Gout and high protein diet conflict

[anewdawn]

What to do? My feet are so sore - especially my toes - that I couldn't sleep the last two nights.

From what I've read, diets high in protein and fat are big contributors. I'm down a total of 30 pounds now, but this is a MAJOR problem for me.

Any ideas?

I haven't read anything in DANDR about gout - but I may have missed something - I'm looking again when I get home...

[momtomany1]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

I found this on the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Atkins Diet from the Atkins Center

It sounds like a legitimate problem, and I hope you get solid answers that help you...

[gooniegirl]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Thank you for this link Mom...very useful info for me.
Gigi

[momtomany1]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Interestingly, after posting this I have developed what appears to be gout. I have never had any type of arthritis and I don't feel old enough for this!

I had been eating about 4 oz of liver every day for a while. I have cut that out, and am eliminating other 'high purine' foods. (Liver is one of the highest! hate than since I love the stuff...)
Also ramping up the vitamin C. I have only one joint affected, the joint behind my left big toe. It doesn't hurt all the time, just flares from time to time.

Gigi, how has yours been?

[gooniegirl]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Well Mom -I do have something going on but can't for sure say what it is. My feet are terrible and need surgery for bunions which I have been avoiding for a long time-- being somewhat hyperactive and dreading being laid up. Right knee is brutal as well as right pointer finger (which I broke with a hammer in a few places 20 years ago). Had a lot of sports injuries- torn achilles left tendon and calf facsia, torn right tricepts, dislocated right shoulder etc so it's hard for me to know if this is some trauma induced arthritis or wear and tear with age or indeed developing gout?? I take lipitor too and that can also be related to muscle pain so who knows?? Wonder if replacing the animal fats consumed as much as possible with the healthy olive, canola, flax etc would make a difference?? Glucosamine is good stuff, also find aspercreme is a God sent, especially rubbed into the feet and hands.
Hope you feel better soon. (Did you just stub your toe or something and forget maybe?)
Gigi

[momtomany1]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Hi, Gigi, don't know if you are still troubled with your feet. I am pretty convinced mine is gout, but it is much better after kicking the liver and eating more berries. I talked about it with a chiropractor today, he tested and said my system is very acidic, going to be getting more info on that. I hope you are doing well!

[gooniegirl]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Hi Mom,
Alfalfa and kelp taken in combination will help to make your system Ph more base. My feet and knee are still not great. Thanks for asking and I hope you find some solutions for your discomfort. Have a lovely Holiday!

Gigi

[chickie62]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

Gooniegirl and others having pain and taking statin drugs (zocor, lipitor, crestor, etc) please get off of them for at least three days. You'll know by then if they are causing the pain. I was in agony for months until I discovered the drugs were causing it. Muscle/ joint pain and weakness are a serious side effect of statin drugs. God bless you and feel better soon.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

I really feel that any medical advise should come from a physician, especially taking meds. I am a cybercondriac and will google every ailment. Last year I had lung cancer, ovarian cancer, bone cancer, pneumonia, gout and then my doctor told me to stay off google and listen to her instead. WHAT a concept.
Anyway, talk to your doc and see what they say. If its the protein/fat you can lower that somewhat by increasing your veggies

[chickie62]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

LOL! You're right. I'm no physician nor do I play one on TV. But a lot of doctors blow off medicine's side effects and this is what worked for me.
You don't necessarily have to show up on the test they have to for this problem to still be hurt by it.

If you ever suffered this problem you might be desperate to find some solution. The pain can be terrible. There are other great cholesterol that don't have these side effects. At least talk to your doc about it. JMHO!

[Amber_Girl79]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

My husband had horrible gout in his two little toes and along the side of his foot about one week ago. He couldn't work for 4 days and was waking up from it non stop. He also is on lipitor, since he has kidney disease. He has had gout other times before when he drank alcohol a little more then usual. Alcohol is a bigtime no-no for people who are prone to gout, especially on meds. He also is on a high dose water pill. I thought about him being on this diet and am still wondering if it may be not the best for him, since he has kidney disease. He has not mentioned the diet to his doc, I bet his doc would be against this diet anyways...like most are. But then again we are told that beans and legumes and such are even worse then protien for kidney disease patients....all I know is that he has lost 35lbs in 5 1/2 weeks. Now that may get his kidneys working better then ever!

[transypodge]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

My Dad gets terrible gout, and my Mom (who is a nurse) has him eat less red meat...that will supposedly really help!

[reelkeel]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

My husband is in the same boat. I thought this was a very interesting article from an endocrinologist. It's good to be here and share what we know can learn about gout.
Health Report - 9July2007 - The obesity epidemic

[chickie62]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

We have an unusually talented chiropractor. He's not a bone cruncher but uses a small thumping device. He cured my DH's gout in only two visits.
Not saying this would work for everyone but it might be worth a try.

[tuttifrutti]

Re: Gout and high protein diet conflict

I know these are older posts, but I just wanted to pop in and say I have gout. I have been suffering from it for about 4 years now. And I was only 32 yrs old when I first got it. Family history can play a role as well. The problem is if you get gout you usually know for sure know. It hits you like a wrecking ball. The pain can be so intense that just a light blanket on the affected area can cause you to jump out of your skin. I am actually suffering from a gout attack right now and I would rather cut off my foot than to suffer from the pain I am experiencing tonite. They do say it can be from high proteins, animal fats, and high purine foods. Well, I think I am kinda SOL with Atkins. I know this is not a HIGH protein way of eating but I am eating more protein now that I have before. And this is my second attack in a month. Before Atkins I only suffered an attack once every 6-8 months. When you are eating nothing but junk food and carbs your protein intake tends to stay low. The problem with gout also is that in time the attacks will start to happen more often and last longer. The first time I got it was in my big toe on my right foot. For a day or two I was convinced I had broken it. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with it. By the time I got done I couldn't even lift my leg to get in the passenger side of the car without my whole leg going into convulsions of pain. It last almost 3 weeks. THe major pain lasted a week and it took another 2 weeks for the minor pain to go away. That week of major pain, I almost wanted to wear adult diapers because the thought of having to get up to use the bathroom horrified me. Just lowering my leg from the elavated position sent waves of pain thru my foot and leg. Prolonged attacks can eventually lead to permanent damage in those joints. It really scares me to think that I have to go through these attacks again. I lose hours at work and I am not able to do anything at home. If you have any reason to believe you have it, go see the doc. THey will do a blood test to check the uric acid levels. You want all this on your medical records. My doc told me that it could eventually lead me to be on disibility scares me to think that but if it came down to it, my medical records will show all occasions of gout attacks.