Stage 4, gout, anaemia and anxiety!

[Is331]

Hi, I’m new here. I’m just wondering if others suffer with gout? I don’t drink much alcohol or eat red meat, but I must be doing something wrong. I should request to see a dietician again. I think what I am trying to say is that I am struggling to know what to eat/ avoid with stage 4 kidney disease and gout.

I was also being treated for HPB when I didn’t actually have it and I suffered a bad reaction and following that I now suffer from anxiety. Does anyone else suffer from anxiety and what do you do to conquer it?

Thanks for reading.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the community. Who diagnosed you with gout? I ask because there are medications that will counter the pain. I have gout and my PCP has me on a maintenance dose for one.

I don't drink any alcohol or consume any red meat. It probably would be a good idea to meet with a renal dietitian and review your blood labs and get a specific kidney-friendly meal plan to slow the progression of CKD.

The best way at this point to curb the anxiety is to become proactive. Learn about all of your health issues, and build a Care Team of knowledgeable doctors to work with you and advise you and support your treatment decisions.

There are many folks in this community who will be happy to share their information and stories. Again, welcome.

[HopeKidney]

I only know about renal failure - it causes anemia because the kidneys fail to properly take part in the production of bone marrow including red blood cells. I am treated with Erythropoietin shots that I take at home once a week for many years now due to renal failure (not on dialysis yet).

BTW I had high blood pressure but notwithstanding the fact that ALL my doctors said that they cannot increase my Creatinine level, I am sure it did after many trials I did on my own, and so I stopped taking it, and eventually my blood pressure went down to 150-165 alone.

[Hidden]

If you are developing gout, it can be pretty painful. If you like to stay away from pharmaceuticals, you might try what I did: Black Cherry Juice, NOT FROM CONCENTRATE! It works for me for a couple of years now. If you don't have gout, the juice is good for you anyway.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi there, Is331! Welcome to the forum! I also suffer from gout (mine is now chronic since menopause), as well as stage 3 / 4 CKD, so, I hear ya!

I can recall a few years back, when I began to experience gout flare-ups quite frequently, doing some online research and discovering many things about gout that I hadn’t known before, that helped me a great deal thereafter.

I used to think that managing gout meant just steering clear of red meat, fish and alcohol. But after reading through a few gout websites, I found out that almost anything can cause a flare-up. From what I now know, following, is a list of some foods and other issues that can spark a gout attack:

1. Certainly red meats, organ meats, fish, but also turkey, and any foods that are high in purines (which is mostly found in protein).

2. Also, any whole grains (found this out the hard way, believe me). These include, whole grain wheat, oats, rice, corn, beans and legumes, quinoa, barley, or pretty much anything that isn’t refined.

3. It also states that foods or beverages that are high in vitamin C, dried fruits such as raisins, figs, apricots, etc., and fruits and desserts, or candies that are highly concentrated in sugar can also exacerbate gout.

4. Exercising too much (and not enough as well, you need to find a happy medium), and being dehydrated can also cause an attack, as well as some medications such as Tylenol (especially with Codeine, also found this out the hard way), Aspirin, and diuretics are also famous for being unkind to gout sufferers.

It is a somewhat tricky situation to be in when we suffer from multiple health issues, especially diet-dependant health issues. It is quite a difficult juggling act. It’s not impossible to manage, we just have to be more conscious about the foods and beverages we choose.

The sad part about gout as well, is that the more our kidney function declines, the worse our gout becomes as the kidneys are no longer able to regulate the acids in our bodies. So uric acid in the blood tends to build up and it creates the crystals (called tophi) that collects in the joints and causes the immense pain. Gout is a form of arthritis and it is considered one of the most painful forms of arthritis, unfortunately.

With regard to the anxiety issues, if you’re searching for a more natural solution, try some decaffeinated or herbal teas such as chamomile tea (one or two cups a day, especially before bed may be helpful). Also, try some light daily exercise such as walking (especially outdoor walking if you can, as the fresh air can oxygenate your body better) and this can help use up some of that excess energy, hence lessening some of your anxiety issues.

I hope Ive been able to help you a little with these few gout and anxiety tips. Do take good care of yourself and stay well! Once again, welcome to the forum. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Remember, we’re always here for you to lend some advice and support! Bye for now, dear! God bless. 😊👍

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I have been diagnosed with hyperuricemia but not gout, and am at stage 3 CKD. With Doctor prescribed medicine, bloodwork shows it to be in normal range now. I also have anemia but has not reached the level for treatment.

[PattyM_NKF Moderator]

There was a session on Gout and CKD presented by NKF. The recording for that is here: facebook.com/nationalkidney...