i am male, aged 45. History of ongoing
gout. Never taken any prolonged
medication for gout, only the odd celebrex
or vioxx as needed.
I got my first attack of gout in my left
toe about 15 years ago. Have had many
bouts since then in toes, ankle, heel,
knees, finger.
Then, about 7 years ago I woke up to
discover a sizeable swelling/fluid on my
right elbow. This resolved itself after a
month or two but then re-appeard about 2
years later and has persisted ever
since.
About 3 years ago I also got the same
(although not as bad) swelling/lump on my
left elbow and the same in my left knee.
It has been diagnosed as gout/tophi
deposits and as I have no pain, the
doctors/specialists I have seen, all
refuse to operate on these joints as they
claim that elbows especially 'dont heal
well'
please, can anyone recommend anything to
get rid of the swelling/lumps in my
elbows? I can't wear short sleeve shirts
anymore as it looks gross!
The knee I can put up with as it's not so
noticeable, but the 'popeye' elbows are
driving me nuts. The right elbow is worse
than the left and my main focus is to at
least get this fixed.
Any help or advice would be great.
Thanks,
paul.
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philedog
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 2
Gout Deposits On Elbow Posted: 10-31-05 12:30pm
Paul-
i am 53 an just had surgery on my left
elbow to remove the larger of my two elbow
deposits.
I went through everthing you have gone
through.....Started out about 20 years ago
with the big toe, then the ankle, fingers,
knee etc.... Pain to the brink of tears
and visists to tne emergency room at 3 in
the morning.......
I have been taking allapurinol 200mg daily
for the last two years and has done a good
job of keeping the attacks in check.
I never experienced the "attack" in my
elbow, it just became a "dumping ground"
for deposits forming those oh so loverly
"popeye" elbows.
I was also told of the difficult healing
process.
As, I say, I finally sucked it up and
decided to have the left elbow operated
on.
The operation took place under general
anestesia and I have a cast from just
under my arm pit to me wrist in the shape
ofa 90 degree angle. The cast is to
prevent any bending etc. During the
healing process....It is scheduled to come
of 11/7...Then a couple of weeks of
rehab.......