Bloody gout!

[AlexS]

As a result of clean living (in moderation) I'm generally untroubled by ill-health. However, at a check-up a couple of years ago, GP sent me off to a dietician because my cholesterol & uric acid were a bit high.
First she dealt with the cholesterol; less red meat, more salads etc, red wine each day. That's fine, I love seafood & salads.

Then she starts on the uric acid. Cut down on tomatoes, asparagus, worcestorshire sauce, acid foods in general, ie anything that's the least bit tasty in a salad, beer, red wine etc..

I figure the uric acid won't kill me but the cholesterol might, so concentrated on reducing that.

Since then, I've had 3 attacks of gout. This is not fun! I've just come back with some pills that I hope will fix it, but can't stand for any period, walking is agony, and I'm not looking forward to any sympathy from SWMBO.

Just thought I'd get that off my chest!:mad:

[oges]

did the cholesterol come down atleast?

not experienced gout (apart from the G'Out! I used to get when I took too long checking why the baby was crying during the night) but I hope those pills work for you.

[outback]

Bloody stupid dieticians, red meat doesn't have cholesterol! :mad:

[Termite]

Cholesterol is a funny thing, SWMBO and I eat the same food (except I eat more of it:o ) yet her reading is 6.5 and mine is 4, and I'm the one with a heart problem :confused:

[silentC]

I went to a doc and she told me my cholesterol was too high, so I went on a seafood-only diet for about 2 months. I went back to have it checked but to a different doctor this time. Same reading but he said it was nothing to worry about. So there's my tip: change doctors.

Re. the grout, my BIL suffers from it but he can't give the grog away, so he blames the tomatoes.

[Iain]

I get it in my big toe on occassion, god it's crippling.
My cholesterol is very low, much to the surprise of those who know me, but uric acid is a touch on the high side.
Pass the Progout please (300mg daily)
Just noticed Silents Dr, she, mine is too and I don't know why but I have found them to be a bit more sympathetic and thorough.

[Felder]

Re. the grout, my BIL suffers from it but he can't give the grog away, so he blames the tomatoes.

Perhaps he should have his Bloody Mary's without the tomato juice from now on.....;)

[Termite]

Just noticed Silents Dr, she, mine is too and I don't know why but I have found them to be a bit more sympathetic and thorough.

Don't let the female Doctors fool you for a minute, they say "Don't worry about it" all the while thinking "Suffer you male bastard". :D :D :D

[silentC]

Smaller fingers for when the time comes for a prostate check ;)

[outback]

Smaller fingers for when the time comes for a prostate check ;)


Not much help if she uses sand for a lubricant though. :eek:

[Wood Borer]

Sorry hear of your troubles Alex.

I had one witch doctor tell me I had gout and gave me some pills, I had chiropractor squeeze the swollen joint (agonsing) and apply ultra sound signals to it until it was diagnosed as arthritis by another doctor.

Nurafen Plus fixes it for me now on the odd occasion I suffer from it as recommended by the second doctor.

[silentC]

See? Changing doctors works ;)

[Wood Borer]

See? Changing doctors works ;)

Darren, do you think it is the mental attitude of looking for other solutions eg other doctors that works or the other doctor?

Maybe it was Alex's visit to Melbourne that contributed to the problem.;)

If that's the case you'd better be careful Silent because there is talk of you lot becoming Victorians:eek:

[silentC]

Never!! If you think last Sunday in Cronulla was a riot, see what happens if anyone tries to make us Victorians!!!

[craigb]

I reckon the moral of the story is: only go to doctors when you have to.

Do not become one of their guinea pigs whrere they can practice the latest PC "remedy" on you.

Having said that, I go to my doctor regularly (every six months) because I have hypertension. He gives me a scriipt for some pills that make it right again.:)

However, he doesn't preach at me (he's an older bloke so this may have something to do with it)

Works for me.

[silentC]

Last time I went to a Doctor was 3 years ago. I was supposed to go and get a blood test so she could check the cholesterol but never got around to it. Suppose I should do it one day but then I believe that a lot of this cholesterol related stuff is hype. At best it's an indicator of people who might have a problem.

My Aunty has high cholesterol and nothing they've tried will bring it down. She's the healthiest and fittest 70 year old you've ever met. If she dies of anything other than old age, then there's no hope for me anyway...

[Wood Borer]

Sorry Silent, my mistake.:o

We were thinking of making that area part of Victoria.

Anybody there who is on the NSW electoral roll would be considered an interstate tourist but all rates and taxes would belong to Victoria.

See when you think about it, we don't have to cross the Murray to get to any part of Australia if we choose to go up the coast. Why stop at the Sapphire coast, NSW, Qld .....??? :D

[silentC]

Yeah, I heard about it on the radio, some nutbag Victorian minister for silly ideas or some such reckoned that the border should go straight across instead of dipping down. I mean, haven't they got enough problems down there without wanting to take on more?

Actually, probably more than half of the people who live here are escapees from Melbourne and environs, so they'd probably be pleased to have full AFL coverage again. But if they think we're going to abolish schooners, well like I said, you ain't seen a riot :mad:

;)

[Wood Borer]

I have been on cholesterol tablets for 9 years - cholesterol runs in the family.

I ran out of tablets in March. The trouble is I have to go to the doctor to get a referral for a blood test. After the blood test, I have to make an appointment with my doctor so he can give me a prescription so I can go to the pharmacist to get the same tablets I have been using for 9 years.:( :( :mad: :mad:

I have the referral but I have better things to do with my time than stuff around with these clowns playing stupid little games making money hand over foot.

I once told my doctor last time I lapsed like this to write on my death certificate "Killed by Idiot Politicians, Lawyers and Doctors".

[craigb]

I believe tha in the UK. they've recently made Statins (the cholesterol lowering drugs) available "over the counter".

As my doc says, basically everybody can benefit from taking them.

(well not children of course :rolleyes: )

PS How come you need a referal for a blood test WB? My gp just takes blood and sends it off to a pathologist ?

[Wood Borer]

But if they think we're going to abolish schooners, well like I said, you ain't seen a riot :mad:

Perhaps you could keep the name schooner under a cultural exchange program.:D

[fxst]

after being married for 33 years its only the last 10 years that I've had gout......every time I cuddle up she shouts ..GOUT YOU BARISTARD :D
well a hijack had to happen ..Panckes anyone??
Pete

[silentC]

Perhaps you could keep the name schooner under a cultural exchange program.:D
It's not the name I'm worried about, it's the size of the glass. Those wee little things you Vics drink out of keep slipping out of my hand :mad:

[Wood Borer]

PS How come you need a referal for a blood test WB? My gp just takes blood and sends it off to a pathologist ?

My doctor does it but only during business hours:confused:

I can get my blood taken at the pathology company at 8:00AM close to work or my doctor can do it between 8:30AM and 5:00PM.

They are the hours that I work!

You also are not allowed to eat or drink anything for 10 hours before the test. If I was to fast and not drink anything until the middle of the day or late afternoon - I would be weak and very angry.:( :( :(

He's a good Doctor, I don't wait in waiting rooms beyond the appointment time - I'm either seeing the Doctor or driving home but this Doctor sees me on or before time so I'm sticking with him.

I think Meg had a quiet chat with him when I first started going to this Doctor.

[Wood Borer]

It's not the name I'm worried about, it's the size of the glass. Those wee little things you Vics drink out of keep slipping out of my hand :mad:

Here's a photo of some Victorians having a quiet VB:D

[Iain]

Wasn't that your backyard when Cliff came down:D :D :D

[channa]

"So you've go gout - do you want to stop drinking beer and cut out meat and seafood, or take drugs?"

...is that a rhetorical question? :p


Not much help if she uses sand for a lubricant though. :eek:

I'll certainly be changing my doctor if he starts using sand!:eek: ...I would assume that he is trying to tell me something...like, "I think you need a second opinion - from someone else, ANYONE else!" He might even be saying "G'out!" (as he points to the door!):D

[journeyman Mick]

Alex,
SWMBO was taking medication that raised her uric acid levels. Specialist told us gout was a possibility but that it was easily remedied by another medication or consuming pineapple. My neighbour suffers from gout and finds fresh pineapple juice eases it considerably. Hope this helps,

Mick

[AlexS]

Thanks Mick, the Voltarin pulls it into line quickly. Hadn't heard about the pineapple - might give it a try. Actually, if I remembered to have a drink of water every now & then it probably wouldn't happen, so guess it's self-inflicted to some extent.

[Felder]

Here's a photo of some Victorians having a quiet VB:D
I can't believe how tiny you Victorians are! Those pot glasses are dwarfing you!:D:p:D

Imagine if you got hold of a real sized beer....;)

[Iain]

I thought pineapple would be very acidic!!!
Obviously I am wrong again.

[MICKYG]

Alex

If you use a spread on your bread called PROACTIV, that will lower cholestrol in most people usually by a couple of points, dont know about gout though. The spread contains plant sterols which it is claimed aid the cholestrol problems. Mine dropped 2.2 when I started using it six years ago.

Regards Mike.:)

[Wood Borer]

Mine dropped 2.2 when I started using it six years ago.

MickyG,

If you are retired, did it drop after retirement at all?

[Auld Bassoon]

Here's a photo of some Victorians having a quiet VB:D

Streuth Rob,

I don't recall the glasses being that big:confused:

Perhaps that explains the next day:eek:

Cheers!

PS As per last Sunday A.M. ;) :eek: :o