This is a club I didnt want to join (introduction)

[haoleboy]

Hi

First off, many thinks to everyone who posts here. I have found so much info on this forum

It also helps to know that there are other people who live with this crazy horror show.

I have been lurking here for some time. I am often up at 3 am and the middle of the night checking this forum.

I never wanted to “join” because I thought this was be a one ot two time thing that I could control.

Boy have I been wrong. I used to get gout and HORRIBLE pain but then it would go away.

Now I am in the cycle of gout off and on with it moving into my knee etc

I have nothing new to offer in terms of treatment but I sure appreciate everyone here.

Thanks again

Jim

St Louis MO

[Utubelite]

Hi Jim,

I liked your words – Horror Show. No doubt, it is a scary show whenever it shows up.

You did not provide any details about your case. Is it possible for you to post more information?

[limpy]

I feel you pain. I've never been so depressed. Back in Dec. or Jan. I had my foot drained and then shot up with Cortizone the rhuematologist said I'd be alot better by the weekend. That was on a Wednesday. That Saturday it blew up again and hurt so bad just a little movement would just about bring tears to my eyes. Right now I've been on Allopurinol for about a month Prednisone on and off for two years and Colchicine since june 16th.  I sure hope it does the trick. I hope you find something that works for you. LIMPY

[haoleboy]

thanks for the reply

I had a couple attacks and then it let off – those were bad but they came and the WENT

now I have had it in one ankle for weeks and then a week or two fine then BOOM

in the other ankle

then the kneee

then fine for a week on vacation (there is a god!)

then back home and WHAM – in the knee again

had the knee stuck with a horse needle (screemed like a girl) and confirmed gout

now I am on Alipurinal and I guess I am going through the Alipurinal phase of gout ……

I hope to be able to put on my own big boy pants tomorrow!

Jim

[zip2play]

Haolboy and limpy,

Welcome to the club that nobody wants to join. You are both on allopurinol…good, that will be the answer the rest of your life.

You are both in the “settling around of the urate phase” that some os us have managed to avoid by getting diagnosed early. So you are both going to have  a moveable “feast” as uric acid goes from one joint to another. I hope it is quick for you.

Haolboy,  I do not know your allopurinol dosage but I read that limpy is taking 200 mg. I feel strongly that any doseage below 300 mg. is too low ESPECIALLY in the initial settling in. In order to stop moving urate from one place to another depending on temperature, joint acidity, position of sunspots etc. I think it is wise to manufacture as little extra uric acid as is practical. ANd for this I consider 300 mg. a minimum dosage. While a 5.5 mg/dL urate may be good after everything settles into a pain free existence, there is safety in lower numbers…4.5 is better.

Taking 300 mg. instead of 200 will certainly do no harm and will very likely safe you the pain of several attacks. ANd there is no hard and fast rule that says larger men may not do even better on 400 mg. alopurinol.

But in my book, nobody should be on a dosage of 100 mg or 200 mg. in the early stages of gout management. MAYBE after a few years a lucky few can take 200 mg. (but then even for them, why risk it?)

Prednisone is a wonderful drug but it has SO many side effects it cannot be counted on for long term pain control. Colchicine is a better drug for gout.

Good luck to you both. I hope you soon get to join those of us for whom gout pain is only a vey unpleasant memory.

[limpy]

zip2play, Thanks for the input. I'll call my doctor in the morning and see what he says. I'd love to get off the prednisone. I've been on it to long. But the pain is a lot to take without it.

[haoleboy]

I am on 300 mg per day

doing better today – I CUT THE GRASS!!!!! OMG!

and I can almost put both socks on by myself!

[zip2play]

I'd love to get off the prednisone. I've been on it too long.

If you DO go off the prednisone, make sure you wean slowly…at least a month, maybe even two.

and I can almost put both socks on by myself!

It's a good thing it's not ice-skating season!

[limpy]

I've had my heart rate pick up and also skip a few beats. My MD said it could have been from my Rhuematologist telling me to go from 60mg a day to none over a 2 week period. I dropped from 60mg to 30 mg and that when my heart started acting up. My MD said it was to big a drop and that could triggered it but their not sure. So he told me to go back to 50mg for 3 days them drop 10mg every 3 day till i got down to 10 mg then 5mg for 3 days then off them altogether. I'm at 30mg today and going down to 20mg tomorrow I just hope the pain stays away and my heart settles down. I'm on a 24 hour heart moniter right now and have a appointment to see a Cardiologist Friday. Wish me luck. LIMPY

[zip2play]

limpy,

Go even slower with your prednisone withdrawal.

I took 4 weeks just to take myself from 20 mg. to zero after using prednisone to combat a bout with shingles a decade ago. It worked like a charm with only 2 weeks of grief because I got started on it within 48 hours.

For a wonky heartbeat, supplemental magnesium (like 500 mg. MgO per day) is a very good idea. I know from personal experience. Give it a try after you get done with the cardiologist.

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