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Suggest Treatment For Acute Pain In Multiple Joints
Question: I am having what I would describe as acute arthritic pain in multiple joints, and it has been getting worse for about 30 days - I am getting scared and Ibuprofen doesn't really seem to do anything.
Brief Answer:
Polyarthritis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Do you have any fever or skin rash ?
Have you any burning sensation on passing urine ?
Any discharge from the urethral opening and any history of Unprotected sexual intercourse ?
Your seem to be suffering from a case of polyarthritis where multiple joint pains occur.
The are many causes for polyarthritis like infection in Reactive arthritis or Reiters syndrome effete the is eye infection, urethral infection and polyarthritis. Also sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhoea and Syphilis can cause similar picture of your are sexually active and having Unprotected sexual intercourse. Other causes like connective tissue disorders life Rheumatoid arthritis, Becets syndrome, Lupus can cause similar picture.
It is advisable to consult your Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon and get a thorough physical examination and required investigations like laboratory studies and required imaging like Xray etc. Then one the cause is found out, the appropriate management can be done to help treat your condition.
Eat healthy. Keep well hydrated. Stay stress free with Yoga. Exercise regularly to keep fit.
You can do cold compress poverty the painful joints to help minimise the pain and take over the counter pain killers like Paracetamol, till you meet your Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Polyarthritis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Do you have any fever or skin rash ?
Have you any burning sensation on passing urine ?
Any discharge from the urethral opening and any history of Unprotected sexual intercourse ?
Your seem to be suffering from a case of polyarthritis where multiple joint pains occur.
The are many causes for polyarthritis like infection in Reactive arthritis or Reiters syndrome effete the is eye infection, urethral infection and polyarthritis. Also sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhoea and Syphilis can cause similar picture of your are sexually active and having Unprotected sexual intercourse. Other causes like connective tissue disorders life Rheumatoid arthritis, Becets syndrome, Lupus can cause similar picture.
It is advisable to consult your Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon and get a thorough physical examination and required investigations like laboratory studies and required imaging like Xray etc. Then one the cause is found out, the appropriate management can be done to help treat your condition.
Eat healthy. Keep well hydrated. Stay stress free with Yoga. Exercise regularly to keep fit.
You can do cold compress poverty the painful joints to help minimise the pain and take over the counter pain killers like Paracetamol, till you meet your Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I was also considering that it could be gout or pseudo gout. I have had what doctors have guessed to be pseudo gout type flair ups once and a while in the past (but nothing like this). My uric acid level was only 7.1, but my joints would swell to 2x their normal size and turn red and hot - like gout. I tried allopurinol for a year, but it had no effect. I have health insurance kicking in the first of the month - but am in severe pain right now - cannot bend or straighten my left arm, or use my left hand, and now both feet are starting to ache severely. I am drinking lots of water and hoping to limp by until I have insurance - Is it urgent that I see a doctor sooner, and is there anything else I can do until I get in to see one? I really need to remain functional for my new job and cannot miss a day right now - but I am really struggling. Thank you for any advice.
Brief Answer:
Need to consult your Doctor on the ER atleast
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thank you for your follow up query.
Usually Pseudogout affects single large joint like the knee commonly and Gout cab affect multiple large joints.
Rarely Gout and Pseudogout can occur simultaneously and cause multiple joints pains with red, warm, tender joints.
The other diagnosis can be infective septic arthritis which can cause a red, warm, swollen joint.
Usually in acute joint pain and swelling NSAIDS are the mainstay of treatment to reduce the pain and inflammation. Allopurinol is useful in treating Gout long term and is not useful in treating an acute Gout condition.
Uric acid levels in the blood can be normal even in Gout. The confirmatory test will be to get the affected joint aspirated under aseptic conditions by your Doctor to look for crystals in the joint fluid. This will confirm if it is Gout or Pseudogout.
It us advisable to have a diet without food that can cause Gout flare ups like meat or their gravies, chicken, Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, tofu, dried fish or shrimps, beer and other alcohols. Avoid smoking. Keep well hydrated.
You can take over the counter anti inflammatory Medicine like Ibuprofen in prescribed doses. Apply cold packs to the affected joint. Avoid movement at the affected joint to prevent it from getting worse. Consult your Doctor on the ER to get the right emergency treatment especially if it could be infective septic arthritis.
I hope I have answered your questions.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Need to consult your Doctor on the ER atleast
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thank you for your follow up query.
Usually Pseudogout affects single large joint like the knee commonly and Gout cab affect multiple large joints.
Rarely Gout and Pseudogout can occur simultaneously and cause multiple joints pains with red, warm, tender joints.
The other diagnosis can be infective septic arthritis which can cause a red, warm, swollen joint.
Usually in acute joint pain and swelling NSAIDS are the mainstay of treatment to reduce the pain and inflammation. Allopurinol is useful in treating Gout long term and is not useful in treating an acute Gout condition.
Uric acid levels in the blood can be normal even in Gout. The confirmatory test will be to get the affected joint aspirated under aseptic conditions by your Doctor to look for crystals in the joint fluid. This will confirm if it is Gout or Pseudogout.
It us advisable to have a diet without food that can cause Gout flare ups like meat or their gravies, chicken, Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, tofu, dried fish or shrimps, beer and other alcohols. Avoid smoking. Keep well hydrated.
You can take over the counter anti inflammatory Medicine like Ibuprofen in prescribed doses. Apply cold packs to the affected joint. Avoid movement at the affected joint to prevent it from getting worse. Consult your Doctor on the ER to get the right emergency treatment especially if it could be infective septic arthritis.
I hope I have answered your questions.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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