Pat
Pat was diagnosed with gout after some years of pain. She takes allopurinol and uses anti-inflammatories and painkillers to manage any attacks. She prefers to self-manage her condition but sees the GP for regular blood tests.
Pat had pain in her feet for some time before being diagnosed with gout in her 50s. As a nurse, she recognised some of the symptoms and asked her GP for a blood test, which confirmed that she had gout. She started on a low dose of allopurinol and now takes 300mg. She wanted to get the gout under control in order not to damage her joints.
Pat was surprised to get gout when she was only in her 50s, although she wondered if having a hysterectomy at age 40 was significant. She would like GPs to be aware that younger people can get gout.
Pat prefers to self-manage her gout. She uses anti-inflammatories and painkillers to manage any pain. She also tries to drink plenty of water, uses ice-packs and wears support tights at work. She finds that wearing certain types of shoes can cause pain, but generally tries not to let gout restrict her life.
Pat has other health conditions including Morton’s neuroma, for which she has had an operation, hiatus hernia, irritable bowel syndrome and back pain.
She has regular tests to measure her uric acid levels. She would go back to the GP if she had any more pain.