Looking for opinions please

[Jim]

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please bear with me if I'm somewhat ignorant or seem to waffle. Just wanted to put this into writing and get it off my chest…

I am 27 and play a lot of golf and football (or soccer, depending on where you're from!) and generally eat well and keep fit. Yesterday morning I woke up with an ache in my big toe, and thought I had slept with it jammed in a funny position, so continued trying to walk it off all day. Went to bed, and lo and behold, woke up at 2am with searing pain in my toe. When I went into the kitchen I looked down at it and immediately thought 'Gout'. I have seen my dad suffer with it on occasion, and my brother had a solitary attack of gout at 17, so I kind of knew what I was looking at. Went up the hospital, had a blood test, and yes I have very high levels of UA and therefore have been diagnosed with gout.?

I used to weight train a lot, and had to stop for longer intervals than most due to aching joints (mostly shoulders and elbows), and find that playing a lot of golf does give me tennis elbow, so I have been worried for a time that I might be a prime candidate for the onset of arthritis at a fairly young age. Having now developed gout, it has got me worried that my suspicions might be being realised. Although I know there is a history of gout in the male side of my family, my crappy joints have had me slightly concerned long before the gout kicked in.

Now to add further to the matter, I was born with one kidney, so I know that my body may not be entirely as efficient at excreting uric acid out of my system as?the next person, and to my knowledge this is not something my brother or father suffer with so I don't know how my experience from now on may differ to them. I have decided to cut beer out, (I probably drink 1-2 bottles a day on average), and I will now tailor my diet accordingly, though I suppose my question is: Is this something that you think I am now likely to have ongoing issues with, and how best can I try and keep my UA levels nice and low? Also, is there a particular link between gout and what people term as general arthritis, therefore is all arthritis induced by high UA levels? (sorry if this seems a bit ignorant).

I know every case is different, but I suppose I am just looking for a bit of feedback from people with similar experiences.

I appreciate you taking the time to read what I realise has turned into a bit of a novel!!

Thanks

Jim

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

Hi Jim,

The first bit of advice is to stop thinking of uric acid levels as high/low/normal. Get to know your number, set a target, then work towards lowering it.

The medical profession understates the importance of genetics in gout. You should be being treated for uric acid lowering, as there is almost certainly very little you can do lifestyle wise (though this of course depends on your uric acid numbers and a proper assessment of your current lifestyle).

The other aspect of gout that does not get enough credence is the permanent damage caused by uric acid crystal deposits. This is in addition to the painful swelling of a typical gout flare. Even without gout flares, if your uric acid level is above 6.5mg/dL you are almost certain to have some uric acid deposits in your joints. These eat into bone, cartilage and ligaments, causing permanent damage (osteoarthritis).

Please discuss allopurinol with your doctor today. You have a genetic defect that dieting will not fix. The longer you wait, the more your joints will be damaged.

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