Gout attack. I can't take ibubrofen or similar, agony - help!!

[ladeluge]

Had an attack about three months ago. Got colchisine for the pain but it made me very sick and had diarrhoea. Ugh so I stopped that one. The gout did subside after a week of hobbling around.

Anyway it is back today. OMG I cannot put my foot to the ground. And of course it is the weekend.

Does anyone know if putting diclofenac gel (like Voltarel) on it is ok for those who cannot take NSAIDs like ibubrofen? Honestly I want to chop my foot off right now.

I'm in a queue to speak with the pharmacist on the phone since I can't walk there or drive. Near closing time for them too now so we'll see.

Take the colchicine would be my advice. DH takes it for recurrent pericarditis and the squits stop after a few days. He also finds it best to take it after food and split the dose up across the day.

The diarrhoea does dissipate as you get used to the meds.

I assume you're following the gout diet etc? Not sure what else you can do!

Thanks @PinkFootstool OK I might have to take the colchisine but I really dread it, however the foot pain is bad too!

I don't drink, smoke, eat meat, shellfish or anything like that, so it is a bit of a mystery, but I have it and I can safely say it is a pain like no other!

I would love to slap on some Voltarel and get into bed right now, but am a bit wary of the gel. Anyway I'll ice it for a while also.

I would not wish this on anyone.

Is it really gout? My DM has osteoporosis and was previously misdiagnosed with gout when she had two broken ankles.....

Well at the initial attack I thought it was a broken toe, so went to A+E and no break on x-ray but a slightly raised uric acid level was detected in blood tests. So the A+E doc prescribed colchicine and obv I have to avoid other NSAIDs.

I don't know what to think, neither did he - given my diet etc.

I will make appt with doc and take it from there next week. Hobble hobble toil and trouble 😉Thanks for taking the time to commiserate!

A high fructose diet can also be a issue apparently? Are you fruitarian? 😁

Would ice packs/frozen peas help? My neighbour’s gets attacks and although I know it’s excruciating to touch, he says they help.

I am the same (can't take NSAIDs) and didn't have the alternative last weekend when gout struck so chemist gave me the volterol gel. Doc didn't say that I shouldn't have it when he prescribed the other thing during the week. Deffo helped and no terrible side effects.

You shouldn't use it if you're not allowed to take NSAIDs. It is still processed by your body in the same way as tablets.

Get your doctor to put you on allopurinol.

I suffered for years and unfortunately it only gets worse.
Once you get the correct dose it near enough disappears.

That's interesting about the fructose, never heard of that being associated with gout. Maybe the big handfuls of mixed berries and bananas that I put in my daily smoothie are not doing me any favours! So much for five a day. I'll try cut down on the volume of fruit I use in smoothies, and try to eat more whole as I think smoothies might increase fructose levels or something like that. Although I did read somewhere that berries were low fructose. Honestly it's hard trying to eat "proper" isn't it?

As for the ice, yes I am sitting pretty with a pack of peas draped over a tea towel on my foot. It is numbing it for sure! But I can't bring the frozen peas to bed lol.

I'm trying to stay sane here, but slowly going nuts!

My brother is suffering at moment w Gout, on Naproxen but only takes tablets intermittently🙄. He can’t walk, hobbling about, not even wearing socks in house, his foot/ankle like some cartoon foot, spreading up past ankle. Will not go to doctor 🙄🙄. I have threatened to funnel tablets into his mouth or sprinkle into his food.

OP - really hope you get medical help soon and feel better quickly. Sending you best wishes

Aw thanks everyone for your kind comments and suggestions. Yes I will ask doc about allopurinol for sure (when I get an appointment ahem). I think I will ask for a referral to test and confirm for a fact that it is gout. It could be arthritis (hallux rigidus) or other things too, (I found that when trying to see if I would kill myself by using Volteral ) oops.

The arthritis in a way is easier to treat it seems with shoe inserts, but knowing my luck it will be gout.

I am unable to take NSAIDs due to a very serious gastric bleed that I got out of the blue following a H Pylori infection, I'm lucky I made it through TBH. so I ain't taking any chances there.

I am not a medical professional so please check but I thought that if you can’t use NSAIDS due to stomach issues you can still use them topically.

This. DHs gout has been well controlled with allopurinol for over a decade now.

What is the reason you cant use the NSAIDs OP, is it due to the original gout medication?

Does this still apply if youhavent used it for a while?

If its another reason, is there a distinction between using them as a regular source of medication relief and using them just for a day or two to get inflammation down?

Im not supposed to have them either, but have been advised that just the one off shouldnt have too much of an effect.

Sorry Ive completely missed it in your OP, not sure how that happened, think my eyes are tired

Yes a gastric bleed is a bit of a problem.

@ladeluge, assuming it's your big toe joint, look up how to strap bunions with sports tape. I have arthritis and occasionally my big toe joints flare up. (I have been known to hobble out of work with only one shoe on because I can't bear to put the other one on.) The tape pulls the big toe straighter, relieving pressure in the joint.
I believe you could also give the gel a go - my gut won't tolerate anti-inflammatories, but I can use gel. (I've found voltarol better than ibuprofen.)

Strapping sounds interesting. I'd say I'll be screaming like a banshee when doing it, but if it gives some relief, well no pain no gain. I happen to have some of that tape too.

I'll have a look on YouTube.

My husband suffers with gout. He can go for years with no symptoms and then have several attacks back to back. It's worse when it's hot. A avoid beer red wine and heavy meats, mushrooms , lentils and shellfish. If you feel an attack coming on take it the colchicine, keeps your diet low in red meat, with plenty of water and veggies. Cherry juice is good for flushing the Unic acid out and reducing inflammation. There is also a drug called alupurinol that can't be taken preventatively.

This is incorrect - because they're absorbed into your blood they can still affect your stomach and so should be avoided.

How much colchicine did you take first time round?

It is often prescribed in very high doses that guarantee diarrhoea and vomiting but you don't need these to sort the gout.

1 500mcg tablet twice a day is usually plenty and doesn't give all the unpleasant side effects.

You probably do need allopurinol given you have recurrent attacks - unfortunately it can trigger gout until your levels are right so it is best taken with the colchicine until you have low uric acid levels.