I thought for years that I had a recurring fracture line in my foot. X-rays were negative. During one painful episode, my orthopedic specialist gave me some Indocin (Indomethicin) to try. He said if the symptoms start to ease up in 5 hours; you have gout.

5 hours later the swelling in my knee and foot went away. I have gout.

It’s difficult trying to determine what triggers gout as it’s almost like developing an allergy or a resistance to an antibiotic. Alcohol (especially beer) is a top 5 culprit for most people. The yeast increases your uric acid level and the alcohol dehydrates you creating the most optimum environment for an inflamitory response.

One problem with the treatments for gout is that they have really ugly side effects. I know a lot of patients in the gout brotherhood rely on Ibuprofen to control the inflammitory effects that cause the pain. This works best when you take the Ibuprofen at the first suspicion of gout. Sometimes I take one a day if I know I’ve been eating a diet high in purines. I also keep a new prescription of Indocin on hand should the pain elevate to the “Limping” phase of the disease. Unfortunately, Indocin is really bad for your stomach. Ibuprofen is not that good for your stomach, but not near as caustic as Indocin. Both are non-steroidal Anti-inflammitory agents. (NSAIDS)

I’ve also started drinking lots of KNUDSEN BLACK CHERRY juice. This has been proven to lower your uric acid level. I drink at least 8 OZ. a day. The other issue that can trigger gout is trauma. If you are suseptable to gout and you miss a step or twist your ankle, start taking an NSAID as soon as possible.

My last full blown gout episode was in June of 2010. Just recently, I had an episode that got to the “Limping” phase and I took Indocin to control it. A day later I was walking on my foot but the pain persisted. If I could give you any advise it would be this.

1. Try to Identify the foods that trigger gout in YOU. It’s not the same for everybody. AND cut down on alcohol consumption.

2. Once you feel that familiar tweak in your foot or knee; start taking Advil or Aleve. (Aleve is Naprosen) I take 2 liqui-gel caps every 4 hours to 6 hours during the day.

3. If you need crutches; go see your doctor and ask them for some Indomethecin or Indocin.

4. Rest your extremity as much as possible (elevated is best)

5. Try to drink Black Cherry Juice daily. Also try to drink as much water as you can.

I’ve been able to avoid the allopurinol and Colchizine approach. Both are hell on your liver.

Good Luck

A