My Second Gout attack within 2 years Dr doesn't believe me... testing Home remedies, what will work?
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi I am 30 years old and I had my first attack on Christmas eve 2013 (left toe) needless to say it ruined the Christmas break and Ney Years for me.
At first I thought it was a football injury I had picked up and then after 3 days of excrutiating pain I decided to go to a&e where the doctor quickly diagnosed it as a Gout attack. Before he told me I hadnt even he thought it would be gout and if I am honest didnt know anytihng about Gout (well apart that Henry the VIII suffered from it) I was shocked as I thought it only happened to older slightly more portly men. Here I was 29 years of age who excercised regularly, not over weight and drank very little alcohol and the only meat I eat is chicken.
The doctor advised to manage the pain with Cuboprefen (ibuprofen and Codeine) and to apply Voltarol topically. Although this somewhat stemmed the pain it did nothing to actually solve the problem (as it was an a&e doctor he probably just wanted to get me out the door) After 2 weeks my foot was still double the size and I was using a walking stick to get around and couldnt even put a shoe on! I managed to then get an appointment with my local GP (who I have never seen before!) and when I went in to see him he quickly dismissed the notion that it could be gout and laughed saying I was too young and healthy to have gout! I demanded a blood test but he refused and sent me away and just said to continue with the voltarol and pain killers.
At this point I was getting a little depressed, I couldnt sleep, couldnt really go anywhere and the pain was increasing. I did some research on the internet and found a whole host of home remedies, The one that worked for me was drinking cherry juice and taking frozen dried cherry capsules, within 3 days of taking this the pain and swelling eventually started to subside and after 7 days the pain and swelling completely went, I was sceptical that it was the cherry juice that "cured" me as it could have just went away on its own accord. So all was good and I continued without any incident until yesterday. I woke up with the same burning pain in my toe and my foot has swollen to a size of a balloon...I went to the my GP this morning and again he refuses to beleive me or provide me with any tests. I am beyond frustrated with him and during consultation I asked for a second opinion...he bought another colleague in and she also said its not "likely" to be gout. I am pretty convinced it is as all the symptoms are there and the onset happened after I had a couple of pints of Guinuess and some Makarel the previous night. I am really not sure what to do about Doctors, its not like I see them at all and when I do need them they dismiss me, I mean a pay my taxes like everyone else but dont get anything back from here. I have subsequently decided to go private and see if I can at least have a proper consultation with someone who wil llisten to me.
However in the interim I am going to try the following home remedies and will chart how well they are working to get rid of the pain and sweling.
1) Baking Soda mixed with Water
2) Cherry Juice and frozen dried cherris
3) Cellery Seeds
Also whilst this episode is ongoing I will not be drinking any alcohol (I only really drink 2-3 pints of lager a week) or eating any Chicken or Fish.
I really need to shift this within 3 days as I have a flight to America to catch on Wednesday the 22nd of April otherwise its a cancelled flight.
Sorry for this post as it does seem just like a rant but it has made me feel a little better venting!!
Hopefully my next post will be more positive.
Thanks
VSM
1 like, 17 replies
W-H VSM152015
Posted
It is painful for few seconds....Gout will be painfull for rest of your life if left mismanaged.
If you have Gout you can't cure it ie. get rid of it. It is like your body has flicked a genetic switch ON. Maybe in the future a day will come when it actually can be reversed but as things stand it is an incurable disease so be skeptical of people who say I cured it by using XY and Z.
Lack of attacks does not = no Gout.
Gout can be fully controlled/managed though, specially if caught early and before any permanent bone or soft tissue damage has occured.
Eat healthy, exercise and take Allopurinol for life.
21Dewsbury VSM152015
Posted
Note that the advice below is based on my meeting with a specialist 2 days ago.
1. Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. To state the obvious the "G" in GP stands for "General" ... you need a specialist not a generalist. I paid about £100 for 15 minutes with a specialist. The best £100 I ever spent.
2. Allopurinol works. Take it every day. Do not stop. Note that it is a preventative drug and will not make a difference if an attack has started. Colchicine is a great drug during an attack. The sooner you take it the better.
3. Lifestyle , diet , alcohol .... these are not really that relevant and can be a distraction. Allopurinol is the answer.
4. I too am a footballer ! Aging ... definatley! I would not be playing football without Allopurinol. My specialist tells me that if I continue taking it - I will have no problems. He suggested another appointment is 3 or 4 years .....