Galoot

I couple of years ago I whined on here about major pain that was occurring in my hands and wrists. It kept occurring regularly, every few weeks, and my doctor was not able to diagnose it. Got a new doctor with my insurance change and this guy is almost sure that it is gout. I went in yesterday with my elbow in pain and he said it was clear I wasn't faking and that gout is the best explanation.

I've had it in my right elbow, both hands and both wrists, and both knees. What is weird is that I've never once had my big toe flare up, which is where gout usually occurs. Maybe 10 years of running barefoot just made my feet super healthy.

I think it is good news--I now have an explanation, and with diet and medicines I should be able to start exercising again. I had almost completely stopped doing anything but occasional 2 mile walks, out of fear of causing painful flare-ups.

With any luck I should be able to do my Oregon-to-Wisconsin ride this summer!

JohnDThompson 

The definitive diagnosis for gout is joint aspiration with detection of uric acid crystals in the fluid. If it is gout, there are medications, e.g. colchicine, that can help.

Galoot

He gave me two meds yesterday including colchicine and they worked right away. By the time I went to bed the severe pain was pretty much gone. I'll take that as a good sign.

BlazingPedals

For less severe cases, lay off the beer and wine, drink more water, and eat less meat. Probably good advice for most of us.

Galoot

The weird thing is, in 2 years there hasn't been one flare-up below my knees. I thought gout was a toe thing. Oh well, I hope it is gout so that it can be treated easily.

rumrunn6

I've ditched the pharmaceuticals for my gout. now it's this

• on waking 16 ozs of water with tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• right before arriving at office 8 ozs of water with juice from 1.5 lemons
• after lunch 8 ozs of water with juice from 1.5 lemons
• arriving home 16 ozs of water with tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• later in the evening but not right before bed 16 ozs of water with juice from 1.5 lemons

• I'm using fewer lemons than I used to use, due to adding the apple cider vinegar
• Also, the past cpl months, I've been using alkaline drops in my coffee, beer, wine & bourbon, so I've been able to cut back on the water intake

every case is different, those drugs are awful. glad a small dose helped so quickly but if it comes back and you start taking more, please consider the above, it has really helped me

JanMM

Must have made you feel special that he told you it was clear you weren't faking!
Good that you will be able to ride again.

MRT2

I have been taking allopurinol for a couple of years now. No attacks since I went on the medication.

volosong

Woke up last night just after 1:00 because my big toe was throbbing like clockwork every few minutes. It would hit just as I was relaxed enough to drop off again. Finally got up because I couldn't sleep and went to the computer to see what Google said about "big toe throbbing pain".

Yup! Gout is the main cause. Great! It throbbed off and on during the day today, but nothing I couldn't handle because I was moving around. Toe isn't red, as the 'internet experts' say to expect. Then as I was thinking about retiring for the night and wondering if I'd get some restful sleep or not, my big toe reminded me that I wouldn't. That caused me to remember that one of the 'cures' was to get more exercise.

Took a look at the pedometer, (which I wear every day), and it didn't show very many steps. I try for 10k per day, (and usually fall short). Instead of heading for the bedroom, I put on my ball cap and lined flannel shirt and headed out the front door for a walk around the neighborhood. Now, at almost 11k steps, and I'm headed to bed. Maybe the walk will help.

donheff

I've been taking allopurinol for about 20 years with no apparent side effects. It keeps the gout at bay.

volosong

Update: Slept well last night. If my big toe throbbing was gout, it is gone now. Just might be 'one of those things'. I'm not going to worry about it anymore. Thanks for the discussion.

Shimagnolo

A former co-worker is a hardcore track cyclist.
This fall he came down with gout in the big toe of his left foot.
Then he had to have surgery for an accessory navicular...same foot.
He just got back on the bike again a couple weeks ago.