Allopurinol and gout attackes

I have suffered from gout (I believe it was gout) a few times over the years. I had few bad attacks before I realised what it was. Very painful, and impossible to walk. Had blood tests at doctors but they never said it was gout, but the uric acid level was quite high. They gave me pain killers Naproxen which didn't do anything, I still limped for 2 months. The attacks were a pain in my big toe, I have had on both sides but not at the same time. It came on during the night which is what many say, thats due to the increase in body temperature. I too have researched a lot about it, because I like my drink and beef!

First of all I got Colchicum from a herbal shop. Now whenever I get a funny warm feeling in my big toe or foot (which is probably 6 times a year), to fight it off I take Colchicum and Anti inflammatories. This has fought off the actual painful attack but still left me with a stiff toe meaning I limp for about 3 weeks and then suddenly is eases and I am OK.

This is with no change in diet, still plenty of booze and beef.

So I then decided to go further. I cut out beer during the week, only a couple at weekends. But I still eat plenty of beef and drink alcohol. In order to do this I made a few changes. I take Barley Grass Tablets and Alfalfa Tablets. I have a Beroca a day. I drink plenty of water, 4 pints a day. I drink a glass of Concentrated Cherry Juice, and a mouthfull of Cider Apple Vinegar a day, when I remember. Less often I take a glass of water and Bicarbonate of Soda in the evening if I have had beer, but this can upset the stomach. I walk about 13,000 steps a day (12km), this was hard to get into, but I love it now I have a Fitbit walk monitor, and have friends online that I can compete against. It is very motivating.

By doing all this I have gone down in weight, feel better, drink alcohol the same (apart from less beer), eat beef as much as I like, and actually don't worry about high purine foods or drinks. So I'm happy for the time being. I will post the next time I get an attack, because it is so hit an miss with gout. It takes everyone differently.

Perhaps my gout is very mild, because I have never really had swelling or redness. So my ideas may not work for others, but at least you could take some snippets and see if it works for you!

Have a great day; and YES I feel sorry for anyone that gets this terrible illness.

Diagnosed in September 2014 with Tendinitis (calcific) in left elbow.

The only thing that gets rid of inflammation quickly is corticosteroid injection by Orthopaedic surgeon, for right shoulder it took 2.5 weeks to recover enough to start with physio, for left elbow one week. If I don't get corticosteroid injection, the inflammation takes more than a month to disappear - which in turn delays recovery and the longer the inflammation the more damage may take place to the joint.

Orthopaedic surgeon said the Tendinitis (calcific) could be linked to gout.

To reduce acidity in body, you can try several off the shelf products from a pharmacy such as Homeopathic Alkaline Base Powder or Alkaline Powder. If you take any of the 2 powders, you need to increase water intake to 2 - 3 litres per day. You can also try 5ml of Citro-Soda in half a glass of water, on an empty stomach (A granular effervescent urinary alkaliniser and gastric antacid - sodium bicarbonate 1716 mg).

Had uric acid kidney stones in the past.

Now diagnosed with calcific tendinitis in shoulder and elbow.

Calcific tendinitis is normally caused by high uric acid.

Guess I will need to see a rheumatologist for meds to control Gout.

You mentioned you were taking Prednisone and Allopurinol. Are you still taking them ? If not what foods do you take ?

Essential:

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Plenty water (2 - 3 litres per day),

Lemon juice,

Sour Black Cherries,

citro-soda (1 teaspoon with 1/2 cup water), citro-soda is sodium

bicarbonate (1716 mg)

May also help:

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bananas,

apples,

pineapples

    I have been on the gout diet pretty strict for 4 weeks with no meds. I just learned from the internet what to eat or avoid. Knowing that I have to be more alkaline than acidic, I quit all soda and high fructose corn syrup which is in lots of fruit drinks. Quit caffine like coffee and tea, I do caffine free green tea though. I basically ate no meat 2 out of 3 days and when I ate some meat it was chicken in a salad. I drank tart cherry juice 8 oz/ day. And some alkaline water which you can make yourself easily. No alcohol or shell fish, beef or pork. Ate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Believe it or not they started tasting better afer a couple of weeks. Cole slaw and fish were on my menu lots also.

   After the 4 weeks I still don't do much beef or pork, but I do 3 or 4 times a week, only in smaller amounts about half the size of my hand not counting fingers. I'm not on any meds. at the present time. Didn't lose any weight until the 6 week and I lost 6 lbs. all at once, and I seem to be staying there. But I will soon be walking again. I use to walk about 3.2 miles around the neighborhood. I only quit walking because I injured my foot. The steroids made me real hungry and I had weird dreams but I was only on them for 2 weeks. First week double dose, second week single dose, then I was done with them. So good luck I know the pain is bad. So take it seriously. If it gets worse there may be more complications with your health. I'd google gout and find out everything you can about it. So far I'm gout free now my acid count is now at 4. It was orininally 13.4 when I first got the gout this time ( had a few bouts with it a few years back ). 6 is the neutral number here between acidic and alkaline. I will get tested again in Dec. hopefully I've learned what to eat to keep my body more alkaline VS acidic. Hope this helps you.

I'm one of those people who can lie around in the sun without too much protection after the first few days and already had a decent summer tan but the sensitivity brought on by the Allopurinol left me with an uncomfortable heat rash that broke the skin in the middle of my chest. I knew then that this stuff has severe side effects and on my return home the Doctor put me on Febuoxstat.

The difference in price is something like £5 as opposed to £30 per month so it's not a first choice medicine and I understand is relatively new. Although marginaly better I still felt dry, if not itchy so came off meds altogether.