Diane Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 So after three months of having severe pain and swelling in my knee, and doctors and specialists telling me it is calcium deposits and untreatable, I finally tried a new doctor who took some samples and has told me I have gout - which, miracle of miracles, can be treated! Hurrah! I have to wait for the attack to calm down a bit before they can put me on the medicines I need so has anyone else had gout, and is there any food/drink I can take to help the symptoms? I am so happy that an end to this damn excruciating pain might be in sight :jiggy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welljock Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I was given a course of anti-inflammatories (Diclofenac) to initially get rid of the gout after that I got Alliporinol which was to stop it coming back. My doctor has stopped prescribing Diclofenac due to reports that it may cause heart problems and now get Naproxen but usually I only need to take a couple when the symptoms start and it doesn't properly flare up. Ibuprofen may help, my doctor says different foods and drink can cause it (cheese, wine, port being three) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I think that's what I had and I started anti inflammatories and just tried being more healthy and trying to drink water instead of sugary juice etc. It's not been back so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 If it's gout, then colgout will shift it............stop taking it when you get the runs. If ciolgout doesn't shifrt it, then it ain't gout...................I was prescibed all sorts that didn't work................anti infammatories alone may not shift the uric crystals/acid. Colgout worked in the end and since I lost 20 kilos in the last 18 months, I haven't had an attack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffieldDownunder Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Long shot. Works for me. Eat cherries. Lots and lots of cherries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks all - am on Naproxen at the moment. Typical of my timing that totally out of season for cherries - I tried to get some cherry juice today and failed, so have got some tinned ones, but not sure if they will work the same! I've got a list of foods to avoid (anything high in purine apparently - so meat, spinach, oats are all on the list) and waiting for things to calm down a bit then will hopefully take something that will stop any flare-ups in the future. I have heard of people having it in their toes (my mum for instance) but never in the knees before, and because I have something else which has many and varied symptoms, when I got this incredibly swollen and painful knee about three months ago, they just assumed it was part of that and didn't do any other tests - so I've been in agony since then :eek:. Thank goodness this doctor thought to send a slide off for analysis and picked up the uric crystals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks all - am on Naproxen at the moment. Typical of my timing that totally out of season for cherries - I tried to get some cherry juice today and failed, so have got some tinned ones, but not sure if they will work the same! I've got a list of foods to avoid (anything high in purine apparently - so meat, spinach, oats are all on the list) and waiting for things to calm down a bit then will hopefully take something that will stop any flare-ups in the future. I have heard of people having it in their toes (my mum for instance) but never in the knees before, and because I have something else which has many and varied symptoms, when I got this incredibly swollen and painful knee about three months ago, they just assumed it was part of that and didn't do any other tests - so I've been in agony since then :eek:. Thank goodness this doctor thought to send a slide off for analysis and picked up the uric crystals. Yes, it can appear in some strange places. Mine is around the back of both heels (achillees tendon area?) and occasionaly the area where bunions appear at the base of big toe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Hope you feel better soon! Mines was in the same area as johndoes - the back of the heel. I was almost crying in victoria station in london one day with it. At least you've picked up on it now and it'll hopefully clear up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 So after three months of having severe pain and swelling in my knee, and doctors and specialists telling me it is calcium deposits and untreatable, I finally tried a new doctor who took some samples and has told me I have gout - which, miracle of miracles, can be treated! Hurrah! I have to wait for the attack to calm down a bit before they can put me on the medicines I need so has anyone else had gout, and is there any food/drink I can take to help the symptoms? I am so happy that an end to this damn excruciating pain might be in sight :jiggy: My brothers have both suffered from gout at times and just this week, one of them, staying with me at the moment, has been researching bicarbonate of soda. He started drinking a glass every day for other alleged benefits, but he says that it could be good for gout too. A couple of sites I looked suggested using baking soda twice a day for a week to kill off uric acid which causes gout. Maybe worth a shot Above is a line from an email which I copied. NB I think he has confused 'BAKING SODA' with 'BICARBONATE OF SODA?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 My former MIL had gout and she swore by apple cider vinegar and honey, mixed with hot water. She drank it three times a day religiously! It's mentioned in this article, which also mentions baking soda - but note it says people with high blood pressure shouldn't take baking soda: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-gout.html This is an interesting article: http://www.webmd.boots.com/arthritis/news/20091021/fighting-gout-with-skimmed-milk-and-water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie 2 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) I find Colgout really good. I get it on prescription. Don't know if you can get it without. If you goggle you will find lots of information on how to reduce uric acid. Edited May 19, 2015 by Ellie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 (edited) is there any food/drink I can take to help the symptoms? Yes…………… And there is food / drink you should avoid too. A vegan or raw vegan diet would help (it helped me with arthritis). But no-one ever wants to do that! Really, diet and supplements may be your best bet. https://beamingwithhealth.com.au/community/conditions/gout https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/what-is-a-nutritarian-diet.aspx http://www.blackmores.com.au/arthritis-joint-bone-and-muscle/gout?gclid=CKud96jn1sUCFRcJvAodpy0ANA http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/19/five-steps-to-overcoming-gout-naturally.aspx http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00368/Gout.html http://www.naturalnews.com/gout.html http://www.myhealthtips.in/2014/06/herbs-for-gout.html But make sure you see a herbalist or naturopath for professional advice – as some herbs can interact with other medications and health conditions. Edited May 23, 2015 by jumpingjellybean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 (edited) I forgot to mention previously: Medications will not cure you; they just suppress the symptoms. Even worse they can have horrible long term side effects like liver damage. Whilst they are ok for short term use to help with pain relief, you really need to address the underlying issues for true healing to occur. A friend of mine got relief after staying at below for three weeks (under the care of a naturopath there), and then following their methods strictly 100% afterwards. Worked for a number of years too, before she slid back into bad diet habits and the gout returned. http://www.hopewood.com.au/ Edited May 23, 2015 by jumpingjellybean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 The evidence suggests that for most people it is the body's inherent lack of ability to adequately excrete urate that is the problem, which is how some of the medications work. Limiting purines in your diet may help to some extent, but there is a familial tendency. The problem with restrictive diets and supplements is that there is pretty much no evidence to support many of the claims they make (and for the record, naturopaths are not registered health practitioners, so they are not subject to any form of independent regulation). If you do decide to eschew 'conventional' medicine, I suggest you make sure you monitor what's happening with your joints, because there are some nasty consequences that can arise from inadequately controlled chronic gout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Well, saw the scleroderma specialist last week and he burst my happiness bubble by saying he thinks it ISN'T gout, and that the lab must have confused calcium crystals for uric crystals, so it's back to the drawing board I'm afraid - such a shame as reading up on the symptoms of gout it sounded so much like it: the excrutiating pain, weight of the bed covers being almost unbearable, etc. At least if it was gout it is treatable, but sounds like I just have to live with it for months until the calcium deposits have been expelled, whilst dosing myself up with a selection of increasingly stronger painkillers and anti-inflammatories - I'm not happy :no: At least it means I can have a glass of my chocolate port now and again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 My brother came down with gout again. He says the pain is worse than toothache? I have sent him some of the tips from this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 I'm surprised whatever I had last year hasn't come back. I get stiff ankles occasionally but nothing like before - that was agony! I hope you're feeling better soon Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 ^^^ What kind of pain was it Stacey because for the past few month I've had really sore heels - not low down or under them but where the foot joins the leg if you know what I mean. It feels really tender then I get shooting pains up my calves. I do a lot of walking and it's so sore to do so sometimes. I should really go to the doc but so far I've been gritting my teeth and getting on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 It was a pain in the back of my ankle and I couldn't walk a lot of the time. I was walking around victoria bus station in london almost crying at one point. So it sounds the same, mines was at that but too. My cankle lol :laugh: I went to the doctor in Guernsey and she just said to do some foot exercises and take ibprufen and gently suggested to lose a bit of weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Foot excercies eh ................ I'll google that and give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 It sounds like yours is similar to mine, I still don't know if it's gout. I found that out by the power of Google lol. People kept saying to me "don't be stupid, that's only when you drink loads" but it's not. The doctor told me to rotate my ankles when I wake up before I first step on the ground and she also said I could put the front of my foot on a step and gently push my ankle down if that makes sense but don't do it really fast. I think that was all the said other than diet changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I'll try that Stacey - I don't think it's gout either more like a tender tendon. Bloody painful though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Yeah she mentioned that to me too but it was coming in attacks rather than constantly sore so I'm not sure which one it was. Try taking antiflammatories aswell and more water. I think the last time I had any pain was on herm so I've been clear for quite a long time. Now I've said that it'll probably start later lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Pitstop Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Heel/ankle pain could be something called Plantar Fasciitis (google it) - it hurts most first thing in the morning when you get out of bed or if you've been sitting still for a long time. I had it quite bad (must admit I didn't go to the doctor) and from what I read the best cure is rest, time and losing weight. I stopped walking so much which has helped, and got a new decent pair of supportive walking shoes - haven't managed the weight loss so far though!! [h=1][/h] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Heel/ankle pain could be something called Plantar Fasciitis (google it) - it hurts most first thing in the morning when you get out of bed or if you've been sitting still for a long time. I had it quite bad (must admit I didn't go to the doctor) and from what I read the best cure is rest, time and losing weight. I stopped walking so much which has helped, and got a new decent pair of supportive walking shoes - haven't managed the weight loss so far though!! I get pain in my right foot very bad at times and since I've started wearing a better quality pair of thongs/trainers things are looking up for me also Oh and losing a couple of pounds would help also :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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