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Greetings fellow gout sufferers…..
unfortunately, I've suffered with gout for years. So like many others afflicted with this wonderful arthritis, I've scoured the internet looking for any kind of information that will help me deal with it.
I'd also kept a daily diary of everything that I ate or drank, to monitor which foods I had consumed prior to an attack.
Based on all of this data, I've drastically changed my diet, and to my surprise, I haven't had an attack in 5 months (in the past few years, to go 4 weeks without an attack would be unusual). I'm not sure which change to my diet has had the most impact, but something that I'm eating, or something that I'm not eating seems to be doing the trick. Here's what works for me….
Do's
1. Keep the urine clear by drinking lots of water
2. One to two bananas daily
3. Little bit of dairy daily, milk in cereal or a yogurt
4. Glass of fresh cherry juice every 2 or 3 days
5. Keep the feet warm/hot in bed by wearing socksDon'ts
1. No seafood whatsoever, no tuna, shrimp, salmon etc.
2. No alcohol, I repeat, no alcohol
3. No tea, no coffeeSticking to these guidelines seems to work for me. However…. what works for one person, may not work for someone else. I live off tomatoes, but know another gout sufferer who can't eat them… but he can eat seafood? I know for a fact, that within hours of eating seafood I'm in trouble. In terms of purines content in various foods, I've found this link to be really useful….
[acumedico.com/purine.htm] http://www.goutpal.com/gout-diet/purine-rich-foods/
Here's some info. on the Hyon Choi Study (one of the only extensive gout surveys/studies)
[scienceblog.com/community/older/2004/6/20045120.shtml] http://www.goutpal.com/foods-that-cause-gout.html#research
“The study results confirmed that consumption of meat particularly beef, pork and lamb significantly increases the risk of gout and that consumption of all types of seafood tended to carry an even higher risk.”
Just thought I'd share all of this information, as it's such a relief to get a break from the gout (although I've probably just jinxed myself and will end up with a gout attack tomorrow!)
…..and one last thing… as pointed out on this website, attacks or no attacks, it's important to monitor your uric acid and attempt to keep it at normal levels… as the buildup of uric acid can lead to further health problems.
OK, a bit harsh, and I don't want to discourage debate, so let me just explain my perspective.
I do not believe that you can control gout by simply reducing the number of gout flares, and there are two potential pitfalls from this approach..
A gout flare is the culmination of a process that starts with excess uric acid, leading to gout pain (U-D-R-P).
Once you understand this, you can see the two pitfalls of focussing on managing gout flares.
- You do not know if the flare is due to new crystals forming or old crystals dissolving. This is not just an issue with allopurinol – it applies to all uric acid lowering therapies whether medicinal or dietary. To avoid this, you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg.
- Crystals can accumulate without giving the typical acutely painful attack. Though you might not notice this, it can lead to the worst kind of gout pain – the pain of crumbling joints. To avoid this, you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg.
The message is: you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg. There is no way that the odd cup of tea or coffee, glass of wine, or a shrimp or two is going to influence this.
This is good information, thank you for sharing what works for you. Obviously I am interested in finding out what works for me as well, but taking Allopurinol was definitely the most important. I'll continue to practice some of the home remedies — cherries, a little bit of baking soda in a 32 oz jar of water to alkalize my blood, etc – however the frequent blood testing and routine taking of allopurinol are at the top of my list for now.
I want to make sure I get into the normal range of uric acid — last two tests before starting Allopurinol were 9.5 mg and 9.2 mg respectively – before focusing on healthy eating habits to practice for life.
I will say that so far so good — no adverse reactions to report and my foot has been feeling fine finally. Hope it stays that way. 🙂
Kvalhion said:
I want to make sure I get into the normal range of uric acid — last two tests before starting Allopurinol were 9.5 mg and 9.2 mg respectively –
Kvalhion, I know you've only just started on the allopurinol, but have you had another test yet, or do you have one planned?
I'd like to build up a profile of how a typical gout sufferer can use allopurinol effectively – many simply do not get the correct aftercare, so end up with inappropriate dose, or they quit because they do not see any benefits.
GoutPal said:
- You do not know if the flare is due to new crystals forming or old crystals dissolving. This is not just an issue with allopurinol – it applies to all uric acid lowering therapies whether medicinal or dietary. To avoid this, you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg.
- Crystals can accumulate without giving the typical acutely painful attack. Though you might not notice this, it can lead to the worst kind of gout pain – the pain of crumbling joints. To avoid this, you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg.
The message is: you must measure uric acid frequently and keep it below 6mg. There is no way that the odd cup of tea or coffee, glass of wine, or a shrimp or two is going to influence this.
So when i start to monitor my uric acid, how much fluctuation can i expect? would it be 5mgs before a a seafood dinner would push it up to 9 mgs in a manner of hours, for example? Do you monitor once a week, month, few months? How does the knowledge of your uric acid level what you do next? do you take more allopurinol, baking soda, or refrain from beef?
i get that if your ua is 5 or under new crystals are not forming and old ones are dissolving so you want to be in that range all of the time.
GoutPal said:
Kvalhion said:
I want to make sure I get into the normal range of uric acid — last two tests before starting Allopurinol were 9.5 mg and 9.2 mg respectively –
Kvalhion, I know you've only just started on the allopurinol, but have you had another test yet, or do you have one planned?
I'd like to build up a profile of how a typical gout sufferer can use allopurinol effectively – many simply do not get the correct aftercare, so end up with inappropriate dose, or they quit because they do not see any benefits.
Sorry about the late reply, I didn't realize there had been a response. When I started taking the allopurinol, the doctor suggested I get a blood test done in four to six weeks. Thats one to two weeks away, so around the four week or five week mark I'll go have my blood tested and will report on my (hopefully lowered) uric acid level.
So far so good, though.. no gout pains, no noticeable side affects from the medication. =)
apcoach said:
So when i start to monitor my uric acid, how much fluctuation can i expect? would it be 5mgs before a a seafood dinner would push it up to 9 mgs in a manner of hours, for example? Do you monitor once a week, month, few months? How does the knowledge of your uric acid level what you do next? do you take more allopurinol, baking soda, or refrain from beef?
i get that if your ua is 5 or under new crystals are not forming and old ones are dissolving so you want to be in that range all of the time.
I found it very hard to link specific events with changes in uric acid level. I presume this is due to mixtures of all the different factors that can cause uric acid to rise and fall. Not only does one need to consider what might raise uric acid production, but there is also uric acid excretion rates to consider. A significant influence is the formation of new crystals, or dissolving of old ones.
All this means that levels can fluctuate significantly during the day. I used to test daily at roughly the same time each day. Losing my uric acid meter when I moved house hasn't helped, but I expect I'll get another soon.
What I looked for was a falling trend. I probably tested more frequently than I needed to, but that is due to my gout obsession.
If you are on allopurinol, the same thing applies really, but values should never go over 6mg once your dosage is stabilised.
Another example of there being few simple answers when it comes to gout questions. My preference for frequent testing simply means thst I have some fixed data I can review. I can see from an upward or downward trend if I am doing things right (I definitely noticed a fall when I lost weight over a few weeks).
I have never tested frequently enough to test events over an hour or so. I suspect the results might drive you mad trying to work out which factor was causing a rise or fall.
About how many flares or attacks do you have in a year at this point in your condition? I mean, you have a world of knowledge about gout, uric acid, your triggers, etc. When does it “get” you despite your expertise?
Let me pre-empt GoutPal on those questions( because I'm HERE)
I have precisely ZERO clear-cut attacks per year after almost 2 decades of allopurinol. I have occasional questionalbe TWINGES for which I pop 2 colchicine. Whether they are the start of anything or not I don't need to know. I think I have one remaining tophus on the small joint of my little finger which tends to give a slight ache once on a while but nothing a 60-some year old wouldn't expect. A larger one on my thumb has slowly gone away.
I suspected a connection between about 2 weeks of heavy beer drinking and an achy knee that lasted almost 6 weeks but I have 40 year old torn cartilege in the knee and still do heavy workouts on an elliptical trainer. THis pain DID NOT respond to colchicine but did abate with 2 weeks away from the gym. So I will chalk that up to NOT GOUT (I think.)
Summary: Allopurinol WORKS!
That is so great to read. I am looking forward to getting a prescription of allopurinol and being normal again.
Welcome to the large world of CONTROLLED gout sufferers.
We may never be rid of the disorder but we can sure be rid of the pain, the disfigured joints, and the shortened lifespans.
Hi Guys
I'm just mind boggled reading this web site it's fantastic. I have had a few attacks over the last 3-4 years and proably 4 in the last year probaly more now that i realise that it wasn't the squash or soccer or walking that hammered my ankle. I'm 41year old 98kg 1.75M tall reasonably fit work as a concrete cutter and love my beer.
After seeing the doctor on a few occaisions he finally got me to get a blood test which confirmed my high uric acid level. After saying i feel that i have had a few attacks he put me on allpuranol 150mg/day. I waited for the attack to subside and started taking it 4 weeks ago and i'm now up to my 2nd attack in as many weeks in my other ankle which i have never had it in. I went back to the doctor and he advised not having another test. I have just now ordered my UASure tester.
I don't understand my trigger as i seem to do the same thing most of the time ie drinking beer lots eating prawns say over christmas and not getting an attack then not drinking and eating as much at other times and get an attack. Makes it hard to work out.
Is this turning into a epidmic ? As i find more than 75% of male associates i know of similar age have gout do you find similar quantities?
Thanks for a great site
scotto,
Just beginning allopurinol is the reason for your increased attacks. Until allopurinol gets to remove most of your uric acid stores you will be more prone to attacks. Have your doctor prescribe some colchicine to take for a few months while he titrates up your allopurinol, probabaly to 300 mg./day. Something like 2 small colchicine tabs (total 1 mg.) per day should keep these attacks at bay.
Yes, I agree there is more and more gout as we in the “first world” have since 1950 been able to consume more and more meat and fish in our diets…things that were considered “treats” in earlier times are now commonplance.
Be careful wiith the beer AND the soccer injuries…uric acid LOVES to congregate at an injury site.
Let us know how you like your uric acid tester. How much did you pay?
Hi Zip
I have ordered the UA sure from Arctic Medical UK it cost AUD $177 plus $27 postage to Sydney Australia. I will let you know how i find it. I think it will be good for a reference from week to week instead of a accurate level.
What does colchicine do? I have been taking the Voltaren 150mg/day (diclofenac sodium) to reduce the swelling and pain which seems to do the trick.
Have a good day all
Jesus Scotto,
That's a steep price for that test rig even given the weaker valued Aussie dollar (relative to the U.S.) Make sure you don't test first thing in the morning. Week to week seemns a good idea given that these test strips are several bucks apiece.
Colchicine SEEMS to migrate to a inflammatory site caused by uric acid and alkalyze it, thus stopping further crystallization. That's the best explanation for it's effect that I've seen. It seems to work almost instantaneously.
If the diclofenac works well enough for you, then stick with it. Once the allopurinol kicks in you probably won't need ANYTHING else.
Hi zip
When you say it like that it does seem expensive that includes extra pack a of 25 test strips extra control solution and 100 lancets for the and the stung me $27 13pound for delivery which thought was a bit steep but all for knowing what level of allpuronul i need and how different things may put the uric acid up or down.
Why don't you test at sparrows fart?
All is pain free at the moment which makes life a bit easier. When it is flareing up does it affect any thing in the joint by walking on it or working other than the pain? I tend to push it i have my own concrete cutting business that dosen't allow my to be idle.
Cheers Scotto
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