wingtipsdown

I went out on a 20 mile ride Monday and gout set in my right big toe Tuesday. It peaked last night and today and is on it's way down.
This week stinks for me. I hope everyone else is having a good week...

I have a kidney disease so I can't take a lot of other meds.
I went to the doctor today and will be going on a allopurinol so hopefully it doesn't happen again.
I have only had it 2 times in 6 years, but I want to keep it away the best I can so I can continue chasing the miles on this road cycling addiction.

profjmb

So sorry! At least you live in a part of the world with lots of warm weather, so you won't miss crucial riding (as I would in Chicago). And cycling can only be good for your general health. And 2 times in 6 years that keep you off for a week or two isn't so bad. Avoid cars and major operations. They're worse.

Chandne

Drink lots of water and avoid beer and red meat if possible. I hardly drink so that was fine but I had to modify my diet. been two years since my first and hopefully last attack. So painful!

busygizmo

Pure Cherry juice. Seems to help me keep it at bay. I drink 4-6 ounces every morning.
Or cherries. Some claim the darker cherries work better.

Northwestrider

Did the Doc mention anything about diet, such as protein intake. I'm curious what the Doctor said in that regard, particularly as you are limited in the medicine's you are able to take.

RT

Yes.

Yes.

FTR, I quit drinking entirely almost 5 years ago. Also eat much less red meat. Haven't seen gout again in that time. Absolutely worth it.

Northwestrider

Yes, I also believe that to be a big help for most people.

Long Tom

Gout is pure misery.

My wife is a prodigious assimilator of information. Since I had my attacks (2) she's started turning her Eye of Sauron on the issue, lol.... anyway, I'm now drinking about 8 ounces of tart cherry juice every day, paying way more attention to hydration in general, and am minimizing fructose. I don't eat a ton of red meat anyway. I do drink too much beer.

If I get another attack I'm going to consider the meds available, but until then, I'm targeting the low-hanging fruit. I despise the notion of systemic drugs. That said-- I despise the notion of having it destroy my mobility even more.

For those who've never had this wonderful experience it's just ridiculously painful. Almost beyond description.

RT

Mine was less painful and more of a constant 9 on a scale of 10 ache, for days on end. I'd rather break a limb.

eddiepliers 

After my kidney transplant, I still have gout flair ups but in different places, usually in my hands. Before my hips would lay victim. I remember weeks and months that I would drag myself by my hands.

Anyways, try to drink and urinate as often as you can. Withholding your urine will cause more uric acid to appear, thus causing gout crystals to produce a flair up.

wingtipsdown

I can eat the protein bars. He said riding is a great thing for anyone. As a matter of fact he might switch over to riding himself.
Lots of water every day, no alcohol for me other than a drink here and there anyway. The combo of the kidney disease and a little high uric acid is the culprit. I decided to go back on the med, so hopefully it never comes back. That way it will not interrupt my riding. No inflammatory drugs for me, I just have to wait until it goes away. Take care everyone...

My Blood Pressure was down, so the riding is helping.

Northwestrider

Excellent, good for you.

401flava

I too have kept it at bay with diet change. Mine would also hit the right big toe and man, that'll ruin your good times. I'm 99% vegetarian now, I just cut out meat so much that I stopped wanting to eat it. As someone else said cherry juice is magic potion, it really works wonders. It's not cheap but it's one of those things that feels healthy lol. Like sweet potatoes or spinach, you just hear it saying "consume me I'm good for you". Or I'm hearing voices,idk. But gout sucks,sorry to hear you've suffered. Hopefully the cherry juice and low (no?) red meat helps big time. Good luck, and hey Happy 4th everyone,enjoy

Oh yes, I just kept reading and saw someone mention peeing more... That's the biggest thing I've changed is constant hydration. I have CASES of 20oz waters and drink loads of Unsweet Tea (they have Unsweet Green too, and tea is also good stuff for daily drinking). Hydrating and urinating more often has definitely been a big help for gout and just feeling better.

shelbyfv

I had an attack in my left big toe on the second day of a week long supported tour. It hurt to pedal and walk but was bearable. What I could not endure was the pressure it took to clip in. I had to take my shoe off, clip it in, then slide my foot in. Tedious and painful but I completed the tour.

jareed58

Tried to IM you with something that's helped me with arthritis, but it said I haven't enough post yet. If you can IM me, would like to share it with you. Incredible stuff.

wingtipsdown

I don't have enough posts yet either. Just post it up here. The last 2 days have been misery! I think it is from the medicine - but once it's gone - it should be gone....

hueyhoolihan

i'd rather have the gout.

jareed58

wingstipdown, Go to this website, jareed58.iamlimu.com Ask for more info.

wingtipsdown

Don't say that man. You really don't want gout...

hueyhoolihan

i've had gout. i know, it hurts.

if it gets too bad i just down a couple beers, throw a ribeye on the grill, and before you can say, "Bob's your uncle", i've forgotten about it.

busygizmo

One thing not mentioned is that shellfish is considered a big trigger. This and beer are my biggest issues since life would be less without either. Luckily my gout is so far never more than a hindrance and seems to be only an occasional thing that can be dealt with cherry juice and an occasional use of ibuprofen.

The foods that cause the uric acid crystals to build up and those that actually trigger the inflammation may not be the same. Also you can have gout and not have particular high uric acid levels or conversely you can have high uric acid levels and be asymptomatic. It’s a tricky condition.

As mentioned by previous posters I think the best way to treat is with possible dietary changes but if you have severe gout it sounds like you will take anything to avoid the pain.

JerrySTL

Like others have said: drink more fluids and reduce the alcohol. Skip shell fish like shrimp, crab, and lobster.

The OP hinted at taking a lot of meds. A diuretic wouldn't be one of them, would it? My doctor put me on a diuretic to help reduce high blood pressure. It worked doing that but I went from not having a gout attack in a couple of years to having one about every 2 months. I'm off the diuretic now and the gout attacks have stopped.

kaisersling

My father , a 77 year old mountain biker and gets severe gout in his feet, swears by pure black cherry juice. Gotta get the good stuff usually only in the healthfood stores.

herbm

Also be careful with Soy Protein. I had to stop using Hammer Pertpetuem , it can actually raise Uric acid levels...

Gout sucks....

wingtipsdown

Thanks everyone. My doctor put me on alopurinol 100mg
My post was more of venting than I don't know what is going on.

However - the black cherry juice from the healthfood store is on my list.
I was put on the med years ago - only because my acid level was a little high (if that).

I took it for years and asked the doctor if I could come of the med and he said you can try it and see what happens.
Fast forward 2 years and BAM, here we are. Never again.
Gout hates my right big toe. It is crazy how bad it hurts my foot (full blown worst case for me). The first time I had it a specialist stuck a needle in my big toe to drain fluid from the inner joint. HOLY COW! Don't ever ever do this unless you absolutely have to. I take pain very well and my body throws me under the bus with this stuff.

Just started riding a month ago, was putting in some very respectable miles to - I have not been on a bike for 7 days. AT this point, it looks like another 5 days at least and rain for the weekend. ARRRRRGGGGG!

It will pass and be behind me soon, just a little bummed - blowing some steam as they say.
I have a new Defy 1 at the LBS waiting for me and they can't even fit me yet because of my foot. Double ARRRRRGGGGGGGG!!

I probably should have posted in another forum section, sorry if it is in the wrong section... Road bike seems to be my favorite place on here though.
Take care all.