Gout??

[Constance13]

Do any of you suffer with gout? It started when I was in my early 40s. For months I was in terrible pain (typical left toe) then nothing for years. I've had a few crystal attacks since but even those are few and far between. Until today! What agony?!? How do you deal with these vicious attacks. I thought it was OA or the PMR at first but then I realised.....! I've drunk masses of water all day - and I must say it's easier now. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has your doctor checked your uric acid level to distinguish between real and psuedo gout? OH's uric acid is high and he was automatically given allopurinol in hospital. He's only had a couple of brief attacks so hopefully this will prevent more.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes! Uric acid levels have always been a bit high. Years ago I took something - can't remember what! But didn't need them for years.

Back to the docs I think.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Probably - though I know you don't want to

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Who does?😀 Actually I should have gone for a blood test two months ago but I can't get there before 8.30. I think "tomorrow" I MUST go. But

I'm not 'alive' until 10 am.😏

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Does the phlebotomist turn into a pumpkin at 8.30am? At least our clinic runs until 10am for arrivals!!!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

The rheumy takes blood until 9.30 (I could probably make that). However, I have to wait 3 months for an appointment!! Won't need it by then!😂

[Blearyeyed]

Ouch !!

I have had pseudo gout in my Left Toe lower joint a couple of times . I was told not proper gout because my uric acid wasn't high. Don't know what caused it.

You probably know the diet recommendations no red meat , offal , seafood , alcohol , purine high foods ( although vegetables that contain purine are apparently ok).

No high sugar , or fruit high in sugar and no yeast even though they don't contain purine they increase gout .

Although Vitamin C is meant to help.

Hope it improves soon . My friends husband got it a lot while he was on Azathioprine . The Doctor told him that attacks commonly happen and get worse at night, I hope you , or somebody will know why and leave an answer here?

Take care xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Just had a look at the typical gout diet - no reason at all why my OH should have gout on those grounds!!!!

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Do you know why it attacks at night?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

webmd.com/arthritis/news/20...

rheumatologynetwork.com/gou...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

That's really interesting , thanks Pro , the night time thing is mainly true , all the usual suspects except for temperature and dehydration aren't the usual cause.

The role of Cortisol was to peak the interest too.

[Constance13 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Mine doesn't! It attacked at 2.30 pm today. It has also attacked me in the morning. Like all illnesses - everyone is different.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I agree! My diet has been 'right' for years.

[Constance13 in reply to Blearyeyed]

My diet anyway.😀

[Blearyeyed in reply to Constance13]

Yes , like Pro just said .

I feel the same when I check things and I already eat the diet they recommend , although sometimes I feel like by the time I've excluded everything I shouldn't eat for every condition I have the only thing I have left to eat is the box it came in.

Maybe the diet just helps stop making it feel or get any worse.

There are so many things going on in our bodies it's always hard to know what specifically causes anything , we could tick off so many if the things on the list.

[Constance13 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Yes but boxes don't taste very good either. Not that I have ever tried.😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Not many boxes involved in our diets either!! Except the ones milk comes in ...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Oh heck ! I've just thought even if it came in a box I couldn't have that either , all that insoluble Fibre!!!😋😂😂😂

[Cycleman in reply to Blearyeyed]

My first attack of gout occurred in my early 40s. My uric acid level was not particularly high. As all the male members of my family suffer from it there is clearly a genetic factor. I was prescribed Allopurinol (100mg daily). After some years I stopped the meds and was fine for a few years. I then had an attack after running a half marathon( intense exercise is another trigger). I kept off the meds and had the odd attack every few months, usually one or other big toe but once in my finger and once my ankle. I resorted to acupuncture first to reduce thepain ( it works!). After a while I resorted to Chinese herbal remedy ( from my acupuncturist). A brew tasting as from the Devil’s bottom. I took it for a month (2 pints a day - ugh) during which I had almost continuous flare ups ( normal reaction apparently). I then went for 10 years without an attack.

End of story is that the attacks did return though infrequently, so I went back to the Allopurinol . It does work for me at least it was just that I didn’t like the idea of taking meds for the rest of my life ( my view has changed as I got older. 5 years now on Allopurinol with no attacks.

[Constance13 in reply to Cycleman]

My attacks (and they really are "attacks") don't happen often now either, but when they do it's impossible to move. However, I am not going to take another medicine for years just because the crystals get 'stuck' every now and then. I just grin (😬 - like this) and bear it.😂

[S4ndy]

My hubby has had Gout for years. Big toe was his first indication, so painful and swelled up horrifically. His doc has kept him on Allopurinal to keep his uric acid levels down. He has regular blood tests which sometimes do his uric acid levels too. His GP thinks his was caused by my hubby being constantly dehydrated when he was at work. Now he's retired and he drinks loads so no repetition. When he flared they recommended ibuprofen or diclofenac to help with the pain. He hasn't had a flare for many years thankfully. Hope you get some relief soon x

[Domstad]

My pmr has been gone for 11 yearw and I have eaten Allopurinol for many years. Never had any gout attack. Greetings especially to Constance and pmrPro

Ragnar

[Constance13 in reply to Domstad]

Hi Ragnar - lovely to hear from you.💐

I hope life is treating you well. Age has lots of advantages as well as difficulties to overcome. Still alive and kicking. Keep well!

Constance