Learning From Others With Gout

Mike, age 53: Using Diet to Manage Gout

Mike's Gout:

Mike's first gout attack occurred 4 years ago. . . it hit him in the middle of the night. Mike was in so much pain, he actually went to the emergency room. Since then, he's had attacks every 4 or 5 months. Lately, though, they seem to be happening more often.

Mike's Gout Treatment Plan:

Like many people with gout, Mike depends on lifestyle changes to manage his gout. He's cut back on alcoholic beverages and tries to avoid high-purine foods, like red meat. . .a change that his wife and healthcare professional both welcomed! Unfortunately, Mike's uric acid level remains high (8.3 mg/dL) and his gout attacks are still occurring.

Sometimes, Mike calls his healthcare professional when he has an attack. Sometimes, he just takes a regular over-the-counter pain reliever and toughs out the attack. How does Mike's approach to gout stack up? See for yourself.

Gout Treatment Questions for Mike's Healthcare Professional:

Mike is experiencing an increasing number of gout attacks; the time between attacks seems shorter, too. Although positive lifestyle choices, like eating well and exercising, are an important part of overall good health, diet alone may not be enough to lower Mike's uric acid to a healthy level (less than 6 mg/dL).

Here are some questions that he may want to discuss with his healthcare professional:

• Why am I experiencing gout attacks more often instead of less?
• I've nearly eliminated red meat from my diet, and I've stopped drinking beer altogether. Why is my uric acid level still high? Why are my gout attacks still occurring?
• Is it possible to prescribe pain medication ahead of time, so I don't have to call my healthcare professional each time I have an attack?
• I take pain medicine when I have a gout attack, but is there also a treatment option that can help reduce my gout attacks by lowering uric acid to healthy levels?

Pete, age 62: Treating Gout With Allopurinol,
But Uric Acid Levels Are Still Too High

Pete's Gout:

Pete has been using allopurinol since he was diagnosed with gout just over 5 years ago. He also uses pain medication during gout attacks to help with the swelling and pain.

Pete's Gout Treatment Plan:

When his healthcare professional explained how allopurinol would help lower his uric acid level, Pete thought he would be able to manage his gout. While his uric acid level has lowered, it has not yet reached a healthy range (less than 6 mg/dL). At his last appointment, his uric acid level was 7.2 mg/dL. He is still having about 2 to 3 gout attacks a year; lately they seem to be happening more often.

Gout Treatment Questions for Pete's Healthcare Professional:

When Pete was diagnosed 5 years ago, there didn't seem to be much out there aside from allopurinol. He's been thinking of talking to his healthcare professional about whether there are other options available. Does Pete have more gout treatment options? See for yourself.

Here are some questions that he may want to discuss with his healthcare professional:

• Why is my uric acid level still high?
• Why am I having gout attacks more and more often?
• It's been 5 years since I was diagnosed with gout. What other treatment options are available?
• Is it possible to prescribe pain medication ahead of time, so I don't have to call my healthcare professional each time I have an attack?

Elaine, age 56: Treating Each Gout Attack as It Comes

Elaine's Gout:

Elaine always thought of gout as a "guys' problem." After all, her dad had gout, and her brother-in-law had his first attack in his 40s. When she experienced excruciating pain in her ankle and went to the emergency room, they gave her pain medicine, but didn't know what was causing the pain. Elaine couldn't have been more surprised when her healthcare professional confirmed that she had gout; he based the diagnosis on her symptoms and the high uric acid levels revealed by her blood tests.

Elaine's Gout Treatment Plan:

Elaine's treatment plan is focused on pain management. Each time she has a gout attack, she takes colchicine, a pain medicine prescribed by her healthcare professional. Usually, the pain passes after a few days, and Elaine gets back into her routine. It isn't until the next attack that she is reminded just how bad it is.

Gout Treatment Questions for Elaine's Healthcare Professional:

At this point, Elaine has accepted the fact that she will probably have a certain number of gout attacks each year. She doesn't know if there are other alternatives. See how Elaine's gout treatment approach could be modified.

Here are some questions that she may want to discuss with her healthcare professional:

• I can take pain medicine when I have a gout attack, but is there also a treatment option that can help reduce my gout attacks by lowering uric acid to healthy levels?
• Am I doing all that I can to manage my gout?