Gout Advice?

[Hillian1]

Like I said, my quacks are a waste of space! I have never really been ill until the gout started... I then developed some severe stomach aches and they blamed that on beer until a scan revealed gallstones. That has now been sorted thank Christ as that was also horrendous!

When I ring the quacks all they say is that we have no one available to see you today and can you ring and try again tomorrow or make an appt for sometime next week. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr fecking useless tossers!

They always have spare appointments, you just have to insist on seeing a doctor.

I really do feel for you, ever since mine started I live in fear of it recurring, even a twinge in my big toe is enough to start me worrying. I guess if you've never had it there is no way of describing the pain, debilitating is where I'd start, moving on to excruciating.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Like I said, my quacks are a waste of space! I have never really been ill until the gout started... I then developed some severe stomach aches and they blamed that on beer until a scan revealed gallstones. That has now been sorted thank Christ as that was also horrendous!

When I ring the quacks all they say is that we have no one available to see you today and can you ring and try again tomorrow or make an appt for sometime next week. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr fecking useless tossers!

Sounds like you need a new GP. Where are you ? I see so many specialists I rarely see my GP, but if I need to, I can usually get an appointment the same day, or first thing the next day at worst.

 

[Muzzy]

Can anyone rec a decent quacks in Lewes other than River Lodge?

 

[Muzzy]

Another question I want to ask?

Once I've had a bad attack it seems that I have had lasting damage (weakness) in the joint afterwards. It was about 4 months ago since my left knee attack and it still feels very weak if I twist it slightly. Is this the same for others that have suffered?

 

[Pat McCrotch]

I feel your pain brother, I get gout in my big toes and it ain't nice. I'm sure its is partly alcohol related for me as i used to drink a lot of Guinness when i had my first attack. Gave up the black stuff (which was a killer as I love it so much) for a year or so, and didn't suffer again all the while. It was only when i thought i was in the clear and started drinking Guinness again that I suffered once more.

I have never been to the Doctors about it as i prefer to self treat. Did a bit of research and once thing I know works for me is Cherries. If I feel an attack coming on I eat about 10-12 cherries and am usually pain free an hour or so later.

It is certainly not an old man's disease. I am 39, 5'11 and weigh 14st on the nose. Yes maybe a stone overweight but hardly obese. I go to the gym 3-4 times and week and cycle best part of 50 miles a week in addition.

Try the cherries. They really work for me.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Another question I want to ask?

Once I've had a bad attack it seems that I have had lasting damage (weakness) in the joint afterwards. It was about 4 months ago since my left knee attack and it still feels very weak if I twist it slightly. Is this the same for others that have suffered?

No lasting damage for me. However, when I went to A&E with my wrist, before we knew what it was, the doctor "wiggled" my hand - resulting in huge pain. I suspect because of this, I could not write for 2 months. I put this down to him hurting me more, rather than the actual gout though.

 

[Hillian1]

I feel your pain brother, I get gout in my big toes and it ain't nice. I'm sure its is partly alcohol related for me as i used to drink a lot of Guinness when i had my first attack. Gave up the black stuff (which was a killer as I love it so much) for a year or so, and didn't suffer again all the while. It was only when i thought i was in the clear and started drinking Guinness again that I suffered once more.

I have never been to the Doctors about it as i prefer to self treat. Did a bit of research and once thing I know works for me is Cherries. If I feel an attack coming on I eat about 10-12 cherries and am usually pain free an hour or so later.

It is certainly not an old man's disease. I am 39, 5'11 and weigh 14st on the nose. Yes maybe a stone overweight but hardly obese. I go to the gym 3-4 times and week and cycle best part of 50 miles a week in addition.

Try the cherries. They really work for me.

Thanks, any potential remedies are well received, I will try this next time I get a bout.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Avoid shellfish (apart from prawns), soft roe, liver, and strawberries (according to my mother-in law).

 

[Pat McCrotch]

Avoid shellfish (apart from prawns), soft roe, liver, and strawberries (according to my mother-in law).

and Asparagus.

 

[Muzzy]

Thanks, any potential remedies are well received, I will try this next time I get a bout.

Seconded! I would drink Archer and Bellotti's jism if I knew it would help! And no I ain't gay lol

 

[Don't get me started]

I had an attack after a couple of pints of Harveys followed by Liver and Bacon with 1/2 bottle of red wine and a whisky to finish. The next day the doctor asked why I didn't save myself a few quid and just plunge a knife straight into my foot.

I get a couple of bouts a year and it is so so so painful I can't describe it, as you say you want to chop your foot off, I have cut right back on Harveys, leave liver and Kidneys alone and drink loads of water. Along with losing a few pounds this seems to have done the trick.

 

[Hillian1]

Seconded! I would drink Archer and Bellotti's jism if I knew it would help! And no I ain't gay lol

I think I would draw the line there myself mate.

 

[Muzzy]

I think I would draw the line there myself mate.

I know it's extreme isn't it lol!

Mind you I would never be short in supply as they a both proper wankers!

 

[KNC]

The worst pain I've ever experienced, and I've had angina!!
If I catch it quick enough, the Declo....whateveritscalled, does seem to work. Interesting to hear people suffer in their knees. Never heard of that, but I suppose any joint.
I seem to suffer most with the bic toe and metatarsal.
I will definitely try the cherries next time.

 

[spongy]

Definitely not old man's disease, I'm 32 and used to suffer badly in my ankles and once in my elbow, I understand your pain, I used to have an attack every few months but since last November I've only had one.

You're right about the pain, just a twitch of my toe would have me climbing the walls and once trying to get upstairs to the toilet I was nearly in tears.

I was prescribed alopurinol and colcichine to help and it stopped it for a while but then they started again.

I cut down on the drink and seafood and so far I've been attack free, to the point I no longer take the the tablets.

I still drink, 4 pints after work on a Monday or Tuesday, then the obligatory session on a Friday, drinking carling/fosters instead of stella/kronenbourg I believe has helped too,

I now drink lots of water during the day and always on the move, my theory is that moving the affected joints all the time helps stop the crystals settling.

My 2 pennies worth for ya.

 

[readingstockport]

Ok, a 'treatment' which I have seen recommended in many places is


Apple Cider Vinegar.

A spoon of that once a day is supposed to help disolve the uric acid crystals and I've known several people swear by it. Problem for me is it gives me terrible stomach ache so I've stopped using it myself. I've also had this recommended by a specialist in the past.

Here is a recipe if you want to try it but you need decent, expensive, vinegar for it to have any real effect.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Gout

 

[Muzzy]

I have also heard that a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda in a pint of water helps but not sure I want to try that.

 

[Thinker]

Arcoxia (nsaid)120mg for pain/anti-inflammatory for gout.

 

[Tubby Mondays]

I had my first attack on my 27th birthday. I was prescribed diclofenac which did get shot of it and allupurinol to stop it coming back. It did come back on a few occasions and my allupurinol dose was upped. I stopped drinking red wine, guinness, dark ales etc and whiskey, brandy and rum, and that seemed to work out O.K. When I was having an attack i used epsom salts in the bath as that was meant to releive it, dont knwo if it did. I reckon if you up your dose of allupurinol you will be alright and drink loads of water you will be alright. You must have a trigger food or drink as well so think about what youve eaten or drunk before your attacks and cut it out. I took allupurinol for about 7 years, but not for 4 years now and I havent had an attack.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I had my first attack on my 27th birthday. I was prescribed diclofenac which did get shot of it and allupurinol to stop it coming back. It did come back on a few occasions and my allupurinol dose was upped. I stopped drinking red wine, guinness, dark ales etc and whiskey, brandy and rum, and that seemed to work out O.K. When I was having an attack i used epsom salts in the bath as that was meant to releive it, dont knwo if it did. I reckon if you up your dose of allupurinol you will be alright and drink loads of water you will be alright. You must have a trigger food or drink as well so think about what youve eaten or drunk before your attacks and cut it out. I took allupurinol for about 7 years, but not for 4 years now and I havent had an attack.

As I said earlier, I was never recommended any diet for gout, but I drank loads of red wine (at least a bottle EVERY night for over 5 years) with no obvious problem - not that I drink much of anything any more, but not because of gout.