[sharonsharon]

Hi I am 45 years old, female and usually of good health- for more than 2 months I have had pain in my great toe 2nd joint. It started as swelling on the inside of the toe-tender to the touch. Prior to this approx. 1 month- a portion of my toenail had turned black. I visited one doctor to see if if was gout-he didnt think so- but ordered an xray and put me on Celebrex-I visited my family doc, who read the xray report which said tophus, and ordered uric acid and sedimentation rate (ESR) and took me off Celebrex. Both were normal levels.
I was continuing to experience pain, swelling and then my toenal started to show a whitish collection underneath, I saw yet another doc in afterhours clinic who said infection of the toenail bed and put me on Ceftin -saying not connected to my joint problem. 10 days later still swollen and red, I went to ER and original diagnosing doc saw me and he still could not say it was gout. Wanted to remove toenail, I asked for chance on another antibiotic before removal -he gave me Biaxin. 10 days later return to family doc no better -he put me on Indomethicin -no change- now another 10 days toe is still swollen, red and shiny,the toenail is half lifted, with white material beneath and i am to see a rheumatologist next week, any thoughts on this would be appreciated. By the way I have other joint problems which my family doc is aware of calcific tendonitis shoulder, bursitis hip, osteoarthritis neck -connection, I dont know
thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this shortened version of my last 10 weeks