SwampMD

[duff]

I wish I knew where mine comes from. Have had three bad attacks this year alone. Bloodwork came back clear of excess uric acid. No idea why I have been getting it. Right big toe and also right thumb. The thumb is the fucking worst.

[EnochRoot]

My dad has a chance of getting gout whenever he indulges in red wine or scotch. Not looking forward to that.

[Pruitt3]

Gout! Son-of-a-bitch...

My prescription ran out for allopurinol...and when I put in for the refill, the doc said I needed to come in for a checkup. Unfortunately, I was going out of town for 10 days, so didn't get a refill before I left.

And sure enough, the joint on my right big toe hurts and is stiff and swollen...just nasty stuff.

Weird. I associate gout with old, fat, sedentary guys. Yet, you are this active biker and sailor, and I … haven’t gotten it yet.

It runs in my family. My father gets it bad...

So does my Dad.

I have a prescription of allopurinol, but am afraid to start it. Read that when you start taking it you get a mega-goutbreak. What was your experience?

I take colcicine when the gout flares and resign myself to 2-3 bad days and a couple slightly sore ones after that. My big toe is now arthritic, so I get gout-ish pain quite often. Have an appointment with a rheumatologist in a couple of weeks for further arthritis exams.

[DaveInSeattle]

Gout! Son-of-a-bitch...

My prescription ran out for allopurinol...and when I put in for the refill, the doc said I needed to come in for a checkup. Unfortunately, I was going out of town for 10 days, so didn't get a refill before I left.

And sure enough, the joint on my right big toe hurts and is stiff and swollen...just nasty stuff.

Weird. I associate gout with old, fat, sedentary guys. Yet, you are this active biker and sailor, and I … haven’t gotten it yet.

It runs in my family. My father gets it bad...

So does my Dad.

I have a prescription of allopurinol, but am afraid to start it. Read that when you start taking it you get a mega-goutbreak. What was your experience?

I've been taking allopurinol for almost 20 years now and its really helped. I still tend to get outbreaks, but far less often. I can usually feel them coming on, and I have a prescription of Indomethacin that I take while having a flare up.

And for some reason, drinking cherry juice really helps. No idea why.

I take colcicine when the gout flares and resign myself to 2-3 bad days and a couple slightly sore ones after that.

I've taken colchicine once, about 10 years ago, during a really bad attack, and OH BOY, did it do a number on my gut.

[Giff]

I have the occasional flare-up (but not since August '21 knock on wood) and have some cherry tart tablets to take if I feel one coming on. They've worked!

[Pruitt3]

Cherry juice is something that I forgot about.

It works.

[DaveInSeattle]

Yeah...the cherry juice thing totally works. Went to store for some last night, and the flareup is much less today.

[Rush2112]

Y'all gotta hit the Colorado Cherry Store next time you're in Denver. Their stuff is TOPS!

[DaveInSeattle]

Shrimp was a bad choice for dinner last night. The flareup came back STRONG last night.

[Pruitt3]

Been drinking cherry juice for a week, but gout's back.

Fuck this

[A_B]

Anyone who has morning congestion due to allergies or whatever should try breathe right strips. I would get so congested during the night and end up mouth breathing, which made things so much worse. Started using the strips and it's been a different ballgame for a couple of days. I wake up clear as something really clear. Shower may loosen some snot up, but that's about it. Been a big deal for my mornings this week. Hope it keeps it up.

[Giff]

Anyone who has morning congestion due to allergies or whatever should try breathe right strips. I would get so congested during the night and end up mouth breathing, which made things so much worse. Started using the strips and it's been a different ballgame for a couple of days. I wake up clear as something really clear. Shower may loosen some snot up, but that's about it. Been a big deal for my mornings this week. Hope it keeps it up.

I'll have to try this. I was happy to hear that someone else had the same issues I had, but happier to hear it's working for you.

[A_B]

Anyone who has morning congestion due to allergies or whatever should try breathe right strips. I would get so congested during the night and end up mouth breathing, which made things so much worse. Started using the strips and it's been a different ballgame for a couple of days. I wake up clear as something really clear. Shower may loosen some snot up, but that's about it. Been a big deal for my mornings this week. Hope it keeps it up.

I'll have to try this. I was happy to hear that someone else had the same issues I had, but happier to hear it's working for you.

It's like $7 for a two month supply so no reason not to give it a whirl!


(The author may receive compensation for any strips purchased.)

[govmentchedda]

AB shilling for both big coal and big nasal?

[sancarlos]

So, for a couple days now, I’ve had a persistent dark spot in my field of vision. I messaged my regular doctor, told him the situation and asked for a referral to an ophthalmologist. I figured he’d get back to me after the weekend. Instead he messaged back pretty fast and told me to get my butt to the emergency room to have it checked out. So, we did that, and they ran some tests and eventually told me I probably have another* detached retina. So I’m going in to the surgery center first thing tomorrow morning, with the expectation that I’ll go under anesthesia and get operated on. Fuck.

*I had also had a detached retina in my other eye in 2005. Funny thing - I wasn’t sure how long ago it happened, but I remember I posted about it in the Swamp. So, I searched the Old Skool Swamp and found my old post in October, 2005! Helped me remember a few things about the experience.

[A_B]

Well, good luck!

[mister d]

Good luck and good doctor. I know those things can get seriously fucked up if not treated immediately.

[Giff]

Damn, good luck sancarlos!

[rass]

There's a little black spot on the sun today.
It's the same old thing as (2005).


Good luck man. Be like SC and don't be afraid to call the Dr, you guys!

[Gunpowder]

Oh nos

Gonna take you off the Swampcrash as I assume recovery from eye surgery is probably an issue for like doing dumb trivia games

[A_B]

Oh nos

Gonna take you off the Swampcrash as I assume recovery from eye surgery is probably an issue for like doing dumb trivia games

Nah, he can have his wife read the questions.

[The Sybian]

Oh nos

Gonna take you off the Swampcrash as I assume recovery from eye surgery is probably an issue for like doing dumb trivia games

Nah, he can have his wife read the questions.

Fuck no, that's CHEATING! Good luck, SCK, that doesn't sound like fun. Do you have weak retinas or something? I'd ask how a retina becomes detached, but anything eye related freaks me out.

[The Sybian]

Be like SC and don't be afraid to call the Dr, you guys!

I feel like this is aimed directly at me. Pulled my calf muscle on Saturday and hobbling around the house. Wife and both kids individually lectured me to go to the doctor. I'm confident in all of my online research and listening to Aaron Rodgers that I don't need to see a doctor. On Saturday, I couldn't even pick up my foot trying to walk, had to step with my left and drag the right behind me. Now I just can't push off with my foot at the back end of the stepping motion. Plus the swelling is mostly gone.

[rass]

It wasn't! But glad it's getting better!

[Gunpowder]

Pulled calf muscles are different than "something stopped working for no good reason"

[EdRomero]

Be like SC and don't be afraid to call the Dr, you guys!

I feel like this is aimed directly at me. Pulled my calf muscle on Saturday and hobbling around the house. Wife and both kids individually lectured me to go to the doctor. I'm confident in all of my online research and listening to Aaron Rodgers that I don't need to see a doctor. On Saturday, I couldn't even pick up my foot trying to walk, had to step with my left and drag the right behind me. Now I just can't push off with my foot at the back end of the stepping motion. Plus the swelling is mostly gone.

I self diagnosed a calf strain and told my doctor about it at a physical a few weeks later. He was annoyed and asked how I knew it wasn't an Achilles injury.

[mister d]

Pulled calf muscles are different than "something stopped working for no good reason"

Or having a detached retina ; P

[mister d]

I self diagnosed a calf strain and told my doctor about it at a physical a few weeks later. He was annoyed and asked how I knew it wasn't an Achilles injury.

Isn't the rule if you have some ability to go on your toes, your achilles is fine? That was the test last year during softball from two people who have blown their out before to a guy on my team who feared it (but only had a partially torn calf muscle).

[The Sybian]

Pulled calf muscles are different than "something stopped working for no good reason"

Or having a detached retina ; P

Ha, fully agree with both of you. Rass was the only person I mentioned it to, and seeing him write that after getting lectured twice this morning triggered me. And I did go to the eye doctor when I developed a floating black dot that moves around my line of vision, mostly because SCK mentioned the possibility of a detached retina. Just a "floater" and apparently most people get them, and while they can be reduced with laser surgery, it's a high rate of risk of doing permanent damage, so fuck that.

[Rush2112]

So, for a couple days now, I’ve had a persistent dark spot in my field of vision. I messaged my regular doctor, told him the situation and asked for a referral to an ophthalmologist. I figured he’d get back to me after the weekend. Instead he messaged back pretty fast and told me to get my butt to the emergency room to have it checked out. So, we did that, and they ran some tests and eventually told me I probably have another* detached retina. So I’m going in to the surgery center first thing tomorrow morning, with the expectation that I’ll go under anesthesia and get operated on. Fuck.

*I had also had a detached retina in my other eye in 2005. Funny thing - I wasn’t sure how long ago it happened, but I remember I posted about it in the Swamp. So, I searched the Old Skool Swamp and found my old post in October, 2005! Helped me remember a few things about the experience.

Interesting, one of my coworkers is getting his detached retina fixed today.

[Brontoburglar]

Pulled calf muscles are different than "something stopped working for no good reason"

Or having a detached retina ; P

Ha, fully agree with both of you. Rass was the only person I mentioned it to, and seeing him write that after getting lectured twice this morning triggered me. And I did go to the eye doctor when I developed a floating black dot that moves around my line of vision, mostly because SCK mentioned the possibility of a detached retina. Just a "floater" and apparently most people get them, and while they can be reduced with laser surgery, it's a high rate of risk of doing permanent damage, so fuck that.

I have one of these and it's annoying sometimes. especially on days where there isn't much color outside. a lack of contrast/a lot of white seems to exacerbate it.

[sancarlos]

Hey, thanks for all the good thoughts, guys. The ophthalmologist confirmed this morning that I have a twice-torn and a detached retina. But they couldn’t fit me in for surgery today, so that’s happening for sure tomorrow morning.

SL - I’m still up for Swampcrash!

Sybian/Bronto - I did have the darters/floaters, and it got worse the past couple weeks. The doc said almost everybody gets them to some degree as we age. But if you get a spot, blob or other obstruction in your field of vision, as I did, that’s when you gotta get it immediately checked out.

[Ryan]

I'd rather pluck my achilles like a guitar string than read these last few posts carefully

[Pruitt IV]

Good luck SC.

And sounds like you have a good doctor.

[Jerloma]

Quick question...do you guys have to pay full price for follow up visits? Like, I went to the dermatologist last week and they wanted to get me on a medication, but they couldn't give it to me then because they just had to clear it through my insurance. Then my insurance cleared it so they had me come back today just to get the medication and charged me the $40 copay again as if it's a separate office visit. I could be wrong but I could have sworn that's not a thing?

[EnochRoot]

Quick question...do you guys have to pay full price for follow up visits? Like, I went to the dermatologist last week and they wanted to get me on a medication, but they couldn't give it to me then because they just had to clear it through my insurance. Then my insurance cleared it so they had me come back today just to get the medication and charged me the $40 copay again as if it's a separate office visit. I could be wrong but I could have sworn that's not a thing?

Unless the physician provided some sort of consultation, then it should not have been an office visit. The doc not writing you a Rx until they get it cleared through your insurance? That's sorta cuz what business is it of theirs how you pay for the prescription?

[Jerloma]

Quick question...do you guys have to pay full price for follow up visits? Like, I went to the dermatologist last week and they wanted to get me on a medication, but they couldn't give it to me then because they just had to clear it through my insurance. Then my insurance cleared it so they had me come back today just to get the medication and charged me the $40 copay again as if it's a separate office visit. I could be wrong but I could have sworn that's not a thing?

Unless the physician provided some sort of consultation, then it should not have been an office visit. The doc not writing you a Rx until they get it cleared through your insurance? That's sorta cuz what business is it of theirs how you pay for the prescription?

Well they gave me the actual drugs. Like a 2 week starter kit and then after that I get the script but still...right?

[EnochRoot]

Quick question...do you guys have to pay full price for follow up visits? Like, I went to the dermatologist last week and they wanted to get me on a medication, but they couldn't give it to me then because they just had to clear it through my insurance. Then my insurance cleared it so they had me come back today just to get the medication and charged me the $40 copay again as if it's a separate office visit. I could be wrong but I could have sworn that's not a thing?

Unless the physician provided some sort of consultation, then it should not have been an office visit. The doc not writing you a Rx until they get it cleared through your insurance? That's sorta cuz what business is it of theirs how you pay for the prescription?

Well they gave me the actual drugs. Like a 2 week starter kit and then after that I get the script but still...right?

Sounds like either a clerical error or a harsh office policy. But IMO, unless you were given some type of consultation (this includes demonstrating how to use any topical ointments, etc), then no. Picking up your Rx should not constitute an office visit.

[Jerloma]

Quick question...do you guys have to pay full price for follow up visits? Like, I went to the dermatologist last week and they wanted to get me on a medication, but they couldn't give it to me then because they just had to clear it through my insurance. Then my insurance cleared it so they had me come back today just to get the medication and charged me the $40 copay again as if it's a separate office visit. I could be wrong but I could have sworn that's not a thing?

Unless the physician provided some sort of consultation, then it should not have been an office visit. The doc not writing you a Rx until they get it cleared through your insurance? That's sorta cuz what business is it of theirs how you pay for the prescription?

Well they gave me the actual drugs. Like a 2 week starter kit and then after that I get the script but still...right?

Sounds like either a clerical error or a harsh office policy. But IMO, unless you were given some type of consultation (this includes demonstrating how to use any topical ointments, etc), then no. Picking up your Rx should not constitute an office visit.

I agree 100%. We're fighting this, buddy!

Although, I apparently have a lot of diarrhea to look forward to in the next week, so I'm not sure how that's going to affect my righteous indignation either.

[mister d]

Go to the office to fight it in person.