Possible relief? Too good to be true?

[dickey]

Well, I have had occasional flareups for the last 15 years, but it was always after I ate something I shouldn't have--Scallops,steak,beer,etc. haven't been able to move my right big toe since '94. 1 or 2 Sulindacs & I was good to go.
This past August, I had 2 beers,which I almost never drink anymore. I got constant flareups that would go away after popping an Indocin or 2. This past Christmas, after some good cheer & pigging out, I got constant acute gout that would only go away after a day of Indocin. Stop the Indocin,back it comes. First in my big toe,swollen up like crazy, then the little bone on the side of my toe;all red & swollen too. Last couple weeks it went to my knee & shin,swollen up like Popeye, and slightest movement sends me through the roof. Can't sleep,hard to work. Started Allopurinol last week, and after 2 major flareups, it seems my toe swelling has gone down for the 1st time in 15 years, and the little sidebone swelling is down & no longer red. My knee is still stiff & swollen, but not much pain at all. My last Indocin was 15 hours ago, but I've had cold compress on my knee most of the day, as I have to go to work tomorrow. I am the only employee of my company in my state, so I absolutely CANNOT call in sick, I GOTTA be there.(I actually went to work while in heart failure due to A-Fib 2 years ago). I'm wondering--can the Allopurinol be working after only 1 week of 300mg/day?

[thurstonb]

Allopurinol is a long-term drug, designed to reduce or control the uric acid levels over an extended period of time. And you are not supposed to take it during a gout attack because of all things it can actually cause a flare up.

My own experience with allopurinol was similar to yours. I was on a low dosage (100) for a bit, doubled it after a week or so because I was still having problems, then finally increased it to 300. After that my problems went away completely. I've never had gout since.

I actually went against my doctors advice and stopped taking it. He told me I'd be on it for life but I wasn't keen on that. I made some significant changes in my diet. In particular I cut out all alcohol. I went from having far too much alcohol to none at all overnight! And for me I think that was the big change that I needed (And not just for my gout!)

I believe for me the allopurinol gave my system the kick-start it needed to get back on track, but the other changes I made have kept the gout away since.

It sounds like Allopurinol is doing the trick for you. That's great news.