A bout with gout........home remedies?

Weekend Warrior

After limping around in pain :pinch: for the better part of 4 months, my co-workers, family and friends demanded that I get to the Dr. to figure out what was wrong with my left ankle. X-rays negative. Bloodwork - positive for high levels of uric acid. I am starting a 7 day series of prednisone tonight for the pain and swelling, but does anyone have a sure-fire way to prevent future attacks? I have heard and read that eating cherries or drinking real cherry juice are very helpful. :unsure: I have also been told that reducing my red meat, pork and alcohol consumption would help, but that's probably not going to happen :evil: , so what's the next best home remedy?

Thanks,

Mark

CBBQ

Anybody who's never had gout has no idea about the pain. The most accurate thing I ever read about it was in a 1700's medical book that said, "Gout is so painful that if you are asleep you'll be awakened by pain just from someone walking into the room".
I had surgery to remove/flush the crystals out of the big toe joint. It felt so much better after the surgery that I never even took a pain pill.
Unsweetened dark cherry juice helps to prevent the attacks. You can get the concentrate from any health food store. Green tea and flaxseed oil are also supposed to be good for flushing the system out.
Like you, I don't see my diet changing all that much so I now take medicine everyday to help with the acid levels. The crystals can build up in the kidney and cause failure so I figured I'd rather take the medicine now instead of having to have kidney surgery and then having to take the medicine anyway.
Good luck with it.

Weekend Warrior

Thanks very much for the reply and information. I have an appt. with an orthopedic surgeon (foots specialist)on Dec. 7 to determine the course of action. The prednisone is just a quick fix for the pain and swelling. I haven't been able to lace my left shoe for several weeks and going up and down stairs was really becoming a chore. I guess I'm going to become a big fan of cherry juice.

Thanks again,

Mark

Little Steven

Mark,

My Dad had it when my sons were playing hockey and the pain was incredible in the cold arenas. I have high uric acid levels and I'm doing the dark cherry juice and drinking a load of water. Will find out next month if it helps.

Steve

CBBQ

My doctor told me that once the crystals are there, they're there. So he does a procedure where he basically goes in and flushes them out. My recovery was very quick and the pain from the surgery/stitches was a relief compared to the gout.

Weekend Warrior

Thanks Steve. Mostly men get it and most get it in the big toe. Mine decided take up residence in my ankle. I was aching at NiEggara, but tried to hide it as best I could, so as to not have to answer 100 questions about it. Didn't even know what was wrong then..... I'm going to get on the cherry juice regimen pronto.

Thanks,

Mark

Fidel

My advice -- drink heavily.

Probably won't help with the gout, but your ankles will feel better.

CBBQ

You can't drink past that pain. I tried............on multiple occasions. And when you wake up it hurts even worse. LOL.

RRP

I have had 3 serious bouts with gout over the years - twice in the ankles and once in my wrist. Yes, it is very painful! I take medication now and it's been nearly 20 years since my last attack. I don't avoid any of the items mentioned.

Plumbr44

You all have jinxed me!!! I have a flare-up right now, haven't had one in years. I may try the cherry juice thing. Does it mix well with Absolut Vodka and Strip steaks?

Plumbr44

allipurnal?

RRP

yup! 300MG a day...you too?

Plumbr44

not taking anything, my old boss took it for Kidney stones. Must be related.

Plumbr44

I do have some indomethicin for inflammation, I took 2 about an hour ago, I'll let in cruise thru my system and see what that does.

CBBQ

Gout is a kidney ailment. The crystals can actually build up enough in the kidney to force a transplant.

CBBQ

Same here.

RRP

:( when the grim reaper decides your time is up then that's it! In the mean time I'll tread water using the medicine proven to offset the problem of gout and in my case it works so I don't look for alternatives...nor changes in my life style...as he was quoted while they closed the casket. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

emilluca

Bee Sting. It works...
E

CBBQ

One time my mom was questioning my diet. I brought up the fact that Ewell Gibbons, who used to do the Grape Nuts commercials claimed to eat almost nothing but berries and other veggie's. And I also reminded her that both of my grandparents drank a full bottle of hard liquor and 4 packs a day, each. They outlived him by 15 years.
I'm right there with you.

fishlessman

never in my life have i heard of a vegetarian make it to 100 years of age. and if one did, im sure we would all hear it over and over and over again. :laugh:

Lambchops

Only thing I know of is allopurinol. As long as I take that every day I have no problems.

Crimsongator

Be thankful you aren't a horse