Gout

[Wee Mikey]

On 10/04/2023 at 22:08, Morgan said:

Even a thin sheet on the bed is too heavy to rest on the gouty big toe.

 

Gout is the pits.

 

It’s the second most painful thing I’ve ever experienced.

 

For those who have never experienced it, the thin sheet being too heavy description is near perfect.

 

2nd most painful for me too with a ruptured disc coming in at #1.

 

Funnily enough, and looking back it really is kind of laughable, my 1st gout attack came on overnight and I honestly thought that I'd somehow damaged a nerve in my knee seeing as it was so very reminiscent of my back problem, such was the level of pain.

 

Being naive as to the issue, I simply suffered it thinking that by lying still it would see to itsef.

 

How wrong was I? Totally wrong, and yet, paradoxically, totally correct.

 

5 entire days spent in bed unable to move with a knee the size of a grapefruit and a permanent grimace of agony testifies to that.

 

Anyhoo, I'll spare folks further squemish thoughts, or indeed hilarity at my well-deserved expense, as words cannot do justice to the level of agony; but, believe me, the story gets much, much worse. 

 

Having said that, my mate did sum it up concisely when he told me that he actually attended A&E (similarly ignorant as to what it was) and would happily have had his foot cut off.

 

Those who have suffered will know exactly how he felt.

 

On 11/04/2023 at 22:24, scott herbertson said:

Had a bout of it earlier this year - bloody painful - again in the left foot/ bunion associated. Cheery juice does seem to help. My doctor said purely down to uric acid. Not particularly associated with alcohol but over rich diet yes.

 

What? Over rich diet? You, Scott? Surely not ... 😆

 

But, seriously, alcohol absolutely is one of the major triggers for lots of sufferers.

 

On 11/04/2023 at 22:41, Horatio Caine said:

Another bout of it just started with me.  Got a prescription order in so will have to put up with it until I can collect, then wait for it to kick in 😡

 

Quick question for you seing as you've clesrly had it more than once. Does it always come on overnight? It does with me, and it caught me out several times.

 

Also, there are pharmacies that'll deliver, so you should ask about that as going to collect can be nigh-on impossible if you're living on your own and get a bad bout.

[davemclaren]

On 13/04/2023 at 09:27, Francis Albert said:

I had one bout of gout 10 years or )so ago. I can vouch for the pain (only exceeded in my experience by shingles). Touch wood it has not recurred. I don't think the "natural" remedy of celery has been mentioned but I have taken a celery seed tablet (Holland and Barrett ) daily since I had it. Celery is an old remedy known now to act to reduce uric  acid levels. 

Nothing else in my lifestyle (drink, diet, exercise and weight) has changed.

Interesting. Never heard of that. 

[Horatio Caine]

3 hours ago, Wee Mikey said:

 

For those who have never experienced it, the thin sheet being too heavy description is near perfect.

 

2nd most painful for me too with a ruptured disc coming in at #1.

 

Funnily enough, and looking back it really is kind of laughable, my 1st gout attack came on overnight and I honestly thought that I'd somehow damaged a nerve in my knee seeing as it was so very reminiscent of my back problem, such was the level of pain.

 

Being naive as to the issue, I simply suffered it thinking that by lying still it would see to itsef.

 

How wrong was I? Totally wrong, and yet, paradoxically, totally correct.

 

5 entire days spent in bed unable to move with a knee the size of a grapefruit and a permanent grimace of agony testifies to that.

 

Anyhoo, I'll spare folks further squemish thoughts, or indeed hilarity at my well-deserved expense, as words cannot do justice to the level of agony; but, believe me, the story gets much, much worse. 

 

Having said that, my mate did sum it up concisely when he told me that he actually attended A&E (similarly ignorant as to what it was) and would happily have had his foot cut off.

 

Those who have suffered will know exactly how he felt.

 

 

What? Over rich diet? You, Scott? Surely not ... 😆

 

But, seriously, alcohol absolutely is one of the major triggers for lots of sufferers.

 

 

Quick question for you seing as you've clesrly had it more than once. Does it always come on overnight? It does with me, and it caught me out several times.

 

Also, there are pharmacies that'll deliver, so you should ask about that as going to collect can be nigh-on impossible if you're living on your own and get a bad bout.

The worst of it seems to flare up overnight although there are usually hints beforehand that's it's back!  I try not to react too quickly as it can sometimes threaten then die down again.  If it doesn't die down though, it seems to develop quite quickly so you're then in a race (ha ha) to get the tablets asap.

The pharmacy thing - I don't know if that would work for me as the doc seems to want to monitor the frequency and level of bouts.  In my case, getting more frequent and worse but the other meds I am on limit what I can take.  Happy days!!

[Morgan]

3 hours ago, Wee Mikey said:

 

For those who have never experienced it, the thin sheet being too heavy description is near perfect.

 

2nd most painful for me too with a ruptured disc coming in at #1.

 

Funnily enough, and looking back it really is kind of laughable, my 1st gout attack came on overnight and I honestly thought that I'd somehow damaged a nerve in my knee seeing as it was so very reminiscent of my back problem, such was the level of pain.

 

Being naive as to the issue, I simply suffered it thinking that by lying still it would see to itsef.

 

How wrong was I? Totally wrong, and yet, paradoxically, totally correct.

 

5 entire days spent in bed unable to move with a knee the size of a grapefruit and a permanent grimace of agony testifies to that.

 

Anyhoo, I'll spare folks further squemish thoughts, or indeed hilarity at my well-deserved expense, as words cannot do justice to the level of agony; but, believe me, the story gets much, much worse. 

 

Having said that, my mate did sum it up concisely when he told me that he actually attended A&E (similarly ignorant as to what it was) and would happily have had his foot cut off.

 

Those who have suffered will know exactly how he felt.

 

Ouch!!

 

My worst pain ever was from Iritis.

 

Eventually, I had to get an injection straight into my eyeball.   

[Francis Albert]

2 hours ago, davemclaren said:

Interesting. Never heard of that. 

Lots of modern medicines are based on "old wives tales" about plant/herbal treatments, My daily celery seed capsule may have nothing to do with the non-recurral of gout but I am certainly not going to test that by stopping!

Incidentally it  was not from Holland and Barret. Ny wife gets them from  Amazon - made by a company called Horbaach.

[Lie Forrit 2 hrs 34 mins]

On 10/04/2023 at 22:11, Morgan said:

For what it’s worth, I don’t see how @AlimOzturk was being even remotely belligerent.

 

 

I give up posting on here, no point whatsoever. His reply was most certainly belligerent, empty vessels make the most noise and all that. 

[AlimOzturk]

22 minutes ago, Bonnie Prince Charlie said:

I give up posting on here, no point whatsoever. His reply was most certainly belligerent, empty vessels make the most noise and all that. 

Well I certainly wasn’t meaning to be belligerent and rather than continue a pointless argument over essentially nothing how about i extend an apology if it came across that way accidentally.

 

 

 

[Morgan]

43 minutes ago, Bonnie Prince Charlie said:

I give up posting on here, no point whatsoever. His reply was most certainly belligerent, empty vessels make the most noise and all that. 

 

In my experience, Alim is a far cry from an ‘empty vessel’.  

 

18 minutes ago, AlimOzturk said:

Well I certainly wasn’t meaning to be belligerent and rather than continue a pointless argument over essentially nothing how about i extend an apology if it came across that way accidentally.

 

 

 

 

Nice one, Alim.  

[ri Alban]

Celebrex is doing the business for me. 

 

[ri Alban]

On 09/04/2023 at 12:00, AlimOzturk said:

Having a horrific time of it just now in my left toe/bunion area. Absolutely agony. 
 

Got a prescription for colchicine from nhs 24 out of hours doctor over the phone but so far not any improvement. Started that yesterday. 
 

Gout flare up Began Thursday. Anyone any experience how long this will last

 

Have had gout before but never this serious. Started a treatment of Alopurinol but my own ignorance I thought it was temporary and only realised I was meant to be taking this permanently. 

Just a big thanks for starting the thread, bud.

My blood tests have just came back and my Uric acid levels aren't what they should be.. I'm being started on a new treatment tomorrow. 

I just thought it was osteoarthritis and my job. 

 

Anyway 👍

[AlimOzturk]

9 minutes ago, ri Alban said:

Just a big thanks for starting the thread, bud.

My blood tests have just came back and my Uric acid levels aren't what they should be.. I'm being started on a new treatment tomorrow. 

I just thought it was osteoarthritis and my job. 

 

Anyway 👍

 

Clearly a common thing so hopefully this thread allows others with similar symptoms find treatment.

[ri Alban]

28 minutes ago, AlimOzturk said:

 

Clearly a common thing so hopefully this thread allows others with similar symptoms find treatment.

Hope so. 👍

[arcadiandawn]

Having a bad attack at the minute in my ankle , had it in my big toe before which was horrific but nothing compares to the ankle ..it’s torture,impossible to sleep and would happily chop my foot off to stop this pain . 

[Joey J J Jr Shabadoo]

I've not had a gout attack since before COVID. I had problems getting alipurinol during COVID and stopped taking the pill. The only thing I've really changed in my diet is cutting out mackerel. I did lose some weight, and eat a bit healthier, but I still drink plenty red wine, and beer.

[AlimOzturk]

Only thing worse than gout pain wise i ever had was testicular torsion. 

I have dislocated my shoulder, broken my nose and had a broken metatarsal bone. 

So that’s the level of pain gout is at for anyone look in. 
 

allopurinol works wonders once you find the correct dosage. 

[Morgan]

On 22/07/2025 at 05:22, arcadiandawn said:

Having a bad attack at the minute in my ankle , had it in my big toe before which was horrific but nothing compares to the ankle ..it’s torture,impossible to sleep and would happily chop my foot off to stop this pain . 

I feel your pain.

 

Literally!  

[Ulysses]

8 hours ago, AlimOzturk said:

Only thing worse than gout pain wise i ever had was testicular torsion. 

 

 

[Dawnrazor]

1 minute ago, Ulysses said:

 

 

Be like gout in yer baws 😳😳

[Ulysses]

1 minute ago, Dawnrazor said:

Be like gout in yer baws 😳😳

 

It happened to my late father when he was about 19-20.  I know that because my late mother told me.  She said the memory of it was so bad that I shouldn't mention it to him unless he said it to me first, and he never did.

[Dawnrazor]

1 minute ago, Ulysses said:

 

It happened to my late father when he was about 19-20.  I know that because my late mother told me.  She said the memory of it was so bad that I shouldn't mention it to him unless he said it to me first, and he never did.

Sounds horrendous, I don't know anyone who has it, but FFS😳

[scott herbertson]

On 22/07/2025 at 05:22, arcadiandawn said:

Having a bad attack at the minute in my ankle , had it in my big toe before which was horrific but nothing compares to the ankle ..it’s torture,impossible to sleep and would happily chop my foot off to stop this pain . 

 

 

As I suggested way above, the cherry juice worked for me . Celery seems a good shout as well as uric acid is the enemy

[davemclaren]

So what's the treatment for testicular torsion? 🥴

[Ulysses]

10 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

So what's the treatment for testicular torsion? 🥴

 

I looked it up.  Don't ask.   But time is of the essence, especially for a younger gentleman.     

 

 

[davemclaren]

Just now, Ulysses said:

 

I looked it up.  Don't ask.   But time is of the essence, especially for a younger gentleman.     

 

 

😳

[AlimOzturk]

54 minutes ago, Ulysses said:

 

I looked it up.  Don't ask.   But time is of the essence, especially for a younger gentleman.     

 

 

I was 15. I was in school and just literally started feeling the worst pain imaginable in my genitalia area I walked up to the school teacher unashamedly due to the pain and told him something wasn’t right down below and Then collapsed in the middle of the classroom due to the pain. Woke up the next day in hospital having had surgery on my bollocks to correct the problem. 
 

Think of suddenly sitting in classroom then all of a sudden you have the worst bollache imaginable. Like someone was grabbing and twisting your bollocks. 😢

 

was bad times.

 

I didn’t even get ripped from my school mates after. They literally just felt sorry for me. 🤣

[Ulysses]

22 minutes ago, AlimOzturk said:

I was 15. I was in school and just literally started feeling the worst pain imaginable in my genitalia area I walked up to the school teacher unashamedly due to the pain and told him something wasn’t right down below and Then collapsed in the middle of the classroom due to the pain. Woke up the next day in hospital having had surgery on my bollocks to correct the problem. 
 

Think of suddenly sitting in classroom then all of a sudden you have the worst bollache imaginable. Like someone was grabbing and twisting your bollocks. 😢

 

was bad times.

 

I didn’t even get ripped from my school mates after. They literally just felt sorry for me. 🤣

 

Eek.  My dad was either 19 or 20 when it happened to him.  Apparently it's most common in teenagers and young men.  

[Der Kaiser]

Might be joining the gout club.

On diclofenac and blood test in 2 weeks to confirm.

 

What i can confirm now is that it hurts like ****!

[Libertarian]

7 minutes ago, Der Kaiser said:

Might be joining the gout club.

On diclofenac and blood test in 2 weeks to confirm.

 

What i can confirm now is that it hurts like ****!

If it is indeed gout you will probably be prescribed allopurinol which, although you may have to take a tablet or two every day will help you to live a pain free life 

[N Lincs Jambo]

6 minutes ago, Der Kaiser said:

Might be joining the gout club.

On diclofenac and blood test in 2 weeks to confirm.

 

What i can confirm now is that it hurts like ****!

I used to be on diclofenac several years ago as a painkiller until they were no longer allowed to prescribe it. I had no idea it was available again. Had a bit of gout in 2019. Got prescribed Naproxen initially then Allopurinol. I keep a small supply just in case but only use it if I have to. If you don’t get relief from the diclofenac, get your doctor to prescribe Naproxen. 

[Canscot]

I am on Diclofenac. Have been on it off and on for a few years for kidney stones. Been on it this time since August when I had kidney stones (which passed within a few weeks) but also have bladder stones. Passed one of them (well it came down my dick and got stuck at the opening) and need surgery to get the biggest one out. Scheduled for April 20. 

[Morgan]

2 hours ago, Libertarian said:

If it is indeed gout you will probably be prescribed allopurinol which, although you may have to take a tablet or two every day will help you to live a pain free life 

I’ve been on Allopurinol for 33 years now, not even one attack and no other problems either.

 

I'm on one 300mg tablet per day.

[Horatio Caine]

I've been on Allopurinol for about two years now. Not even a hint of gout since then.

[AlimOzturk]

2 hours ago, Der Kaiser said:

Might be joining the gout club.

On diclofenac and blood test in 2 weeks to confirm.

 

What i can confirm now is that it hurts like ****!

You need colchicine once it clears because if you have gout you’ll likely be prescribed allopurinol. That can initially cause another gout attack before your uric acid levels drop. 
 

Good luck mate. Fwiw once your acid levels are at the required levels you’ll be free and clear of gout. 

[Libertarian]

13 hours ago, Morgan said:

I’ve been on Allopurinol for 33 years now, not even one attack and no other problems either.

 

I'm on one 300mg tablet per day.

I'm exactly the same, although I have only been on Allopurinol for just shy of 19 years.  The only problems I have ever had was when my GP first prescribed the treatment my body reacted against it,  the Doctor had to reduce my dosage and then slowly build it up in order for my system not to buck against it. I believe that the reaction I experienced is extremely rare. 

[Morgan]

1 hour ago, Libertarian said:

I'm exactly the same, although I have only been on Allopurinol for just shy of 19 years.  The only problems I have ever had was when my GP first prescribed the treatment my body reacted against it,  the Doctor had to reduce my dosage and then slowly build it up in order for my system not to buck against it. I believe that the reaction I experienced is extremely rare. 

Yes, if it doesn't balance things out really quickly, it can actually bring on a gout attack!

 

 

[Tommy Brown]

It's something I know little about, had always thought it was a foot condition.

One of my golf buddies was in hospital a couple weeks back.

He sent a photo of his right pinky with a huge bulge in it 

Absolutely gross and horrendously sore.

I showed it to a couple of ex work colleagues with history of it, they weren't surprised 

[Der Kaiser]

Wow. Thought it was sore yesterday but last night the pain shifted up the gears. Didn't fall asleep until 6am. Ive been able to  walk very awkwardly balancing on my heel but that just stopped last night. Had to crawl around my house.

I get what folk saying about the bedsheets can't touch your foot. That pain was up there with a dental abscess. 

 

Is this a night time thing? I really don't want to do that again tonight. Tell me Jeebus I don't have to do that again!

[Kenbo]

27 minutes ago, Der Kaiser said:

Wow. Thought it was sore yesterday but last night the pain shifted up the gears. Didn't fall asleep until 6am. Ive been able to  walk very awkwardly balancing on my heel but that just stopped last night. Had to crawl around my house.

I get what folk saying about the bedsheets can't touch your foot. That pain was up there with a dental abscess. 

 

Is this a night time thing? I really don't want to do that again tonight. Tell me Jeebus I don't have to do that again!

Yeah always hits me at night. I take allopurinol - was daily but now take 2 tablets a week. If i feel a flair up coming on then i pop a panadol and ibuprofen and they generally help. Worst pain in the world when you get a full on outbreak

[AlimOzturk]

50 minutes ago, Der Kaiser said:

Wow. Thought it was sore yesterday but last night the pain shifted up the gears. Didn't fall asleep until 6am. Ive been able to  walk very awkwardly balancing on my heel but that just stopped last night. Had to crawl around my house.

I get what folk saying about the bedsheets can't touch your foot. That pain was up there with a dental abscess. 

 

Is this a night time thing? I really don't want to do that again tonight. Tell me Jeebus I don't have to do that again!

It hits worse at night because the pain relief is wearing off. Are you taking colchisine?

[Der Kaiser]

53 minutes ago, AlimOzturk said:

It hits worse at night because the pain relief is wearing off. Are you taking colchisine?

 

Been given diclofenac. I have blood test booked for 2 weeks as apparently by then it will show and confirm if it is gout as never had anything like this before.

 

If its not the two other things mentioned were inflammatory arthritis or a stress fracture (they didn't xray me though to rule this out). Google searching my symptoms seem to think it's very likely its gout.

 

Pain is much less this morning albeit still very uncomfortable. Managed to put a sock on!

[AlimOzturk]

4 minutes ago, Der Kaiser said:

 

Been given diclofenac. I have blood test booked for 2 weeks as apparently by then it will show and confirm if it is gout as never had anything like this before.

 

If its not the two other things mentioned were inflammatory arthritis or a stress fracture (they didn't xray me though to rule this out). Google searching my symptoms seem to think it's very likely its gout.

 

Pain is much less this morning albeit still very uncomfortable. Managed to put a sock on!

Sounds very much like gout. However usual treatment for a flair up is colchicine. However that relies on catching the flair up early I suppose. 
 

I always have a stash of colchicine in the house just in case. However Alopurinol will now keep any flare up at bay now. 
 

Hopefully you get it diagnosed and treated. You won’t hopefully have any further episodes.