a pox of this

gout is a condition that causes pain, inflammation and swelling in one or more of the joints. It usually affects the big toe, but can develop in any joint in

in here about four weeks
terrible state I was
knees useless
getting out of bed
wife standing by
couldn’t stop me flying
get paramedics
help me to stand
gentle s-l-i-d-e to the floor
didn’t bother me
knew I’d get up one day
wife not strong enough
(amazing how strong she is)
she was calm

often occurs in attacks that usually last for three to 10 days, after which the joint should feel normal and pain-free again. The attacks are almost impossible to predict and, if

‘if you go down
…’

just slide
gout inflammation of the blood
into the legs
try to pump them out
put a tube down the leg
and suck on it
not painful

not treated, can cause future attacks to be more frequent and last for longer

lack of power
most difficult getting to
the toilet
a gout of this pox


Gerald Manley
/Shakespeare/NHS Choices website
31st October 2008