I Have Gout...Again!!

[RB60]

It's back again, and with cruel vengeance! I have had a few attacks over the last few years, mostly in the big toe. Although they only had me down for a few days and the pain was usually gone in a week or so, this latest attack is pure evil!! It started over two weeks ago in the big toe again and it hurt pretty bad, but then it moved to the "ball" of the foot and, well, it gave me quite a limp. It took almost 5 minutes to put a shoe on, but I still went to work.
Now, it has moved to my ankle (the toe and "ball" are still sore) and I can't recall ever having pain like this! It is worse than pancreatitus, which I have had a few times. I cannot walk at all! Putting a shoe on is NOT an option right now. Just making it to the bathroom is a time consuming (and VERY painful) accomplishment.
I have been reading the posts here (I am a new member) and i am hoping to find out more about this gout, (gout seems to be such a simple and silly name for something as painful as it is) and how I can get some relief. So, to all of you gout sufferers, I feel your pain, and wish you ALL to become pain free.
Well, I guess I am done "sounding off" and will get back to reading some more posts.

[c matthews]

I would go to your GP for a blood test asap

[RB60]

Thanks for the suggestion, C. I did go to the Doc yesterday since I took off work, and he took some blood, but I haven't received the results yet. He also gave me a prescription, which eased the pain enough to try to go to work today. Unfortunately, the side effects when taken on an empty stomach this morning were too much, causing lightheaded, dizziness and slight confusion, so I came back home. I am a machinist and did not feel comfortable running machinery. In the confusion, I left the prescription in my lunch bag at work, and didn't realize I had my safety glasses on until half way home. The Doc did tell me there could be some side effects, he was correct! I will wait until it's about time to take another one, head back to work and get them, as the Doc recommended I take them on schedule today. Not sure what they are, but don't think they are narcotic (I have a high tolerance to narcotic pain killers). They do seem to help, so I will take them today as directed, he said I should be ok without them tomorrow...we'll see.

[I_think]

Can you put the prescription here?

[RB60]

It is "INDOMETHACIN 50 MG CAPSULE" common name "INDOCIN", taken 3 times daily. The pain is NOT gone, but it has subsided enough that I can go back to work today. I believe the side effects were caused by not taking it with food, as I rarely eat breakfast. I also slept most of the day and woke this morning with a slight headache. I still have some pain in the toe joint, but compared to what it was, this is a relief.

[I_think]

Dear Rb60, We are sailing in the same boat this moment. I got my third attack this early morning at 3am. that was because i had stopped medication.

well is that all doctor asked you to take? The drug should work as pain killer and anti-inflammatory.
but what about controlling uric acid? nothing given?

and yes in most of gout pain, painkillers wont vanish your pain. so if its lowered enough for daily activity. it must be ok. but yes a reminder again... what has doctor prescribed for controlling uric acid level.

[RB60]

Nothing yet, as I have not received the blood test results. He asked if I drink much but I haven't had any alcohol in years, nor have I eaten shellfish in months. I am one not to take prescription drugs unless it is absolutely necessary, I have high cholesterol and the prescribed treatments have given me muscle pain and damage, so hopefully the results don't show too high a level of uric acid. My attacks aren't too frequent, I have had about 5 or 6 over the last 5 years, this one being the worst. I have continued taking the medication after work today and before bed last night, this morning I am feeling a bit better, there is still some lingering pain though. I will let you know when I get the test results back, and if or what medication I may be prescribed. Hope you are feeling better today.

[dickey]

Be careful with the Indocin--It caused my kidney function (GFR) to go out of wack;fortunately it is back to normal after stopping drug. Indocin will relieve the pain quickly (about 4 hours) but not totally. Prednisone 1 week tapered dose works best for me--Went from being on crutches to being able to RUN in about 4-5 hours. Completely eliminates pain, but you can't take it for long, so you gotta be prepared with Colchicine or Allopuirinol at the same time.

[RB60]

Thanks for the "heads-up" on the Indocin. I have quit taking them since I am back on my feet and working, I took a total of five altogether, at the recommended intervals. There is still some soreness in the toe, but the unrelenting pain has subsided, and the pain in the ankle is gone.
The test results showed an elevated, but not alarming, level of uric acid, so the Doc and I agreed that no further or on-going treatment is needed at this time.
As I recall, this condition seems to be seasonal, mostly occurring in the spring, although I did have one attack in the summer last year (fortunately, I was laid-off from work at the time).
Also, I made about 5 lbs. of beef jerky and was eating quite a bit of it when this came on. Has anyone else had similar attacks from eating beef jerky? If this has triggered my attack, it would be the first time in my life this has happened, as I have been making and eating it for years and don't recall any attacks from it in the past (I make it on a whim, not at any specific time during the year).

[I_think]

nothing as such is my experience. Can you please put what is ur uric acid level when tested?

[Shawn Nadel]

how did it turn out?

[RB60]

When I went to the Doc, I had mentioned that I didn't want any ongoing treatments or medications unless it was absolutely necessary. When I was informed of the test results (which also included a lipid panel test for cholesterol and liver since I didn't eat all day), I was told it was 6.3, elevated, but not drastically high, and without having frequent attacks, I would not need any ongoing treatments.
The last few days, the "ball" of my foot is still sore. The pain in the ankle is gone, the pain in the big toe is light, but noticeable when I move it extreme up or down. I still don't walk at my "normal" pace, but I am getting around well enough that I probably won't take anything unless it worsens.
As an example of how much pain it takes to get me to the Doc, last Dec. I thought I had a really bad stomach flu, but after 2 weeks it didn't go away, I couldn't eat without getting sick, but still went to work. Finally, after (very) much persuasion by the girlfriend, I went to the Doc. It turned out to be pancreatitis after blood tests were taken, but from not eating, it went away by itself and I only missed one day of work, that day being the day I went to the Doc (I was feeling better when they called with the results, telling me I should go to the emergency room, I told them I was better). The case I had a over ten years ago put me in the hospital for a week. Pancreatitis is NOT fun, and as you all know, gout isn't either.

[RB60]

Seems that the pain has returned in the big toe again. I wouldn't say it is severe, but it is bad enough to cause a limp. It also seems as I get older, I have more side effects from medications, no matter what they are prescribed for. I have backed off from eating some of the foods others here have mentioned that have caused gout for them, and have been noting what and when I eat as it relates to the amount of pain I have. This bout has lasted longer than any previous attacks I had.

[Gout Hurts]

If your doctor did your blood test while you are having a flare, your uric acid levels are not accurate. Uric Acid levels are at least one and half point lower during a flare. So if you were at 6.3, I would ask the doctor to take a another round of blood work two weeks after your flare has completely subsided.

[RB60]

I didn't know that, but if true, I would assume the doctor would. I do know that lately my stress level has been quite high, working long hours, 6 days a week and making parts holding extremely close tolerances on machines that were not intended for these parts. One simple mistake could cost thousands of dollars, which is one reason I prefer not to take any medications, not to mention hurting myself or others.
The pain has been consistent over the last few days, not extreme like it was when I went to the doc, but pretty miserable none the less. I'm sure that being on my feet all day in steel-toed shoes isn't helping matters either. Again, this attack has lasted much longer than any previous attack, and is raising some concern.

[Gout Hurts]

Ask your doctor I would bet he does not know it based on when he took your bloodwork.. Most primary care physicians, both family practice and internal medicine do not know about this. Ask a rheumatologist and you will get the right answer. Gout is one of the most mistreated disseases. Physicians get very little training on it med school and most of what they learned is by treating gout patients.

[I_think]

I recommend to to go pathological laboratory and get uric acid level checked every month on own. so that you would know what is the level when you dont have gout.

anybody here knows how to check uric acid level at home? any portable instrument?

[RB60]

I would agree that most general practitioners don't have much education on gout. With so many specialties in the medical profession, one man cannot know it all. I have known my doc for many, many years, I know he tries to stay informed on all the latest medical developments, but the way it looks, little is known about gout.
Over the last few days, the pain in the big toe has neither increased nor decreased, and is still preventing me from doing many things I would like to get done after a long day on my feet at work. Another thing I have noticed is that since I turned 50, many of the injuries i received in my "fearless" younger years are starting to catch up with me, and the healing process is taking a bit longer than it has in the past.
As far as testing goes, isn't there a simple urine test to determine uric acid levels? I believe one of the reasons the doc took blood tests is my history of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels (they haven't been checked for some time), which once again were quite high.
Anyway, I appreciate all the responses and recommendations as I try to become better informed on this gout. Those who have never experienced this condition don't realize how painful and lifestyle changing it can be.

[Dianka]

I know gout is painful. Please try to treat it when you are not on the attacks. There are natural things like curcumin and quercetin, vitamin C and so on that can help. Please email me I can send you all natural remedies havvnwellness@yahoo.com