GOUT

[MikeInWimbledon]

My Wife remembered she had some some Naproxen that she was given at the Hospital when she had her second hip replacement.
Well I started taking them yesterday and this morning , the relief has been marvellous, there are few left for later today and tomorrow.
I know you shouldn’t take medication not prescribed for yourself, but this has given me such relief.
Still laid up but feeling better.

Good to hear that you're feeling better. Just a reminder to raise the leg and give the foot a cold compress - the old fashioned way of reducing the swelling. Ice in a plastic bag inside a rolled towel will work. (Not ice directly on the skin). Don't forget to keep sipping the water - some find it easy, others, including my brother, find it almost impossible to drink plain water. (I don't know why).

Here are the main food culprits. (Some of the best things in life):

Foods to Avoid With Gout

High-Purine Foods Include:

• Alcoholic beverages (all types)
• Some fish, seafood and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout and haddock
• Some meats, such as bacon, turkey, veal, venison and organ meats like liver

Moderate Purine Foods Include:

• Meats, such as beef, chicken, duck, pork and ham
• Shellfish, such as crab, lobster, oysters and shrimp
  
  

 

[alzieboy]

Good to hear that you're feeling better. Just a reminder to raise the leg and give the foot a cold compress - the old fashioned way of reducing the swelling. Ice in a plastic bag inside a rolled towel will work. (Not ice directly on the skin). Don't forget to keep sipping the water - some find it easy, others, including my brother, find it almost impossible to drink plain water. (I don't know why).

Here are the main food culprits. (Some of the best things in life):

Foods to Avoid With Gout

High-Purine Foods Include:

• Alcoholic beverages (all types)
• Some fish, seafood and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout and haddock
• Some meats, such as bacon, turkey, veal, venison and organ meats like liver

Moderate Purine Foods Include:

• Meats, such as beef, chicken, duck, pork and ham
• Shellfish, such as crab, lobster, oysters and shrimp
  

Hi
I appreciate the help and knowledge you have taken the time to pass on to me .

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I've had gout for most of my adult life.....all I can say is that after going onto Allopurinol about 12 years ago, I've never looked back. I eat and drink what I like and never have a problem (the only time I may get a niggle is if I've had a big week on red meat and port/redwine/cognac type products). The worst attack I ever had was when I tried the Atkins diet about 15 years ago ---the food you are allowed to eat seems to all be purine loaded (the stuff that causes gout attacks.

As far as I know the are zero side effects from Allopurinol - so why suffer.

 

[whitenemesis]

As far as I know the are zero side effects from Allopurinol - so why suffer.

No drug is free from side effects but certainly they are relatively rare with Allopurinol.
Most common side effects are rashes or stomach upsets. A rash could be indicative of severe intolerance or possible sensitisation.
Rarely Allopurinol can elevate the blood pressure, cause vertigo/dizziness and change liver/kidney functions. There are s few reports of seizures.

 

[Swotty]

I had it in my late 20s wen I worked at a hospital in Birmingham. I toddled down to A&E and, apart from the sheer embarrassment and the p*ss take from the doctors, most of whom I had appointed, I was surprised to be told it was probably down to an excess of curries.

I had started the infatuation as a student in Bradford and there met a West Indian girl who taught me to cook W.I. curries as well as Asian so I was a case waiting to happen.

Funnily enough, this Xmas day I cooked a curry and this morning, guess what. There is some info on 'tinternet.

I eat tons of seafood and that's never caused it with me. We must each have different tolerance levels, but keep an eye open in case it's the curry effect.

Stuart

 

[John]

It always seemed to be cheese that caused my late F-I-L's gout.

Might well have been alcohol it seems.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

The side effects of Allopurinol aren't really that significant.

That's all part and parcel of why Americans over 45 take four prescription drugs every day (sic), typically to "manage" gout, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, arthritis, acid reflux, and a variety of health issues.

Medication is a workaround to a symptom, but the point I was making earlier was more that it's better to address cause than symptom.

If your diet is high in alcohol, red meat, fat or whatever, you can manage down one symptom, but there are a number of other issues wafting about in there - weight gain, fitness, flexibility, cholesterol, atherosclerosis, acid reflux , diabetes etc etc. If you work on the cause of one issue, you're more likely to reduce the likelihood of other issues.

Virtually everyone I know who has signed out before 75, or has had poor health from sixty onwards has had it on the back of lifestyle diet, weight, depression, and fitness issues. (The exception being a poor sod who had work related asbestosis). If they'd done something before it got out of control, rather than masking the symptoms they would have had a reasonable chance of living into their eighties with reasonable quality of life.

Which all sounds a bit....morbid...after Christmas, but I've seen too many friends and relatives die before retirement or struggle with a poor quality retirement, because they weren't prepared to do something about that 36 inch waist, to walk around a bit during the day, or to give up the fags.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Don't need medicine.. I don't drink, but suffer from gout. I've been "told" that its related to type 2 diabetes, not sure how true that is.. but I've been on Tart Cherry Extract now for years, my last attack was 8 years ago now. Never had it since. for a rapid cure go to Asda/Tesco and buy a punit of Black Cherries and munch away merrily.. the pain/swelling will subside quickly..
Cherries are a known anti inflammatory and also contain an anti toxin against the Uric acid build up. Its the latter that turns to crystals and settle between the joint and force it apart creating the pain & swelling. If you have gout, you need to drink fluids more, like water NOT alcoholic fluids though.. also look for a rather delicious drink in Tescos called "Cherry Juice" - Tescos own brand. Its made from the Mulch of cherries, a superb drink and guess what.. helps gout!!
I use Tart Cherry Extract as I get a lot of joint pain, in particular when "Tinkering" and its great.. don't suffer at all..
A Glass of Juice before bed and you'll sleep like a log.. it has that effect too, allows you into a deep sleep at night for all the insomniacs among you - ask me how I know Lols!

P.S I'm 54 and don't like frequenting the Doc's much.. rather do it holistically if I can..

P.P.S I can eat anything, there are no side effects from the above as its a natural "medicine"..

 

[whitenemesis]

there are no side effects from the above as its a natural "medicine"..

Again, not strictly true but the side effects are much less than other anti-inflammatory medication.

The extract is less likely to cause side effects as these come mostly from the relatively high levels of sorbitol in the juice. Not a serious effect but can cause digestive discomfort and diarrhea. The juice also contain a significant amount of fructose, so those with diabetes needs to be aware. Those with blood pressure concerns or are taking blood thinning medication should be aware that the juice contains relatively large amounts of cyclooxygenase, this enzyme can adversely affect their medications.

All in all Tart cherry is a great 'medicine' probably best taken as the extract in a capsule. Unless you are after the sedative effects afforded by the melatonin content, then a single small glass of juice before bed is recommended (previously mentioned caveats apply)

 

[anglaslt]

also look for a rather delicious drink in Tescos called "Cherry Juice" - Tescos own brand. Its made from the Mulch of cherries, a superb drink and guess what.. helps gout!!

Is this cherry juice 100% cherry?

Here we can only find "Cherry Nectar" which is minimum 35% cherry concentrate plus added water and sugar but I'm not sure if this would be of any anti-inflammatory benefit.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

The key part is the "Mulch" its from pure cherries, others are concentrate or processed juices. Its the fastest thing into the system if currently suffering.. As Whitenemisis says Extract is the best, but for speed into the system juice or punit works as a starter. I don't suffer the symptoms he describes in his post and I've been on them for years..and I haven't had an attack now for years.. and I eat red meat blah blah.. again no ill effects.. I can remember my last attack, wasn't nice, but! I've been free now for a very long time..and glad to be free.. apple cider vinegar is another remedy.. a glass in the morning in water is supposed to have a neutralizing effect - tried it but didn't like the taste..
Look for a Polish product called Tymbark they made a pure "Cherry Juice"..