related symptoms/history

[donbrr]

New to this forum, and thank you –what I've seen has been quite helpful.  My question is about relatively unusual symptoms over the years.

I've had specific gout-like symptoms (pain and swelling in toes) for 20+ years, but the uric acids always came back normal so it wasn't diagnosed till I saw a doctor in November with an ultra-sound machine (I think that's what it was) and he identified the crystals.  Colchicine solved it initially and allopurinol seems to have it under control (unless I drink a beer!), but this forum has provded some interesting questions about my history of other symptoms that may have been indicators of gout. 

Brief history/background: I'm 62, 170 lbs, 5'5″, walk and hike (when not having a flare-up), take allopurinol (200mg/day ), statins for cholesterol, and blood pressure medications to keep my blood pressure low (usually about 105/70) because I have a stent (my diet is generally good, the high cholesterol seems to be genetic on my mother's side of the family.)  Don't currently know my uric acid level, but last time it was checked, the doctor said it was normal.

What I'm most interested in is actually whether other joint problems I've had for years are related to gout.  When I discuss them with my doctor, he does't really pay much attention to them….   All of these are problems I've had since at least my late 30's:

1) My joints get relatively stiff and numb feeling easily, so I need to stretch much more than most people, particularly my fingers and wrists.  I can't tolerate sitting for long periods and have to move around because everything begins to feel stiff.  (plane trips are very difficult…)

2) My feet and legs 'fall asleep' (tingling sensation and feeling of numbness) very quickly when not moving.

3) I can't sleep on my back because the weight of the covers on my feet hurt.

Since I'm fairly active, I'm not really concerned about these problems.  BUT, it would be interesting to have a sense of whether all of this history may be related to gout.

Thanks,

don

[zip2play]

Hi don,

It's hard to say how many of your problems are related to gout. I share your stent, your statins and your BP meds…most of the last are a curse to those with gout.

It sounds like your circulation could be better and I think it might be related to your keepping your BP too low. It's nice to have a NATURAL low BP but medicating to get artificially low numbers is likely to cause more harm than good. There is very little evidence supporting taking drugs to lower your BP that much…moronic doctors notwithstanding.

 If you are taking any thiazide diuretics, consider getting off them…they are absolutely the worst drug a person with gout can take to the point that they should absolutely be discontinued.

Hmmm, even without attacks, bedcovers hurt your feet????? Food for thought there.

If you want that beer, consider upping your allopurinol to 300 mg. (It's also cheaper that way!)

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