gout

[Pootrouble]

Hi all dh has had a sore foot for about 5 weeks. 2 weeks ago he had severe pain and his foot was swollen on the ball at bottom of big toe. no redness but dh says it feels hot and painful. Doc said they weren't sure if it was gout or not but mot likely was. Its very painful at night time. Doc gave tablets for it but theres no change at all. He went and had bloods done this week and we get results tomorrow. Any idea why they would do bloods and any quick fixes for gout??? DH rarely drinks (2 glasses wine once a week) and eats healthy and is not in the slightest overweight. thanks

[Midori1999]

My husband gets gout. He's not overweight, doesn't really drink, only the odd glass of wine or a bit of social drinking and is very fit as he is in the army. The first time he had it in his knees but he's also had it in his foot and it's excruciating.

The blood tests are to check for uric acid apparently. Sadly, there are no quick fixes and DH says the tablets didn't make his attacks go either, but if you get frequent attacks you can take allopurinol, which apparently helps keep attacks away and that worked better for my DH, who had three attacks in quick succession and then none. However, he's been off the allopurinol for around a year now and recently had another attack, so if he gets another they'll put him back on it.

I hope things improve for your DH soon.

[Pootrouble]

Thats a great help thanks. What happens if tests show high uric acid levels? Can they fix it or is it caused by something else?

[Midori1999]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it will go by itself and the the allopurinol will keep levels down. From what I remember you can't take the allopurinol during an attack.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

There are certain foods that can increase Uric acid in the blood such as Offal, certain veg (including mushrooms) and certain fish (mackerel and trout).

[EmilyAlice]

My OH has had this a few times, almost always associated with having had too much oily fish. Some people say cherries help as an anti-inflammatory so we now add dried cherries to our muesli. The last time he felt an attack starting he went straight on the ibuprofen (prescribed by doctor with omeprazole for the stomach) and avoided the worst of it.
He finds the attacks really painful.

[gingeroots]

My mum has gout . Think in her case it's related to diuertics she takes . Acidic stuff - apple juice etc ,also asparagus makes it worse .

Allapurinol keeps it at bay ,but yes ,will make a flare up worse if taken then .

Hope eases soon .