I have been having gout attacks for 14 years. They have been happening a lot more often the last year. ( twice a month) I have finally decided to invest in a kneeling walker instead of using my cane. Anyone have a suggestion of a good one?
Why are you not getting treatment for gout? Untreated gout can cause a host of health problems.
Oh Rusty, Yes of course I'm under treatments but I still have excruciating breakthrough flare ups. I'm on allopurinol and take indomethacin during flare ups. I try to watch my diet closely with minimal intake of trigger foods. Just still have breakthroughs. :-(
It is simple - if you are on allopurinol and having gout its because your level of urate is too high and level of allopurinol is too low.
Did you go on urate lowering therapy at the beginning with a relatively high level of allopurinol for a year or so, before going down to a maintenance does or did you just go straight to 100mg per month?
I was taking allopurinol 300mg daily for several years then earlier this year due to more occurences the doc added another 100mg. Now I have been on 400mg daily for several months. In addition to the indomethacin during flare ups. I did try colchicine but it cause intestinal issues.
Has the doctor been doing regular blood tests during this time - urate levels during this time, say every few months? What were the results?
As a matter of fact I just had blood drawn on monday. Uric acid is 4.9 and was 6.5 in June during another bad flare up. Probably because my allopurinol was boosted a year ago. However doc did take it up more, to 600mg daily this week. Rheumatoid work up and x-ray from Monday back normal too. Such a confusing issue this gout is.