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I had my first gout attack 2 weeks ago at age 56. I took colchicine and indomethacin for a few days. Pain was tolerable after three days. Stopped meds. Got better each day. Suddenly I have a flare up yesterday.
My fear is the meds: I already have slightly raised Liver enzymes from years of bad diet and beer. Warnings galore on both meds about taking with liver problems not to mention other serious side effects. Is that warning business a “Cover your a__” statement or are these really potent drugs not to be used by someone like me? Or are the warnings mainly for long term use?
Probably all three of the above- but in which proportion? That is what needs to be determined!
If you're vulnerable already then extra care is needed, many drugs develop side effects mostly early on- but not always and finally the Manfctrs certainly cover their rear ends , as do medics.
Only human, after all..
On a personal note – I would say short spells off med
with a break gives the body time to recover, if that is possible – but on long term urate lowering meds this is not a viable option, due to tendency for flares caused by SUA swings and re-establishment of the urate pool round the body, eventually.Warning HAVE to cover all contingencies. Most often side effects are broken down by those with higher incidence and those apt to occur in less than 1% of patients. Liver damage seems in this less than 1% for both of these drugs. I would choose either indomethacin OR colchicine but not both. THe more drugs, the more likely the untoward side effects.
Neither is, or should be, intended for long term use.
Long term controol of gout involves xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol) or uricosurics. Pain killers are for short term use during acute flares…for this colchicine is the most effective.
Thanks guys!
Great insights into meds. I'm gonna press my luck and go on an alcohol question tangent…
Is it safe to say that aside from a genetic disposition, this gout thing is most often triggered by long term alcohol use?
My liver enzymes have been consistently a little over normal for 15+ years. I drink 15-20 drinks a week (5-7 per sitting) most of my adult life – I'm 56. 60 pounds overweight. Triglycerides slightly high too. Ahhhh, confession is good for the soull!
I know I should quit the beer, but otherwise healthy (except overweight) and then figure I might not have many years to go – might as well enjoy a few drinks every couple days if side effects aren't too serious. Well this gout is first tangible “SERIOUS” for me. Pain is/was incredible! Haven't had a drop for 3 weeks yet had a flare-up yesterday after two weeks from last one.
Any sentiments / thoughts on above? Anybody behaving similarly badly?
UnfunnyPain said:
Is it safe to say that aside from a genetic disposition, this gout thing is most often triggered by long term alcohol use?
If you're not genetically disposed, long term alcohol will not trigger gout (may well trigger a host of other things however) Gotta have the gene Genie, then gout flares can appear for almost no reason, as if by magic
UP- Alcohol competes for processing with urate excretion, so not a good strategy in handling gout pain [short term] – or urate build up
[long term]. It gets precedence -as it is NOT good for our system, even if a lifter of moods, that many need or just use.
Beer is worse by a factor of 2, over wine- so switch horses to get a better margin of error. You won't need to wear a pink cravat for this 🙂
Spirits a second best option.
On your intake you're double the healthy limit if on strong >6% type beer, I guess- so you know the long term risks.
I don't buy into the time left scenario as an excuse. With big time gout attacks -you will plan to get a sharper act on the day, but by then it's probably well too late for easy resolution !
Changing a factor in your SUA status by diet, even for the better, is able cause flares- Taking a med, under sypervision, does exactly the same thing, often enough.
This whole business isn't about SIN- more cause and effect!
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