Severe Joint Swelling and Pain: Concerns Over My Condition
Hi everyone, I’m really anxious and could use some advice. I’m 42 years old, female, generally in good health at around 68 kg, I smoke occasionally, and I’m taking 100 mg of sertraline. About five days ago, I abruptly awoke in the night due to an excruciating pain in my right toe. The doctors initially suspected gout, but the tests, including blood work and imaging, only indicated swelling without any definitive diagnosis. A day later, I noticed my ankle had become swollen and was extremely painful. I've been resting and applying ice for the past four days, but now both of my knees have also become significantly swollen, making it difficult to bend them and causing a lot of discomfort. The doctors prescribed prednisone as a precaution against gout and I’ll revisit them tomorrow to discuss my knee issues. I’ve experienced sprains in the past and this feels markedly different! Should I be concerned? It feels like my immune system might be damaging my joints or something similar (my blood tests from Tuesday didn’t reveal anything alarming aside from a slightly elevated white blood cell count and normal liver function). Walking has become a struggle, to the point that I’m contemplating a trip to the ER because I doubt I can reach the doctor’s office without assistance.
Answers (1)
8/10/2025, 6:01:30 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious about your severe joint swelling and pain, especially given the sudden onset and difficulty with mobility. Your symptoms suggest inflammation, possibly related to gout or another type of arthritis. Let's break down what’s happening and outline what you can do next.
Main Points:
- Persistent joint pain and swelling, particularly with recent changes, warrant careful monitoring.
- You've already started self-care measures (rest, ice) and have received a prescription for prednisone.
- Immediate and clear actions are necessary to manage your symptoms and ensure safety.
Explanation: The symptoms you're experiencing could be a result of various conditions, including gout, inflammatory arthritis, or even an autoimmune condition, especially since the swelling has spread from your toe to your ankle and knees. The fact that your blood tests showed only a slight elevation in white blood cells is promising but doesn't rule out the possibility of an active inflammatory process.
Given the rapid progression of your symptoms, it's wise to be proactive about your health. While it's reassuring that your current doctor has prescribed medication and is planning to follow up, if your condition worsens or if you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or difficulty breathing, seeking immediate medical attention—such as visiting an ER—would be warranted.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a journal of your symptoms, including pain intensity, locations, and any changes in your ability to move. This information can be very helpful during your next doctor's visit.
-
Pain Management: Continue to apply ice to the swollen areas to reduce inflammation and pain. Consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers (unless contraindicated) for additional relief.
-
Rest and Elevate: Make sure to rest your affected joints as much as possible. Elevating your feet while sitting or lying down can help reduce swelling in your toes and ankles.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids is important, especially if you were prescribed prednisone, as adequate hydration can support your body in managing inflammation.
-
Prepare for Your Doctor Appointment: Write down any questions or concerns you have about your symptoms and treatments. Inform your doctor about the severity of your swelling and pain, and discuss the difficulty you’re having walking.
-
Seek Immediate Care if Necessary: If you find that you're unable to manage your pain, or if you have a rapid increase in swelling or any other concerning symptoms, do not hesitate to visit the ER.
Please take care of yourself, and know that you're doing the right thing by seeking help. Let me know if you have any further questions or need support!
Related Questions
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.