John
Message 1 of 1
Gout - what a pain. I am 34 yrs. old ad have had it under control for about 3 years. First episode was in the elbow at age 20 - emergency room diagnosed it as gout (I has never heard of it - told me to see a specialist and pres. meds) - I ignored him (being young) I went through several severe episodes until it became chronic. For years I had no ins. so I would try to tough it out. Finally a new job with insurance at age 28. I went through the ringer (bones scans, blood work, etc..)- sine I have had operation on right elbow and both shoulders due to destruction of jounts from the crystals. My big toe pain is a constant and I just live with it. I take allopurinol and colchine - predisone every now and then. I must say I have not had a ba attack in a long time. A few minor ones, but i was becoming crippled with it. At one point I had it in my toe, ankle, elbow, and knee for a long time (it was bad) and all flared up at the same time. Also I have had two Kidney stone removal operations due to uric acid crystals. Gout is not the same in anybody as far as occurances some get once some become stricken BUT you can control it. Do not wait like myself (if you are young) because it only destroys your joint and leaves deposits or tophia if left untreated. I was young to get it but is is hereditary. I have always been fit I worked out reg. even through the gout (doc said that it wore my joints down doing this during flare ups, but young and dumb) - Diet has never played a role in my gout as long as I take my meds. some people stay on low purine diets. I have tried all the remedies before age 28 and the only cure for me was to take my meds everyday. If I miss a couple of days I get scared. Pain Free accept my big toe, but it could be worse. See a internal medicine doc now and do not wait control your uric acid before it controls you. Good Luck!!