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It all started about 15 months ago.? I was in Washington, DC on a business trip and what I thought was a bunion was getting more and more sore.? It had been bothering me for several weeks but the pain was tolerable and I was able, for the most part, to ignore my aching toe.? That is until 2:00am in a hotel room when I awoke with pain that only gout sufferers can understand.? All I had were Ibuprofens and after taking two, then a third an hour later, then a fourth at dawn, I went to work.? By the end of the day I was in agony and my colleague suggested I go to a podiatrist.? I found one very near the office and he took one look and said 'gout.'? He gave me Colchicine and Indomethacin, plus a cortisone shot and sent me back to the hotel.? The meds took the edge off and after spending many hours researching gout on my laptop I was able to sleep.? I saw my GP when I returned to California and she said that “many people never get a second attack” so keep the meds close by and if it starts to hurt don't hesitate.? The attack spun down in about two weeks.? Ever since, I've been attack free.? I'd get a minor twinge now and then but one Indomethacin calmed it down.? The second attack came last month and was just as intense as the first.? This time I had the right meds so it never got completely out of hand but it went to about 80% severity.? It lingered for about 3-4 weeks with good days and bad days until resolution.? After two pain-free weeks – bang — another attack.? Went for a blood test that came back at 8.3.? Now I have an appointment with my doc for next week and I will have the Allo/Uloric discussion.? It's been a tough few months realizing I have a disease that will require life-long management.? That said, I'm grateful there are meds out there that will stop this cycle for good.? Bring on the “new to Allo” flares – at least I know they are part of the healing process.? This site has been incredibly helpful in teaching me about this disease and the stories remind me I'm not alone.
Awesome post, I'm in the same boat with you.
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I just started the Allop and have not had any pain whatsoever yet.? I am still shaking off the last flare up, but Im hoping for the best.? I was at 11.8 on my first blood test so I'm interested to see what the level will be at doc next week after a week of 300mg Allopurinol.? Best of luck to you
I WOULDN'T BE TO COCKY IF YOU TWO GET THE ATTACK FROM HELL YOU'LL KNOW WHAT SUFFERING IS ALL ABOUT. I HOPE YOU NEVER FIND OUT . GOOD LUCK.
Quick update.? Saw the rheumatologist today for the first time.? Job number one is to knock down this flare that continues to kick my butt.? He wants me to take 1.2mg of colchicine daily until complete resolution and 100mg Indomethacin for another week.? He says that should do it.? My gout seems to respond well to colchicine so we'll see.?
Then we start the Allopurinol.? 100mg/day for two weeks, 200 mg/day for two more weeks, then 300mg/day for two weeks and then another blood test.? He wants me on colchicine for that entire time to prevent flares.? Seems like a reasonable approach.? I asked why we weren't starting with Allopurinol at 300mg/day and he said to protect against potential allergic reactions.? His perspective is that low initial dosing with proper flare-prevention meds is the best risk/reward ratio.?
Please give your rheumatologist a big?:kiss:? from me.
Then take it back if he ever lets your uric acid rise above 5mg/dL.
yes this is my first time to your forum??..I will try to make it short not sure if I have gout. I don't have health insurance. I went to a foot doctor last year and charged about $900. for special shoes, sleeping boots etc?diagnosed with “dancers foot” but I have never been a dancer! ha! ha! (plantar phasitis)?..the pain has continued almost three years now.
age 50, borderline diabetic 20 lbs overweight ??before my feet started hurting I walked 3miles daily?.now I have to walk slowly in the grocery store????change my shoes 3 times a day to temporarily ease the pain???.and started smoking pot for the pain????I just interviewed for a job requiring me to be on my feet????.are there any herbal remedies once I find?a “self” gout test??..Thanks for any suggestions…..My urine smells like I'm using an “out house” or dirty public toilet……..is that a gout symptom?
problems posting questions too!
You could start by drinking enough water every day to flush your kidneys. That may help with both the urine smell and taking some of the uric acid out of your system. You should drink 1/2 OZ of water for every pound you weigh. So if you weigh 150 pounds you need to drink 75 ozs of water?a day. Or drink water till your peeing clear. As far as herbs I've tried a couple but?I can't say they ever did me any good. Colchicine and Allop is the only thing that really helped my over the long haul. As far as posting click on Please Help My Gout then look for New Topic in the top right corner?of the gray header.?Click on that and you should be good to go.????????????? Good luck Limpy
Back with an update.? After six weeks on Allopurinol I tested again and my uric acid rate fell from 8.3 to 4.4.? I was extremely pleased with this result and so was my rheumatologist.? 300mgs of Allopurinol daily seems to be doing its job.? I'm down to one Colchicine a day and when I feel the tell-tale signs of a imminent flare-up (usually after eating shellfish) I take two a day for a few days.? The doc said I would remain at-risk for flares for about another year to 18 months as the old crystals dissolve in the low uric acid environment.? How much Colchicine I take is up to me and my plan is to stop it completely for a few days to see what happens.? But I'll always have it close by.? So far so good.? Feels great to be managing this condition and though I don't dount there will be some more bumps in the road it feels great to know the game-plan is working.?
I hope you do not feel uncomfortable with this, but your rheumatologist got a
, and you must have one also.Two, in fact. That's one for sticking to a great plan, and one for sharing your success here.
I know the journey isn't over until you are without a flare for six months without colchicine, but the end is in sight. I hope your gout story inspires other people.
marc,
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Very often there is no rebound from allopurinol at all. I never had an attack after starting right on 400 mg. allopurinol.
Instead of daily colchicine, why not try none, but at the first sigh of pain (always in the morning)? take 2 colchicine. If that doesn't stop the pain within the hour, take another and maybe a fourth an hour later. If you catch a twinge early enough, two colchicine will ususally knock it out.
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But, like I said, there is no real reason to expect you will have pain. (Don't overdrink beer or ale for a while.)
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