Gout Sufferer

by Jason
(California)

I am a gout sufferer for 13 years. The first attack was in the ankle and then other places in the foot and now it hits the knees too.

Attacks usually are a result of a combination of alcohol consumption, dehydration, ingestion of copious animal protein, rapid weight loss, long airplane rides and poor sleep, etc. Mostly due to travel and the lifestyle changes from a normal routine.

I take colchicine that I get in my international travels. I picked up 300 0.6 tabs in New Zealand for $20. I also get Artridol in Mexico. A course of five tabs usually thwarts an attack. 2 tabs the night of before bedtime, 1 next AM 1 next PM and one the following day to cycle off.

I have tried all the home remedies but my compliance falls off and bad habits ensue. My next attempt at management will be a cocktail of apple cider vinegar and tart cherry juice followed by a big glass of water.

I have also considered potassium bicarbonate in 1-2 gram doses at bedtime. I have a potassium deficiency and have been prescribed K supplements. I figure I'll take it as Bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is easier to obtain but high in sodium which I already ingest too much of. The demon crystals are comprised of monosodiumurate after all so a low sodium diet makes sense.

My attacks have gone down significantly since I reduced my consumption of gluten. Gluten seems to be one of the triggers for an attack or at episode of tinge. I call the onset of symptoms that do not manifest an attack a tinge.

I'm tinging in my right knee following a full blown limper/sleep depriver in my my left knee that is winding down as the result of a colchicine and artridol smackdown.