New here, still learning

Sounds like psuedo gout. Don't ask me what this is rather look it up. I get something similar when I eat wheat. Therefore, I've cut out anything that says Wheat. White flour is fine just not wheat bread or wheat cereal or wheat bran of any type. If cherry juice isn't working it's because you need to bromelaine and turmeric to help neutralize the body first. Hope this helps.

Hi Teresa

I think this is probably gout due to the fact that it is concentrated in your big toe, and your relatively young age.

Firstly you need to see a doctor - and about a month after an attack you need a blood test for blood urate. Don't bother with a blood test during the attack - it's meaningless.

As for not wishing to take the meds - assuming you do have hyperuricemia - the consequence of not taking treatment will be damage to your arterial system your heart and kidneys....as well as potential damage to your joints and ligaments.

The trigger that you are searching for is a combination of these: menopause, access weight, fructose (sugar) consumption, lack of exercise and genetics. Of those you can only change three. (Additionally you may be taking another drug which is the trigger or you may live in a warm climate.)

In the short term you shoukd drink enough water to make you produce at least two litres of urine per day. You should try colchicine or another drug which will calm the immune system attack. You can try either ice water or hot water or both on your foot - see which works for you.

Long term you are going to need allopurinol, but it's best not to take it until your symptoms have receded. If it makes you feel any better colchecine was originally iscolated from a small crocus bulb.

If you decide to take either colchicine and allopurinol then tell me and I ll give more advice.

If you carry on as you are you'll probably end up with a permanently damage foot joint, which will make walking painful.

I wish you good health Teresa.

T, some times meds is all you have. I am on day 49 with gout. I can't eat any meat. Or seafood. 1 drink and I'm done. Even a salad does me in. I can kinda control it with a all veggie diet. But even then i can only get my numbers down to 6.6. I finally went to a Dr. And got colchicine. Much better now. I recommend getting a uric acid tester. You can find them on Amazon. That's what I use to see what my triggers are. Well worth the I investment. I feel your pain all 49 days so far.