Does anybody have gout?

[GP7852]

While visiting my regular doctor for my thyroid I asked him if my gout could have been caused by my hep c.He said theres a good chance it did and that he would like to try to ween me off the allopurinol that I have to take everyday now that I am negative.That is scary for me because a gout attack is so bad I just want to hack my big toe off with an axe.Does anybody on here have gout and do you know if hep c can cause it?
                                                      Thanks   Glen

[GP7852]

Thanks fntn-I did avoid the "Kunta Kinte" route.All ten digits still in place even though I did have an attack in the right knee one time-cant hack that off.I can live with a little numbness in my big toe.
                        Good luck

[fntn]

Glen -

Hang in there and leave the toe on for awhile longer ... it maybe red but wearing sandals will look really funny if you do the "Kunta Kinte" modification! My toe did the same thing for quite sometime, red and sore to the point of threatening gout many times. It has slowly resolved itself even though my uric acid has continued to rise (bouncing around 12 to 13 mg/dL) due to my progression into acute renal failure. I kinda slowly massaged it for periods as well - not sure it that actually helped but it seemed to feel better.

[GP7852]

I have been taking folic acid forever.Because of family history of clogged arteries folic acid is supposed to be like a drain cleaner for arteries.The allopurinol did stop the attacks but the right big toe always has this numbness to it.It doesn't bother me at all but it lets me know there is something there and if I stopped taking the allopurinol I would bet there would be an attack.Last time I told my wife to get the hand axe out of the garage and aim very carefully,I just wanted the big toe gone and nothing else.

[madelefant]

I'm supposed to take the allopurinol:))

[GP7852]

You are lucky that you only have to take folic acid.I have to take 300 MGs of allopurinol everyday and my big toe is still always numb and seems like its on the verge of an attack.Anyway I just found out today that I relapsed so there will be no attempt to ween off the meds.
                Good luck    Glen

[madelefant]

I have gout. I think it is considered borderline. My doctor has prescribed Allopurinal which I have never taken. I had some of the burning in the feet but I haven't been having that for a long time. I am taking folic acid.

[fntn]

Broccoli is a low-purine veg'y so that should be ok. Things like asparagus, mushrooms, etc are high in purines and should be avoided since this will only encourage the gout. Purines are the thing to watch for in any foods you chose wrt gout. Good luck on your recovery.

[GP7852]

Hi and thank you for your reply.I did have stage 4 cirrhosis.I have completed 12 weeks of sovaldi and olysio.From your reply it sounds like my cirrhosis might have been the cause of my gout which I have been taking 300 mg a day of allopurinol.I have cleared while on the meds and was wondering if my cirrhosis heals to a point where the gout might go away and I can stop the allopurinol.I have been eating tons of broccoli everyday on another posts suggestion that the broccoli has an ingredient that heals the cirrhosis.I now have to google ESLD and PHT as I am not familiar with these.
               Good Luck and feel good    Glen

[fntn]

I think you've indicated on a previous post that you have cirrhosis, I am correct on this? The reason I ask is that, while I don't have hep c, I do have ESLD with PHT and enlarged spleen due another type of liver disease. This puts a great deal of strain on the kidneys due to the disturbed blood flow/pressure, etc plus I take diuretics to control things as well which also stresses the kidneys.

All this had caused me to have renal insufficiency (progressing too unfortunately) and increasing higher levels of uric acid which led to several nasty flareups of gout. My new hep and surgeon/team have been working along with my PCP on relieving this only on an "temporary, as needed basis" using prednisone. They have mentioned allopurinol several times before as a possible solution but they don't dare give it to me given the current CKD that is being caused by the ESLD.

Hope this helps in someway in your case, take care.