gout treatment

Posted by msnglnk (265 days ago)

i get gouty attacks an have become use to them an know how to treat 'em. back home (usa) everytime i got an attack my dr would give me "allopurinol" and some other med and sen me on my way. when i got my first attack in hina my gf went to the pharmacy and told them i had "the gout". she came back with an "otc" called "colchicine tablets". perhaps these are the same medss that my dr back home prescribed but each tab is 10mg. the tabs of the "other stuff" my dr presribed were 50mg. but being these ones (here) are an otc they probably had to make 'em 10mg each.

this last attack was pretty bad. i was popping the colchicine tabs like pez but it seemed to have no affect. and i was drinkin water like a horse and that seemed to worsen the attack. i went to the er and the dr gave me an IV of glucose and an otc called "saridon". which of course were both new treatments to me. he said in severe cases this treatment is needed. i know gout is caused by elevated levels of "uric acid"; according to my blood test my uric acid level was "off the chart".

i just don't understand why the mass consumption of water worsened the attack. or maybe it just seemed that way. and why id a glucose IV work much better? its been a long time since my college chemistry class. but i know water is used to dilute acids. but maybe "suger water" works much better?

(I am based in Shanghai)

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Posted by cammy1 (264 days ago)

I suggest you see a Dr, I can recommend mine, he is in Central and his ph no is 28497822

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Pumpkin (264 days ago)

Try Lyprinol capsules (high strength omega 3 & 6 - they are a natural alternative to non stroidal anti inflammatories) and stay off rich foods and wines and reduce animal protein.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by john23694 (264 days ago)

If you are in shanghai contact me using this email woneo5@yahoo.com

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by MrsC (171 days ago)

Hi msnglnk

Gout is a tricky one. You will need to find someone you can trust to look after it. A few points:

Gout is caused by uric acid crystals precipitationg in the joints. They can also end up in the kidneys as stones.

Serum uric acid levels need to be high for about 10 years before crystals form, and cause is mostly genetic> attacks get worse as time goes on and you may end up with joint damage and crystals under the skin (tophi)

An acute attack is caused by anything that raises OR decreases uric acid quickly (allopurinol decreases uric acid quickly, therefore NOT to be used when attack is happening)

Colchicine can be used for acute attacks and at low doses for preventing attacks long term.

Basically dietary factors have not been shown to have any real effect, however obesity itself will make you prone to attacks. A beer binge will increase uric acid, but wine and spirits will not. Diuretic therapy can also bring on attacks.

If your serum uric acid level is high and you want to prevent further attacks and joint damage, you need to be on lifleong allopurinol therapy - missing doses will cause gout. The level needs to be below 0.35. You can take colchicine during acute attacks, but NEVER stop allopurinol. You will need to have liver and kidney blood tests done regularly too.

Hope this helps

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by msnglnk (171 days ago)

i was a heavy drinker and i was told several times that drinking is most likely the root of my gout problem. i was told to stop drinking and to drink lots of water daily and also other common gout prevention advice. so i have loined aa and haven't had a drink for about 2 months and i drink about 1 or 2 liters of water daily. i haven't had a gouty attack in about 2 months now. i will go to the dr and have my uric acid level checked again.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by MrsC (169 days ago)

Reducing alcohol intake is a great step forward. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, and in large amounts, will cause you to become dehydrated, thus increasing your acid levels

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by msnglnk (166 days ago)

i got another attack of gout today. like i said before i was drinking lots of water daily and i only got gout 2 or 3 times a year. but i have got 2 attacks of gout in 2 months. people told me my alcohol consumption was probably the root of my gout problems. and i should drink more water and less alcohol. i just mixed more water into my brandy. i haven't had a drink in two months but i have had 2 gouty attacks in 2 months. i guess its posible that even though i haven't been drinking alcohol; i may not have been drinking enough water.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by pseudolus (165 days ago)

My gout was triggered by a few factors;
*Allergies (in particular to a preservative used in Lager or beer as it is known outside the UK) and all dairy products
*Stress - working too hard basically
*Not drinking enough water.

I have not had gout for 18 months now not because I have massively acted upon the information above but I started doing one thing which had a dramatic change. I started drinking one moderately sized glass of pineapple juice each morning and this has knocked it on the head completely. Something in there breaks down Uric acid apprently and it has worked in my case. Worth a try!

(I am based in Hong Kong)