[hondadelsol]

Anybody here have gout? Have you fully healed or stuck with discomfort?

I was diagnosed with gout mid november. I went through 3 series of meds already and it still hasnt healed. The pain is bareable now but still hurts when I jump and do calf raises.

[Okami]

stop eating rich foods i hear.. like beans and red meats and such.. and STOP doing jumps and do calf raises

[hondadelsol]

yeah. im just curious if anybody here has fully recovered from gout.

[Matlock]

Just curious, how old are you?

My grandfather had gout and it seemed pretty painful. I hear it can be genetic.

Hope you get well soon!

[TheNewGirl]

0 alcohol, 0 fructose, 0 red meat - oddly coffee helps.

My grandfather had it but he never fully recovered. I don't think it ever goes away completely, at best it just becomes more managable.

Typically with gout you either are way over weight, drinking very heavily, have become insulin resistant, or something's gone bad bad with your kidneys. The issue that lead to the levels of uric acid in your body need to be addressed or no measure of medication will make it better. It's not something that "heals" so much as it's a symptom of a much larger problem.

Have you had your blood sugars tested? Your kidney function checked? A full blood panel?

[Nocardia]

Its actually quite an interesting topic as the relative pathophysiology is somewhat simple and the treatment is as simple, however it doesn't necessarily lead to complete resolution.
Anyways, lots of people have gouty attacks and it may be difficult to find out why, many still have regular uric acid levels, but it may be exacerbated when other diseases become active leading to dehydration and ultimately a gouty attack.

To answer your questions straight up:
Anybody here have gout? Not me
Have you fully healed or stuck with discomfort? No

But honestly, if it is still painful after a few months, there may be something else sinister going on.

Purine rich foods may exacerbate gout - google it, a lot of people may find red meat to be a causative agent but its very hard to isolate what specifically causes it
Coffee helps because it can work like some meds in that it prevents the formation of uric acid (although since it is a diuretic it actually may worsen in some people)

Im just curious if anybody here has fully recovered from gout.
Many people just have episodes and completely resolve inbetween

Have you had your blood sugars tested? Your kidney function checked? A full blood panel?
Hopefully you would know prior to having a gouty attack that you have diabetes! Also, hopefully these have been done but a lot of times things are normal if you aren't having an episode

In any event, a lot of times meds are not warranted unless attacks are more frequent. In your case, it is weird that it is lasting this long (assuming you are young too) and maybe you want to get a second opinion?

[CorneringArtist]

I've been in and out of gout attacks, yet I usually pinpoint what I ate to contract it, and cut back on that food. It sucks to have it since it gets tough to walk.

[waddy41]

i also want to know..how old are you?
my 90 year old grandmother has gout..she eases the symptoms with medication
i believe it's due to the liver's inability to process purine rich foods...

however, if you're not a senior citizen, i suggest you treat the source, not the problem

[hondadelsol]

thanks for all the input guys. I already know quite a bit about gout already through researching. I just wanted a 2nd opinion from someone who is going through it.

Im 24 and I consider myself in very good shape. I had my first gout attack when i was on my 3rd week of taking creatine. Since then i stopped taking and stayed away from protein shakes. I had my the blood test done and the doc says theres nothing alarming with my uric acid levels. Anyways.. Im gonna see a different doctor on tuesday. Thanks alot guys

[Nechako87]

wow 24...i known a few people who've had gout, and you are by FAR the youngest. Hope you get over it, and stay over it.

[goo3]

If you keep getting attacks, Allopurinol is your friend. They say you have to take it for the rest of your life, but I took it for a year and now I only have it around for back up.. It de-saturated the toe and, with or without meds, that's what you need for it to heal.

Everybody says don't eat meat, etc.. For me, it's not the food. I can eat like a rabbit or an animal and it doesn't seem to make much of a diff. Yo-yo'ing between eating and not eating might, though, and a few other things but I don't do them anyhow.

But here's the kicker: Exercise. I have no doubt this is the biggest contributor for me. I'm not a doc, so don't ask me why. But I did find some studies that show uric acid levels get elevated after intense exercise.

I spent about a year hobbling around which sucks if you're active. At the time, I didn't know exercise was probably making it worse. Remember this is for me.. you might be different.

My toe feels great, BTW. And I'm eating a steak right now. Maybe I'll go work out tmr.

[goo3]

Also, the commonly prescribed NSAIDs and the other one don't do shit for me.

And Nocardia sounds like a doc of some sort. I'd love to hear your comments. :fullofwin:

[hondadelsol]

If you keep getting attacks, Allopurinol is your friend. They say you have to take it for the rest of your life, but I took it for a year and now I only have it around for back up.. It de-saturated the toe and, with or without meds, that's what you need for it to heal.

Everybody says don't eat meat, etc.. For me, it's not the food. I can eat like a rabbit or an animal and it doesn't seem to make much of a diff. Yo-yo'ing between eating and not eating might, though, and a few other things but I don't do them anyhow.

But here's the kicker: Exercise. I have no doubt this is the biggest contributor for me. I'm not a doc, so don't ask me why. But I did find some studies that show uric acid levels get elevated after intense exercise.

I spent about a year hobbling around which sucks if you're active. At the time, I didn't know exercise was probably making it worse. Remember this is for me.. you might be different.

My toe feels great, BTW. And I'm eating a steak right now. Maybe I'll go work out tmr.

After reviewing my blood samples my doc said I didnt need Allopurinol. I tried to stay away from meats and alcohal for a month and a half but that do anything. Im back to my normal eating habits now and do have the occasional drink. I haven't had any flare-ups yet but my toe joint is still swollen.

Yea, I read that exercising helps reduce uric acid levels too. I work out 4-5 days a week with heavy lifting and still no improvement. Hopefully this new doc prescribes me Allopurinol this time:D

[hondadelsol]

Also, the commonly prescribed NSAIDs and the other one don't do shit for me.

And Nocardia sounds like a doc of some sort. I'd love to hear your comments. :fullofwin:

nsaids and predisone didnt did shit for me either lol

[goo3]

No, exercise seems to make it WORSE for me.

[Nocardia]

Also, the commonly prescribed NSAIDs and the other one don't do shit for me.

And Nocardia sounds like a doc of some sort. I'd love to hear your comments. :fullofwin:

The most common NSAID used would be indomethacin but a lot of people (older) can't usually tolerate the high doses that are prescribed, if they are telling you to use OTC ibuprofen or something then you aren't really getting the best bang out of the NSAID.

The other shit - I assume is colchicine? - basically give that until you have diarrhea, then cut back.

In any event, none of these meds actually treat the main problem and at the moment, there is only 1 med that can actually get rid of excess uric acid (acutely) and its only for something else.

Others commented on the fact that steroids (prednisone) don't do anything for them, but much like the NSAIDs, they just help to reduce the inflammation and what you need to realize is that these medications don't work in 5-10 minutes, or 1-2 hours. In fact, most times you need to take a few days before you see any relief (not always the case, but more of an FYI for you).

The final step would be to aspirate the stone (if there is one) to help relieve the stress on your toe.

So despite our greatest advancements in medicine, gout treatment has not really changed in years...or even decades.
Saddening to say the least I suppose?
But as said before, alcohol is usually okay in mild amounts, and whenever possible keep hydrated!

[SkinnyPupp]

Cut carbs and alcohol from your diet. The gout will be gone, and your body will improve in every other way as well.

This is yet another modern disease that can be easily cured with proper diet. Don't listen to people who tell you that it's caused by "rich foods". The "richness" of food has nothing to do with it.

[kalekain]

Try drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice. I've put a patient on that, and he said it never came back after 3 months.

[Acura604]

BUMP - old thread but good topic.

anyone else suffers from GOUT? my Dad has it so I got cursed with the hereditary thing.

my current attack started sunday morning 4am.. woke up with the toe pain... throughout sunday I drank about 10 glasses of water to flush it out... Monday at work and 3 litres of water later, the pain had all but diminished and the toe wasn't stiff... BUT..i got cocky and had a glass of mango juice / more like mango punch Monday evening... and bam, the pain is even worse come Tuesday morning 4am...so here I am at work today... barely able to walk and barely able to put on my dress shoes.

my plan? 3 litres of water and a cup of coffee... and NO mango juices.

[finbar]

I had gout around 15 years ago, several bouts.
It got me right in the metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe.
At least I could wear socks and shoes so not the worst.

It felt like this,
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/The_gout_james_gillray.jpg/230px-The_gout_james_gillray.jpg


The doc had me avoid purines.
I screwed a small block of wood the bottom of my work boot, right under the arch.
That got me walking again without flexing the, ouch, toe joint.

So far so good.

[originalhypa]

Cut carbs and alcohol from your diet. The gout will be gone, and your body will improve in every other way as well.

Agreed.
I got my first gout attack at 35, in my right knee. I had torn up my ankle, was a bit depressed, and was drinking and eating more than I should while doing my physio. Literally the minute I cracked 210lbs, I got the attack and it hurt really bad for two weeks. Granted, I didn't know what it was for the first week, and continued to drink. Even the 1st doc misdiagnosed it as an infection. I was happy when my regular doc got back from vacation...

I didn't take any of the drugs, as my doc isn't keen on the long term effects, but I did make a lot of changes.

-I went Vegitarian
-stopped drinking
-excercised every day

I last about 5 months as a vegan, and felt like shit. The doc asked if I was supplementing with B vitamins, and Iron, which I wasn't. I started eating free range chicken daily (5-7oz) and a weekly serving of beef (no more than 8 oz). Feeling great still, and it's been 2 years.

The non-drinking thing lasted about 6 months, but socially it wasn't acceptable so I started in with Gin and Cider. Both seem to be okay, unlike wine and beer which make my knee hurt. One thing though, I drink a TON of water. 500ml of cider, then drink 1L of h20 to flush.

I still excercise daily, even if it's a rainy hike through the forest. This has made the difference for me, as activity just makes me feel good.

Funny thing, for pain the doc prescribed T3 which messed up my system. A buddy came by one night with some pot cookies, and they changed the way I dealt with pain. Rather than takin 8-10 T3 a day, I would take two in the am, and a cookie throughout the day, and that took a lot of the pain away. Plus video games became more interesting...

Try drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice. I've put a patient on that, and he said it never came back after 3 months.

Agreed x 2.
Citric acid helps to combat the uric acid. I also eat a lot of cherries. Even in December when they're $12/lb, they work so well that it's worth it.
Also, cheese has been proven to help lower uric acid levels. I now use Whey protien, as it's so much easier on the body compared to animal protiens (which I get naturally).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/The_gout_james_gillray.jpg/230px-The_gout_james_gillray.jpg


I was going to get that tatted on my knee.
:lol
But the doc said "don't do it!"


So far so good.

Good to hear man!

I've been gout free for two years, but like the OP the first 3 months after the attack, it hurt. My doc said that purine crystals actually damage the muscle fibers that they attach to, and that's why it hurt for months after.


Gout has been the best, and worst thing to happen to me.
On one hand, it made me change my life. On the other, it's a lifelong scourge. I can't fall asleep without thinking "Is tonight the night?".
:okay:

[LookitsMarkA]

my father had it not long ago for 9 months, it was the worst feeling he says..

he passed it by avoiding eating anything with high uric acid,
limit his red meat eating to 200grams a day.
and cardio exercise
no more TEA

he also took some meds for 6 months
40mg uloric and colchicine .6mg

now after a year, hes doing weight lifting and HIT cardio again
he says now he feels it only if he eats too much red meat and anything with high uric acid

[Acura604]

Posted back on the 30th of July regarding my gout attack....and it's still going on!!

I caved and went to the doc for prescribed meds:

Indocin for relief of pain/swelling
Allopurinol for reduction of Uris acid

Gonna start them today.

[ForbiddenX]

Bumping this thread again...

Got my first gout attack on Jan 2 and I'm still feeling the pain. Doc said it's mostly genetics (grandpa and uncle have it) but the Christmas/New Years dinner's probably didn't help.

I've changed my diet and have mostly been eating salads with chicken. Kind of sucks since I really do like my steak but not having to experience the pain is def worth it.

After this passes, will I be able to run? I'm scared that running will cause the pain to start again since there's a lot of pressure on that toe.

I used to go to the gym quite frequently and took creatine and proteine, will I still be able to or would the gout attacks start again?

[originalhypa]

It will take a few weeks, but you'll be back to activity with few reminders of the gout. I'm 2.5 years past my first attack (knee, ouch!), and now play hockey numerous times per week. The doctor gave me the option of a lifetime of pills, or a change in lifestyle, so I started playing sports and haven't looked back.

Stay away from the additional animal based proteins. Those are definitely no good. I use whey protein at times, because there isn't a link between dairy and gout. Eat tons of veggies, and if you're going to do carbs, go with good grains like quinoa, and stay away from beans.

PS: I eat beef once a week. It's usually no more than 8oz of fine ass steak, or a good burger. Make it count.
;)

[ForbiddenX]

I really don't want to be on the lifetime pills so I've been changing my diet a lot. I was going to eat healthier either way but this gout kind of forced me to lol.

Going to start going to the gym more often as well once this passes, right now it's still pretty painful when I put pressure on the toe but feels like it's not going to soon.

Do you have any pork at all?

[Cman333]

I have severe gout. Got it when I was 20. I was a severe party animal and dined out at steak houses frequently. Comes back almost once or twice a year for me. Sometimes more. Gout is permanent. It doesn't just heal and never come back.

You have to adjust your diet bigtime. Basically need to avoid a ton of food (most proteins, heavy dairy, alcohol, certain veggies, white carbs, etc), dont eat/drink in excess, need regular exercise, drink lots of water, etc etc.

Once you get a flare up you're basically doomed. All you can do is numb the pain with Advil or Prescribed drugs. Nothing instantly heals it or cures it. All you can do is take the proper steps to prevent it.

Black Cherry Extract is a common preventative pill you can take. You basically need to eat one or two pills after each major meal. It's helps by neutralizing the uric acid levels in your system. All food have Purines (some more than others), Purines turns into uric acid in your body, and uric acid then leads to gout. It's not contagious, it's just something you develop over time or have it passed down genetically.

[Cman333]

Oh, I still eat and drink quite a bit (hence one or two flareups a year now, but alot less than before).

Just eat meats in moderation. Red meat especially. I tend to focus more on chicken and fish. It's usually when I start having my beef/pork cravings I'm doomed. Alcohol I won't cut, I'd rather cut red meat lol

Dark berries are VERY good for preventing gout. (strawberries, blackberries, cherries, etc).

Anyways, good luck. Gout gets more painful and frequent if you don't adjust your lifestyle. Drink lots of water to help piss out all the toxins (uric acid).

Black cherry pills can be bought as Alive Health Store (cheapest place I've found it, buy 6 get one bottle free. $20/bottle).

[ForbiddenX]

How far apart are the flare ups usually? I'm going to grab a few of those Black cherry pills bottles and see if they help.

[Cman333]

I get it like every few months. Just a little bit of pain and I just go nuts on advil and cherry pills. And it goes away.

I get severe flare ups usually once or twice a year. Basically SUPER painful and can't move.

I need to cut the alcohol, and adjust my diet more. I already basically cut red meat, I might have a small steak once every 6 months. I have a tendency to forget the pills after every meal though. lol

Good luck. Don't let it get worse like mine.

[Jackygor]

Lose weight and do preventative measures (Like diet and exercise). I also find hot yoga to help. Gout also comes back for me when I am catch a flu or something like that. I find that the causes of flare ups are different for everyone. For me, it is broccoli, tomato sauce, stress and lack of sleep. Consuming a large amount of red meat and alcohol will cause flares, but I have adjusted my diet enough that I don't eat that quantity anymore. Don't let it get worst or else it is just a world a pain. Try building a healthy relationship with it, I mean, you will have it for as long as you live.

[Hondaracer]

Is gout visible?

Last Friday I kind of stepped down puting my work boot on and felt pain in my little toe, fast forward later that day and it showed a bruise

Then later on in the weekend it looked like the nuckles along the other toes were bruised as well and I don't recall doing anything to cause it

It's now Tuesday and the pain is still there at about 20% of what it was? I'm assuming just bruised them but it's weird it lasted this long over seemingly nothing
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[originalhypa]

My knee will be bright red during an attack, and also hot to the touch.
Gout pain isn't actually caused by the purine crystals. Instead, it's caused by your immune system's reaction to those crystals. That's why gout isn't always sore. It flares up when the body decides that it's had enough, and fights to break down the crystals. The minor pains one feels after a gout attack are caused by the body repairing the holes and voids left by the purine crystals.

[finbar]

Well shit! after ~15 years the horrible gout returned.
:fuuuuu:

I've been reading about altering the blood pH to better dissolve and hold in solution the uric acid.
Baking soda (http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic32252.html) seems to help along with the usual dietary/lifestyle steps.

Caveat:
Baking soda dumps a lot of sodium into your body.
Consult your doctor before going that route.

[Acura604]

^^I tried everything. basically now i'm on the meds. it seems to be working now for 6months although I don't eat crap anymore either.

[Cman333]

Yup. I've tried it all too.

I basically just changed my diet (More chicken + veggies), double dose on cherry pills and drink lots of water.

More you piss the better. Dilute the uric acid and get it out your system.

[originalhypa]

I've been pushing my luck lately with beef and beer.
Doing a lot of training for my hockey season, which has led to a desire for red meat. So it started with a burger a few months ago. Then steak, then sausage, until I was eating beef 3 times a week again. As for beer, what goes down better than a cold brew after a hard game?

Fast forward to wednesday night. We were hosting a family bbq, and I ate well. Had a half dozen pints, and at least 12 oz's of beef and sausage.

Thursday at 6am, my knee starts throbbing to the point where I wake up. I remember the last time this happened..... I go into panic mode. 1.5L of lemon water downed in minutes, along with 800mg of Ibuprofin. I applied an ice pack to the area and basically waited to see if it was going to be a full blown case of gout, or a false alarm. It ended up going away around 10am, after another 2L of lemon water.

Needless to say, I've gone pretty much sober vegan again. At least for the next little while. Gout is a buildup of uric acid which in turn creates the purine crystals that plague us. The good thing is that not one incident is going to turn us. It takes a series of "overdoses" on purines before we are hit with an attack. That said, if you're on the edge, all it takes is a night of debauchery to set it off.

I can't wait for cherry season.
:)

[mos_skeeto]

Just curious if anyone has this issue. I told a doctor once and he just chuckled but I find that all my joins crack too often. Everybody has joints that crack but if I sit and watch a tv show, by the next commercial break (~15 mins) my joints start to crack just with regular motion. Everything from my wrist, elbows and legs without really trying. Minor issue but I wonder if it has anything to do with that crystal stuff in the joints.

[ForbiddenX]

Not 100% sure if it has anything to do with the crystals. My joints tend to crack and I've always cracked my knuckles since a kid. I think it could lead to different kinds of arthritis though.

Update from my first gout attack - the pain lingered for about 3-4 weeks after the initial attack. Not as severe but there was always this discomfort on my big toe. Changed my diet a lot and have rarely eaten steaks :( stuck to chicken and a little pork and so far so good. I do have an occasional bite of beef but that's about it.

Drinking a lot of water too nowadays and trying to always take those cherry pills.

When I look back at it before my attack, I felt like I was going to the washroom A LOT even without drinking a lot of water. I was thinking maybe this is a sign of the body trying to get rid of as much uric acid as possible?

[ForbiddenX]

Well... having another gout attack.

For those who have had multiple gout attacks, are the ones after the first one less severe? My foot's been hurting since yesterday but I can't tell if it's the calm before the storm or if it's an actual attack.

I remember the first one, I felt some discomfort the first day but when I woke up the next day it hurt a lot. It hurt yesterday but then now it's just hurting a bit more but not a lot more.

[CorneringArtist]

First time I've been prescribed the strong anti-inflammatories for gout. I've had it off and on for the last few years, but managed to just ride out the pain. Now it's at the point where it felt like I sprained my ankle, and had to see a doctor for it. Now I'm in for uric acid blood testing and screening for other things just in case.

[Skittlez160]

Wow I didn't know such thread existed.

I first got a gout flare back in 2006 but at that point it wasn't treated nor confirmed. From then on I kept getting flares as often as once a month. My worst one last 2-3 weeks and within that time I couldn't walk for 4-6 days. Even walking to the washroom was a challenge.

Eventually I was put on Allopurinol to lower my uric acid levels and Indo Methacin to control the pain and swelling (in the event of a flare). Like most of you, I adjusted my diet but can still work on it to be better.

I was good for a long time, no flares. In the past year I've had maybe 3-4 minor flares that would last 2-5 days tops. That's when I would drink even more water than I normally do and fly high on my anti inflamatories lol

Lately I started drinking 100% black cherry juice, but I'll definitely look into those pills as an alternative. Unlike CMan, I cut down heavily on my beer drinking but I love my steaks lol. It's different for everyone but the lack of beer totally helped me.
Posted via RS Mobile

[originalhypa]

^
welcome to the thread.
:toot:


Well... having another gout attack.

For those who have had multiple gout attacks, are the ones after the first one less severe? My foot's been hurting since yesterday but I can't tell if it's the calm before the storm or if it's an actual attack.

I remember the first one, I felt some discomfort the first day but when I woke up the next day it hurt a lot. It hurt yesterday but then now it's just hurting a bit more but not a lot more.

You have to determine if it's a full blown attack you're getting, or what I call an aftershock. After my first attack, my knee was sore for months. As the doc put it, "your body is trying to fix the damage left by the purine crystals". There are holes where the crystals used to be, and that is going to hurt as the body attempts to fix them.

I get minor attacks every half a year. It's usually caused by my own choices, and can easily be reversed by drinking water, cherry juice, pineapple, etc.

[CorneringArtist]

I think I have to lay off the Indomethacin as the swelling is gone. My ankle is still sore, and I think Hypa summed up why it still hurts a week after the brunt of the pain disappeared. Although, keeping active despite the hurt when I put weight on it does help a bit, maybe it's just adrenaline numbing the pain lol.

[originalhypa]

If you are able to manage it without the drugs, you're better off in the long run. The pills do have side effects, and frankly, they are simply a band aid. They don't fix the underlying problem, which is too much protein/booze/lethargy.

During my attack, I had no gout drugs. Only T3 and pot brownies (it was totally medicinal :woot2:).

Srsly tho, I did a lot of reading during that time and came across this. It was written by Ben Franklin back in 1780. Big Ben was known for his writing, and this piece gave me some laughs as I was nursing the knee.

Dialogue Between Franklin and the Gout

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)

Midnight, 22 October, 1780.


FRANKLIN. Eh! Oh! eh! What have I done to merit these cruel sufferings?

GOUT. Many things; you have ate and drank too freely, and too much indulged those legs of yours in their indolence. 2

FRANKLIN. Who is it that accuses me? 3

GOUT. It is I, even I, the Gout. 4

FRANKLIN. What! my enemy in person? 5

GOUT. No, not your enemy. 6

FRANKLIN. I repeat it, my enemy; for you would not only torment my body
to death, but ruin my good name; you reproach me as a glutton and a tippler; now all the world, that knows me, will allow that I am neither the one nor the other. 7

GOUT. The world may think as it pleases; it is always very complaisant to itself, and sometimes to its friends; but I very well know that the quantity of meat and drink proper for a man, who takes a reasonable degree of exercise, would be too much for another, who never takes any. 8

FRANKLIN. I take—eh! oh!—as much exercise—eh!—as I can, Madam Gout. You know my sedentary state, and on that account, it would seem, Madam Gout, as if you might spare me a little, seeing it is not altogether my own fault. 9

GOUT.in life is a sedentary one, your amusements, your recreation, at least, should be active. You ought to walk or ride; or, if the weather prevents that, play at billiards. But let us examine your course of life. While the mornings are long, and you have leisure to go abroad, what do you do? Why, instead of gaining an appetite for breakfast, by salutary exercise, you amuse yourself with books, pamphlets, or newspapers, which commonly are not worth the reading. Yet you eat an inordinate breakfast, four dishes of tea, with cream, and one or two buttered toasts, with slices of hung beef, which I fancy are not things the most easily digested. Immediately afterwards you sit down to write at your desk, or converse with persons who apply to you on business. Thus the time passes till one, without any kind of bodily exercise. But all this I could pardon, in regard, as you say, to your sedentary condition. But what is your practice after dinner? Walking in the beautiful gardens of those friends with whom you have dined would be the choice of men of sense; yours is to be fixed down to chess, where you are found engaged for two or three hours! This is your perpetual recreation, which is the least eligible of any for a sedentary man, because, instead of accelerating the motion of the fluids, the rigid attention it requires helps to retard the circulation and obstruct internal secretions. Wrapt in the speculations of this wretched game, you destroy your constitution. What can be expected from such a course of living, but a body replete with stagnant humors, ready to fall prey to all kinds of dangerous maladies, if I, the Gout, did not occasionally bring you relief by agitating those humors, and so purifying or dissipating them? If it was in some nook or alley in Paris, deprived of walks, that you played awhile at chess after dinner, this might be excusable; but the same taste prevails with you in Passy, Auteuil, Montmartre, or Sanoy, places where there are the finest gardens and walks, a pure air, beautiful women, and most agreeable and instructive conversation; all which you might enjoy by frequenting the walks. But these are rejected for this abominable game of chess. Fie, then, Mr. Franklin! But amidst my instructions, I had almost forgot to administer my wholesome corrections; so take that twinge,—and that. 10

FRANKLIN. Oh! eh! oh! Ohhh! As much instruction as you please, Madam Gout, and as many reproaches; but pray, Madam, a truce with your corrections! 11

GOUT. No, Sir, no,—I will not abate a particle of what is so much for your good,—therefore— 12

FRANKLIN. Oh! ehhh!—It is not fair to say I take no exercise, when I do very often, going out to dine and returning in my carriage. 13

GOUT. That, of all imaginable exercises, is the most slight and insignificant, if you allude to the motion of a carriage suspended on springs. By observing the degree of heat obtained by different kinds of motion, we may form an estimate of the quantity of exercise given by each. Thus, for example, if you turn out to walk in winter with cold feet, in an hour’s time you will be in a glow all over; ride on horseback, the same effect will scarcely be perceived by four hours’ round trotting; but if you loll in a carriage, such as you have mentioned, you may travel all day and gladly enter the last inn to warm your feet by a fire. Flatter yourself then no longer, that half an hour’s airing in your carriage deserves the name of exercise. Providence has appointed few to roll in carriages, while he has given to all a pair of legs, which are machines infinitely more commodious and serviceable. Be grateful, then, and make a proper use of yours. Would you know how they forward the circulation of your fluids, in the very action of transporting you from place to place; observe when you walk, that all your weight is alternately thrown from one leg to the other; this occasions a great pressure on the vessels of the foot, and repels their contents; when relieved, by the weight being thrown on the other foot, the vessels of the first are allowed to replenish, and, by a return of this weight, this repulsion again succeeds; thus accelerating the circulation of the blood. The heat produced in any given time depends on the degree of this acceleration; the fluids are shaken, the humors attenuated, the secretions facilitated, and all goes well; the cheeks are ruddy, and health is established. Behold your fair friend at Auteuil; a lady who received from bounteous nature more really useful science than half a dozen such pretenders to philosophy as you have been able to extract from all your books. When she honors you with a visit, it is on foot. She walks all hours of the day, and leaves indolence, and its concomitant maladies, to be endured by her horses. In this, see at once the preservative of her health and personal charms. But when you go to Auteuil, you must have your carriage, though it is no farther from Passy to Auteuil than from Auteuil to Passy. 14

FRANKLIN. Your reasonings grow very tiresome. 15

GOUT. I stand corrected. I will be silent and continue my office; take that, and that. 16

FRANKLIN. Oh! Ohh! Talk on, I pray you. 17

GOUT. No, no; I have a good number of twinges for you to-night, and you may be sure of some more tomorrow. 18

FRANKLIN. What, with such a fever! I shall go distracted. Oh! eh! Can no one bear it for me? 19

GOUT. Ask that of your horses; they have served you faithfully. 20

FRANKLIN. How can you so cruelly sport with my torments 21

GOUT. Sport! I am very serious. I have here a list of offenses against your own health distinctly written, and can justify every stroke inflicted on you. 22

FRANKLIN. Read it then. 23

GOUT. It is too long a detail; but I will briefly mention some particulars. 24

FRANKLIN. Proceed. I am all attention. 25

GOUT. Do you remember how often you have promised yourself, the following morning, a walk in the grove of Boulogne, in the garden de la Muette, or in your own garden, and have violated your promise, alleging, at one time, it was too cold, at another too warm, too windy, too moist, or what else you pleased; when in truth it was too nothing, but your insuperable love of ease? 26

FRANKLIN. That I confess may have happened occasionally, probably ten times in a year. 27

GOUT. Your confession is very far short of the truth; the gross amount is one hundred and ninety-nine times. 28

FRANKLIN. Is it possible? 29

GOUT. So possible, that it is fact; you may rely on the accuracy of my statement. You know M. Brillon’s gardens, and what fine walks they contain; you know the handsome flight of an hundred steps, which lead from the terrace above to the lawn below. You have been in the practice of visiting this amiable family twice a week, after dinner, and it is a maxim of your own, that “a man may take as much exercise in walking a mile, up and down stairs, as in ten on level ground.” What an opportunity was here for you to have had exercise in both these ways! Did you embrace it, and how often? 30

FRANKLIN. I cannot immediately answer that question. 31

GOUT. I will do it for you; not once. 32

FRANKLIN. Not once? 33

GOUT. Even so. During the summer you went there at six o’ clock. You found the charming lady, with her lovely children and friends, eager to walk with you, and entertain you with their agreeable conversation; and what has been your choice? Why, to sit on the terrace, satisfy yourself with the fine prospect, and passing your eye over the beauties of the garden below, without taking one step to descend and walk about in them. On the contrary, you call for tea and the chess-board; and lo! you are occupied in your seat till nine o’clock, and that besides two hours’ play after dinner; and then, instead of walking home, which would have bestirred you a little, you step into your carriage. How absurd to suppose that all this carelessness can be reconcilable with health, without my interposition! 34

FRANKLIN. I am convinced now of the justness of Poor Richard’s remark, that “Our debts and our sins are always greater than we think for.” 35

GOUT. So it is. You philosophers are sages in your maxims, and fools in your conduct. 36

FRANKLIN. But do you charge among my crimes, that I return in a carriage from M. Brillon’s? 37

GOUT. Certainly; for, having been seated all the while, you cannot object the fatigue of the day, and cannot want therefore the relief of a carriage. 38

FRANKLIN. What then would you have me do with my carriage? 39

GOUT. Burn it if you choose; you would at least get heat out of it once in this way; or, if you dislike that proposal, here’s another for you; observe the poor peasants, who work in the vineyards and grounds about the villages of Passy, Auteuil, Chaillot, etc.; you may find every day among these deserving creatures, four or five old men and women, bent and perhaps crippled by weight of years, and too long and too great labor. After a most fatiguing day, these people have to trudge a mile or two to their smoky huts. Order your coachman to set them down. This is an act that will be good for your soul; and, at the same time, after your visit to the Brillons, if you return on foot, that will be good for your body. 40

FRANKLIN. Ah! how tiresome you are! 41

GOUT. Well, then, to my office; it should not be forgotten that I am your physician. There. 42

FRANKLIN. Ohhh! what a devil of a physician! 43

GOUT. How ungrateful you are to say so! Is it not I who, in the character of your physician, have saved you from the palsy, dropsy, and apoplexy? one or other of which would have done for you long ago, but for me. 44

FRANKLIN. I submit, and thank you for the past, but entreat the discontinuance of your visits for the future; for, in my mind, one had better die than be cured so dolefully. Permit me just to hint, that I have also not been unfriendly to you. I never feed physician or quack of any kind, to enter the list against you; if then you do not leave me to my repose, it may be said you are ungrateful too. 45

GOUT. I can scarcely acknowledge that as any objection. As to quacks, I despise them; they may kill you indeed, but cannot injure me. And, as to regular physicians, they are at last convinced that the gout, in such a subject as you are, is no disease, but a remedy; and wherefore cure a remedy?—but to our business,—there. 46

FRANKLIN. Oh! oh!—for Heaven’s sake leave me! and I promise faithfully never more to play at chess, but to take exercise daily, and live temperately. 47

GOUT. I know you too well. You promise fair; but, after a few months of good health, you will return to your old habits; your fine promises will be forgotten like the forms of the last year’s clouds. Let us then finish the account, and I will go. But I leave you with an assurance of visiting you again at a proper time and place; for my object is your good, and you are sensible now that I am your real friend.


Many will TL/DR, but those who do may begin to look at their syndrome a little differently.

[ForbiddenX]

Anyone have gout on BOTH feet? I started to feel some discomfort on my left foot this weekend and kind of felt similar to gout but I wasn't really sure. It wasn't as severe as the first time I had it on my right foot, I was still able to walk a bit (but not so much) and put a little pressure on the foot.

The next few days though at night and going to bed the area where my leg connects with my foot hurt so much. It was pulsating and just really really painful, I couldn't even sleep cause of the pain. The toe area hurt as well but it wasn't where the pain at night was. This kept me thinking that it wasn't gout and was something else.

Has anyone else felt that kind of pain in the ankle area but your gout is on the toe? It only ever happens at night. I went to the doctor today and he did say that it is probably gout, and prescribed some meds to take over the next few days. He couldn't tell me what was causing the pain in the ankle area though.

[originalhypa]

If it's gout, you will know.
we're talking an 8-9/10 for pain. Throbbing, hot burning, pain for days. I can't walk when my gout kicks in. I'm forced to use crutches and an ass ton of painkillers.

You can get a blood test that tells you your uric acid levels. But the only way to truly know if you have gout is to get a big ass needle inserted into the area so they can look for the crystals in your synovial fluid.

Sick.
:heckno:

[ForbiddenX]

I guess the pain is similar to what I felt during the follow up attacks after my first one. I just don't know what this pain is in that ankle area. The pain is just unbearable at night and I cant walk either but not because of the toe.

The doc prescribed Indomethacin this time around but I also have some left over naproxen from my previous attacks.

I hope it never ever has to come to that. I don't want a needle stuck where all that pain is. No. no. no.

[originalhypa]

My doc said the same thing about the needle. Why take the chance of introducing something into the area when the evidence all pointed to gout? Family history, high uric acid, red/warm area of pain, and the intensity of pain are enough to know what you're dealing with.

While it's rare, I've read of people who have it in multiple areas in their body. It's called Polyarticular Gout, and I truly feel for you if you have it.

How long has it been since your last attack?

[ForbiddenX]

My last attack was about a year ago now. I've been pretty good with my diet but I guess I might've out did myself when drinking a little bit more beer and more red meat than usual :(

I was really really hoping it wasn't gout especially since it was on my left foot instead of my right foot. But like you said all evidence did point to gout again. It's still been painful especially at night but not where the pain is during the day. Only been on the meds for 2 days though.

[flipkronikz]

Ugh...having a gout attack since last night 10pm. First time in 3 years. Very painful as of now.

[originalhypa]

I feel for you man.
Drink lots of water, eat cherries and pineapple, and hit those pain meds hard.

[ForbiddenX]

Yea man :( I ended up seeing a podiatrist and put me in a boot for a while. Still recovering from my latest attack.

[flipkronikz]

Yup. Still recovering from my attack. 6 days now. Took 100mg indomethacin yesterday but none today. Blood work says uric acid is high.

[ForbiddenX]

Got another attack :( had a very minor flare up a few months ago but I took off the shelf naporxen which seemed to help.

Went to the doctor today and got prescribed some Vimovo again.

Also recommended using daily meds to keep my uric avid levels down. Anyone have experience with Allopurinol?

[CorneringArtist]

Got another attack :( had a very minor flare up a few months ago but I took off the shelf naporxen which seemed to help.

Went to the doctor today and got prescribed some Vimovo again.

Also recommended using daily meds to keep my uric avid levels down. Anyone have experience with Allopurinol?

I've had to use Allopurinol for a bit after my last attack. It doesn't prevent an outright attack, but it bring uric acid down enough to ward off spikes. If I know I'm going to be in a situation where I may run into an increase (ie. free "order what you want" steak and lobster dinner at The Keg a couple of weeks ago), I took it for a day just in case, and had some Naproxen as well.

[Dasani]

Got another attack :( had a very minor flare up a few months ago but I took off the shelf naporxen which seemed to help.

Went to the doctor today and got prescribed some Vimovo again.

Also recommended using daily meds to keep my uric avid levels down. Anyone have experience with Allopurinol?

I'm on Allopurinal and have been on it for about 4 months now. I take 1 200mg pill in the morning with no side fx so far! It's like what Cornering said with it just lowering uric acid, but it could surprisingly also cause an attack when initially taking it, lol.

I used to take Indomethacin for attacks, but it suddenly made me pretty sick so I couldn't take it anymore. Cochicine is my go to med now for when attacks happen, and it has done wonders for when it has happened. You should inquire about them with the doc.

[6793026]

Side track, I see my rheumatologist every 6 months now (while I don't have gout, my sickness it falls under the rheumatology also).

I have tried Cochicine, didn't work. I am now on azathioprine for 2 yrs now.

[Acura604]

just had an attack 2 weeks ago...this is how i fought it with success.

June 21 - 8pm - severe swelling, pain in my big toe / right foot. unbearable.

June 22 - woke up to full on gout attack. drank 10 glasses of water.

June 23 - gout attack still on - calmed it a bit via ADVIL pain killers. drank 10 glasses of water. put ice on the toe.

June 24 - gout attack still on - purchased a huge bag of cherries - ate about 40 a day - drank 10 glasses of water.

June 25 - ate another 40 cherries, drank 10 glasses of water - gout attack still on. more ice on the toe.

June 26 - continued usage of ADVIL on days when pain was unbearable - drank 10 glasses of water and about 20 cherries

June 27 - gout attack slowly decreasing - swelling and pain in toe almost gone. drank 10 glasses of water

June 28 - GOUT attack OVER - full mobility, no problems no pain.

So.. a week of agony vs on average, 3 weeks..i'll take that! i did not go see a doctor but at the end of the day, I know my body can tell me quickly to stop eating shit that will lead to another attack- so i'm careful... and will continue the 10 glasses of water everyday. YES i peed alot..but thats a good thing.

[smoothie.]

do you guys not drink 10+ glasses of water on a regular day?

[Acura604]

do you guys not drink 10+ glasses of water on a regular day?

in my typical office environment, then at home chillin'...honestly, i'm damn lazy to do so.. and i should!

[ForbiddenX]

I haven't started my allopurinol yet because I've been reading and a lot of the resources that have come up say that it's likely an attack will occur once I start. Since it's going to be breaking down the crystals already in my system.

I also try to drink as much water as possible, even got a soda stream to change it up lol.

[MSREE]

Hi guys,

Blood work says uric acid is high - I got prescribed Allopurinol as a preventative. I bought it but not taking it rn because I've been giving my liver a rest for over a year now (trying to heal my liver).

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with gout in the hip? Where on your body do you usually get your gout attacks?
I've noticed my hips have gotten super tight, and have some moments during the month where my left hip is more painful than usual. I do a lot of hip stretches/hip opener poses and I started working on hip strengthening exercises at the gym. Also have episodes where my knees are sore but I think it's due to a past hiking injury... I usually feel the soreness before it rains.

Thanks in advance :)

[UnknownJinX]

My uric acid used to be slightly higher than normal. Not nearly high enough that will cause gout, though.

From what I know, gout usually happens around joints, mainly fingers and toes, as well as knees.

Like mentioned, don't eat beans or seafood, and less meat. Drink more water.

[MSREE]

My uric acid used to be slightly higher than normal. Not nearly high enough that will cause gout, though.

From what I know, gout usually happens around joints, mainly fingers and toes, as well as knees.

Like mentioned, don't eat beans or seafood, and less meat. Drink more water.

Yeah, my doc said I don't have gout as of right now so I still have time to lower it naturally... I've been using spirulina/chlorella powder so far and things are looking good minus the odd times my hip gets messed up lol. I eat fairly healthy regularly as Im allergic to meat/shellfish and drink about 4-6L of water a day. Looking into raw organic celery juicing .. I've read it does wonders if you take 16 Oz. Every morning.

I'm hoping my hip isn't gout and its just something else :fullofwin:

[UnknownJinX]

Yeah, my doc said I don't have gout as of right now so I still have time to lower it naturally... I've been using spirulina/chlorella powder so far and things are looking good minus the odd times my hip gets messed up lol. I eat fairly healthy regularly as Im allergic to meat/shellfish and drink about 4-6L of water a day. Looking into raw organic celery juicing .. I've read it does wonders if you take 16 Oz. Every morning.

I'm hoping my hip isn't gout and its just something else :fullofwin:Did your doctor show you exactly how much uric acid you have? I don't think you have to worry about gout unless your uric acid is a lot higher than higher limit.

I think at one point my uric acid level was like 100 umol/L over the higher limit. I had no apparent symptoms.

[MSREE]

Did your doctor show you exactly how much uric acid you have? I don't think you have to worry about gout unless your uric acid is a lot higher than higher limit.

I think at one point my uric acid level was like 100 umol/L over the higher limit. I had no apparent symptoms.

He did, I don't recall the # exactly. He just expressed the Allopurinol was for prevention and I wasn't specifically in a danger zone yet. So I guess the chances of it being gout are very low then :ahwow:

kinda relieved but now its a mystery :okay:

[blaze142]

When you start to take allopurinol, one of the side effects is that it can trigger a gout attack so make sure you drink lots of water.