I am a 52 yr old female who has just been diagnosed with gout. I recently had a severe gout attack which lasted 3 weeks! I had to use crutches to get around...very frustrating. I am on Allopurinol which has lowered my uric acid levels tremendously. I do not eat red meat nor do I drink alcohol. My Rheumatologist also had me take Indomethacin which helped a great deal with the pain and swelling. I worry about my kidneys. Does anyone have information about how Gout affects the kidneys? My dr. has had me go to the lab frequently so she can keep an eye on my kidney function. Does anyone else worry about their kidneys?

I don't know if I have gout yet. Yesterday, the doc drew blod to check my uric acid levels.
I love red meat - cows are a meal waiting to happen.

Hi,
I am 33, have been having joint pains for the last couple of years and was recently told that I have gout arthritis. I always thought that the joint pains were due to me being overweight and unfit. I have learned the hard way not to listen to nay sayers who says that every pain is because of being overweight and unfit. I hope you all are feeling better. I have joint pains just about everyday and it's in every joint that I have. I also don't really drink and red meat is a luxury. What tests should one ask ones doctor for to determine the cause and where can I find good gout diet advise. The websites that I've visited just leads me in cicles so now I'm dizzy too! :)
I am so glad to have found this support group! I hope you all have a wonderfull weekend with no or very little pain! xx

i suffer with gout in almost all my joints the doctors are gobsmacked as it is very rare at 27 to have it in 1 joint. i have been put through a medical menopause so dont know if thats what has brought it on but some days i cant walk or do anything it is very painful. also i dont have the look of gout i do swell and i sometimes look bruised occasionally it goes red but rarely and it never goes shiney this is why they thought i had rhematoid arthritis. i am a huge meat eater, rarely drink alcohol but i used to have a problem with it years ago and i basically eat everything i shouldnt so now my life has been dramatically changed!!
i have to agree it probably is a hormonal thing.
i take naprosyn for mine as i also suffer with reflux and ibs.

Hi - I'm new here and found this discussion when looking for more information on hormones and their relationship with gout. I'm 33, vegetarian (for over 20 years), not too overweight (though I'm constantly trying to lose some...), drink red wine in moderation but never beer and rarely spirits. And this week I am having my first gout attack. My doctor could shed no light on why this has happened.

I've read in places that oestrogen usually protects pre-menopausal women from gout and wondered if anyone knows more about this or could point me in the right direction? I had a late miscarriage earlier this year and my hormones have been out of whack for a few months now. I'd like to find out more on whether this (along with the emotional trauma of it all) might have brought on my gout. Any advice/info/opinions welcome!

Hi, all! Well, this certainly makes me feel better as I am a woman and have had gout since adolescence. I am a strict vegan and have been for many years and do not drink often. My body weight is 120 lbs., and I am not a candidate for joint replacement therapy as my ligaments are too flexible for the joint to remain in place. I live in a state of constant pain, though the fact that I strictly maintain my diet, alcohol consumption, exercise regimen, and allopurinol dosing has made me attack-free for 4 years. I highly recommend a vegan diet and a strong exercise routine for all other sufferers. Additionally, if you haven't tried the new "Shape-up" shoes, it's worth it! They take all the pressure off your big toes and have even allowed me to take up running, something I was convinced I'd never be able to do. I'm currently training for a half marathon! :) I wish you all the best.

Today is Christmas and this is the greatest gift that I could find on Christmas day! Yes, this gift is to find others who have gout and who are living with it. The internet has won again! It has helped me to live 'normally' with troubles that came my way! I will talk more later, but I will read all of the posts to begin my 'after Christmas journey' with gout so that I can live as fulfilling a life with it as I was before the symptoms became so painful! Enjoy the Christmas... Yes, I am female. I am 49 yrs old. Never drank, never smoked, and I like fish, chicken, and red meats. I will have to adjust - but adjusting is better than having this pain! Thanks for being here for me and for others.
Prosperanta

I am a 63 year old female and have gout too. I found it hard to believe at first as I am not a big meat eater , drinker and no one else has it in my family. The attacks are very painful and I don't wish this on anyone. I have had visits to the emergency with doctors saying it was cellutis, and the next doctor saying it was gout...back and forth!. I ended up going to a Rheumatologist and being put on Allopurinol. It seems to be working so far..3 months now! I went on a cruise in November and never got an attack!
All the best!

Had my first attack starting this week. So painful. Went in for x-rays to make sure there were no broken bones. Going for blood work next week. I rarely eat red meat or shellfish. I do dirnk red wine a few times a week, could lose a little weight, but not at all obese. And I exercies weekly. This is very upsetting. And the pain is excutiating. What do you all do about work? What shoes do you wear? I can not fit my foot in my shoes :( Glad to see that I am not alone. Wish you all the best!

Hello, I too developed gout (as a woman--53 yr old) 2 months ago. Didn't have a clue. Looked back at June 2011 levels and it was 9.8 (uric acid) and jan it was 9...with full blown gout attack. I have a history of oxylase kidney stones so I feel really down about this diet thing-----low oxylate diet takes out many fruits and vegetables and gout takes out protein and other things......I'M DIZZY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I CAN EAT OR NOT... TOFU IS A BIG NO NO FOR OXYLATES. TOFU IS A BIG PLUS FOR GOUT. Saw a dietitian who gave me a 1600 cal diet and said i need to exercise an hour a day....and to lose 60-80 lbs. i'm walking 25 min/day .......found out i'm allergic to xantham gum----yeast is a nono for gout....WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSE TO DO? ugh...... have you seen www.gout-aware.com? That's where I found out about organic apple cidar vinegar.....1 TB apple cidar vinegar, 1TB distilled water, 1TB organic honey....mix it and take it twice a day after meals....that's about the most lightening thing and uplifting thing I have found to help. God help us all...had no clue about gout---i feel sorry for anyone with it!. :'(

Interesting study on Gout, Woman and Fructose.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Fprweb5056934.DTL

We have started a facebook page to keep people up to date with new treatments and findings about Gout. Being educated about Gout is your best line of defense. Join us at: http://www.facebook.com/gouthealth

1 TB BRAGG apple cider vinegar, 1TB distilled water, 1TB organic honey...mix it and drink it twice a day after meals...see www.gout-aware.com site run by a gout sufferer....very well written and very informative. I found it while searching to educate myself on my newly acquired disease.

I was just diagnosed with Gout yesterday via an emergency visit to an orthopedic surgeon. I am a 40 year old woman, I do not drink any alcohol and rarely eat red meat. I am still stunned at my diagnosis.
Two trips to ER this weekend for excruciating pain in my right ankle, unable to walk, crying all weekend. I'm grateful to have a diagnosis but still very surprised to have this diagnosis.
I have heard that cherry juice helps reduce flare-ups? Can anyone offer any other foods to avoid or foods to help with flare-ups? I am on Colchicine which helped me a ton overnight.
I would love any advice or help. Thank you! Heather

Hello,

I was just told this past Tuesday that I've got gout. I was shocked. This does not run in our family, I don't drink, eat fish, nor eat alot of red meat. I've had to quit exercising and keep the feet propped. This is great to know I'm not alone. Thanks for sharing, I'm writing down your tips on what to do.

Best to all.

Just learned I had gout. Had been in pain on left toe, right ankle and right knee. Told my doctor. He came up with idea I had PAD. Artery problems. Even sent me to cardiologist. That doctor said I was fine. I had been in glucosamine for over a year and that didn't help. Went to New Mexico to visit a son. They took me to their country doctor. No blood work nor tests. He said I had GOUT. Well, after reading on it for a bit. I discover CELERY SEED EXTRACT. Works ever so great. No Pain nor flare-ups in months. Yes, did quit eating red meats and hi protein foods. I drink 4 to 5 glasses of water per day and 2 cranberry tablets per day. They flush out bad stuff. If anyone else knows of anything else that would help as well, lets share some stories. Great to have found this group.