Allopurinol and muscle pain.

[duncan]

Hi,

I started taking Allopurinol (puricos) in February, initially on a 100mg dosage and since mid April on 300mg.

Doctor took blood tests to confirm the gout. I have been having attacks on and off for about 3 years.

I get gout in the top of my foot.

It has taken a while, but my gout does seem to have subsided, and am finally starting to feel gout free.

I play a lot of sport – especially squash, hiking and golf – but not doing anything more than normal.

I'm a 42 year old male.

Since the end of march though, the rest of my body has been been stiff and sore – feel like I have just done an iron man competition. It has been pretty continuous for the whole of April. Legs, arms and back are especially affected. I've no other symptoms – don't think it is a virus. Is this a side effect of the allopurinol, by any chance? Any one else experienced this?

[zip2play]

Duncan,

No, those pains are not typical of allopurinol's side effects, which typically involves a rash after long term use (many years.) Hypersensitivity reactions are quick and involve things like hives, swollen lips and eyelids. As with any drug, STOP at the first sign of these latter anaphylacic reaction.

My guess is that you are suffering pains that might be expected from squash in one's forties…forgive me!

Alternatively, when beginning uric acid lowering treatment, often the stores of uric acid that were safely tucked away deep in joints can be liberated. Before this uric acid can be safely discharged by the kidneys it can cause frank gout attacks or more benighn and hard to define “aches and pains.”

DON'T stop tour allopurinol and likely increase the dosage to get your serum uric acid always and forever below 6.0 mg./dL.

(Wait til you start playing the “what's causing my aches and pains” game when you reach my age, 66…something ALWYS hurts but I push through with weightlifting, bodybuilding and aerobics…and ache, and ache, and ache.)

[Author]

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