New here this morning have a question

[olsoneagle]

HI Just found this site. Have had gout in big toe off and on for several years. Recently was in hospital for colon ulcer and had huge attack. I think I got it from all the IV Cipro? This one went all the way into my knees. Could not walk and took about a month to get rid of it. I cannot take any non sterodial meds due to colon issue. Finally big dose pack of Prednisone slowly got rid of it. Started 300mg of Allo and been ok.
I was back on oral Cipro as a preventative for bladder biopsys last week.
Yesterday morning I woke up and it was back!! Went to Dr and got cortisone shot into r knee which was worst. He gave me Pred. pack 40-40-40- 30- etc.
This morning I feel almost normal!! MIRACLE! I have only taken 40mgs of Pred and would like to stop now. Not sure if I will stay cured. Was thinking if tomorrow was bad again I would finish the whole pack. I know the effects of Pred and would just as soon stop. I am really puzzled by why this attack last 24 hours and the one before lasted a month??
Appreciate any comments and suggestions. Anybody else get it from anti biotics?

[noapnea]

It is imperative not to stop taking Pred suddenly!

Stopping Pred suddenly will mess up with the production of certain hormone and wreck havoc to one's body for the rest of one's life! Pred should be tapered off gradually for the the body to adjust to it. Please talk to your doctor before you change his/hers instructions on how to take Pred!

Hospitalization, certain anti-biotics, and allopurinol, are all known to trigger gout attacks.

Take care.

[olsoneagle]

Thanks for the reply. I do know you need to taper off pred. But, I just took it once-40mgs.
Also some negative things happen when you take it for 12 days.
I think I will take 2o mgs today and 10mgs tomorrow. Will have avoided 9 days of Prednisone! If I feel gout coming back tomorrow I will resume taking entire "pack."
I am wondering if my gout was a 24 hour attack and the Prednisone had nothing to do with feeling better today. If I am going to have short episodes I'd hate to have to take
12 days of Prednison every time. The only reason I went to the Dr was that it was in my knees as well as toes and feet. I can handle a big toe for a week. No big deal but my last two bouts went into my knees. First time it took my nearly a month to get better. Now just 24 hours. GO figure!!

[noapnea]

Thanks for the additional info. I agree with your approach. Get well soon.

[olsoneagle]

Today I feel normal. 48 hours ago I could barely walk and today it's like it never happened. My Dr just called with tests and said on Friday my uric acid was 4.5 and sed rate normal. My big question is can you have a severe gout attack that goes away in a day or two. I did take 4 Preds. --3 Sat and 2 Sun.
I am sure this was gout but really puzzled at how fast it went away. What else could it possibly be.
Can you even have an attack when uric acid is normal?? Love to know the answers!!!!

[noapnea]

Very glad your gout attack has subsided. Most new gout attacks last for 3~7 days and then disappear suddenly in less than 1~2 days, even without treatment. If the blood uric acid (UA) level is not under control, gout becomes chronic. In such case, attacks will occur more frequently and last longer. Once a person has 1~2 gout attacks, it's necessary to keep the UA level below 5~6 mg/dl to minimize the frequency and the severity of the attacks.

Studies have shown that most gouties have lower blood UA levels during the attacks than before the attacks. Therefore, the UA levels of some gouties can be in the normal range, <7.0 mg/dl, during the attacks. It is incomprehensible to me why, in 21st century, we are still wasting the UA tests given during the gout attacks, where the results are useless in diagnosing gout! Worse yet, in some reported cases, the normal UA readings during the gout attacks were used to rule out gout attacks and caused gouties unnecessary pain and suffering, ...! People worldwide have already paid a hefty price for health care. Scientific info on gout is readily available. Why gouties are still suffering unnecessarily? Take care.

[olsoneagle]

Thanks I do agree with you. Its seems hard to get Drs excited about gout. I have had one or two big toe attacks a year for a while. No big deal. Last 2 have gone into my knees and entire feet. Both times I was on, or had just gotten off of Cipro. Fridays bout was so weird. I was really in bad shape and then it was gone--in a day. Have been reading about "psuedo gout." Same except calcium vs uric acid deposits. I may have both. Sometimes I get red and swollen others look normal but pain the same.
I understand the only way to tell is to get Dr to draw out with needle and look at. Wonder if they can only do it when you are having an attack? How do you time a rheumatologist appt with an attack?
I'd like to get to the bottom of this.