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I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS WEBSITE.
I am 70 years young and 10 years ago I started getting an attack about twice a year…after a few days it was gone and I carried on. Around January something new happened. I got 2 attacks , very severe, with only a month apart. I decided not to ignore this and wound up on allo 300mg 2 months ago. I got 2 weeks of total relief and then an on-off cycle that continues. A few days good and then a flare-up for a few days and then ok again. This cycle is messing up my lifestyle. I have cut back on meat and eating way more veggies. I have always worked out at the gym and ran but when I find a few pain free days and work out, I am fatigued and concerned that I may precipitate a new attack. Only been to the gym twice in a month!
I long for the good old non-allo days when the attack would vanish and i am ok for 6 months. Am comforted by knowing it is the disolving of the crystals that is causing the pain and that the allo is winning the battle and that it is only a matter of time until I am back on course and can likely carry on my old lifestyle in moderation.
On Wednesday I was suprised by an old long lost friend showing up and we celebrated . I had 6 beer over 6 hours. Thursday was ok and I comforted another friend who was in a crisis situation…but it took several pints. I had 6 beer in 4 hours. On Friday a flare up began in my knee and by Saturday my old pal ibuprofin came to my rescue. This knee has a bump on it…probably crystals. I suspect that this time, it is not the crystals disloving, but the intensity of beer has caused a new attack at that site.
Over 2 months with allo 300, I could have one or two beer in the evening and it seemed ok.
Maybe I should up the allo to 400mg or quit meeting old friends.
All opinions most appreciated
Gary
Gary,
I think the 400 mg. allopurinol is a very good idea. At this point the lower your average uric acid the less flares you will have and the quicker will be the process of urate removal from joints…at least that which will be removable. After all attacks stop perhaps 300 mg. is enough. Monitor your uric acid regularly, below 5.0 is very good.
I went on 400 mg. for aboput a year to start and NEVER had even a minor flare-up in that year. In fact more than a decade went by on the subseqyent 300 mg. without a peep, and I only started getting “twinges” when I tried 200 mg…learned my lesson.
A couple days of six packs is dangerous especially in the beginning stages of allopurinol treatment. But after a couple years, a six pack every couple days won't cause any problems, I know from experience. Weight control is ANOTHER issue however.
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