly had problem breathing but I have a light chronic coughing that mostly goes away if I use my inhaler but I'm a terrible patient and forget to use it all the time
Anyway, every now and then I feel a pressure on my chest. It's not strong enough to make it hard to breath or anything but it just feels like someone is pressing with a light to medium strength on my chest.

First time it happened I got scared and went right to the doc who checked my heart and X rayed my lungs and said everything was ok and it was probably related to my asthma. It has happened a few times over the years and I've since checked with 3 doctors and all of them say they can't really say what it is but they think it's probably because of the asthma or chronic coughing.

Anyone has any idea what it could be more precisely?

It probably is not the issue, but chest pains upon exertion can be heart related. If it is not exertion triggered, it probably is not heart related. Could be anxiety or stress related.

 

[prag16]

If it is not exertion triggered, it probably is not heart related. Could be anxiety or stress related.

Yeah this is the other thing I was thinking this definitely exacerbates basically all of my wife's issues including what I mentioned above. Stress/anxiety.

 

[Corrik]

Yeah this is the other thing I was thinking this definitely exacerbates basically all of my wife's issues including what I mentioned above. Stress/anxiety.

It is very likely. I imagine having asthma is stressful and can make you worry a lot.

I got a lot of heart tests done a few years ago mostly because of family related heart problems and that I was experiencing pain in my chest and tightness.

They basically said stop working so much at work that it was stress related due to not sleeping enough.