I ask this question here, 'cause I've read OG speak of hubby's problem.

Seems the last few months, I can not rid myself of the pain and swelling. Take indocin 'till I pass blood too badly to continue, then just grit my teeth and keep on working. Have had bleeding ulcers from this and other meds, too.

Guess I'm looking for perhaps herbal/home remedies, advise, help of any kind. Dr says just go sedentary 'till it clears up, but that's not much of an option.

TIA, Dennis

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2001

Answers

So glad I was online, Dennis. That's AWFUL, I'm so sorry. I know how terribly painful it is--Sweetie sometimes has to use one of my canes to get around. I read that celery extract pills are good and somewhere online is a list of foods you might want to avoid for a while. You know the obvious ones, like red meat, organ meats and alcohol, but there are some others you might not be so familiar with. I think Sweetie takes allopurinol for his gout, can't remember. I'll ask him, see what info he has for you.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Dennis, I saved a couple of bookmarks:

Gout: treatment, prevention, cure

Gout

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Thanks,OG. Been battling this problem for years, I do take allopurinol (sp?) to reduce the uric acid, but was told not to take it with the indocin.

And yup, no organ meats, shell fish, dried beans. These seem to especially set it off.

Just fishing for other's experiences...thanks.

Dennis

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

dennis, you take allopurinal and the problem persists? when did you last get a blood test and have the dose adjusted? i have had gout for a few years now. no trouble after two early outbreaks. 300 mg /day. watch the diet.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Dave, last test was last summer. Rheumatologist injected something into my ankle joints to help flush the crystals, helped for a good while, but I did develop the "tophi" deposits on the sides of my feet.

This crap seems to run in spurts, will have it a few months, then be ok for most of the year. Just this time, I am extremely busy, had to get rid of a driver last week, increasing the work load for us other three. I ran over 3000 miles last week, but at least the flood may be a blessing in disguise for me, for we have slowed some this week. I have read that stress can be a factor.

Dennis

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Yup, Sweetie takes Allopurinol every day and has had no problems for quite some time.

Black cherry juice is also supposed to be good. Can find at healthfood stores.

Good discussion here

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

I read your other links, and they also mentioned cherries or juice, will get some in the am. I also found mention of DMSO, which I tried a few years ago, but gave up when the wife complained of my breath stinking like the rub. But, it did seem to work, guess I'm part horse (NOT THE ASS,LOL, as the wife says)

Thanks, ya'll, for the input.

Dennis

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Dennis, to help with the medicine breath, maybe try chlorophyll tablets. Let us know how you go on, okay? Sounds like gout is becoming an epidemic. For those who don't know, it's excruciatingly painful.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

I am doing better today. Stopped by the grocer first thing this am, got a lb of cherries (little $%&^ were $4 a lb) and have eaten most of them thru-out the day. ('Course that little demoral tab this am helped, (grin)) Wife also found me some cherrie juice, and some mixed with apple juice thats quite tasty.

Thanks again.

Dennis

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001