Thread: Anyone dealing with gout.

I have dealt with many foot and ankle injuries in my life. From stepping on nails, to broken bones, but the pain from gout,makes all those a walk in the park.

I never knew how painful gout was until this Christmas Eve, when I woke up with excruciating pain in the first joint of my big toe. I really thought it was broken.! I couldn't move it, let alone touch it, without inducing severe pain.

I guess the plantars fasciitis in the same foot, wasn't enough, so now I'm blessed with this as well. YEAH.!

I did some web searching on the causes, and found that shellfish/ seafood, is tops on the list of things that sets this off, and I've just had a big bowl of seafood boil just two days before this flare up.

This is a first for me, and hopefully the last, but I doubt it from what I read. So my question to those that are inflicted with gout, is how they cope with it. Are there any home remedies they use, Dr. recommendations, ect.

My diet will be the first thing I address, but I'm more concerned with lessening the pain associated with it, as of now.

Ice, elevation, and Ibuprofen, has helped, but only on a light degree. Also, lots of water, to go along with the water pills I take in conjunction with my BP medication, to help flush the Ulric acid from my system.

This is day three, the pain has eased up just a wee bit, but toe is still as stiff as a board for the most part.

Any help from those that deal with this would be greatly appreciated.

I've always heard alcohol was a prime suspect in gout flare ups.

Yes

It really depends on your tests

You should go NOW for a Uric acid test, some people can just be on those pills, and watch certain dietary triggers to control Gout

I have never tested positive for high uric acid, it actually took a needle asperation during an attack to verify that it was Gout
One joint specialist wanted to operate on my wrist to remove a cyst that wasn't there ***SMDH*** so make sure you get a good doc

But once verified, I have a "Gout Kit" at the house to get me moving again

My doc and I figured that since I average 1 attack every 10 months that a continual medication was a bad idea.

I have a cycle of Colchicine (3 tiny tabs) that I take at first symptoms then a 10 day supply of Indomathicin for the inflammation if needed,,, usually the attack is subsided in 1 day




You have to get it diagnosed first then figure out what is best for you.

Originally Posted by outback

I have dealt with many foot and ankle injuries in my life. From stepping on nails, to broken bones, but the pain from gout,makes all those a walk in the park.

I never knew how painful gout was until this Christmas Eve, when I woke up with excruciating pain in the first joint of my big toe. I really thought it was broken.! I couldn't move it, let alone touch it, without inducing severe pain.

I guess the plantars fasciitis in the same foot, wasn't enough, so now I'm blessed with this as well. YEAH.!

I did some web searching on the causes, and found that shellfish/ seafood, is tops on the list of things that sets this off, and I've just had a big bowl of seafood boil just two days before this flare up.

This is a first for me, and hopefully the last, but I doubt it from what I read. So my question to those that are inflicted with gout, is how they cope with it. Are there any home remedies they use, Dr. recommendations, ect.

My diet will be the first thing I address, but I'm more concerned with lessening the pain associated with it, as of now.

Ice, elevation, and Ibuprofen, has helped, but only on a light degree. Also, lots of water, to go along with the water pills I take in conjunction with my BP medication, to help flush the Ulric acid from my system.

This is day three, the pain has eased up just a wee bit, but toe is still as stiff as a board for the most part.

Any help from those that deal with this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Mike,

I have Plantar Fasciitis as well, my doctor gave me an exercise sheet which you can download from the internet.

Basically it was mostly rolling your foot on a bottle filled with cold water, lightly covered for comfort. The Fasciitis comes and goes and it's really nice when it's gone because i also have a pretty severe limp from a car accident which makes it a real bitch when it plays up.

I also use insoles from the pharmacy or Walmart which are specifically for Fasciitis. There are also things to wear at night that keep the tendons stretched a bit so it hurts less when you get up in the morning.

As far as the gout, I haven't had it but I do know some people that have and they were all told that cherries are really helpful.

I feel for ya Mike.

Steve

An unorthodox method would be to just cut off your feet and enjoy crab.

In all seriousness, I've known two guys that have gout. One got it in his fifties (lived off of Philippino Marlboros and strip joint steaks since he became a citizen in the 80's) and another in his thirties. I know they have specific medication that they have to take and are fanatically religious about their diet. For flare ups, one guy got prescription painkillers and the other just suffered due to possible medical interactions with heavy pain pills.

You didn't mention anything about going to a doctor/specialist though?

Yes, alcohol, and red meat are the other igniters.

My mother in law was a RN for many years, and her husband has gout as well. Sue has looked at it and all signs point towards gout, but until I have fluid removed and checked, as Glen suggested, there's no actual proof that it is gout.

Im really hoping its not, I've got enough problems as it is.

Like, spinal stenosis. degenerative cervical disease, plantars fasciitis, onset of arthritis in my hands, high blood pressure, and the all excruciating..Married with children.

Golden years.!!! I'm only 51, now. Must of passed by my pot O gold, the hill is getting steeper all the time.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yes

It really depends on your tests

You should go NOW for a Uric acid test, some people can just be on those pills, and watch certain dietary triggers to control Gout

I have never tested positive for high uric acid, it actually took a needle asperation during an attack to verify that it was Gout
One joint specialist wanted to operate on my wrist to remove a cyst that wasn't there ***SMDH*** so make sure you get a good doc

But once verified, I have a "Gout Kit" at the house to get me moving again

My doc and I figured that since I average 1 attack every 10 months that a continual medication was a bad idea.

I have a cycle of Colchicine (3 tiny tabs) that I take at first symptoms then a 10 day supply of Indomathicin for the inflammation if needed,,, usually the attack is subsided in 1 day




You have to get it diagnosed first then figure out what is best for you.

Hi Glen,

Devout card carrying coward here.

What's a Uric test and does it hurt??

NEEDLE ASPIRATION omg, I feel faint

Between the Legionnaires Disease, the Diabetes, Plantar Fasciitis, the sleep apnea with cpap machine, the obesity the gimpy leg and the straight razor cuts I reckon I've just about had my share.

But I did get some new shaving brushes from Father Christmas so nothing else matters

Steve

Originally Posted by STF

Hi Glen,

Devout card carrying coward here.

What's a Uric test and does it hurt??

NEEDLE ASPIRATION omg, I feel faint

The Uric Acid test is a simple blood draw, done during an attack it tells so much mine were always negative which is why it took over 2 years to diagnose as actual Gout

I happened to get a lucky appointment to do the needle aspiration and a smart Emergicare Doc that sent me there within 20 min..

They actually poke a needle into the joint and draw out some of the fluid, two things happen at the same time.

#1 It seriously freaks you out

#2 The relief from the Gout pain is instantaneous

I've had gout for years on and off. So, basically when you get an attack you have blood drawn to test for uric acid. Around 9.0 is high average and it really should be around 6 or 7. You should take Colchicine which will stop the attack (pain) in a couple days though swelling can take weeks to go down. Elevate the foot and use ice as much as possible. Take Allopurinol to keeps attacks from reoccurring. You'll need to do periodic liver screen tests (blood tests) because if you be on allopurinol it puts a strain on your liver.

As has been said red meat, processed meats shellfish,beer and hard stuff will cause attacks and repeated attacks over time can destroy your kidneys and cause kidney stones.

The condition causes needle like crystals of uric acid to form in joints where circulation is poor (feet, toes knee, elbows). The xtls are needles sharp as spears which cause serious pain.

[QUOTE=gssixgun;189

#2 The relief from the Gout pain is instantaneous [/QUOTE]

That's what I'm talking about.!
Even though it looks bad, today is the best its felt and looked. I can actually stand on it, today.