Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Gout Question

pittRAlady
pittRAlady
The gout board on DS does not appear active, so I wanted to just ask the opinion of my fellow RAers. My husband recently has developed gout. His PCP treated him for this condition with Prednisone and prescription Ibuprofen. I cannot tell from research if he would be better off seeing a rheumatologist for this or if the PCP can and typically does treat appropriately.
2leftfeet
2leftfeet
I do not know what is typical for gout, but I do see where some rheum will treat this condition.
51percent
51percent
He should see a rheumy for 1 very good reason....there are more than 1 type of crystals that cause gout and the outcome is different for each, as is the treatment. This requires draining a swollen joint and having the crystals analyzed....something most PCP's won't do.

Lots of treatments specific to gout and it's not pred. and ibuprofen. In fact, I've always been taught that you should never take pred. and ibuprofen together as both can cause bleeding stomach ulcers.

Jen
nonightshades
nonightshades
51% is correct about the pred and ibu being the wrong treatment. I've had it, I've been treated for it. I forget the names of the meds but they work and pred and ibo aren't them.

Alcohol, especially beer can make gout flare. Also red meat and certainly shell fish. Clean up his diet. Concentrated Black Cherry juice should cleanse his system but he's got to clean the diet to clean the body.

My experience is the pain is very similar (as 51 alludes with the mention of crystals). The difference is that along with the feeling of ground glass in the toes/feet the joints feels as if they are separating slowly all by themselves with RA. If the gout spread to upper body then it isn't gout, get tested for RA.
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
I had gout in my big toe once, about 8 years ago. It was really random, and only lasted for about a week. That didn't even give me the time to book an appointment and see my rheumy.

I will say, it was 10 times more painful than RA, which seems hard to believe right now. I couldn't even put a sheet over my foot. I agree that probably your hubby needs to see a rheumatologist. And really be nice to him - it is excruciating!
daizy8
daizy8
My "go to" for medical questions is the Mayo clinic site. Really good info there. When my hubby had gout he saw the primary care physician. Cherry juice from our health food store was most helpful. He will also want to back off of red meats. Hope he is well soon.
-daizy 8