[Alex]

Thanks for the reply!

I was given 1.2mg colchicine off the bat then 0.6mg twice a day since. Advil I think I was given 1000mg by the doc and I’ve been taking the max dose on the bottle since, 400mg every 6-8 hrs.

Assuming this is gout it sounds like allopurinol might be a good way to go. I’ll talk to my doc about it.

Another question I have is will gout get more painful with use of the limb? I’m using crutches but I noticed if I stand or walk on it (crutch assisted) even to the kitchen and back it gets more painful and inflamed.

[Alex]

First gout flare up! Advice please

Hi all,

I am told I have just had my first gout flare up this week. I haven’t had tests yet to confirm but I’m trying to get as much info and get ahead of it just in case.

Some back story. I’m 5’11”, 220lbs(on the way down, lost 8lbs in the past month). Not very active the past few years and have been eating less healthy than I used to(more pizza, fast food, etc.). About 10 days ago I woke up with pain in the back of my heel that became worse throughout the day. By the next morning I could barely put any weight on that foot. Went to the doc and was told it was a strained Achilles Tendon. It made sense to me as that is where it was tender.

I woke up one morning a few days later and the pain had moved to the top of my foot, I figured it was from compensating for the injury but as the day went on it moved down my foot and settled in the large joint of my big toe. I broke the bone in this joint when I was 17 and it being achy and stiff from overuse, poor shoes, or rainy weather is common. So I didn’t think too much of it. By that evening it had become extremely painful and swollen, resulting in a trip to the ER. After a physical exam (no blood tests) I was told it is most likely gout and was prescribed Colchicine and given Advil. That was 4 days ago and the meds have taken the edge off the pain but the foot is still swollen and sore.

So I have a couple questions I’m hoping the community will be able to help me with. First is any advice to help end this flare up. and second is how to prevent the next one.

I’ve already adjusted my diet to cut out processed foods (a good idea anyway) and will be seeing my regular doc next week. Most of the common triggers I can live with letting go but a big concern is I very much enjoy having a couple pints on the back deck with the wife or out with some friends. Everything I have read so far says those days are over if this is confirmed as gout. Is this true or are there ways to still enjoy beer without a flare?

I am getting on this aggressively as I have a big trip in the fall and don’t want an attack to ruin our holiday.

Apologies for the long post and appreciate any advice you all can give.

Thank you

[Author]

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