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Gout and Restless Legs
I’m taking the Allopurinol now (100 mg day until I get a blood test, and GP thinks he’ll increase it). I’m supposed to take the colchicine when the next flare happens. (Along with NSAIDs)
I’m having little bursts of gouty things, left and right foot, ankles (?), toes. Some are super painful, but last 10 seconds. So I don’t know…I’m guessing I’ll wait to start the colchicine when it revs up to a genuine outbreak? I know there are different schools of thought on all of this, and for the newbie, it’s a bit confusing.
Do any of you get sort of a restless legs thing when you have a flare? I can’t explain this exactly, but when it ramps up, my legs just start kind of flipping around, or my feet. It’s almost like restless legs (from what I know). Is this a thing? Buehler?
Keith wrote:
So if you want good opinions itโs better to tell us where you read rubbish about spinach and legumes. Because then I can explain why they are good for you and where the others got it wrong.
Haha. It was my FOOT doctor who told me spinach was on the forbidden list. (This was before he learned I don’t eat game meats or gross brain sandwiches, don’t drink, etc.) He’s a foot and ankle surgeon, and I think they mostly do repair work, fungal nails, ankle replacements, and so on. In fact, he said he would diagnose the gout and provide pain relief, which he did, but then would send me back to my GP for ongoing treatment because he didn’t do kidneys.
I’ve decided to start the allopurinol tomorrow. I want to first go to the store and load in supplies, particularly things I can eat without cooking. If I get an attack like the others, I won’t be able to walk, or stand at the stove.
That’s why I’m thinking nut butters to hold me over. They’re nutritious and easy to just eat out of the jar. Plus yogurt, maybe chicken lunchmeat.
Now that I know more about all of this, instead of it catching me off guard and unprepared, I can plan ahead. Kind of like disaster planning, except the disaster is gout. (I live in tornado alley.)
Lots of info…thanks!
I only take Synthroid (levothyroxine) for the thyroid. The amount was fine for many years (minor bumps up and down), and all of a sudden it was way too much. Somehow each titration down haven’t been enough, and it’s been an ongoing ordeal.
The thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) takes about six weeks to work through your system, so that’s why the blood tests every six weeks. However, I can call him and ask for more uric acid tests. All he can do is say no. He had said that typically, the ua test is five weeks, but we’d just do it at six because I was already doing the thyroid tests.
Per your comment, I checked my yogurt carton again, and you’re right…there’s no ADDED sugar, just natural sugar from the dairy.
I just googled purine in chicken, because I thought chicken was okay. I came across this very interesting list:
http://www.acumedico.com/purine.htm
Check out spinach. It’s low, IMO. The FOOT doctor was the one who told me spinach was on the list. Although when we went through my general diet and water intake (and that I don’t drink), he moved on to the diuretic, and oops, was on that for a long time. (Stopped two months ago, nothing to do with gout.) Then I casually mentioned my grandfather had it, and he seemed to place most of the blame on genetics.
This is mostly moot, because for now, I’m going to eat like I have been and try to up my protein with lentils, because I love them. 2-3 times a week. Also some chicken. My yogurt. And I’m going to look into the protein content of cashew or almond butters.
Wow, thank you for such a thoughtful, detailed response!
I should have been more clear: I’ve been off the diuretic for about two months in favor of a small dose of Linisopril. My blood pressure was barely high, but I’ve gone along with it because my mother has vascular dementia, and she also had slightly high BP, but refused to take meds in favor of a quack who laid hands and tapped her head. (Not kidding, sadly)
I’m trying to be a little bit more compliant than she was, to head off vascular dementia.
I have taken the indomethacin, a couple of times. The foot guy gave me that. It made me feel horrible, but it did help with the swelling and pain. I had an upset stomach (severe nausea to the point of retching a few times) and the worst: it made me dizzy and loopy, the way opiates make me feel. Despite that, I thought I would give it another try and see if those side effects lessen, or at least I can learn to tolerate them. It really did help a lot.
But I’m afraid I couldn’t stand feeling like that every day. BTW, the foot dr didn’t believe I got so messed up from that drug, said it was just like taking a super aspirin. ::sigh:: He also said that being like a super aspirin (sorta, but not), aspirin causes uric acid (or keeps it from leaving, whatever), so it was okay to take on a limited basis. Therefore I am surprised to hear people take it daily! (Not doubting you, just surprised.)
I agree about trying one drug at a time. That’s been my policy for a long time, because some drugs I tolerate just fine, and others not so much.
What happened with my thyroid: I have Hashimotos (hypo) and have since I was in my 20s. Severe. My levels have stayed fairly consistent for three decades. Now and then, a little bump up or down, but nothing major. Back in Dec or January, my blood showed I was going hypERthyroid. My doctor bumped me down, and then every six weeks I go back, and my numbers are WORSE. He doesn’t understand it either, and just keeps lowering my dose. My hair has been falling out for about six weeks or so, and now it’s really thin. It’s been a really CRAPPY several months, and now I have gout. Sorry for the whine. It could be worse, knock on wood.
I plan to be very compliant on the Allopurinol, assuming I tolerate it well. (And most of what I’ve read seems to indicate it’s an old drug, effective and safe. So I’ve got a good feeling…) And if I don’t, then I’ll try the other meds. But I think Allopurinol will do the trick.
As for blood tests, LOL. Because of the thyroid (and they keep running various other tests to keep an eye on kidney, liver, etc. They are all fine.), I’m being tested every six weeks, and my GP said we’ll just add the uric acid to the list. HA.
I *can* drink milk, but I’d rather not. LOL. I love yogurt, but have been heartbroken to learn how much sugar is in ALL OF IT. And if it screams low fat, then figure they’ll add another handful of sugar.
I actually gave up all sugar several months ago. I was never much of a soda drinker, so that was easy. And I drink my coffee and tea unsweetened. But what I’ve learned is to read labels, and I’ve been horrified at the way they sneak sugar into everything. It’s an eye opener. But yogurt was the one that really hurt me. I like PLAIN non-Greek yogurt. It even has sugar in it!
I just checked my cartons, and plain old yogurt (not vanilla) has 16 grams sugar in ONE SERVING!
I was not aware that sugar contributes to gout. I guess that means I won’t plan a chocolate binge anytime soon.
What I LOVE: lentils, whole grains and beans. Yes I do. And those are chock full of proteins. I’ve been trying to eat more of those, try new recipes. But when I started reading the gout stuff, they kept saying legumes and beans, NO.
Then tonight I found someplace that said yes you can. LOL. It’s CRAZY. I thought I could try peanut butter, and then realized…legume.
It’s the same way with tomatoes: some say RUN AWAY, and others say no, they’re so good for you.
Are there any guidelines for how much protein a gouty person should eat?
You’re the welcome ambassador into Gout Land. I do appreciate the information, ideas and advice you’ve given me. Thank you.
Newly Diagnosed with Gout! Where do I start?
Hello everyone!
I’ve been diagnosed with gout in my left foot, but after I got home from the dr, it (again) spread to my right toes and arch. This was about the fourth attack since the beginning of 2017.
I didn’t realize all this mess was gout. I thought I injured the left foot, then caused problems in the right because I was either hopping on the “good” foot or, after a few days, limping, and causing more weight and stress on the right foot. So in my mind, it was related.
I also blamed the right foot on a bunion and giant hammertoe. I’ve had the hammertoe for years, but it never hurt until gout moved in, and now it swells up double, plus turns purple and red. Looks like it was run over. The bunion, I just thought that because that’s where it hurt, got red, swelled, got hot and skin peeled like a sunburn. Apparently it’s not a bunion. LOL.
I went to my foot and ankle surgeon on this fourth attack, day four (because I could not walk until then). He pretty much knew the moment he saw it that it was gout. Sent me for blood tests (also blood counts and metabolic profile) to rule out infection and check uric acid.
I went back and wham! 9.4 on the uric acid.
“You have gout.”
Dang! I was so sure he was wrong, too. I thought it was a bad sprain.
He referred me back to my GP for drugs. He had already prescribed Indomethicin for pain, and then my GP has now added 100 mg to start of the allopurinol, and the colchicine to use in the beginning of the next attack. Oh, and foot guy offered me a cortisone shot, but I declined. Am afraid of those.
My GP said after the next blood test, he’ll probably up the allopurinol until we get the uric acid under 6. (The next blood test I had, after the attack was mostly over, was 7.9)
This all happened over the last month.
Now I’ve come to realize the gout is in multiple areas. Left foot: top and bottom towards the front, ball of the foot. Right foot: big toe, second toe (the hammertoe), ball of foot and arch.
It’s all the same kind of pain, plus red, hot and swelling. But the left foot seems to be worse and starts first. At least they don’t go full force at the same time!
The first or second attack caused an inability to walk. When the left foot finally started to calm, the right foot went nuts and I was like “You have GOT to be kidding me.”
Now all the gout stuff makes a lot of sense.
The good news, I guess: I don’t have to change my diet. I don’t eat any of that stuff, except spinach. I’m not vegan or anything, I just stopped liking meat except some chicken. I don’t drink, so I don’t have to give up beer or wine.
I naturally drink a lot of water, always have. The foot dr. thought it was mostly genetics in my case. (Grandfather had it, perhaps others…dunno) Also, I had been taking hydrochlorathiazide, my thyroid is out of whack (and being difficult to get under control), and I think my aversion to meat has caused me to be protein deficient.
I have so many questions, and I guess so much to learn. :::sigh:::
My main question to start: I’m trying to figure out WHEN to take these two drugs (the allopurinol and colchicine). I’m supposed to start the all. when my flareup is done. And do the col. when a new one begins.
However, I’m not sure the one that started a month ago is over. I keep getting mini attacks in both feet. They hurt like mad for 15-60 seconds, and then go away. Maybe a few hours later, another spot lights up. It’s goutish pain, and in the gouty areas of both feet. But is it considered actual gout?
Should I start the allopurinol now, or wait until this ALL stops? I’m afraid it won’t ever stop.
And then there’s the other med…I’m supposed to take that within 12 hours of a new attack. But this is all just blending together.
I don’t want to do the wrong thing and cause my feet to explode into millions of crystal daggers!