Gout. Ever had it?

[swamp]

I developed gout in my right big toe this weekend. It's the same foot I have a neuroma on this sucks. 

[constanz22]

I've never had it, but mom's SO get's it pretty regularly. I think I've heard them talk about some kind of cherry juice as being very helpful in getting rid of it. Worth a try...

[zibazinski]

DF has it. It's freaking painful.

[Deleted]

I thought I had it once because my toe was so swollen and painful.  I turned out to have what the doctor called "pot roast" toe.  He probably made up the name, but something heavy falls out of your freezer and lands on your toe.  He said you don't have bruising with gout.

Anyway, I did a lot of research online.  There was a lot of good information, which I have forgotten most of.  However, I do know that you can't drink beer.  Gout is a build-up of uric acid that forms crystals.  Think of getting stabbed by an icicle.

I think about gout every time I drink a beer (which is fairly often). 

You have my sympathy. 

[mmhmm]

I haven't had it but DH did, and he also had the neuroma.  On top of that, he couldn't tolerate colchicine.  NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen, help with the discomfort; however, you'll probably require the medical dose (800mg) to have any effect.  Definitely see your doctor, as there are medications that can help reduce the production of uric acid.  I'm really sorry, Swamp.  I know it's painful as all heck!

Drink lots of water.  That's important.  Also, cut back on meats (including beef, fowl, pork and fish) and get your proteins from other foods (dairy, nutbutters, eggs, etc.).  Avoid alcohol, especially during the acute stage.  That's all I got.

[Deleted]

DH gets it and had bad side effects from the medications.  We keep dried cherries around and any time he thinks the gout is acting up again he has a bunch of them.  It doesn't stop the attack as fast as the meds do, but it does stop them and he's much happier with the dried cherry remedy.

[mmhmm]

I think I read somewhere it was black cherry juice that was supposed to help.  I know my DH drank it, but I don't know if it helped much.  It didn't seem to, but he may not have had it often enough, or enough of it.

[Deleted]

DH got in his left big toe. When I asked him about it he said he hasn't had an attack in 10 years.

He did clean up his diet with respect to red meat but still drinks plenty of beer. He takes a med called allonpurinol.

[dannylion]

FWIW, I have neuromas in both feet.  After several years of wearing nice comfy shoes (wide enough and with good arch support), they have actually resolved without any treatment.  The right shoes made all the difference in dealing with them when they were at their worst.

WRT the gout, I have transcribed office notes for orthopedic surgeons for many years.  The foot specialists mention various types of gout medications (colchicine, Indocin, and the like) as well as a "gout-prudent diet," though they never elaborate on the diet.  I expect a google search would turn up some information on the diet.  For the most part, it seems that gout is treated by primary care physicians, so that would be a good place to start. 

I hope your foot feels better soon. 

[Shooby]

Stop drinking !  lol 

[mtman]

I get gout two or three times a year......Doc prescribed Indomethacin.....Works wonders, pain gone within twenty-four hours.....Cranberry juice (real juice, not from concentrate) works to keep your uric levels down.

[NancysSummerSip]

Not yet, but I was close a few years ago, when my uric acid levels shot up. I noticed a problem when I had pain in my left big toe. I increased my water intake and watch my intake of foods high in uric acid and it's no longer a problem. Gout runs in my family, so I am likely susceptible, unless I am careful. My pain was temporary, and I would not care to repeat the experience.

[motherto2]

I have neuromas in both fee, but the right one is the worst.  Thankfully I've never had gout.  My brother and stepdad used to get it.  My sympathies  Does having neuromas have anything to do with getting the gout? 

[Nazgul Girl]

   I am very sorry you are going through this, Swamp.   I think that I might be getting it too, since I have pain in small toes on my left foot.   I've got to drink more water for sure.   I hope the doctor is able to help you.

[Deleted]

My step father drinks black cherry juice. He also has a prescription but I don't know which drug he takes.

[wvugurl26]

One of my friends has it. He's been suffering pretty good. I know he has a prescription, not sure what. I don't know if the specialist he was referred to is helping. He got sent to one since he's only 39.

I know beer is a no no. Turkey is also bad and I think anything high protein in general is bad. He used to eat high protein and work out like crazy which may have led to him having gout at 39.

[Jaguar]

Sorry Swamp.

[973beachbum]

DH's brother had gout.  It isn't something that you get like the flu and then you are done.  It is a life long thing if you develop it.  People with gout really need to go to a Dr and get tested.  If it is positively gout they need to be put on a low purine diet.  The crystals that make up gouty arthritis, that are the hallmark of gout, can cause permant damage.  Think about a piece of meat that gets freezer burn from ice crystals.

The low purine diet that he went on was a LOT more complicated than don't eat red meat and beer.    The worst foods ,which he needed to almost never eat,  do include things organ meats and beer, but also include lots of food that I wouldn't have thought of like, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, black-eyed peas, lentils, kidney beans, limabeans, navy beans, all meat gravies or stocks, anchovies, sardines, salmon, herring, mackerel, clams, squid, crab anything made with yeast like beer and bread. .  There are probably many more things that I forgot.  

Anyone who thinks they have gout should really get it tested by a Dr so they can be put on the proper diet and treated with meds as needed.  IMO this isn't something that should be self treated.

[swamp]

Jul 28, 2013 22:12:22 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Turkey is also bad and I think anything high protein in general is bad. 

That's the kicker.  I'm supposed to eat a high protein low carb diet for my other health issues.  What the hell am I supposed to eat now?

[973beachbum]

Jul 29, 2013 9:44:25 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jul 28, 2013 22:12:22 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Turkey is also bad and I think anything high protein in general is bad. 

That's the kicker.  I'm supposed to eat a high protein low carb diet for my other health issues.  What the hell am I supposed to eat now?

And it isn't just things high in protien.  that is why I said see a Dr to have them put you on a special diet.  Shellfish is bad.  spinach and asperagus are bad.  You really shouldn't live on mashed potatoes and ice cream.

I used to host Thanksgiving every year with DH's family.  Talk about a hard holiday to cook for when someone has gout.

[Deleted]

Drink more water.
Eat healthy proteins - quinoa, almond butter, seeded breads, tofu for example.  Using small servings of meat/chicken with your meal will help you, but make it high quality product (do you have a butcher shop where you can get grass-fed beef & buy higher end cuts?)  My DD does the most fantastic & colorful salads and breakfasts (there are greens in everything)

Do you have other issues like hypertension that are contributing to gout being a problem?  You might need a total diet overhaul!!

I can PM you my daughters FB fitness/diet site if you are interested, but be warned as she is hard core into healthy eating (makes her own almond milk, makes nettle soup, there is green-stuff in most breakfasts, pancakes have organic peanut butter/bananas cooked into them).  It's not for the faint of heart.  She has emptied the "crap" out of my fridge on more than one occasion and lectured me a lot about my evil food ways.  She knows what she's talking about, but I'm not much of a cook, so it's hard for me to adopt what she suggests.  I have gotten about half way there in that I don't buy bad foods anymore.

[swamp]

No, i'm insulin resistant and have polycystic ovarian disease. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'd say confirm with your doctor and see a nutrionist who can work with you to develop a diet/meal plan/what have you that will work for the insulin resistance , PCOS and the gout.  Good luck!

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2013 9:44:25 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jul 28, 2013 22:12:22 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Turkey is also bad and I think anything high protein in general is bad. 

That's the kicker.  I'm supposed to eat a high protein low carb diet for my other health issues.  What the hell am I supposed to eat now?