Question:
What can I do to prevent gout attacks?

Each time I increase my protein above 60 grams I have a gout attack. PHP says take Vioxx with a Nexum. He says the Nexum will prevent any damage to pouch from the Vioxx. Anyone have any suggestions or experience this? All help will be appreciated, Thanks.    — Barbara S. (posted on June 20, 2004)

June 20, 2004
Yes I take Prevacid along with vioxx to prevent problems, and I havent had any problems, and I am careful to watch out for them, Im supprised your not on allopurial to reduce the uric acid in your system, vioxx is for joint inflamation, but maybe it does help disolve the uric acid that has crystalized in the joints, he's the doctor, follow his instructions. Good luck.
   — wizz46

June 20, 2004
Geese! Don't take another Vioxx until you try what I use! If it does'nt work then chance the Vioxx. I use to take Vioxx for arthritus, however since wls I can't take ANY artitus meds as I have an ulcer from codiene. "Vioxx is dangerous for us". Some here take it and say it is'nt but it WILL catch up with them. I'll suffer arthritus pain before I'll chance it. Anywho I read about a pain relief cure for gout.... I laughed my fool head off but decided to try it. This was 10 years "before wls" (suffered for 15 years before wls) and the gout meds were killing my stomach. So I tried it. It works for me. I get gout really bad in my big toes. I spray wD-40 on my toes, cover them up with warm socks and go to bed. Usually 2-3 nights of doing this and the gout goes away for around three months. It's wonderful. Now some people swear this works for their artritus... it does'nt for me. But as long as it works on my big toes, I'm a happy camper! I know this isn't a placebo as I had no faith in it, and with the extreme pain in the toes, a placebo would'nt cut it. You can not imagine pain like that does'nt exist. Try it! You've nothing to lose but the pain and some wet socks. (If the gout is in your toes that is). ;)
   — Danmark

June 20, 2004
A balanced diet will prevent gout attacks. I had a severe attack about 2 weeks after surgery. I take allopurinol. I also take vioxx but had an attack anyway. My PCP gave me some darvocet for the pain and I also found that drinking V8 balanced out the high protein diet. My surgeon did not seem to be concerned about the vioxx, so it must be ok to take it.
   — MARKfromOKC

June 21, 2004
Has your Dr considered giving you meds to reduce the uric acid in your system? They are specifically for gout patients. My husband takes meds specifically to reduce gout attacks and it works wonders. In the beginning the med pretty much wiped out the gout long enough for him to change his diet, now he takes the med only a few times a month. He cut out beans, broccoli and other items which increase the liklihood of attacks. It may not be the protein itself causing the attacks, but the source of the protein.
   — M B.

June 21, 2004
My Doc told me to stay away from Shellfish, Shrimp, crab, Lobster, oysters, clams, etc. all raise the Uric acid levels. He called it the "Rich" person's disease.
   — casek

June 21, 2004
I don't have gout but my brother in law does. The Dr. has told him to take cherry pills, get them at a health food store or walmart. Something in the cherry helps control the buildup of uric acid. Otherwise, I know that organ meat(heart, kidney, liver, etc) all will contribute to the buildup. Anyway, I know a couple people who swear by the cherry thing. Good Luck! LeeAnn
   — doglover

June 22, 2004
Hi, My son has gout really bad....attacks his ankles and knees severly.....I have had one attack since WLS......My son's doctor told him Cherry Juice, lots of water an anti-inflammatory drug such as Celebrex. I know we, WLS Patients, can not take celebrex, so you will have to get with your doctor and see what he prescribes for you. But I used the cherry juice and water, water, water and I am looking for the Cherry pills. My gout didn't hit me til I started eating shrimp everyday for my protien. I am not giving up my shrimp, but I have not had another bout with the gout either..............Hope this advice helps
   — cindirella

June 23, 2004
Cherry Juice extract. My dad use to get real bad gout attacks. He took about a tablespoon or 2 a day and he was fine. GNC carries it.
   — Shavonne P.