Gout

[Prayerful Mom]

Could some of our nurses, or those in the know, describe gout to me?? What you have seen as symptoms that is. I know this is off topic but it is very important to me. Also, if that is the suspected culprit of my problems would an Endocrinologist be the doctor to see re: this?

[Melody]

Gout

Topic Overview


What is gout?

Gout is a disease caused by the deposit of uric acid crystals in the joints of the body. It is characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and heat (inflammation) as well as stiffness in a joint or joints. Gout is a form of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and is most common in men.1

What causes gout?

If your body produces too much uric acid or doesn't get rid of it in the urine, the excess uric acid builds up and may form crystals in the joints. Causes of crystal formation include drinking too much alcohol, taking medications that may increase the uric acid concentration, eating foods that are high in purines (specific chemical compounds found in some foods), and being overweight. The metabolism of uric acid is influenced by genes.

What are the symptoms of gout?

The most common symptom of gout is a nighttime attack of swelling, tenderness, and pain affecting a big toe. People who have gout may have a few very painful attacks in one or two joints, usually the big toe, foot, ankle, or knee joints. The attack can last a few days or as long as several weeks, and then the symptoms disappear completely. Another attack may not occur for months or years.

For more information go to;

http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/hw/arthritis/hw69013.asp

[NanaRenan]

What are the symptoms of gout?

The most common symptom of gout is a nighttime attack of swelling, tenderness, and pain affecting a big toe. People who have gout may have a few very painful attacks in one or two joints, usually the big toe, foot, ankle, or knee joints. The attack can last a few days or as long as several weeks, and then the symptoms disappear completely. Another attack may not occur for months or years.

My husband and son both have gout from time to time. These are pretty macho tough guys, but the pain is evidently excruciating.

I know they make a concerted effort to avoid red meat and beans all the time, but especially when an attach occurs.

[Sis]

eating foods that are high in purines
Just curious, what are some of the foods described above?

[Prayerful Mom]

Could some of our nurses, or those in the know, describe gout to me?? What you have seen as symptoms that is. I know this is off topic but it is very important to me. Also, if that is the suspected culprit of my problems would an Endocrinologist be the doctor to see re: this?
I am sorry, let me back up, I have done all the internet searches and I am trying to figure all this out. I do have an appointment with a doctor next month and it is with an Endo, my daughter's Endo actually. My problem is not in my feet as much as in my hands . They swell up terribly and hurt badly. The first couple episodes happened when I did a large amount of physical activities. i.e. church dinners, fundraisers, cleaning for hours, etc. I would wake up the next morning and my hands would be so swollen that I could hardly move them much less make a fist. Now it has progressed to when I cook a large meal for my family. If I kneel for a period of time my knees with start with it too. Now, when I wear high heel shoes the swelling attacks my feet, sometimes the arches. Yesterday was the first episode in my baby toe radiating to the toe next to it.

I am just so confused about all this. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and what it looked like when it attacked so that I could compare the symptom.

[ddc101]

Oh no sis Gout is much different.If you had it in your foot you would be limping continually.Eating a diet high in protein and also different veggies such as spinach,brocalli,kale,cabbage etc.I believe its the nightshade group of veggies aggrivates it immensely.The atkins diet sends me right into an occurance.It causes the joints to ache due to crytals being deposted there.
With me it occurs in the joints of my big toes and sometimes my inner instep.
An endo is for hormonal stuff like diabetes.But honestly you could have swelling in those areas due to that.Don't worry you will get referred.lv sis.c

[NanaRenan]

I am sorry, let me back up, I have done all the internet searches and I am trying to figure all this out. I do have an appointment with a doctor next month and it is with an Endo, my daughter's Endo actually. My problem is not in my feet as much as in my hands . They swell up terribly and hurt badly. The first couple episodes happened when I did a large amount of physical activities. i.e. church dinners, fundraisers, cleaning for hours, etc. I would wake up the next morning and my hands would be so swollen that I could hardly move them much less make a fist. Now it has progressed to when I cook a large meal for my family. If I kneel for a period of time my knees with start with it too. Now, when I wear high heel shoes the swelling attacks my feet, sometimes the arches. Yesterday was the first episode in my baby toe radiating to the toe next to it.

I am just so confused about all this. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and what it looked like when it attacked so that I could compare the symptom.
Sister...I pray you find out what the answer is. Just knowing what you're dealing with can help tremendously. And the Lord can lead you to that!

Several years ago I was having horrible pain in my feet and ankles. Hobbling like an old woman as I got out of bed each morning. I went to the doctor who told me I had plantar fasciitis (something like fallen arches) and that I needed expensive orthotics made to wear in SENSIBLE shoes every waking moment.

I am the original barefoot girl -- sandals year round. The thougtht of having to wear REAL shoes all day every day was heartbreaking to me.

I sat down to read about the condition on the internet. Just out-of-the-blue I typed fibromyalgia into the search engine. Now I knew nothing about it -- had only heard the name and have NO IDEA why it popped in my head unless the Lord God above put it there.

First link I clicked on was a list of symptoms. I sat there reading them and began to cry like a baby. I printed out all four pages and took a highlighter to every item that applied to me.

The next day I went BACK to the doctor and just handed him the pink-stained pages. He glanced thru them and decided to forego any testing (which cannont CONFIRM fibromyalgia, but only eliminate OTHER things) and began me on a minimal dosage treatment. My symptoms were immediately lessened.

Your complaints made me think of this because fibromyalgia can be any place on the body -- even all over -- but it does sometimes seem to "settle" in one place more than another. Occasionally I will have some swelling with it when it's in my hands or feet.

Right now it is situated in my shoulders and quite uncomfortable. But thank the Lord, I'm still able to get thru my day and make it to church to worship with God's people, so I'll not complain.

Praise His Name!

[Esther]

I had a friend of mine that is a nurse tell me gout is caused from a lack of iodine. Recommend I eat more shell fish. So far everytime it occurs I eat shrimp or my favorite lobster and it goes away.

[Sis]

You know, I had all the symptoms of fibromyalgia. My doctor just told me I was depressed. I was hurting all the time, stiff after sitting, etc.

I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When I got on the correct meds, after a year of playing with meds, it was gone. Most people who have fibromyalgia, end up being diagnosed with thyroid disease.

Just as I started really believing that it is a symptom and not a disease in itself, I've read that now doctors are starting to think that way. That it's a symptom of thyroid disease. Of course, some doctors are fighting that notion, but I go to About.com thyroid pages, and they do interviews with thyroid specialists, not just endocronologists or MD's. The specialists are looking into the possibility and are coming up with the same thing I thought of . LOL I should hang out my shingle, huh? ROFL

Now I have a new doctor and my meds are changing and the pain is back. UGHHHHHHHH