GoutPal Interactive

apcoach said:

I was just diagnosed by my dr. as being an under-secretor and have been put on 500 mg of Probenecid a day.  I was not given any colchicine which i may call ask for him to include.  My question is:  who has any experiences with probenecid they can share? 

A few years ago my Dr tried to end my gout attacks using Probencid. He gave me a relatively large dose (500 or 600 I think) and some colchocine. I had a very small amount of gout in my  right foot at the time. Ended up in a few days withthe worst gout attacj ever in BOTH feet. Couldn't walk for days. The colchocine didn't seem to help. I didn't continue with this path.

Still having gout attcks every 8 to 10 months though.

Some more info on my gout and the treatments.

The Proenecid path was chosen as I had multiple gout attcks in various ares of my body (areas on both feet, knees, elbows). They did a 24 hr urine collection and the uric acid was “normal”. Also had multiple blood tests done where the uric acid was either normal or slightly elevated. My weight is a bit high and I have also developed type 2 diabetes over the last 3 years.

I had been using the left over colchocine from the Probenecid experience when I woudl get early gout symptoms. I had not had a serrious gout attack for over a year until Nov of 2007 and again right now. Both times in my ankle area.

I did not notice any side effects when I did take the Probenecid, but I didn't take it for too long due to the extreme gout attack it created.

Planning to try the black bean drink this evening after reading on this web site. Taking 4 advil at a time now to lessen the pain, but its been 3+ weeks. 4+ as it started in my big toe and “jumped” to my ankle.

New doctor on April 24th (moved) so we'll what the blood tests show.

Has anyone used the uric acid tester? How accurate is it? I am very familiar with testing my blood for sugar levels which is pretty accurate.

zip2play said:

Be patient…I think our very first post must be approved by GoutPal (Steve.) He's probably enjoying a nice long weekend somewhere.

Nice long(ish) weekend – thanks zip.

The approval thingy is to do with registration – if you register (and login), your post gets approved automatically. If you don't, it doesn't!

The other big advantage of registering is that you can (optionally) get email notification whenever anyone adds a post to a topic that interests you.

With my wife out of town and my caring for my two small children I waited to start taking Probenicid until today for fear of sparking an attack.  I'm excited to see what happens next.  Many have said the length of time before stabilization depends on the body's storage of MSU crystals so there is no way of knowing, but I don't think I have any tophi.  I do have la lump on the base of my hand that I have had for several years that doesn't fit the description or appearance of what I have read or seen regarding tophi.  If it is tophi I may be in for a longer process.

On another topic, I am reluctant to take the indocin the dr. gave me in the case an attack is triggered by the Probenicid because of all of the negative reports I have read on other sites about people having disorientation, dizziness, palpatations, etc.  Is that something I am over-analyzing?  I've been able to keep attacks at bay for the past four months using baking soda, which I will continue, and organic apple cider vinegar to keep my ph well over 7 at all times.  I think I may just take my chances with those methods if an attack comes my way.  The biggest concern is when I exercise which seems to be my surest trigger.

10-4 on the water.  I've already had a half gallon and it isn't even noon yet.  I just want to thank you, Zip, for all of your insight on this site.  You and the Goutpal are a great combination.  Most of all, I can sense that you really care about helping people.  I'll keep posting my experiences with Probenecid.

Sounds like you're walking on eggs there coach.

Indocin: Yeah, me too. After he first dose I ever took, for back pain I believe, I went shopping. All was well til I rode my first escalator. How I got to the top without fainting, falling or throwing up I;ll neve know. If I take any more indocin it will be on a sofa with nothing more taxing than using the TV's remote.

For grins I just pulled my indomethacin bottle…I filled the Rx March 1, 1985! Maybe I can offer it for sale on Antiques Roadshow?

If you feel you're flirting too close to an attack perhaps you can titrate your probenecid down a notch. Your steady state might take a while longer but you might avoid some discomfort. Or else call your doctor and have him call in an Rx for cochicine. Taking one or two teeny pills a day for a while is good insurance.

That's what I like to see.

Gout sufferers enjoying life without a care.

Here's to many more weeks of the same.

My first month on Probenecid is only a few days from complete.  Last week I had a day with pain and soreness in my left arch, a sure sign that an attack was on the horizon in the past.  After a gallon of water and baking soda it disappeared the next day.  I'm not sure what caused it but I had exercised hard the week before and drank a little too much one night.  Anyway, I'm feeling great at the moment.  I still feel as though the crystal elimination period is not complete yet.  I don't know if I'll know when it is over.  A question i posted on another topic is whether i should breaking the 500 mg pill in half and taking a half twice a day.  My doc did not tell me to do this but I've heard others do.

About 50 days of Probenecid has turned me into a different person.  I am reluctant to think I am completely “through the woods” but I feel as close to normal as I ever have.  I am working out three to five days a week, eating and drinking whatever I like, and feeling no pain, twinges, or swelling.  I am religious about drinking water throughout the day and still take baking soda three or four times, especially if I am having beer or wine.

What I hope has happened, is that the crystals in my feet have dissolved and the drug is excreting the uric acid I am currently producing.  The great thing about it is that the guilt or fear I may feel after several beers is replaced by the sense of security the morning dose of Probenicid provides.  Each day starts over and the uric acid is on the way out.  I am concerned that i will get too complacent down the road and forget that this disease is still present without the drug.  As long as I am on it, I am a normal person!

Hi trev,

I think allopurinol has the better record for safety so I would prefer it to probenecid. Probenecid's predilection for high kidney excretion mankes urate crystals in the kidneys somewhat likely unless alkalinization is practiced…and for a lifetime that could be tough.

I too have hypertension and I recommend a regimen to you: Lasix followed by losartan a few hours later. A Japanese study found this combo reduced uric aicid 32%…it controls my BP also. There is no other anti-hypertensive that works the way losartan does, not even other angiotensin receptor blockers.

I'm loathe to recommend it but I may try for myself using POTASSIUM bicarbonate. It's benefits are that it replaces the KCl supplement I use (Lasix causes K+ loss,) it is a potent urine alkalyzer, AND it helps lower BP. The downside is that careless use can raise K+ levels too high and hyperkalemia can be dangerous. BUT the body can readily use 5 grams a day of potassium and that's a LOT of bicarbonate. Generally speaking we get far too litttle potassium rather than too much.

Why not have a uric acid excretion test when you go for your scan? The only good reason that I see for using probenecid over allopurinol is if you are a gross underexcreter of uric acid. Maybe I'm partial since I've used daily allopurinol for almost 2 decades with never a problem.