Gout!

[eija]

On top of everything else, this week started with a new problem: Gout. An old men's disease. So now I have both genders presented in my diagnosis list    The "funny" thing is, it was in my thumb.


I actually went to see a doctor about it - yeah, many of you know I don't do doctors, but this was BAD. It was so painful and achy and swollen that I was sure it would explode if I just let it be, so I took a deep breath and went. I was told it's gout and for women the thumb is the very normal place for it to hit (that was new to me), when men usually get it in their big toe (I knew that).


I asked the doctor why did it hit me. He pretty much shrugged his shoulders and didn't have an explanation. I asked if it possibly has anything to do with my Sjögrens. He said that "in medicine almost anything is possible". Right.


At home, true to my habits, I studied the issue a bit. I found that one trigger for gout is DEHYDRATION. Hello, dehydration screams Sjögrens, at least to me. So I tried to look up some more, about a connection between sjögren's and gout. Couldn't find much, but I also didn't have a lot of time, not to mention energy (I'm so tired my tired is exhausted).


1. Anyone here ever heard of a connection? Is it one of those issues that we're more prone to get, just because we have Sjögren's?


2. How many of you here have gout? Or have had it? Has it recurred? Or was it a one time issue and never came back? How were you treated?


I got a course of prednisone and painkillers. Today, after three doses of prednisone (30 mg a day) my thumb suddenly started to "wake up" a little. I mean I can actually bend it a little. It still looks like someone took it from a hand two sizes bigger than mine and attached it to my way smaller hand. I'm glad the painkillers are efficient because I was very ready to go get hubby's axe and chop the darn thig off of my hand...

[Joe S.]

I had issues with it about 30 years ago in my toes. (normal location for gout as I understand it). In the 1500's they found a remedy for to help ease the flares. Tart cherries. So for a lower sugar intake I use High Active Tart Cherry extract once per day. I helps me by reducing the uric acid in my system. I also reduced my caffeine intake to help reduce my uric acid levels.

[irish]

Gout is generally kick started by eating a lot of meat, foods with oxalic acid, etc. Dehydration also is involved with this. The uric acid in our blood gets too high and settles in our joints where the uric acid crystals settle out. When you move a joint it feels like glass cutting. Check out the diet for gout. If I remember correctly chocolate can be high in oxalic acid which is bummer as can beets.

The diet is important. Years ago goose was known to trigger gout. I fed my family goose on Easter one year and in 2 weeks my father in law had gout in his big toe. Also, my hubby had gout in his toes, ankles, knees, wrists and elbows. He was beyond miserable and the 2 older meds didn't work but thankfully the newer med(which I forgot the name) did work.

Also, some medications can precipitate gout and some blood pressure meds are known to do this. Check with your doctor. Meanwhile, cut down on the meat and other foods as your see fit and drink fluids. Good luck Irish

[susanep]

I was diagnosed this year with gout. I don't know where I have it at, but it showed up in a test. I now take meds for it. My dad, brother, and both sisters have it.

susanep

[Cheryl]

Eija,
I'm sorry to hear about the gout in your thumb.  I don't have any wisdom to share about it at all, but I hope you get some information and relief very soon!

I miss you in chat!
Cheryl