Anybody else out there that deals with this? I was going to go to the la tropa tj fiesta tonite but man my "great" toe (as the docs call it) is killing me. I once saw it described in a medical book as "exquisite pain".

Misery loves company.

Ouch!!!!!

It's a bitch when you can't walk.

I'm on the Colchicine routine now. 0.6 mg every half hour for 3 hours, unless you get poisoned
first.

BTW,

For you chronic gout suffers, Colchicine is cheap in TJ, 100 tabs is under $10. It's a derivative of a flower that the Greeks first discovered many years BC. It's still the best, imagine that!!

Damn. I had never even heard about this before today. It certainly does not sound like fun. I am sorry to hear you are in such pain Ldvee.

Because I had never heard of Gout, I did a Google search for it and came up with following fact sheet.

http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/gout.html

Pain's gone thanks to the colchicine. Now I'm dealing with the toxicity, but at least I can walk to the bathroom.

Should be in tip top shape for a night of TJ debauchery tonight.

Xenono, the article you linked to is correct. I've tried the NSAIDs and they don't work for me and the preventative meds raise my liver enzymes, so they're out. Thanks for the sympathy.

Cranberry juice, or some other acidic (or is the word "acetic"?) liquid. You are suffering from poor circulation to the extremities, largely caused by restriction of the capillaries brought on by factors in your diet, exercise habits, and general lifestyle. To be able to monger appropriately (id est, without changing radically your lifestyle) while also avoiding the symptoms, I say start including about two or three pints a day of cranberry juice in your diet. Most bars in the US keep it on hand as a mixer, and will gladly serve it over ice for you. The good news is, the damage is all symptomatic -- if your great toe stops suffering, you aren't doing yourself any other gout-related ill -- so it's a self-diagnosable, and self-curable, condition. It's tailor-made for a monger!

I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, by the way.


(Message edited by book_guy on June 07, 2003)

Twenty years ago I had a gout attack. It felt like I had a spike being driven though my left foot. It didn't affect my notorious big toe.

The way I understand it, uric acid is not processed by the liver (or is it the kidneys?) and uric acid builds up in the system as it is not being flushed out in the urine. The acid sinks to the lowest part of your body and starts to crystalize. It is first felt in the small joints of the feet, usually the big toe, but for me in the ball of my foot.

The doctor gave me some medication to decrystalize it and then put me on Probenicid. The prescription is now changed to a daily 300 mg pill of Allopurinol (for: Zyloprim). She told me I would be taking it the rest of my life. That threw me back, as I was only 39. About ten years ago, the doctor decided to see if I could come off the medication. About five days later, I had another attack. I'll never go off again. I have never notice any other ill effects. I can tell you this, the pain of the gout makes it so I never miss a pill.

I saw a research study about gout in the SD Union last month and I signed up to be a participant. I may go on a plecebo and that's scaring the crap out of me. So I don't know if I'll follow thorough.

I noticed red wine was a trigger that promoted an attack long ago. Some folk remedies I've hear are cherries. But why not see the doc?

Nayarit ,

"It felt like I had a spike being driven though my left foot."

That's about it.

My first attack was also about 20 years ago, when I was in my early 30s.

People make all kinds of excuses, but I think in most cases alcohol is the culprit. I'm a moderate/heavy drinker (3 to 4 beers a day on average) and when I push into the heavy zone, I pay dearly for it. Now I have to abstain for a while, which I will, but old bad habits have a way of creeping back.

Allopurinol works but it can be tough on the liver and it was on mine. Alcohol again??

Where can I find out more about the research study. Maybe I'll participate.

I've had Gout as well. What a pain! Hit my big toe. The major culprit I identified was coffee and its production of uric acid, which forms chrystaline needles in your joints. Not fun.

All good posts on cranberry juice helping. Also, cheeries are a big help and work to reduce uric acid as well.

The good news is, my gout has not returned. A one time deal. Hopefully yours will be too.

Ix

Actually the biochemical reason for the increase in serum uric acid and the subsequent precipitation out of the bi-refringent salt crystals (monosodium urate) that get caught up in the interstital fluid that lubricates the small joints in your extremities, notably the big toe joint, is the incomplete metabolism of a class of chemicals called "purines".

The trick is identifying and staying away from whatever you are ingesting that "kicks it off".

Oh no, not my beloved cold beer, not that, I'm of German heritage, swilling, quaffing, chugging beer is in my genes.

I'm going to go out and buy some cherry-cranberry juice right now.

How long does it take to ferment? 8^)

Ldveetheunfortunategoutexpert.

I have read several articles about the benefits of cherry juice helping with the treatment of gout.

I also have a brother in law that has been taking cherry juice for years and swears it helps his gout.

Where do you find cherry juice? Certainly not in la zona, unless your name is Ben. Do I have to find some quinceaneras?

Had some regular pussy juice Sat night. I'm on the mend.

I think the health food stores carry it, but since I don't have gout (clean living) I have never shopped for the stuff.

I read an article once that said cherry juice comes from cherries, but YMMV. ;>)

Ldvee - saw this in the paper the other day and thought of you.

Gout?

If you have ever had Gout, give us a call to find out about our Gout Study. Study doctor visits, lab tests and investigational medication are provided at no cost.

Participants receive up to $400

For more information please call

California Research Foundation 619.291.2321

Thanks T-boner, I knew about this thanks to another board member but forgot about it. I don't think I'll look into it because of time constraints, I'm either making money or spending it on latinas. Takes all my time ;-).

In my case there is no doubt that excessive beer consumption, which is high in the precursors of gout, purines, causes my problem.

Back off on the beer, which has many positive benefits, no gout.

The $400 is tempting but I don't think so.

Another acute flare-up so I thought I would look back and see when the last one happened. Just before one of these pinche La Tropa fiestas.

Now why is it that an incipient gathering of lewd, lascivious, lecherous, fat, bald, middle-aged, beer swilling, viagra popping men in a dive whore bar in the dirtiest part of the dirtiest border town in Mexico makes my big toe hurt?

I don git it!

#1 push as much water as you can handle.

-essential fatty acid complex as directed.

-B complex 100 mg twice daily

- + extra extra B5 and folic acid 500 mg daily

- Vit. C with bioflavinoids 3000 to 5000 mgs daily

These are good for the acute onset and maintanace
as well.

Simply stated for the next few days have a simple diet, lots of salads and fresh fruit especially watermelon.

Check out some sites on the web for gout management.

If you play your cards right you can still party and eliminate this problem as well.

Good Luck, Mr Innocent

Thanks Innocent, you're absolutely correct. Unfortunately I'm a gout expert.

You forgot two of the most important steps tho for the acute onset. Lay off the beer and take a round of Colchicine. Which I did and I'm OK now.

Hope your feeling better.

Actually I assumed you were an expert and knew that as well as specific foods to avoid blah,blah.blah.

Good health, Mr. Innocent