Rob, I don’t want to sound rude, but your doctor is wasting your time. Please go and see a rheumatologist.
Allopurinol will only do any good if the dose is enough to lower your uric acid level below 6mg/dL. It is a complete waste of time and money to take a lower dosage. You should have regular blood tests to check this, with adjustments to dosage as appropriate.
Done properly, allopurinol will gradually allow all uric acid crystals and tophi to dissolve. If it is not done properly the risk of tophi developing is almost as high as taking no allopurinol.
Uric acid crystal deposits and tophi can affect circulation and irritate the nervous system.
Until you get rid of all uric acid crystals (through correct allopurinol dosage), you need to deal with the inevitable pain attacks. I’ve listed several of these on my Gout Remedies for Pain Relief page. There are others, which a rheumatologist can advise you about. Cocorticosteroids are good for severe pain attacks, but cannot be used long-term.
I’m a little worried about the diagnosis of an infection - was this a proper test, or a guess? Gout often produces quite severe redness, and it can also be a reaction to allopurinol.
My best advice for food is to eat a healthy diet with plenty of variety and a high intake of fruit and vegetables. Purines in food have a minimal effect on gout - most uric acid comes from the bodies own metabolism. Eating regular small meals, with plenty of fluids, is the best way to avoid shocking the body. It will help to lose some weight - eat a little less to reduce weight slowly (1 pound a week is enough).
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