Gout/diabetes

[Smowball]

My FIL's big toe suddenly became very painful and swollen last weekend. He never complains about anything so it must have been very sore indeed. Could barely walk. He decided he must have gout as they had justbeen on a very boozy holiday for 2 weeks,preceded by a non stop month of parties and celebrations.

However he googled it(I know!) and now thinks he may also have diabetes. Apparently his mother had it and both his uncles. He had now not drank a drop of alcohol for a week and says it is feeling much better,so he doesnt need to see the doctor, but his wife(my MIL) just rang me and is worried as if he does have diabetes then its not just going to go away is it?

[jd_1984]

My dad got Gout whilst on holiday in Barbados.
He was drinking cocktails every day and eating rich food. By day 10 or 11 he got excruciating pain in his big toe.
He lived with it for a week after returning but was then diagnosed by a doctor. It was gout and he needed to make some dietry changes, hasnt returned yet

[boxtops]

No, absolutely not - he needs a proper diagnosis if it IS diabetes, since all sorts of complications can arise if diabetes goes untreated. My brother was diagnosed with gout a few weeks back, but medication has improved it considerably. He needs to see the doc, if only to get a clean bill of health.

[excelsior-1]

smowball

he must see the doctor .. that way you will all know one way or another

give him my regards please

[Sqad]

Well.........gout MAY be associated with diabetes...but not necessarily.

It does sound like gout, so treat that now and worry about the diabetes later

Ibuprofen or Cochicine should settle the pain in his toe.

If he doesn' want to see the Dr. then that is his choice.

[Smowball]

So IF he has diabetes then what other sort of symptoms will he have?
And will he then be prone to gout in future?

(Thanks Excelsior)

[boxtops]

some of the symptoms of diabetes included thirst, needing to wee a lot, weight loss..... and not so much gout, but the diabetic foot can cause huge problems, leg ulcers not healing, etc.

[Sqad]

Well...if he has diabetes...IF..It will be Type 2 diabetes.....he may well have no symptoms....tiredness, excessive thirst, getting up 2 or 3times a night to pass water.........skin infections.

If he is prone to gout in the future, it will have little or nothing to do with diabetes.

[Smowball]

Ah ok,thankyou Sqad, and others. Most helpful.x

[millerxxx]

i got gout a long time now
doc said take allopurinal
no prob now

[Smowball]

Thankyou miller.