Our “gout” from taro leaves was always very short duration, with no treatment. It generally as maybe 24-48 hours. Sad that we have to watch our spinach & taro leaf consumption as we love both. Not hard to moderate it tho and nothing else seems to trigger either of us. We count our blessings.
I wonder if the course of gout depends on the cause. Mine is clearly genetic but related to kidney function it seems. It’s been 3 1/2 days and not much change. Maybe a little less swelling. Hope you have some good green leafy alternatives!
Yes, most greens don’t cause any issues—just those two and only when we eat a lot. Moderation is much safer.
I’ve heard two friends (both male) mention gout. One claims his daily med (starts with an A?) solved everything. Another liked to use some kind of cherry juice but had a med that worked better… until he was between insurance plans and ran out.
I had it once last year. Blood test two weeks later confirmed high uric acid levels. I think large amounts of shrimps I ate that week was the cause. It probably also genetic since my dad had kidney stones all his life and also had gout in his sixties. I am trying to modify my diet. You can find gout friendly foods online. I don’t drink but my guilty pleasure is shellfish and meat. My doctor said we will check again uric acid levels next year and see if diet modification is working. Tart cherry juice supposed to be helping. I get it sometimes at TJ.
For what it’s worth, tart cherry extract is also widely available in capsules.
The med is allopurinol. It reduces the level of uric acid. My gout does not seem related to diet, more likely kidney function issues and dehydration. Still, I will be exploring both medical and dietary ways to reduce uric acid.
I looked back at test results for kidney function and uric acid. In September 2022 my eGFR went down from 53 to 36 so abrupt decline in kidney function. Before that my uric acid level was normal and after that, twice, it was high (in 2023). So that gives adequate reason for gout along with dehydration. It also poses issues in treatment. I assume dietary changes will help though I don’t eat much red meat or shellfish. I might have to limit my sorbet! Mainly hydration is the problem. I have a lupus diagnosis and high antibodies for scleroderma so the other question is why my kidney function declined. Sooo many people have gout. Who knew?!
Yes. I have been taking Omeprazole for years (acid reflux) with Vitamin B. After my spinal fusion surgery in the fall, my doctor told me to lose weight. I have lost weight before but can’t keep it off, so I started taking Zepbound. Dropped 30 pounds and so far it has stayed off. I have also been training hard with Zwift indoor cycling (and outdoors as well). I noticed that I was running out of steam prematurely (for my condition) on HIIT workouts and generally my heart rate was pretty high for the intensity of my workouts. Concluded that my iron was very low. This was a result of a) the Omeprazole suppressing acid levels; b) the Zepbound keeping it in my stomach for longer. Iron needs acid to be absorbed so I had stopped absorbing iron (or was absorbing less). While I awaited an iron transfusion (and the doctors did tests to rule out a host of very low probability diagnoses), I started eating a lot of red meat (and Vit C for acid). Cycling outside in the heat, eating red meat and not hydrating enough gave me gout a couple of weeks ago. – classic big toe presentation I have Stage 3 CKD (eFDR 58, I think) and so they prescribed prednisone instead of colchicine up in Canada. Immediate relief but after the 5 day course was complete, I had another flareup a couple of days later. Went to a bone/joint doctor to make sure there wasn’t anotehr explanation (and my wrist flared up in addition. Yesterday, they prescribed a longer cycle of prednisone (14 days instead of 5). Immediate relief. Fingers crossed.
The doc did suggest working with my PCP and nephrologist to have a renal-dosed version of colchicine if there was ever another flareup. But, I am hydrating a lot more (and riding inside at the moment) and avoiding foods with purine. Plus, I have asked my doc to see if there is another anti-acid reflux drug with a different mechanism that doesn’t deplete my iron.
An eGFR of 58 is hardly a problem. But dehydration and red meat might trigger-? Are you off the omeprazole? My friend has low iron and has to have transfusions but won’t go off omeprazole. I got off with a month’s long withdrawal regimen gradually replacing it with Zantac or Pepcid. When you stop cold turkey the GERD is so much worse!
One doctor told me they don’t use colchicine. I did try 4mg methylprednisolone yesterday and had no afib but generally that does happen. I have been given permission to use NSAID’s sparingly but I just had Reclast. So many toxins for the kidneys ! My eGFR was 38, not good, but not as bad as my friend’s by a long shot.
Do you know why your doctor didn’t use colchicine?
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The eGFR increased from earlier. (This year, it has been 53, 47, 57, 42 and now 58). Not sure what contributes to these numbers.
I am still on Omeprazole but have a call with the doc next week to discuss alternatives. Neither doctor (PCP or orthopod) prescribed the colchicine because of the Stage 3 CKD, but the orthopod suggested that PCP, nephrologist and I figure out what a renal-dosed version of colchicine would be so we are ready for another flareup.
Coming back around to say that getting a second opinion was extremely beneficial to me.
The genuine care I felt from this new podiatrist was amazing (and I love my podiatrist) - we talked, he asked intelligent questions, and I was surprised when he said he felt like my current podiatrist “gave up too quickly” - another surprising thing, as we talked, he quietly picked up my shoe and re-tied the lace to make it more comfortable for me! - he provided immediate support and suggestions, helped me order some supplies online, on the spot, and made me feel valued. He’s very kind. And while my current podiatrist said he could no longer inject my toe, Dr. K said “of course we can, you still have movement and while one injection (out of 7) was ineffective, we don’t simply give up.” I asked him if I would need to make another appointment for it, and he said he could do it right there and then. So he did! I felt relief immediately (as I usually do) but the real test is how I do over the next few days. Well, that was Tuesday. I’m now back to being able to wear shoes (and socks!), and walk…even barefoot!
So now I wait and see. But so far so good.
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Yay—sounds like the new podiatrist is a winner—the other not so much. My niece is a podiatrist and also very kind and good with people. So glad you have upgraded to a better provider!
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My gout symptoms are gone after a 14 day predinsone course. But, I’m staying away from red meat, seafood and beer for a while.
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My rheumatologist and PCP both prescribed 0.6mg colchicine twice a day but I am going to consult nephrology. I may have to do allopurinol because I cannot do NSAIDs due to kidneys (like you) and prednisone triggers afib. @Shawbridge your numbers jump around which might show that, like me, you don’t drink enough water! My doctor also did a Cystatin C which isn’t affected by dehydration or muscle activity and that was much better for me. If this happens again I will up the colchicine. I am going through a lot of water right now! Good luck with the omeprazole. I got off it, onto Pepcid, then slowly off that and don’t eat after 5, take a Tums at bedtime. (Not sure Tums is good for us either but at least it is hours after food.)
Had one flare about four years ago, and another started Friday night. Hope they can squeeze me in tomorrow. Last time I did a round of steroids, as I can’t do NSAIDs. They decided not to do colchicine at that time, though I don’t remember the specifics. I actually took allopurinol when I was first dx’d with leukemia as a means of reducing white blood cells quickly (my count was 174k at dx). Foot is swollen, the toe is bright pink and I’ve been hobbling all weekend.
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Hope you get in today!
ps Curious why no colchicine…
Colchicine conflicts with too many of my meds. Doc called back – uric acid was high, so I’m starting a steroid pack. I need to make a list of all the things I want to get done, because I’m about to be rip-roaring with energy!
Steroids treat the inflammatory immune response that is gout, but don’t lower uric acid. Will you go on allopurinol? I am considering it since I have problems with colchicine, NSAID’s and steroids. I hope you feel better and get a lot done!
Be cautious about using Tums. They’re more or less pure calcium carbonate which can cause kidneys stones, especially when taken without food in your stomach. I have moderate GERD and use only famotidine( Pepcid) but frequently have break through reflux. I was taking 2-5 Tums daily, mostly in the evening after dinner, and my physician daughter warned me against that much usage because of the risk of kidney stones. (What she actually said to me is : “If you keep taking them like that, don’t come complain to me when you get kidney stones.”)
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