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Hello all. ?Just thought I'd post a bit of info on my first use of Uloric (Febuxostat).
A bit of background. ?I'm 54 year old male who's been aware I have gout for about 12 years. ?I also found out 10 years ago that I have only one kidney (congenitally). ?I had occasional flare-ups and would deal with my diet and possibly use some Colchicine. ?This worked adequately until about 3 years ago when I noticed some bunions forming on my large toe joints. ?Around this time I also started getting gout attacks that persisted longer and would not dissapate as they usually had.
These attacks caused me to miss work, kept me from exercising and doing hobbies I liked. ?This past winter was very difficult. ?My wife and I had a month of holidays booked for the spring and I was very pessimistic that I could go at all. ?My doctor suggested we try an anti-inflammitory as a test in case I had a flare up on vacation. ?He had arranged blood tests before and after I took the very effective meds but they significantly reduced my kidney function. ?This was ruled out as a useful medecation for me.
Positive thinking or good luck got us through two wonderful weeks in Scotland and a further two weeks in sunny France with no issues. ?I still knew that I had to do something to sort this once and for all. ?I had been reading Keith's informative Gout-pal website for a while and realized that I had also come to the point where I had to deal with the cause.
A trip to a local specialist resulted in me being prescribed Uloric (Febuxostat) 40mg daily. ?I was apprehensive to start after reading the LONG list of potential side effects and decided to finish some big projects at work before commencing with the treatment. ?I started taking the pills 10 days ago.
Guess what? ?All seems very normal. No flare up (yet) or any discomfort in my feet. ?The only problem I have, that was also noted in the paperwork, was nausea. ?I get nauseous about 1 hour after taking the med and it persists for about 5 hours. ?Nothing I can't deal with. At least I can still walk.
My doctor has asked for blood tests once a month and insists that this is sufficient. ?So far, I feel fine. ?I'll post other comments if thins change.
?Hope anyone else planning to start with teatment is as fortunate as I am right now.?
Excellent news, Bhart.
It's a shame about the nausea with febuxostat. It's also listed as a side-effect of allopurinol, which I take. My prescription instructions included the advice to take with a full glass of water and with food. I have experienced very slight nausea at times, but never when I have obeyed those instructions.
Uloric, according to the manufacturers, can be taken with or without food. You might like to do a little self-experimenting to see if this makes any difference to you.
Monthly testing for uric acid is fine. It is wise to have liver function tested at the same time. I'm not certain about kidney function tests, but your doctor will advise.
Keith (Gout Admin) said:
Excellent news, Bhart.
It's a shame about the nausea with febuxostat. It's also listed as a side-effect of allopurinol, which I take. My prescription instructions included the advice to take with a full glass of water and with food. I have experienced very slight nausea at times, but never when I have obeyed those instructions.
(1) Uloric, according to the manufacturers, can be taken with or without food. You might like to do a little self-experimenting to see if this makes any difference to you.
(2) Monthly testing for uric acid is fine. It is wise to have liver function tested at the same time. I'm not certain about kidney function tests, but your doctor will advise.
(1)?I have taken Uloric 40mg for 5 months and Uloric 80mg for 9 months, always with a cup of strong coffee (and a few other so-called vitamins), and have never had any side affects what-so-ever. But that's me, only.
(2) Definitely kidney tests, since kidney stones from uric acid can be formed?
and healthy kidneys are essential for getting rid of excess uric acid.
10 years ago, I went for an ultrasound to look for gall stones after a very painful after affect from eating pineapple. ?It was at this time they noticed a small kidney stone and then spent some time searching for the other kidney, which they never found. ?I had the stone treated by high intensity, ultra sonic pulverization. ?I do have regular kidney function tests and drink plenty of water…most of the time. It's a habit you have to get used to.
I have been keeping track of when I get nausea and I think I'm better taking the pills on an empty stomach. Keeping track of your health is all about physical self-awareness. ?It takes some practice and discipline but the results are worth it. ?Part of maturity? Possibly. ?The same reason why I don't drink to excess like I did in my 20's – it's not worth it, the morning after.
There's an acupressure point for nausea approx 2″ up from the inner wrist crease (in between the 2 tendons that are tensed when you press tips of thumb & little finger together – don't have to do this while massaging the point, it's just for location). Massage firmly with your thumb (both sides, small anti clockwise circles) for approx 5 mins or till symptoms subside. You can buy sea sickness wrist bands which do much the same thing, but this is free & stronger treatment.
Second week has passed and all is still fine.? The nausea is much less pronounced so that's good.
I go for a blood test next week, we'll see if the levels are changing.
FIngers crossed.
Going on to 3 months and all is well.? Had some follow up blood tests done and I've had a reduction?in uric acid levels of almost 50%, to what my GP feels is a normal level.? No more nausea.? What I have developed is a dry mouth.? This is a possible side effect of Febuxostat but could also be related to the onset of cold weather, central heating on again and general cold & flu season.? I have started taking the med first thing in the morning to (hopefully) allow me an uninterrupted nights sleep.
What I have also?noticed is that me feet are fine.? Over the past few years, along with the odd flare-up, I was quite regularly experiencing muscle cramps or Charley Horses in my feet.? They have now also disappeared.?
I do still have some knobbly toes and a bunion that wern't there 3 years ago.?Not sure if they are naturally occurring or if they are as a result of gout.? If they are?now present because of my stubbourness about taking more meds I'll make this a warning to any that are putting off a major treatment like Allopurinol or Febuxostst; don't wait until the gout causes secondary troubles.? A lifetime commitment to these drugs is less of a problem than a lifelong commitment to these drugs PLUS dealing with arthritis!? Then there's?my added problem of a few years?of relative inactivity because of the gout and now also having to loose weight. Don't put off the inevitable.?
Now, if I could just slow down my life a bit to have some free time for exercising and relaxation, I'll be set.
Bhart said:
Going on to 3 months and all is well.? Had some follow up blood tests done and I've had a reduction?in uric acid levels of almost 50%, to what my GP feels is a normal level.?
Be Careful! Normal for people with no gout symptoms is very different from safe for gouties. Once you have had a gout attack, any level above 5mg/dL (0.30mmol/L) is dangerous. Be prepared for argument, but don't accept anything higher – it isn't your GP who feels the consequences.
I do still have some knobbly toes and a bunion that weren't there 3 years ago.?Not sure if they are naturally occurring or if they are as a result of gout.? If they are?now present because of my stubbornness about taking more meds I'll make this a warning to any that are putting off a major treatment like Allopurinol or Febuxostat; don't wait until the gout causes secondary troubles.? A lifetime commitment to these drugs is less of a problem than a lifelong commitment to these drugs PLUS dealing with arthritis!? Then there's?my added problem of a few years?of relative inactivity because of the gout and now also having to loose weight. Don't put off the inevitable.?
Wise, wise words. I might make people type that bold text in before they get access here.
Now, if I could just slow down my life a bit to have some free time for exercising and relaxation, I'll be set.
I find falling off buildings helps reassess life's priorities
(or means you don't have to
)I have felt like jumping onto a plane and taking off to releve the stress. A preferable but?temporary fix.
My biggest frustration to date is my Pharmacies supply of 80 mg pills that I have to attempt to cut in half to meet my 40 mg daily dose.? They rarely cut perfectly.? I have noticed that on days I take the larger 'half', I get dry mouth for a good part of the day.? 40mg, when I can get it correct, is ideal for me.
To reiterate, do not put off seeking treatment for gout.? Most people don't want to be tied to a liftetime of pills, but a heap of good intentions followed by procrastination gets you nowhere.?
FYI, the?word?from Febuxosat is that it can be stopped at any time.? This may be enough for many people to start the treatment, change their lifestyle and then go off the pills when they can regulate their uric acid by themselves.?Not as daunting.
Yeah, sounds like someone doesn't know what they're talking about over there or a disingenuous marketing strategy. I'll bet the latter.
Wow what a claim. Imagine a pill you can stop without fatal results.
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What's next? Febuxostat is a round pill that will not lodge in your pyloris causing a slow death like? those other deadly SQUARE pills?
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When you make silly claims it's a dead giveaway you don't have anything substantial to claim.
zip2play said:
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What's next? Febuxostat is a round pill that will not lodge in your pyloris causing a slow death like? those other deadly SQUARE pills?
?…
Naw, Zip. You missed this one. I am going to live to be 150, because I am taking the teardrop “Febuxostat” pill which will not lodge anywhere.
Ahhh, the teardrop!
Designed to prevent people from splitting the pill evenly. (Aren't they clever pusses?)
?
My only teardrop pill has been Cozaar (losartan) but I managed to split them, if unevenly. I tried along the long axis…it works but hard to orient in the pillsplitter.
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Gee, ?I should have GUESSED they'd do ULORIC as a teardrop.
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Oh greed, thy name is BIG PHARMA.
zip2play said:
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1) Gee, ?I should have GUESSED they'd do ULORIC as a teardrop.
?
2) Oh greed, thy name is BIG PHARMA.
1) The 40mg is round but the 80mg is teardrop.
2) You got them all wrong, Zip. BIG PHARMA is all heart. They are trying to save you from spending all your teardrops (you know they are so important to the well-being of your eyes) over all the money they so cleverly suck out of you. They figure your eyes are more important and you need them more than your money. So you see, not only are they saving you your teardrops, they are giving you some more to boot.
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