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The more I read here, the more convinced I become that doctors simply haven't got a clue when it comes to gout.? Whether it be diagnosing it, to treating it.? From prescribing allopurinol for a limited duration, to not having a clear understanding of what SUA level readings mean, it seems doctors are shamefully ignorant of what is, in actual fact, a relatively common condition.
Why is this?? It's not as if gout is new.? It's referred to as early as Shakespeare:? “A pox of this gout! or a gout of this pox! for the one or the other plays the rogue with my great toe.” ? —? “A man can no more separate age and covetousness than a' can part young limbs and lechery: but the gout galls the one, and the pox pinches the other.”? (The bard apparently knew his gout.? Not to mention his venereal diseases.)
So why are our doctors so clueless about it?? Is it possible that since allopurinol was discovered over 50 years ago, gout has simply 'fallen off the radar' of current medical practioners?? Just not enough money in it maybe?
If so, how is it that diabetes is so much better understood than gout?? When all is said and done, the two conditions have a lot of similarities.? They're both metabolic disorders, treated relatively easily by long-established medication – allopurinol and insulin.? Both medications were discovered a long time ago.? And yet, diabetes is so much better understood by the medical community than gout.
Just seems strange to me…
I wish I knew the answer…
But I think the key is the DEATH and MONEY
Gout does not kill like diabetes…so who cares about a little pain.
No one can understand gout pain unless you've had it.
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Gout is CHEAP to treat and once your diagnosed there really is not a HUGE amount of long term follow up.
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So no long term revenue from treating gout, vs. diabetes makes money for lots of people.
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I know docs may hate me, but in the US Healthcare is FOR PROFIT…so little attention is paid to those things that don't kill or don't make the system rich.
I agree, and it wouldn't be so bad if the doctors weren't so ARROGANT, making believe they know or care about gout. They spout nonsense rather than admit “I don't know much about gout and care even less so you are on your own.” At least then we could proceed on the correct path without their hindrance. Arrogance is tolerable from a genius who is helping you?but from some doof who barely scraped through medical school in Guadalahara or Calcutta it is an abomination, especially when he is HURTING you and charging you for the offense.
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Toofast is correct, gout is easy to treat and requires little follow up for reasonably effective treatment. Had it not been necessary to get new prescriptions, I wouldn't have had to have a doctor involved for the last 15 years, just? a steady stream of cheap effective allopurinol. With no attacks I could try less allopurinol, if I have an attack I need more. Easy Peasy!?
Thus there is no steady stream of income generated to help buy imperial mansions and a stable of polo ponies for some incompetent quack.
Notice though the TV ads for Uloric?as soon as a huge $$$$pile becomes available, the word gout rises to the surface.
Think of a doctor the same way you think of a plumber… as someone you hire to do a job.? You tell the plumber what you want done.? He does it, you pay him, and that's that.
Why should doctors be any different, especially with something as simple as gout?
My last doctor visit I showed up with a chart of my thrice weekly uric acid readings, and a request for a year's prescription for 300mg allopurinol, .6mg colchichine, and? a course of prednisone to be used in an emergency.
I got the scripts, paid my bill, and that was that.
I've since learned that all three medications are available without a prescription on the internet.? I may not need to hire a doctor for my gout again.
Don't forget the need to test SUA occasionally- plus the side effects of medicines can take time to appear.
Co-conditions are also relevant for both the illness and treatment.
Drs. have much to answer for, but it would be a mistake to reject all for the sake of a few bad experiences- better to find a good one and get cheap meds from a good source and take an intellegent interest in all aspects of ones condition.
Mostly, I find that my Docs will listen if you've done your homework well, and also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle on top.
I admit to feeling that the drug treatment culture is normal? 'start and end' for too many medics these days, but this doesn't in itself substantiate 'generic quackery' in the least.
All drugs are potentailly harmful and it's the old balance of benefits versus? side effects that is the battle ground, so often.
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