Gout

I friend of mine finished tx  (24 weeks) around December. Not long after tx, he came down with a severe case of Gout. He wants to know if anyone else experienced this and could it have been caused by HCV or Tx.

[Annie441]

I found this old thread on gout and arthritis you might want to share it with your friend. http://www.medhelp.org/forums/hepatitis/messages/40527.html

Ann

[R Glass]

Thanks Annie, I found that thread last night but, was dated April 2006. My friend has Dr. appointment tomorrow and is looking for all the information he can get. He finds it too much of a coincidence that he never had this problem before tx. If any one has any information, he would greatly appreciate it.

[Annie441]

No I don't think it's a coincidence. When I was trying to decide if I should tx or not I spent alot of time reading old posts and arthritis seems to be a very common thing before and after tx. Maybe the gout runs in his family and the tx exacerbated the condition, I don't know. Wish I had more information for you. I do know that gout is a very painful condition, my brother-in-law had a terrible time with it.

Take care and let us know what your friend finds out.
Ann

[Proactive]

Re: Gout...Speaking of which, I use to think it was odd my NP would always check my ankles at my monthly visits when I was on tx, finally I asked here why. She said she was checking for gout, guess it is not uncommon with hcv.

And a side note, I finally had  back and pelvic xrays done..Verdict is, I have mild arthritis in my lower back, but moderate to severe osteoarthritis in my hips(don't know the real details yet)..To quote the nurse (haven't talk to my hep doc yet-he had the xrays ordered) "if your feeling pain in your hips, it's not in your head" (vbg). I still also have pain in my knees and leg muscle, thinking it is probably all related...stay tuned (G)

Pro

[Fl_Gator]

Cherries...tell your friend to eat cherries....gout will go away

[HCA]

Gout is caused by excess uric acid which is a renal function.Both Hep C and interferon have been known to cause kidney problems.Your friend needs an appointment at a renal unit.

[Fl_Gator]

http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/gout.htm

The final natural treatment is one I have never had experience with though I have read about it in the literature and have heard good reports about it. In the fifties, a doctor named Ludwig Blau accidentally discovered a remedy for his terrible gout that had confined him to a wheelchair. One day he ate a handful of cherries and noticed that the next day the agonizing pain in his toe was gone. If he continued to eat cherries, he was pain-free, but a relapse of even a day would bring back his pain. It is reported that you can use sweet or sour cherries and they can be fresh, frozen, or even canned to achieve Dr. Blau's results. Cherries (and blueberries and other dark red or blue berries) are rich sources of substances that have a powerful ability to prevent collagen destruction. It is certainly worth a try. About a half-pound of cherries daily for a week could give you some positive results.

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR GOUT

Check your medications to see if they're having any effect on your gout attack. Discuss them with your doctor.
For pain relief rely on ibuprofen (Nuprin, Advil, etc.) but not aspirin (which can worsen symptoms) or acetaminophen (which is less effective), if you need a stronger, anti-inflammatory, consult your doctor.
Adopt a low-purine diet, that is, one that eliminates foods that promote the production of uric add, Including anchovies, shellfish, smoked meat, meat extracts, mincemeat that contains real meat, kidneys, liver, brains, sweetbreads, sardines, mackerel, yeast (baker's and brewer's), asparagus, mushrooms, and dried peas.
Maintain an optimum weight. If you are obese, you should lose weight, but be sure to do it gradually.
Increase your fruit and vegetable consumption.
Eliminate alcohol from your diet:
Be sure to drink adequate fluids: 3 quarts liquid daily.
Adopt stress-reducing techniques.
Eat one-half pound of cherries each day, either canned, frozen, or fresh, If you don't notice reduction of symptoms in a week or two, discontinue.
Eliminate or reduce niacin. Don't take more than 100 mg. daily.
Don't take more than 5,000 I.U. of vitamin A dally, and if attacks continue, eliminate vitamin A intake entirely.