Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: dulciana on October 01, 2016, 04:53:55 PM

Title: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 01, 2016, 04:53:55 PM
Does anyone else's OH have gout?  Mine does.   :-\     Wondered how others cope with it...........
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Annie0710 on October 01, 2016, 06:06:12 PM
Does anyone else's OH have gout?  Mine does.   :-\     Wondered how others cope with it...........

Yes mine does and is on very high dose meds for it as it also gets infected

After years of GP's trying to help the attacks were almost constant and at one point doc wanted to cut out an infection in surgery for what they thought was a different infection

Anyway eventually after me nagging he went in and got referred to a rheumatologist who has done wonders for him, the pharmacy continually mess up his prescription as they think the high dose is an error until we remind them.  Rheumatologist also gives him steroids for as and when needed x
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Milamam on October 01, 2016, 06:09:22 PM
Hi Dulciana-
Not pleasant ! My FIL has frequent gout inflammations. These are controlled mostly by diet and when there is a flare up, some medication but I don't know exactly what. It eases off quickly if there is strict diet. You can google what are the foods to avoid.

I hope it passes soon.
Milamam
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 01, 2016, 06:19:41 PM
Thanks Annie.  Mine's wondering what on earth to do, in the light of recent press about certain anti-inflammatories.  He's been taking them on prescription, as and when needed, because he doesn't actually have it all that severely, but now he's been put off them.  He does find that avoiding certain foods that are high in purines helps to avoid flare-ups, though.  You say your hubby has been helped by a rheumatologist.  Hmmm, I wonder if mine should do.  He's about to turn 65 and retire and the last thing I want for him is for his retirement to be dogged by gout attacks and being unable to exercise.  Does yours exercise and does he have certain foods on the list and others off the list?  It's helpful for me to be able to talk about it to somebody else, so thanks for replying...
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Annie0710 on October 01, 2016, 07:10:43 PM
He started getting it late 30s(he's now 49.75!)

It doesn't seem food related to him but it's crippled him soooo many times and seeing the pain on his face (he's a tall well built strong man with a physical job) and seeing him wince and unable to walk is horrible

He takes alupurinol (sp?) 400mg per day and has steroids ready for attacks but since he's seen the rheumy he's only had a few manageable attacks

As well as his physical job he's a keen golfer (average 2-3 times a week so very fit )

If hubby is suffering tell him to ask to see a specialist X
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 01, 2016, 07:47:37 PM
Hi Dulciana-
Not pleasant ! My FIL has frequent gout inflammations. These are controlled mostly by diet and when there is a flare up, some medication but I don't know exactly what. It eases off quickly if there is strict diet. You can google what are the foods to avoid.

I hope it passes soon.
Milamam

Thanks Milimam.  He's done loads of research into diet and has been taking some medication until hearing dicey reports about it on the news.   
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 01, 2016, 09:01:53 PM
What's the dodgy medication this time? ! ?  Don't believe what you read in the Press, maybe ask a Pharmacist? 

Gout is a deposit of 'salt'? in the joint, usually a toe?  Red. Painful.  Used to be due to 'port'  ::) - not. 
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Annie0710 on October 02, 2016, 01:04:25 AM
I think it's a build up of crystallisation that clings around a joint, usually feet/ankle although my brother gets it in his hand and arm

Other half says its like the affected area is being squeezed so tight in a vice

Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 02, 2016, 02:03:16 PM
What's the dodgy medication this time? ! ?  Don't believe what you read in the Press, maybe ask a Pharmacist? 

There has been a report from the States linking regular intake of e.g. the anti-inflammatory Hubby has been on, to heart disease.  He's stopped taking them as of now.....and doing okay without.  Thank goodness.  He's been getting gout attacks in one toe and one knee. 
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2016, 02:21:27 PM
Is your husband under the care of a Consultant for heart disease Dulciana?  How old is the 'report' from the US, who funded it, is it Peer reviewed ……….

Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 02, 2016, 02:30:23 PM
No, CLKD and the report is new (yesterday, I think).  (Just re-read it and noticed that it was from European states, rather than United ones!)

https://www.google.co.uk/url'sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjBp6TIqrzPAhUCzz4KHVDTDRcQqQIIITAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2Fnews%2F2016%2F09September%2FPages%2FIbuprofen-like-painkillers-linked-to-an-increased-risk-of-heart-failure.aspx&usg=AFQjCNFZQYpe9u7oy7GMkQt2cFlLg8ZDBQ&bvm=bv.134495766,d.

I know the risks appear to be less than originally thought, but he doesn't want to take the risk and neither do I want him to. Heart is in his family. 
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2016, 02:39:15 PM
Thanks!  Maybe it's time for The Husband to have a review with a Cardiologist (sorry if you've said already  ::)), one who is interested in genetic links? 
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: katsclaws on October 02, 2016, 03:00:14 PM
Voltarol  tablets which my husband used is now only available on prescription because of concerns about heart problems. But our GP doesn't prescribe Voltarol and prescribes naproxen which has to be be used with one of the PPIs to protect the stomach.
Husband uses Cherry tablets and has only had one gout attack in the 15 months.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2016, 03:31:16 PM
Years++ ago Voltarol was available only on prescription.  It bothers me that a patent has to take something else to protect the stomach when prescribed medication to 'help'  ::)
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2016, 03:41:21 PM
That's interesting Stellajane ……. :thankyou:
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 02, 2016, 04:56:20 PM
Husband uses Cherry tablets and has only had one gout attack in the 15 months.

That's interesting, katsclaws.  I'll tell Hubby about this.  He's got some cherry tablets which he hasn't even opened, so maybe he should.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on October 02, 2016, 04:57:56 PM
That's brought back memories. OH used to get attacks of gout (its awful to see them with it isn't it?) but that was when he was several stones overweight.  Since he's lost loads of weight and really changed his diet (ie not a special diet but he eats about half what he used to eat) he hasn't had a single attack.  His psoriasis has cleared up too!

I'm interested, too Stellajane.  My hubby also has psoriasis.  He's read that there's a link.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Annie0710 on October 02, 2016, 06:28:26 PM
My OHs male family has a history of it too X
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2016, 06:59:29 PM
Stella: sometimes if people have a glass of water it takes the edge of hunger.  The body can mis-interpet hunger - apparently  ::)
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2016, 01:18:53 PM
I eat when hungry.  It really annoyed his family  ;D because they would eat later than planned, I got so that I took my own grub and ate when necessary.  Otherwise  :sigh:

We have a good breakfast, a light lunch between 11.30 and 1.00p.m., graze in the afternoon on nuts/fruit and a cooked meal at tea-time.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2016, 03:30:57 PM
Why  :-\ ……… I vary in what I require each day.  Some days I am hungrier than others and when anxious, can't eat at all, can't even be in the kitchen  :sigh:  I also have 'fads'  ::)
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2016, 06:02:31 PM
Genetics  ::)
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on December 05, 2016, 08:17:28 PM
Any improvement?
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: dulciana on December 06, 2016, 07:57:28 AM
Not sure if it's me you're asking, CLKD, but Hubby has learned various dietary measures that seem to be working.  The worst culprits, for him, seem to be red meat, yeast and alcohol.  Means he'll be a bit curtailed over Christmas but as long as he does things like avoiding turkey (one of the worst offenders, apparently) and boiling his mulled wine (awww!) he should be okay.  Thanks for asking.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Annie0710 on December 06, 2016, 08:35:10 AM
My fiancé continues to see his new rheumatologist who initially upped his meds to 400mg a day, she did another blood test and informed GP to put it up to 600, test then she will say what dose, possibly 500mg allopurinol depending on his Uric acid levels that she's desperately trying to bring down to a safe level

This rheumy has been a god send (referred by the lovely GP who is helping me)

This is the longest he's been without being crippled by an attack. The first sign of one starting he takes his steroids but rheumatologist said she will find the balance so he neither needs steroids or has an attack ever again.  X-rays showed actual holes in the bones where repeated gout infections have left their damage for good

X
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: Two hoots on December 06, 2016, 01:14:38 PM
My brother in law suffered  terribly with gout, he has given up eating meat which has really helped. A few years ago he was told to avoid shellfish and asparagus too.
Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on December 06, 2016, 01:19:46 PM
What's in a turkey that could cause problems ……… I would find that easy to avoid  ;).

Title: Re: Gout (my Hubby)
Post by: CLKD on January 13, 2017, 11:17:20 PM
OK now?