Tales from the Flight of the Phoenix

So we can add another disease/disorder to Stina’s ever-growing list of “Problems that make me feel like an old lady before my time” – Gout.

I noticed some pain in my foot last week, but thought I had just bruised my toe or was getting a callus. I brushed it off for a few days. But one night I tried to go to bed and just end up tossing and turning all night from the pain. I called my PCP’s office and was lucky enough to get in the same day. The doctor took one look at it and said it was gout. She did some blood work and called me in an RX for it. I wasn’t able to get my medicine right away, so I didn’t sleep much that night and eventually cried myself to sleep from the pain.

For two days, I argued with the pharmacy and the insurance company about with version of the gout medicine would be covered and what I can afford. Finally found a medicine that would be covered with a low copay, but it was out of stock in every pharmacy in Tyler, so Walgreens wouldn’t have it for another 3 days. I went to the pharmacy that night to get my insulin, I started crying just standing in line. I broke down and paid full price for the gout medicine. I was so angry with myself and just wanted to kick myself for spending the money, but I wasn’t sure I could take it anymore. I also bought a pair of crutches to use for the next few days. It helped keep some of the pressure of my sore foot and helped alleviate some of the pain. Other than that, there’s really no relief for it. Ice/heat don’t help. Pain medicines don’t touch it. Can’t stretch, bend or flex it out. It’s. Just. There.

The medicine is for 7 days, so by then all my symptoms should be gone. Although gout can be a chronic problem, it can also just be periodic with random flares – I hope I have the latter option. If you’ve ever seen that episode of King of the Hill where Bobby gets gout from eating too many liver deli meats, they make it sound like it’s no big deal and even somewhat humorous. It’s not. Gout sucks. I’ve been through a lot of diseases, problems and medical procedures in my life. This has been – by far – the worst. Worse than any chemo/radiation treatments I’ve had. Worse than any bone marrow biopsy or spinal tap. Worse than the two hips surgeries I’ve had. Even 10 times worse than the double mastectomy I had. Yeah. It sucks. Just take my word for it.