Allopurinol and pH

[Al O’Purinol]

I recently had surgery to remove a large uric acid kidney stone. I am taking potassium citrate and since the surgery (June 18). I am have been taking allopurinol since June 25 (3 days).  The doctor said I should check my urine with pH strips.  Before I started the purinol, my urine was about 7.5.  Now, since the purinol, it is 5.0.  I have been eating to promote alkalinity.  What am I missing here?  Shouldn't my urine pH be higher? Any help is welcome.

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

I don't know about allopurinol and pH, so I'll do some research and see what I can find.

While I'm looking, can you say what foods you are eating to promote alkalinity?

Do they include foods from my list of most alkalyzing foods?

[Al O’Purinol]

I'm embarrassed about that last email–I must not have proofread!  Anyway, I drink Tang, add 1/2 of a fresh lemon to a  large glass of water (and I have about 100 ounces of water per day), I add sundried tomatoes to any recipe I can, I eat fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, have only 2-3 ounces of meat per day, fresh green peppers, low fat cheese (2 ounces a day), and nonfat cottage cheese.  The idea, of course, is to prevent the formation of a new stone.  I can't decide how worried to be, though, because this one took about 40 years to form.  I have had pain in the right kidney for many years, but the doctors couldn't find a reason for it, so according to them nothing was wrong!!  These stones don't show up on x-ray.  Who knew??!  I appreciate your response and have found your website very helpful.  Thanks

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

Sounds like you are doing everything just about right to me.

Diet and water help stop uric acid stones forming, and taking allopurinol should stop this completely. But only if the dosage is right. Insist on regular uric acid level tests.

They may fluctuate at first as uric acid crystals in the joints dissolve, but you are aiming below 6mg/dL. Once the level stabilizes, testing frequency can be reduced, but all allopurinol takers should have a test at least once a year, preferably twice a year.

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