[sparky]

Hi all – I've just registered after battling gout without allopurinol for about 3 years with no success. I have been on 300Mg of allopurinol since January this year. I had attacks in both ankles, both knees, toes, underneath of feet and a bad one in left elbow which looked like i had an orange in their (really freaked the kids out !).

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I'm male 44 and as well as allopurinol take a cod liver oil capsule every day, cherry capsule and drink 2 litres minimum of water every day. I'm probably a stone overweight (im 5 ft 11″ and weigh about 14 stone) but am quite healthy. My gout meant that in a month of 31 days I would be pain free for only about 10 days. For the first 3 months along with the allopurinol my doctor prescribed me naproxen twice a day. Then I took it as and when needed (I could sort of tell when I was going to get a flare up). I have been pain free now since around?July 1st and no longer take the naproxen (still have it to hand though should I need it which I hope I don't as it can be quite bad on the liver).

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I still love a drink and drink on Friday night and all day Saturday – used to like dark beers but have found that Stella Artois doesn't seem to give me an attack so thats all I drink now. No booze in the week at all and I feel absolutely fantastic – I've had no side effects and doctor (and myself) are happy to continue on allopurinol.

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Used to love beef but have cut burgers totally out of my diet (was never a massive lover anyhow) and still enjoy a sunday roast joint but probably only once a month. I now eat lots of chicken, pasta, rice and have cut out processed food a lot. It is very difficult at first but once I found I could harness the gout and live like I used to (normally) which gives me a buzz and keeps me to my regime. Luckily I've always liked fresh vegetables and fruit so that must help.

Oh I also have the odd bottle of red wine probably once or twice a month and again as long as i drink the water I seem to be O.K.

I did have a little bit of a beer belly but that is all but gone – much to my wifes delight ! I suppose if i took up an excercise routine and stuck with it, I could get even fitter but for now i'm happy to stick to diet only. I also enjoy my weekend more and look forward to that cold stella artois.

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Sorry it's a long rant but I just wanted to sing my praises of allopurinol and to let people know to stick with it. It does get better.

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