Severe joint pain in toe, A and E?

[Everybodyslookingforsomething]

I've had a subtle dull pain in my big toe joint on and off for a couple of months. My Mum has arthritis and Grandma did too so likely runs in the family.
I've been in complete agony with it for 2 hours, it's like someone's hitting it with a hammer repeatedly.
Taken ibuprofen but it hasn't really done anything. I'm a community carer and I'm supposed to be doing it tonight but I don't think I can face it.
It's that sort of job where they beg you to come in even short staffed as they've got nobody else to do it, they still ask you to come in even if you're sick which isn't good.
I'm ringing my GP for an appointment tomorrow morning but I don't want to just be fobbed off, I want it X-rayed.
Feel like just going to A and E tonight, this pain is horrible. Not saying it's arthtis definitely, but knowing my luck I'll have it

Or maybe gout?

It sounds like gout.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/gout/

I get very occasion pain in my hands too but my toe has been especially bad over the last few months.
It could be gout yes, just want to know asap

Have you actually injured it? If not It’s unlikely that an X-ray will show anything. I agree with pp could be gout. Take pain relief and speak to a gp tomorrow

It's neither an accident nor an emergency, so of course you should NOT be going to A&E!

No I've not injured it in any way that I know of. The pain is starting to subside slightly now thank god

It sounds like gout to me. My brother has this as the first attack he had it came out of nowhere. I think it's considered a form of arthritis but I might be wrong about that. You need to get seen by the GP urgently OP.

It's not an emergency, & you haven't had any trauma, your GP can request an x-ray if they think this is needed. It's okay to take paracetamol, or over the counter co-codamol - as recommended on the packets - with ibuprofen so that you're more comfortable. If you don't think you can work at the moment because of pain in your toe you can complete a self certificate, available on the gov.uk website

Not A & E worthy. Gout or a build up of oxalate crystals.

If I'm in extreme pain like I have been then I'm perfectly entitled to go to A and E .

Could you take some paracetamol? It's safe to take at the same time as the ibuprofen.
Pain alone can certainly be a reason to attend A&E but without injury there is no indication for X-ray (I wouldn't X-ray based on what you've said here)

I just hope my GP will actually do something, in person and not the phone

I didn't know that about the X ray. I don't want to wait hours to be told they can't see anything on an x ray indeed

I wouldn’t bother with a&e you’ll be there for hours and you’ll likely just be advised that it could be gout and to take pain relief and see your GP

No, with a painful toe you're really not, unless you suspect you've broken it, in which case find a minor injuries unit.

My friend suffers from gout and the first time it happened he did indeed end up in A&E - because the pain was that bad. He was seen and treated - clearly if someone is in that much pain and they can't alleviate it themselves A&E is exactly where they should be!

Ok thanks for all the help I shan't be going to A and E, going to ring my job now and be prepared for them to beg me to come as they've got no other staff ..

Here a&e will only xray a new injury less than 48 hours old.

For routine xrays see your gp

I'm phoning my GP in the morning so fingers crossed I'll get a face to face appt same day

Nice to know you have psychic X-ray abilities that can see it isn't a joint infection.

The NHS recommends an urgent GP appointment or to call 111 if the pain is getting worse or you have a high temperature/feel shivery or feel sick and even gout can cause permanent damage to joints if not seen urgently, so if the OP can't get seen, that would be a reasonable action due to the pain and risk of it being a medical emergency.

@Everybodyslookingforsomething I went to A & E after my chiropractor broke two of my ribs and cracked my sternum. I was refused an X-ray and had to pay for it privately. The NHS are swamped at A & E and as they told us, they don’t have the time nor budget in some counties to do this. Gout is become much more common again, are you sure it’s not that? Your GP is definitely your first stop, not A & E. Waiting times at A & E are hell. Ibuprofen won’t help this. I get excruciating pain in both feet especially my toes (ex dancer). My orthopaedic consultant gives me cortisone injections every six months. Hoping it’s not arthritis. Get well soon!

it’s not an accident or an emergency. Don’t be ridiculous

Ok that's really not helpful, I don't need the A and E police thanks

No, we will X-ray anything that needs x-raying. It is not uncommon to see fractures which happened a few days or even weeks prior to coming to S&E

Righto, except you posted asking if you would be unreasonable to go to a&e