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I Believe I Have Gout Because I Have Everything That
Brief Answer:
Gout is not an emergency and there is no need to go to ER if the symptoms are due to gout
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
I care fully read your query and here is my advice:
- gout is generally not a medical emergency so there is no need to go to the ER unless other diagnosis are considered and need to be ruled out.
- keflex is an antibiotic and is used if infection is suspected as the cause of the symptoms, it is not going to make the gout worse but is not enough to treat gout symptoms.
- to help with gout symptoms you will need to take Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food, use local cold compresses and reduce the amount of protein in diet (less meat, fish, eggs, milk). Elevating the limb and resting might be needed if the pain is intense. Avoiding alcohol is necessary as it might worsen the gout symptoms.
- I would appreciate if you tell me more about your symptoms, what are you really experiencing, when did they start? If you have a red swollen area, having a picture would be helpful. Do you have fever?
This would help me confirm if you have gout or not.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician
Gout is not an emergency and there is no need to go to ER if the symptoms are due to gout
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
I care fully read your query and here is my advice:
- gout is generally not a medical emergency so there is no need to go to the ER unless other diagnosis are considered and need to be ruled out.
- keflex is an antibiotic and is used if infection is suspected as the cause of the symptoms, it is not going to make the gout worse but is not enough to treat gout symptoms.
- to help with gout symptoms you will need to take Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food, use local cold compresses and reduce the amount of protein in diet (less meat, fish, eggs, milk). Elevating the limb and resting might be needed if the pain is intense. Avoiding alcohol is necessary as it might worsen the gout symptoms.
- I would appreciate if you tell me more about your symptoms, what are you really experiencing, when did they start? If you have a red swollen area, having a picture would be helpful. Do you have fever?
This would help me confirm if you have gout or not.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
My Urgent Care Doctor told me I have an in infection. It that is the case, It seems to me that I should see an improvement by now. I have been on the meds for 5 days. Thank you very much. Carol XXXXXXX
My Urgent Care Doctor told me I have an infection. If that is the case, it seems to me that I should see improvement by now. I have been on Keflex for 5 days. Thank you. Carol XXXXXXX
Please see above follow-up question.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Improvement should be seen in 2-3 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
If there is an infection, there should be seen an improvement within 2-3 days if starting the antibiotics if the antibiotic is effective (covers the bacteria that cause the infection).
Did the doctor think of cellulitis? A skin infection? Or did he think it is a joint infection?
Cellulitis might seem more spread even after you start antibiotics because it generally is further than the red area and becomes visible later but the pain should have felt much better in 5 days of treatment if it is cellulitis and the antibiotic is the right one for the bacteria in your case.
Because you have not seen improvement it is best to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and also confirm that the medications are the right one or you might need to switch to something else.
Improvement should be seen in 2-3 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
If there is an infection, there should be seen an improvement within 2-3 days if starting the antibiotics if the antibiotic is effective (covers the bacteria that cause the infection).
Did the doctor think of cellulitis? A skin infection? Or did he think it is a joint infection?
Cellulitis might seem more spread even after you start antibiotics because it generally is further than the red area and becomes visible later but the pain should have felt much better in 5 days of treatment if it is cellulitis and the antibiotic is the right one for the bacteria in your case.
Because you have not seen improvement it is best to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and also confirm that the medications are the right one or you might need to switch to something else.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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