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My story...fit vegetarian, no alcohol still got Gout lol

Posted , 9 users are following.

W-H
W-H

I got hit by Gout around 5 years ago at the age of 35. I had been a very healthy vegetarian for 10 years before that and super fit and lean. Hardly touched alcohol either.

So in my case it definitely was not diet related. My dad and maternal granddad both had Gout so I guess my excellent lifestlye choices could not overcome the genetic lottery :-(

My first Gout attack was not a typical classic Gout attack, you know severe pain for few days and then gone. In my case it lasted almost a year at low intensity. In this 1 year I went to see 6 specialists and to each I said I think it is related to Gout. All dismissed it and came out with all kinds of excuses. I begged them to test my toe joint fluid to confirm it, none would do it!!!!!! MOFOS!

The 7th specialist did it and my Gout was 100% confirmed. Then I got the classic Gout attack.....mother of all pain :-( It lasted few days and then went. Then I got on 300mg of Allupurinol and haven't had another since.

I run half marathons and train in the gym regularly. I am super fit but always wonder if everythign is ok inside me. I test my kidney liver regularly and all is A OK so far.

Thought my story might help someone so posted it. Yes I am still vegetarian and will be for rest fo my life Gout or no Gout smile

 

2 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • james86315
    james86315 W-H

    Posted

    Hi,

    Your story sounds familiar, except I didn't get Gout untill I was in my 70s. I too have gout in the family.

    On the whole I haven't had too many attacks perhaps once a year, Allopurinol 300 is sort of containing it but, there are side effects.

    Sometimes I sleep far too long, I have bought a blood tester, if it is accurate my readings are on the high side.

    My present attack brought on by overindulgence in alcohol has lasted since August 2014.

    Despite never touching a drop since then, the gout hasn't completely gone away. One of my toes is still swollen.

    Cherries, Cherry Juice, almost vegetarian diet, less protein, lots of water, it is atill with me.

    I live in hopes.

    • W-H
      W-H james86315

      Posted

      I hope I make it to 70 in one piece. How many years ago did you get your first attack?

      The sleepiness might be age realted? I feel sleepy but I am not sure as I can be lazy too lol

      What are your average blood readings on your home tester? Ideally you should keep it under 5mgdl but definetely under 6.

      Mine are under 6 but above 5.

  • timothy12884
    timothy12884 W-H

    Posted

    I know all people are different, and maybe different things cause gout in different ways for some of us. Maybe your kidneys arn't getting rid of the purines, but it's hard to believe that you would even have that many purines being vegan. There must be something that all the doctors haven't figured out yet. I hope we can all figure it out because the pain in bad. I've just cut out meats except for chicken, and not very big helpings at that. I'm doing my best to stay alkaline to keep the pain away. It's very puzzeling  that you have gout, but like you say if it's genetic.

    I hope you find the answers you need. Have you checked out ways to become more alkaline? Well at least you have the Allopurinol, that must be a relief. Good luck, hope you find what you need.

    • W-H
      W-H timothy12884

      Posted

      I don't know Timothy what needs to be figured out as I think it is out of my hand. Since last 5 years I have lived a normal life with 0 attacks so Allopurinol seems to be my guardian angel.

      Apart from testign my blood, kidney and liver function I don't know what else I can do scientifically speaking.

      I am convinced that it has to be the genetic connection as my kidney and liver tests have always come back perfect.

    • timothy12884
      timothy12884 W-H

      Posted

      That's great you seem to be on to something good. Just keep getting you kidney and liver testing done. I'm trying to do it with no meds. Very hard at first but now I'm getting a good handle on it. Sugar is my biggest problem now, I like it in candy, cookies, cakes, and carbs. The less I have the better I feel. I'm guessing my kidneys cant keep up with all the lactic acid the sugar creates. And that is what I believe is slowing down the removal of purines in my body keeping me more acidic than alkaline. I seem to have found my answers so far. Good luck and eat wisely.

       

  • james86315
    james86315 W-H

    Posted

    Hi, I've only just found out about being alkaline, I'm not sure how that squares up with cherry juice which doen't seem alkaline at all.

    Have just bought Cider Apple Vinegar (Organic) so let's see what does forme.

    • W-H
      W-H james86315

      Posted

      James I have a feelig that you just have a large build up of the uric acid crystals as you are in your 70s. So 300mg of Allop. is releasing older deposits into your blood stream. You did not say how long you have been taking Allop.?

      Keep at it and maybe even increase your dosage.

    • W-H
      W-H

      Posted

      Oh and cut out the alcohol....wine is better than hard drinks and beer.
    • timothy12884
      timothy12884 james86315

      Posted

      I don't think any one thing is going to cure any of us. I think it's a combination of food changes, exercise, drinking lots of water, drinking and eating more alkaline foods and beverages. I've cut out all HFCS, sodas, beer. Cut way back on ground beef, sausages, beef sticks, hotdogs. I'm eating fish and chicken most of the time with salads almost everyday and plenty of fruit ( where I get my sugar fix ).

         Think of your kidneys as filters that are funnel shaped, the more bad stuff you have to filter out the longer the gout stays with you as it has to filter out. When it's clogged up the overflow goes into your blood and joints as the kidneys will only filter out what they can.

          I'm no doctor, but I've cut out candy and I'm not on any medication for gout. I've had it for 3 years on and off. Now with the gout diet I'm going pain free now for 6 months so far. I'm going to go a bit longer then I'm going to have a steak or shrimp in moderation of course.

         Good luck with you as you learn of all the peoples suggestions and experience. Learn all you can and have a gout pain free life. I took lots of advice some I stick with and some I haven't tried because I'm now pain free, Thank the Lord. 

  • james86315
    james86315 W-H

    Posted

    Gout started about 5 years ago as to the readings I use a different scale to yours. It goes up to about 1.1 then reads high without stating a figure!!
    • W-H
      W-H james86315

      Posted

      These are the safe reading for someone with Gout (not applicable to non Gout people).

  • keith48631
    keith48631 W-H

    Posted

    Go and ask your GP for a tablet called ARCOXIA these tablets are absolutely brilliant, ARCOXIA 120mg (etorcoxib MSD) DON'T BE PUT OFF.
  • kristina46761
    kristina46761 W-H

    Posted

    Your story similar to mine- not quite full on vegetarian but I eat little meat and no shell fish. What you want to watch out for (if you haven't already!) is the ingredient of HFCS- fructose is gout producing. I was led to believe HFCS was harmless, the same as sugar, etc etc- it most certainly is not. After a remarkably memorable attack, that weekend's grocery shop was a trial & I had to pay attention to not only the food products themselves but their ingredient listings. Many items on shelves list HFCS. Pancake syrups, tomato sauce, catsup, barbecue sauce, all sorts of sauces etc. Breakfast cereals and sodas too. I rarely if ever drink what brits call "fizzy drinks" we in US call "soda"- I did find one label, I think called "MIST" (not sure?) all natural, no HFCS or artifical flavorings. Cut down on salt intake too. I dont drink alcoholic beverages.

    Get exercise that moves your ligaments around and gets the heart pumping. I did read you are a health nut type person BUT there may be some foods you may be consuming that bring on attacks that you may have not been aware of...

    • james86315
      james86315 kristina46761

      Posted

      Thank you Kristina, I never ever drink fizzy drinks, usually tea and coffee in moderation with lots of cherry juice, water with squeezed lemon juice, and now the latest thing beetroot juice with apple cider vinegar (organic). I'll post again in due course and let you know what happens.

      James

    • timothy12884
      timothy12884 keith48631

      Posted

      HFCS is High Fructose Corn Syrup it is a man made sugar substitute. It sweetens foods, drinks, and condiments like catsup, and many other things. Read the lables of what you consume. Processed foods are not good for us, natural foods like fruits and vegetables are good for us. Especially good for us are the alkaline foods. Google the dangers of HFCS.
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