Wellness

[151949]

It used to be that Kings all got gout because of their rich diets and alcohol use. Of course, they suffered in terrible pain because there was nothing then to do about it.

[Leeny]

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@151949 wrote:

@dex Gout occurs when a person has high levels of uric acid in their blood. It chrystallizes and deposits in the joint causing that inflammation. It also damages sensitive organs - esp. the kidneys. Often this is a side effect of taking certain diuretics but is also genetic or caused by eating / drinking rich foods most of the time.Esp. red meats and alcohol & beer.It is important for a physician to evaluate the person's uric acid level in their blood then they can prescribe the appropriate drug to lower it if needed - most likely it is needed. Some people can go on a very specific diet to keep the level down once it gets down, but few people are happy continuing that diet for long, and Allopurinol , the usual drug of choice is inexpensive and rarely has any side effects. Some people just need to change their diuretic medication as some diuretics like Hydrochlorothiazide are known to release sodium into the urine but retain uric acid instead. 

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@151949 You have put this all in the right perspective. I couldn't have said it better. My DH suffered a few gout attacks before he was given Allopurinol. Since he takes this daily he hasn't had an attack for over 12 years. He tried the cherry thing and his sister suffered with this too, but refused to take the medication. Her gout problems turned into RA in hands and knees. She is no longer living to none of our surprise. The cherry juice/pill/ whole fruit is not a cure. There were times my dh couldn't even dress himself or comb his hair. He was in so much pain that he couldn't stand a sheet on himself. Yes, if you think you have gout get yourself to the doctor. It can have serious affects on your kidneys plus kidney stones.  My husband even had crystals growing on the cartlidge of his ears, which the doctor couldn't even believe. Plus each time you get an attack it gets more severe. Not only the elbows, toes, knuckles and anywhere you have a joint, so don't let it get to that point. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.  Oh, and yes, he was on hydrochlorothiazide also. That's a bad drug in more ways than one. 

[151949]

Over the years I have had to dialyse many patients due to damage to their kidneys from high uric acid. It's so sad because if they had just seen their doctor it would have been properly diagnosed and treated , and their kidneys would not have been damaged. How anyone could think that when they are in this much pain plus all the inflammation, that they can cure this with cherry juice!  Honestly!

[dex]

@151949 My son got his first attack when he started a new job.He went in to work and as the day progressed the pain got worse.He said that when it was time to go home he could barely walk and left the office slowly while holding on to the walls.He thought he had sprained his foot because he had been on the treadmill for an hour that morning.

[lovesrecess]

My DH has used tart cherry capsules for gout for years and it works fast and every time...fresh tart cherries are great if you can find them in season, but the capsules are best to keep on hand. People's Pharmacy website has good info on this and other remedies that don't involve drugs.