I'm recovering from a gout attack in my right foot, anyone of my learned posting friends have advice on how to prevent it? I'm 50, run about four times a week and lift three times (lucky enough to have a job that allows for this), and don't overly indulge in alcohol, red meats, or organ meats. This is my third bout with this since 2003, when I had a shoulder surgery.

Does anyone have any tips, through personal experience or a good source, on what supplements I can take to prevent another bout of this? For those that haven't had it, count your blessings, talk about discomfort! But, a lot of people have a lot worse conditions, so I don't complaint excessively. But does anyone have any input? I checked the forum's search engine, there were some postings about gout a few years ago, anyone have updated info? Take care all, enjoy your posts, have a great week. WB

Gout is caused by a build up of monosodium urate (uric acid) crystals in a joint.

After an acute attack your doctor should put you on allopurinol 300 mg. daily.

Are you on Atkins?

Hi Doc, thanks for the response, in fact I saw your reply to a post in August 2004. That one had to do with cigars and gout. My physician, an orthopedic surgeon, put me on Indocin, 50 mg caps, which I took for four days. I'm off it now, as the attack subsided.

And Sobek, no, not doing Atkins or anything really unique (diet-wise, such as ripped fuel, energy drinks, Red Bull, so on) to excess. I limit red meats as a rule to keep my blood pressure down, and never did like the foods that are considered risky for those prone to gout. Also, my dad had it, I understand it's hereditary.

Indocin is an antiinflammatory medication like Motrin.Allopurinol will reduce the uric acid in your blood and help prevent future attacks.

A friend of mine eats black cherries when the gout flares up on him. He swears by it, but I have no idea if there's any medical basis there.

Thanks, Doc, Sobek, Extension Cord, appreciate the responses. The discomfort has all but dissipated. Have a great holiday weekend! WB

Gout is terrible. I've had attacks in my right big toe, right knee and right and left ankle. For years it was only occasional attacks, but this year it's been one after another. I take 100mg of allopurinol. Maybe I should get my doctor to up the dose.

quote:

Originally posted by LA WB:
Thanks, Doc, Sobek, Extension Cord, appreciate the responses. The discomfort has all but dissipated. Have a great holiday weekend! WB

Looks like it's time for a big steak & bottle of wine then

Glad you are feeling better.
My first wifes father used to get the gout so bad he could not put his foot on the ground.
I remember he suffered much every time he got it.
Lucky he did not pass it on to his sons.