Sodium, caffeine
Isolated chocolate and caffiene as problems for me years ago…onlyrecently discovered that hard excercise was problamatical. Have beenwondering about a sodium connection; I dont drink soda but eat lotsof salty pasta. After all, with our diets, what else is there? I amfascinated by Barry’s post - but dont understand how if uric acid isbeing neutralized, it can still be a problem. Also, what is Bilberryjuice? I used to use cherries, but they were a complete failure thisseason. Anyone know the chemistry behind that? Same for theproponent of vinegar. Cant see why I want more acids going in,curious if anyone can explain that one. Anyone know generally howlong it takes the crystals to dissolve once they find a home in ourjoints? Feels like about a month, but curious if any data. Anyfoods, drugs etc to speed the dissolving? Sorry for the length ofthe post - hadnt had an attack in quite a while but this summer’s waslengthy, and a biggie. PS. Vioxx is sure a lot more pleasant thanthe stomach killer, Indocin.
Terrance Molock on April 19th, 2007
Chocolate and caffeine have been blamed..Most things have beenblamed.Whether these raise uric acid levels to the crystalizationthreshold..or allow the uric acid to attach itself to the tissue..orsimply aid in the bonding/crystalization of the uric acid..orincrease the body’s awareness of foreign bodies in thebloodstream..hence affecting the white blood cell reaction.Or aresomehow involved in heat/circulation of blood. Uric acid..I mentioned recently that I had read where when a lotof dead cells are dumped into the bloodstream..that the dying/deadcels release a lot of uric acid..the sodium helps in neutralizing theacid to the point where it can enter tissues/attach itself.This makessense to me.With only a tiny percentage of people with high uric acidlevels developing gout..clearly there is an awful lot more to thisthan simply uric acid levels. Indeed..very well documented are treatments of old where doctorsgave gout paitents VERY strong alcohol.. that this would act as asolvent in dissolving the uric acid deposits.There are posts on thissite where it has been said where alcohol worked…I have also readwhere people have given themselves a self cure of alkaline..largeamounts of lime.Precipitating a savage attack..only to end up curingit.Go figure. Hard exercise..I blamed this but the doctors I see said that thiswould only be a factor where there are already excessive depositsand the joint was subjected to high impact..and the patient was inthe throes of a gout attack.When you have a gout attack..the lessweight/use of the joint the better. Cherry juice is believed to help lower uric acid levels becauseof an enzyme it has that gout sufferers don’t. I have also heard about taking in more acid and thishelping..again..go figure. Dissolving the uric acid crystals..well whether they getdissolved/filtered out..the crystals are not really the problem..theproblem is how your body sees these foreign bodies in the bloodstream.Anti inflammitories allow forcirculation/filtering..colchicine is a poison that kills white bloodcells..turning off the attack.This is crucial..ending theattack..increasing circulation..the longer it has gone on..the harderit is to stop.I think for my next attack I will try the old cold feettrick..sprinkling hot pepper on my feet/in my socks..to increase thecirculation..works for cold feet. Gout attacks seem to last on average of about 1 1/2 weeks.2 weeksis long.They can be several hours..or a few months.Whether thecrystals dissolve/dissappear/filter out..or the white blood cellattack subsides.Those attacks where there are deposits..can belengthy. Drink lots of fluids..all the time.From what I’ve heard/readcolchicine is about the best..all that works for me..but it makesmost people sick. Vioxx didn’t work for me..neither did indocin. Had the same summer my friend..as I was trying to cut back on thecolchicne..I’m getting better..but taking more colchicine. Hope all this helps..BEST of luck!