Really not feeling too good

I don't know what the cause is, maybe its the new meds, Allopurinol for the gout, maybe its just poor health, I am really not sure right now, but what I do know is, I feel like crap right now.

The past couple of weeks I have had a lot of numbness in my right arm, and aches, as well as pins and needles in my hand. The ache has now reached the stage where even typing causes discomfort in the knuckle joint.Trying to grip the hand rail on the train on the way into work today, I noticed that the ache got worse within seconds, and my grip was quite poor.
Last week while driving, I missed a turn I have been taking for 20 years now, my driveway!  I was just slow turning, which could be to do with the grip.

I'm not going to write too much, as its quite uncomfortable now, but I will list the issues I am currently having. Thankfully I am seeing my GP tomorrow evening, and my physio on Mon, just in case the sensations are to do with the tightness I have in my back and shoulders.

So here goes, oldest symptoms first.

Numbness in right hand and arm (persistent and regular)
Sensation of tightness at top of arm, like pressure on artery
Pins and needles in hand
Crush sensation in index finger
Raising the arm, leaning on arm or using it to carry something causes symptoms to return.
Ache, tenderness in middle knuckle of middle finger
Lots of tension and tightness in right neck, shoulder, back.

More recently....
Blurry headed
Slight occasional confusion, forgetting what I was saying, not thinking straight to write or speak
Coordination hit and miss when doing things like typing.


So that's me, that is how my day is at the moment.
Seriously hoping that its something simple like a trapped nerve causing my arm issues. But the latter issues are really starting to bug me now. Part of it is probably stress from worrying about my arm, and not wanting more CTS surgery.

Either way, my brain is fried right now, so I'm keeping it short and sweet and signing off.
Thanks for reading.

Allopurinol, can it cure it all?

So today is the day, (well last night to be precise) that my gout is under control enough to risk starting the course of Allopurinol.

After a bit of a shocker of a meeting with the company doctor (PHC) the other day, it was recommended that I try and get my GP to prescribe me Allopurinol to try and get my uric acid levels under control, and in turn hopefully reduce the number of flare ups of gout. Sadly one of the side effects of the drug is to seriously aggravate any occurrence of gout that maybe happening at the time.

 

After many many weeks of suffering from this latest outbreak, I can finally walk almost normally, run a little, and function normally. So I decided after careful consultation with work, that I would start the course.

‎This course, if it shows no serious side effects could last for the rest of my life now, as elevated levels of uric acid (Hyperuricemia http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperuricemia) can lead‎ to some pretty painful and long term conditions in the body, not just gout. So as explained by PHC, it's important to get it under control asap. This can mean a life long course of the drug, and regular blood tests etc to see that it's all under control. Similar to diabetes in that levels have to be managed for life, and the levels in the blood with determine the dose of the drug taken.

So last night I popped the first 100mg tablet, along with a Diclofenac which I have been advised to remain on to keep inflammation to a minimum. 

With work already having warned me about my attendance (hence the trip to PHC) I have been mindful of the consequences of another period of sickness which could be caused by the starting of this course of drugs. Of course if I have chosen my time right, all will be well. 12 hours later, so far there is no sign of any issues, so let's hope for once that luck is on my side.

I will be sure to keep blogging about my journey with Allopurinol, as I know many people search the Internet for gout daily, but seemingly only a few know about Allopurinol. None of the doctors I have even seen until PHC have ever mentioned it, and I have suffered from gout for about 5 years now.

Right, this was just a quick time marker and intro to the topic, so catch ya later.

Regards

Michael

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