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It is with the strongest of apologies that I write this message to all who responded. My wife became ill the past two weeks and prior to that, until today, I've had no computer. The system did a total meltdown (software wise) and I had no way to get online. I've since acquired an old used Dell that runs o.k. but has an old, unsupported OS installed.
Thanks Keith for your analysis of the situation is perfect. I believe my PCP doc wants to provide the easiest method to treat everyone–that is, prescribe a med and hope it works. It's faster than all those tests. In my case though, the Crohns seems to have made him gun-shy about prescribing a drug. Also, I have an allergy to SULFA based drugs.
Thanks to zip2play as I too believe that all the problems I've had over the years beyond Crohns and Gout are a manifestation of the Crohns as well as the medication. I can't prove it but since I feel I know my body better than any doctor regarding changes in my physical health and changes in meds, they are always a crap-shoot. My gastro admitted to me many times that he is mystified that my body never seems to react in what he considers a 'normal manner' both to changes in meds and changes in diet. Your suggestion re:Kefir is well taken. However, I've never heard of it and the posibility that I could have a reaction to it. Where can this be bought and what is the cost? One of my supplements is a probiotic with 14 billion different buggers in each capsule. I have to stay away from sugar in all its forms—cane, corn, etc. But I'll look into it.
And thank you to GHLF for the invite, even though it's too late, but I live in the middle of New Hampshire and wouldn't be able to attend. Also, with my Crohns being so active, I find it hard to leave the house. I get out about once or twice a week and only for about and hour or two. By that time my anti-diarrheal meds start to wear off. Not much of a life but at least I'm alive!
My gastro doc thinks that the only way to know if a gout med will work for me is to try it. As was stated by hansinnm in the above post. He couldn't offer any more than that because, as you all said, each doctors specialty doesn't necessarily mean he knows how to treat other than what's known to him. I guess the verdict is to give the gout meds a try and hope for the best.
You know, it's funny you mention that because the only time my Primary Doctor does a urine test is when I have my physical.??Uric acid was never listed as something he wanted checked as well.
?I have tried giving him information I put together for him to look at and he almost never does or hands it back to me. Last visit, I had the receptionist put some items in my folder that he gave back.
?I know I could look for another but he wasn't always this way. He use to spend whatever time it took to listen, ask, then confer with you and finally decide on what course to take. Now he just wants you to keep coming back as often as it takes. I don't expect him to have all the answers, after all, he's just a family practioner but at the time I first went to see him (almost 20 years ago) he was referred highly by many people I talked to.
It would be great if there were a rheumy in my area that could answer those questions you mention re Crohn's and gout. Since there are none I think my only alternative is to get an appt. with my gastro doc and see if he has any answers. I think if he'll listen to my concerns, talk about the information I have on Uloric (which my Primary doc wants to try) that he may have some insight on this or other drugs?to try. He knows me best as far as the Crohn's is concerned but that doesn't guaranty his knowledge about gout meds.? He's not fond of my use of steroids to treat my gout flares but he knows about my reactions to the 'normal' meds.
As for sharing my medical history with you folks on this forum, I don't see a problem with doing that. I may get carried away with lengthy replies (as I have here!) but I'm always unsure if I'm giving enough info so that folks understand what I'm trying to convey.
Hi Keith! Glad to make your acquaintance. WHen you speak of 24 hour urine analysis, are you referring to a simple test I can perform at home? Or the doctor's office? Or a lab? For some reason, all my doctors prefer doing blood tests of one kind or another and personally, I don't feel that blood test are ALWAYS necessary. Especially when other tests are less expensive and just as productive. I've been lucky in that for the length of time I've had Crohn's, I've never had kidney stones. I agree with your assessment of securing the aid of a rheumatologist. however, out in the country where I live there are none available. I have seen podiatrists listed but not sure if they are familiar with the conditions I have. ALso, my wife's insurance has been rather picky about who you're allowed to see and where. Every move I make requires me to either get my Primary care Doctor's permission (referral) or pre-certified permission from the insurance or both. I just went through this in January to get a growth removed from my eye. It's getting harder with HMO's to get the kind of care we used to get years ago with hardly a question asked. But I digress, sorry about that. I guess I'm just so frustrated with it all. Especially since I haven't beenable to get past this current flare of gout. I have never, in 20 years, had a problem getting shed of it in more than 7-8 days. I'm now entering week 10 soon. Thanks for your input. It's appreciated.
Hi Hansinnm! I had a blood test before my last visit and he said my uric acid level was slightly above 9. Not good. However, he didn't seem to be too knowledgeable about adding Uloric to my huge regimen of Humira, Clidinium, and about 14 supplements that I use to keep my Crohn's in check. Also, they are for my diet because of food restrictions that tend to exacerbate my Crohn's symptoms. I am 62 ?so he is fearful of antagonizing ?the crohn's but also causing bleeding, gastritis, etc. that Uloric has listed for after effects. These are similar to Humira as well. Double wammy possible on the side effects. I guess the only answer is to give it a try and see what happens. Thanks for your input.
