my first gout

[Shawn Nadel]

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH GOUT

In 2006 I had my first experience with Gout. I was living in Argentina at the time and so my diet had become pretty meat heavy, and since I was living there as a student my diet was naturally pretty beer heavy as well. I remember one day being really hung over and having a craving for apple juice. I went to the store and I drank at least a half gallon of apple juice. The combination of having my thirst quenched and my sugar levels increased really helped the hangover. I went back to sleep and when I awoke several hours later I had a terrible throbbing sensation on the big toe of my right foot. The pain last for a few days and I had no idea what it was or where it came from. I always knew that my dad had gout, but i really didn’t even know what gout was. I had no idea that my pain and symptoms could even be related to gout. In my mind, gout was just something that my dad complained about, but my sisters and I really just thought it was something dad made up and we never took it seriously.
Anyway, I remember one night being on the phone with my parents, and in passing I complained to my dad about my throbbing big toe. “That’s a clear sign of gout”, he told me. The pain lasted for a few weeks, and actually spread to my fingers and other toes as well. At some point I was even walking with a slight limp.

[tjsbadgout]

I got it the first time at age 36 in my right big toe,,I thought I'd broken my foot..after 2 days of what I will say was just miserable /agony I went to the dr..he took one look and said GOUT. I had never even heard of it...colchriisne (miss spelled) knocked it out in no time that was in 1998.

flash forward till now I'm 48 and I have had two years of non-stop pain from this. allapurinal worked in the beginning and then stopped.

..I don't even like shell fish..hadn't had any for years when I got it the first time. That was I was always asked..I didn't have another bout for a couple of years but as the new decade started the more attacks I had..they each got worse.

I have had it in both feet, both ankles, my right hand, both knees since November 2010! it would get better and then move to another joint. I have since cut all alcohol..changed my diet. I've lost 22 pounds ..as I type my right knee is the size of a small soccer ball.

I started urloric 2 weeks ago. I have an appt with a specialist in July..that was the earliest I could get in.. so for me it has never ended as of late. I think I've got bad genetics on my side..no one in my family has ever had it

I'm an up person..a hands on business owner..very happy dude. I have NEVER been depressed in my life ..3 weeks ago I could not walk.. most people wouldn't understand..us gout people understand the pain..at least I do.. my dr is a great guy and he is determined to see this through. up until 3 years ago I was a pretty snow skier. real outdoors person.. the though of that just makes me cringe..

I'm praying something gives as I really can't live this way..us southerners are known for grilling out and of course drinking beer..I let go of that just fine thinking I'd get better..its worse now then ever. I'm drinking black cherry juice..have chugged vinegar. just whining, limping around..its just worn me out..
I know things could be worse ..

oh yeah..they drew blood yesterday as they did a few weeks ago. My uric acid count is down from almost 10 to 6.5 so today is a big deal..if the new meds are kicking in then it should be even lower..if it still up there then I guess I'm screwed ..best of luck to you all that have this...