Gout Versus Steel Guitar

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

I'm hoping that someone who has regular bookings, also has a home remedy for gout. This metabolic affliction can create a no-play situation, when the needle point uric acid crystals attack the joints. The great right toe, knees and hips, can literally make it impossible to play. Any help on this matter, would be appreciated.

Bill H.

Dan Dowd · From: Paducah, KY, R.I.P.

See your Doc and have him give you a script for ALLOPURINOL 300mg. You take this every day to prevent the attacks. And COLCHICINE 0.6 mg when you get a flare up. I used to get the gout often until I started taling the Allopurinol, aprox 20 yrs now. Hope this helps you. I know how much pain is involved with this.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Careful control of your diet (watching carefully what you eat) can sometimes prevent flare-ups.

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

Donny -- I don't have gout but I'm interested in what you've said. What types of foods and/or drinks should you consume and/or NOT consume in order to prevent gout?

Mike Weirauch · From: Harrisburg, Illinois**The Hub of the Universe

Gout was always called a rich mans disease. Eating rich foods would aggravate or trigger gout. Am I in the ballpark Donny?

[This message was edited by Mike Weirauch on 19 December 2002 at 07:43 PM.]

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Pedal steel is out of the question, when a gout attack occurs. Jerry Byrd might be able to keep going, and fill an engagement, provided the uric acid build-up remained below the hips. I've learned that the actual causes of gout are many, and some are more serious than others. Indomethacin is used for pain relief, but it's not a cure. It seems that, if kidney function is normal, a fellow can rejoice, because much depends on their reactions to high levels of uric acid.

Bill H.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Certain foods contain lots of purines, which the body changes into uric acid. People subject to gout should reduce their intake of red meats, shellfish, peas, beans, lentils, organ meat products (liver, tripe, tongue, "head cheese", etc.), and beer and wine.

Reducing your weight and drinking lots of water are also shown to be beneficial.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Donny H.

According to my doctor, other than the avoidance of "sweetbreads", you mentioned, they no longer regard diet as the culprit. This is disturbing to hear, when conscience dictates that it must be controlled by food choices, and drinks. Many books have included the severity of gout attacks, but fall short of an absolute method of ridding oneself permanently, of the affliction. My last hope was for the chance that a few fellow steel guitarists, who may have experienced a bout with the gout, may have found a way to continue playing, walking, and resting comfortably. Sharing that information, would be better for me than anything in the doctor's black bag.

Bill H.

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

I have no idea if this would help, but it's generally agreed upon that drinking a lot of water is a great aid to helping kidney function and general health as well.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Dan D.,

Thank you for the information about "allopurinol" and "colchicine." My doctor will be checking for the 3rd time, kidney function. If the uric acid level is above (6), I will ask him to prescribe the "allopurinol". He mentioned it to me about a week ago. I'm trying to determine the reason for the "arthritic" attack, before consuming heavy duty medication. It will be less than a week's time before picking up that prescription, if there are no changes for the better.

Bill H.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I went to www.google.com and serached for
"gout remedy".

Lots of good info there. Some sites are trying to sell you products, of questionable value, but they have excellent descriptions of the ailment and it's history.

This article claims cherries are good for it.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 20 December 2002 at 08:53 AM.]

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

Bill, I had an attack of gout in my toe a couple of months ago, around Canadian thanksgiving. I was drinking lots of beer, eating lots, etc. and woke up with a bad attack that I lived with for about 4 days until I went to my doc. I did some reading on the Internet about it and mentioned to him the info that I'd read and he said fine, do all that and take Indomethicin. Within about a week it was completely gone, so in a follow-up visit the doc cut back my diuretic in half which I take for high blood pressure. I also stopped drinking all alcohol and cut down in my consumption of brains

Feel great now and the only time it was difficult to play was the first week just after I got medicated. I can't imagine it in my hip! That would be terrible. I think that Donny Hinson's advice is the best that I've heard, but always listen to your doc. They usually have the latest stuff.

Anders Brundell · From: Falun, Sweden

Bill,

Both Chi-Gong and Reiki exercises has helped me conciderably against a crippeling migraine, that no existing medicines can cure more than to a minor extent.
I didn´t beleive in any of theese two chineese methods to begin with, but gave it a try and it really works for me - I´m quite sure of that; no doubt at all.
This might be a good advice for some other people as well, but probably not for all.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Anders B.,

Thank you for the information. I had a friend in Great Barrington, Massachusetts who was a very clever man. He wound electric motors for a living in his later years. He suffered interminably with migraine headaches. It was a cruel condition that tormented him continuously.

I hope for a miracle that will rid your discomfort, and allow you to enjoy the music of our favorite musical instrument. the steel guitar.

Bill H.

Dan Dowd · From: Paducah, KY, R.I.P.

Bill I have been taking the allopurinol for over 20 years without any problems along with high BP drugs. I can eat or drink whatever I like without the fear of getting struck down with a gout attack. I used to get it in the heel ankle and other places in the foot. Some folks get it in the elbow. Good luck with whatever you do. I feel your pain. Wow that line sounds familiar. PS I still play every weekend without any problem, except for my bad picking.

[This message was edited by Dan Dowd on 20 December 2002 at 02:41 PM.]

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Dan D.,

The drug allopurinol in its properly adjusted form, may very well be the drug of choice, when a gouty individual needs help, and guidance. A rashy reaction would be the side effect to look for. Your experience with the drug is picture perfect. The fact that you can enjoy tasty dishes, without having to pay painful penalties, is amazing. Thanks for passing that information on to me.

Bill H.

Anders Brundell · From: Falun, Sweden

Thanks a lot for your kind words, Bill! I hope you´ll find a good cure for your problems, too.

Thanks!
Anders B

Bill Hamner · From: Hueytown,AL USA

Bill and others, Do a search on "Colloidal
Silver" and please be aware this is only a suggestion. I am not qualified to reccommend
it's use but have heard some amazing stories.

Bill

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Joey A.,

It appears as though the opinions of those who do researches on gout, have had many changes over a period of 50 years. Gout is a classic for the research teams, and the volunteers who offer to assist them. As Dan has stated, gout is easily controlled through medication, provided no unfavorable reactions occur while taking the drugs. It has been noted that gout is not the only classic subject matter, that has been investigated by medical teams, who have come to no solutions on a natural cure. Coffee, eggs, and saturated fats have been under study, by select teams of researchers for years. Still, nothing has been carved in granite, that is reassuring to consumers. Hearing about a 96 year old man who made a habit of pouring bacon grease over his morning eggs, while sipping perked coffee, would surely baffle the best of teams. Our best hopes stem from definite yes, and no answers. Ifs, ands, or buts, can be extremely costly in the world of medicine. Self-help is becoming more needful, as the cost of medicines continue to soar upward.

Bill H.

Wayne Cox · From: Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

I have many years of experience with gout. If unchecked it can spread through your whole body;not just in the big toe! That means it can even cripple your hands! 300mg of allopurinol,taken daily,for at least 6 months,will bring it under control,but beware that it can raise you Blood Pressure by as much as 20 points! Cherry juice contains a "fast-in/fast-out"pain releiver which gives temporary relief from the pain,but ultimately the acid in the juice works against you. A couple of "home remedies" that help but do not cure are:1.Alfalfa tablets,2.Bicarbonate of soda. Neither of which will competely substitute for allopurinol & colchicine. Alfalfa is a natural diuretic,Baking soda simply neutralizes acid in you body. These,also, are not without side effects. Eggs,white rice,white bread,& potatoes have virtually no purines. Incidentally,Colchicine is derived from the plant known as the "Autumn Crocus",Colchicum Colchicum (Latin),which is a member of the "Lilly" family. Your T-Bone steak days are over!!! Sorry!!
There is some good news...most people who have a history of severe gout usually have a high I.Q. Yay!!!

~~W.C.~~

Wayne Cox · From: Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

One more thing about Colchicine;if you take one a day,as a preventive,you will hardly notice the side effects,but if you have to take more,in order to break up a "break through attack",it can make you very sick. The effects of colchicine are somewhat cumulative. NEVER take more than 6 pills of the .6mg strength in one day and do not take more than 6 in a three day period. Symptoms such as,headache,nausea,diarhea,vomiting,
chills and
fever are some of the side effects of a large dosage. You won't die,but you may wish you could!! Merry Christmas! ~~W.C.~~

[This message was edited by Wayne Cox on 21 December 2002 at 03:02 PM.]

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

I appreciate the pertinent data. The precautionary information you have provided, awakens the need to exercise a degree of caution, lest the consequences will impede recovery. I studied a gout diet back in the 60's, when I experienced a very uncomfortable knee affliction. When you wrote about white bread, and eggs an old memory came flooding into my recollection of the prohibited foods. A few of the allowed foods included, "eggs, any style, except fried". At that time "broiled chicken" could be on the menu, if I remember correctly. At this point I'm confused, after my doctor stated that they look at allowed foods differently at this time. The only foods to avoid are "sweetbreads". How can this be when most references, and literature on gout, clearly state the wisdom of avoiding certain foods? Thank you Wayne, for sharing your knowledge of how to treat gout. Have a Merry Christmas.

Bill H.

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 21 December 2002 at 07:48 PM.]

Joe Delaronde · From: Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada

Bill,
I used to expoerience goute in both feet. Nothing could touch the feet. If a fly would land on my toe I would yell. Even if the fly looked at my toe I'de yell. Man! that is sore. However, I haven't had an attack in over 15 years. I don't know why, because I eat anything. However I still keep a fresh supply of Alloperolin on hand at all times.
No advice, just don't let any flies land where it herts. You'll think it's an elephant.

Joe

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

I had problems with this for many years (as did my father). According to many doctors and specialists I have talked to, there isn't any good data relating gout to diet. Colchicine is effective as a last resort to dealing with the symptoms, but is murder on your GI system (the standard PX is 'take it until you either puke or have uncontrollable diaria). Allopurinol works really, really well, and I haven't noticed any long term side effects. Of course, some people are allergic to the stuff. I am, so I had to go through a course of very, very gradual introduction of the medication until I was no longer allergic. I haven't had any symptoms in over 4 years. I had some really nasty attacks before that, some of which made me doubt whether I could ever play again.

------------------
www.tyack.com

Dan Dowd · From: Paducah, KY, R.I.P.

One of the side effects of Allopurinol is sensitivity to the sun. They recommend you stay out of the sun if you take this drug.

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