Recently diagnosed with gout
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi I'm 41 years old and have just been diagnosed with gout. Can any gout sufferers advise me on diet and what not to do? Thanks in advance.
1 like, 64 replies
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Notes on Recently diagnosed with gout
paul6676
Posted
Forgive my ignorance. I thought gout was an issue with uric acid and my body producing too much of it. I wasn't aware of the underlying issues. I am due to have my second blood test at the end of this month. Once I get these results I will speak with my GP about other tests such as heart, liver and kidney tests. My overall long term health is very important so I will look at all aspects. I'm a bit peed off that my GP hasn't been more helpful to be honest and the whole NHS in general. I went to my GP over a year ago with foot problems and was referred to a podiatrist who looked at my foot and said there was no issues. There was never no mention of gout. I kind of diagnosed myself and mentioned it to the GP who then said do blood tests which came back showing high uric acid. Anyway rant over. I will revisit my GP and see what my options are.
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
Gout can be a problem of over production of Utica acid by the liver, but it's relatively rare. In the case of s/o with one less kidney than normal, and a man, you have to go for lack of extraction. Theresa further complication that in some people the kidney extracts it, but then pulls back to much into the body.
As for gout not being diagnosed - it is shamefully common when you think how many men get it. But it's an orphan illness - there's little interest. It's just not sexy or exciting and there's no pressure group behind it.
I was fortunate enough to have been diagnosed abroad, and read the riot act by the specialist - as well as by the cardiologist. The specialist warned me if you get a gp who doesn't know much about it, or who thinks that gout is a minor problem of the feet - change the gp. I changed my gp 3 x before I found a good one.
I think the best advice is drink water and buy a bike.
rustygecko
Posted
Andre1234 paul6676
Posted
I've had gout attacks for the last ten years, probably induced by my own over indulgence. But it's obvious that people all have different metabolisms and the triggers may vary from person to person.
Sure both diet and alcohol (my trigger) are the main culprits, and it's all about the Uric acid levels. So you gotta flush your body through. What works for me on that morning when you think you've broken a bone somewhere, is as follows.
Immediately - A pint of black cherry juice and a Voltaren Retard tablet
Hour later - An Ibuprofen 400 and a pint of water
Another hour - A pint of black cherry juice
Every hour - A pint of water
By early afternoon your urine will be cherry mauve so you know you are flushing your system through. I take another Ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.
One last glass of cherry juice berore bed. I'm up a couple of times through the night to use the bathroom.
Normally by the next morning the gout is 90% gone but I carry on with water for the next day to really flush.
If you want to skip the medication do so, as it's only a relief.
I keep black cherry juice in the freezer to use when needed and I have small bottles of black cherry extract to take when I travel..... just in case.
I can only say it works for me, but it's worth a go if it gives quick relief to some suffering soul.
rustygecko Andre1234
Posted
paul6676
Posted
Good morning, I've finally accepted that i need allopurinol after more attacks, some only lasting 24 hours. My Dr gave me an 8 week course of 100mg per day and I have to go back for a blood test in 6 weeks time. So I'm going to start the meds this evening. I've heard that when u start Allopurinol it brings on an attack, is this true as my Dr said hes not heard of that happening. Is there any other things I should be doing when on Allopurinol other than plenty of water?
james60070 paul6676
Posted
Hi, your treatment is certainly different to mine...Mine has me on 100mg per day for three weeks, going upto 200mpg a day for 3 weeks, then300mg. Then a blood test to see what the uric acid level is and what dose allopurinol I should be on. He also has me on a low daily dose of colchicine as starting allopurinol DOES often lead to an attack. If this happens, keep taking the allopurinol and use colchicine / indomethacin etc to fight the attack. With regard to your stiff and sore toe after a prolonged attack, I had this following three attacks in 7 weeks. The gout was not active (no inflammation, no soreness to touch) but toe was still swollen and sore. GP gave me a 5 day course of steroids and within 48 hours I was fine. Steroids are nasty things taken for a long time or regularly, but as a one off five day course they can work wonders. Regarding gout being a sign of imminent death through undiagnosed heart disease, I shouldn't worry too much.
rustygecko james60070
Posted
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
If your "doctor" is not aware that a drug which he dished out has a very well known life threatening risk, then frankly I'd find one that takes more interest in his day job.
What he should have said is
If you get a skin rash when taking this stop immediately and seek medical attention. This is most likely to happen in the first few weeks. It is very rare unless you are Chinese Korean or Thai, but this very small risk must be taken very seriously.
paul6676 rustygecko
Posted
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
Having the blood test after 6 weeks is perfectly reasonable. What is not reasonable, and would certainly be considered to be negligent, is not warning you about allopurinol. As I said the skin issue is unusual but far from unknown. It is shocking that you weren't warned. As for the doctor not knowing - extraordinary; if I hadn't read it from you I wouldn't believe it.
paul6676 rustygecko
Posted
Thanks. Im going to do the meds for the 8 weeks and see how I go. If im not satisfied I'll find another Dr.
paul6676
Posted
Good morning
I wanted to start my Allopurinol today but my toe started hurting yesterday and the pains still here. Should i start the meds now or wait until the pain has totally gone as I've read you shouldn't start during an attack?
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
You "shouldn't" start during an attack, but the quicker you start the quicker it will work.
The important thing is - **do you have colchicine? **
It is pretty suicidal to begin allopurinol without colchicine.
If you have colchicine take one morning and one at night and chances are the gout will be controlled.
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
The previous reply is being moderated.
I ll write it again.
You shouldn't start allopurinol during an attack but many people do.
I would say the most important thing is -
do you have colchicine?
because starting allopurinol without is either brave/foolhardy.
paul6676 rustygecko
Posted
Hi rustygecko, I don't have any colchicine as I wasn't prescribed any. I was told to keep using ibuprofen if i have any pain. Is colchicine an anti inflammatory? If i start Allopurinol during an attack will it make the attack worse?
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
I have spoken to and emailed the top researchers all over the world on gout, so this opinion isn't just coming out of my ****.
Colchicine has been used for several thousand years to control gout. The good thing is it's cheap and it works. The bad thing is that it's toxic dose and it's useful dose aren't too far apart. If you take too many it will give you some pretty spectacular trips to the loo. Don't abuse it. In my experience if you just take one the moment you feel a twinge it will control it. If 12 hours later the twinge is there take another. Continue till the gout ends. The moment it does end - stop the colchecine.
Ibufren will work I'd guess 1/10 as well as ibufren.
Colchicine shouldn't be taken if you have kidney or liver issues, or if you are suffering from a viral condition (it reduces immune system activity).
In my opinion if you are taking allopurinol you need it at hand. It is also the advice of the NICE so if your doc is in the U.K. I don't see why or how he/she thinks they have the right to ignore their advice. The problem with some GPs is they don't bother to read advice from NICE but decide what they learnt at uni for 3 hours 30 years ago was right. The NICE guidelines are available online.
What do others here think?
rustygecko
Posted
I meant
Ibufren will work I'd guess 1/10 as well as colchicine.
paul6676 rustygecko
Posted
Thanks once again Rustygecko, I'll hold off until Monday then phone my GP again. Tbh I'm kind of worried about my GP's knowledge regarding gout. He is a good Dr but im hesitant. I'll keep you all updated.
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
If you search NICE guidelines gout you will know as much about it as the doc should. They suggest painkillers or colchicine. I tell you - colchicine is the dogs gonads assuming your intestines aren't sensitive to it.
I could send you the link (I will on next post) but it will be moderated.
rustygecko paul6676
Posted
As promised NICE guidelines: https://cks.nice.org.uk/gout