Gout Flareup

[maxwellv8670]

My hubby had his doctors appointment this past week and the checkup and blood work was good. He has lost about 25 pounds. He was at 405 lbs. 6 months ago this time he weighed about 380 lbs. He's been doing the Atkins diet since February 9th. Well today he woke up and his gout has flared up. It has settled into his left foot. He can barely walk. Right now he has it elevated. He has had this happen before that is why we know it's gout. It is swelled something terrible. Anyway we also know a high protein diet is one factor that can cause it to flare up if I remember right. What does someone do when they are eating low carbs and a high protein diet. I just didn't know if there was a way to stay on the Atkins diet by reducing the proteins until this flareup passes and not blow the diet completely? Thanks so much for any help.

[Happy2BThin4Me]

Re: Gout Flareup

Good question, I know a friend of mine gets this and can only clear it out by drinking a bit of cranberry juice...I think its a general lack of vegetables too that can make it flare up. I will check more and see what else you can do to help him!

-Michelle

[ziggy]

Re: Gout Flareup

atkins is not a high protein diet

atkins is high fat, medium protein, low carb

don't eat any lean meats unless they are mixed with fat and try eating lots of unsalted butter and eggs you can't go wrong with that a chicken egg is 61% fat

also make sure he drinks LOTS of water cause when you lose weight your body needs extra water to help flush the toxins out that were stored in the body fat

www.fitday.com

atkins induction to aim for is 65% fat, 30% protein, 5% carbs but don't worry if your fat% go's higher than 65% but just don't go higher than 30% protein

my % quite abit of the time is 77% fat, 20% protein, 3% carbs

[Happy2BThin4Me]

Re: Gout Flareup

Here's something I read but don't agree with the low carb diet stuff but I am not a doctor so don't listen to me!

How to eat to help control your gout



There are several things you can do as part of an eating plan for gout.

1. Avoid or limit foods that are high in purines, especially during a gout attack. These foods include:
   • Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, and brains.
   • Meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb.
   • Game meats.
   • Any other meats in large amounts.
   • Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and scallops.
   • Gravy.
   • Beer.
2. Eat foods that may lower your risk of gout.1, 2 These include:
   • Low-fat or skim milk.
   • Low-fat yogurt.
3. Choose healthy foods. These foods include:
   • A wide range of fruits and vegetables.
   • Eggs, nuts, and seeds for protein.
   • Small amounts of meat. Limit your serving size to 2 to 3 ounces a day .
4. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This can help your body get rid of uric acid.
5. Avoid eating habits that can raise your uric acid levels. For example:
   • Avoid crash diets and low-carbohydrate diets.
   • Do not eat too much food or drink too much alcohol.
   • Do not take large amounts of vitamin C.
   • Avoid alcohol, especially beer and "spirits" such as whiskey and gin.3

There are lots of protein options like eggs and such that can be eaten during a gout flare up...

Hope this helps a little. This came from yahoo health so who knows about the recommendations but its something to think about. I agree with the above poster regarding eggs. Not sure about the low fat dairy...

-Michelle

[maxwellv8670]

Re: Gout Flareup

Thank you Happy2BThin4Me & Ziggy! I thought that since he was eating more meat that it might be the cause his gout has flared up. He didn't eat meat tonight. Just a salad with no meat. That was the best I could think of at the last minute. I just didn't know. He is doing well (better than me) so I want him to keep it up but sure didn't expect the gout flare up. Seems like it is always something. His aunt told him to drink cherry juice but we all know that sure isn't on the diet. I'll check out the link you posted Ziggy thanks so much.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Gout Flareup

I had this in my tips file:

"A pre existing condition of Gout can be aggravated by rapid weight loss on any program as well as the Atkins Nutritional Approach™.

Modification usually requires slowing weight loss down to fewer than two pounds a week and working with your doctor who may prescribe 300 mg of the prescription drug Allopurinol. If the uric acid level remains low, Allopurinol may be tapered down and stopped after one month, both under a physician's care.

The Atkins program in itself should not increase uric acid levels above normal levels. A number of studies done using the Atkins approach have measured uric acid levels and found that they stay within normal ranges.

Gout is effected by uric acid levels. Using healthy fats, fish oils, and other omega-3 fatty acids along with other fats and proteins, the inflammatory response in the body should improve.

Just keep your protein portions within the 6 ounce to 7 ounce cooked range. You will need to eat smaller portions more frequently, not all at once.

Make sure you are drinking all the required water and taking your multi and fish oil caps daily."

[Momtofour]

Re: Gout Flareup

I can't help at all, but I feel for him. I have had some minor gout flare-ups and oh my goodness. The pain that you can feel in a toe joint is terrible. Every time I get it, I am amazed that one toe can hurt so bad. I haven't figured out how it goes away but I think it has something to do with drinking more water.

[maxwellv8670]

Re: Gout Flareup

Thanks atkinsgal08 & Momtofour. I have heard about the allopurinol he hasn't taken it but in the past he's been prescribed indomethicin (spelling probably not right). Anyway he only has 4 of those left so I guess we are going to have to get him into a family doctor because the doctor he just went to was an endocronoligist (sp?) that is for his diabetes. And yes momtofour he says it is very painful. It isn't in the toe part of his foot but says that he has had that foot broke before when he was younger and says it didn't hurt that bad when it was broke! Very painful. He has something for pain but that really isn't helping. Plus pain meds mask a condition. When you are in pain that is your body's way of telling you something is wrong and when you take that you are essentially numbing the condition and not fixing the problem that caused it. I guess it will be another doctors appointment next week that is if he can get in anywhere soon. Thanks once again for everyone's support!

[Elizellen]

Re: Gout Flareup

There have been a few discussions on this in the past

Here is one post concerning it

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/81775-gout-missing-chapter-good-calories-bad-calories.html

[Momtofour]

Re: Gout Flareup

Thank you Elizellen. That article posted clears up so much for me. Sugar really is evil stuff!!! When I started having gout, was when I was off Atkins for a year. I haven't had a problem since I was back on this WOL. Now I know why. This WOE just proves again and again why this is the right way to eat for our bodies. I am amazed at how I don't need any pain relievers, tums, Imodium AD, or anything else when I'm on Atkins. My body is not revolting against what I put into it. It is just using it as energy and moving on.

maxwellv8670 I hope your Atkins journey clears up his gout and he never has to worry about it again. I broke my ankle once and yes, gout is much worse. And I only have it one joint in my left big toe.

[H20baby]

Re: Gout Flareup

maxwellv8670
Has the doctor put him on Allopurinol? This helps hugely for gout. Also drink plenty of fluids up to 3 liters a day to flush the uric acid from the blood via the kidneys.
If he is in pain and it is okay to take Ibuprofin(Motrin/advil OTC) or Naproxen (Aleve over the counter)

Other foods to avoid besides the great list Happy2BThin4Me is: legumes (dried beans and peas), gravies, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, consommé, and baking or brewer's yeast.

Rapid weight can cause uric acid can build up in kidney too, causing stones. So really push the fluids and maybe start the OWL portion of the diet to increase good carbs and increase fat instead of protein.

Good luck!

TTFN
Melody

[2big4mysize]

Re: Gout Flareup

indomethicin is a pain med for his gout not a treatment for cause drug.

he needs to see his doc to determine the cause of the gout is it a kidney issue or a diet too rich in purines along with other risk factors cause drugs designed for one cause will not be good for a different one.

[H20baby]

Re: Gout Flareup

I know indomethicin is an anti-inflammatory for pain. I agree that his M.D. should be notified about his condition, but since he was just at the doctors and has a history of gout, I wondered if he was aware. Allopurinol is actually decreases uric acid levels in the blood and is the treatment for gout as well as diet changes and pushing water. I just mentioned the potential for kidney stones as that high uric acid levels in the blood can cause kidney stones especially with rapid weight loss.

[matawguro]

Re: Gout Flareup

Anyway we also know a high protein diet is one factor that can cause it to flare up if I remember right. What does someone do when they are eating low carbs and a high protein diet. I just didn't know if there was a way to stay on the Atkins diet by reducing the proteins until this flareup passes and not blow the diet completely? Thanks so much for any help.

Nope. Not protein. Purine. Since a lot of meat sources which are high in purine are also staple protein sources, people think protein is the culprit. It isn't.

How much caffeine does your husband take? There's a lot of conflicting info on the effects of caffeine on gout, but based on my personal experience, anything more than 4 cans of Coke Zero (or caffeine equivalent in coffee) will trigger a flare-up.

[SouLThinKing]

Re: Gout Flareup

I have ask has he had any alcohol lately? I do know that the more water and fluids he drinks will help. But no alcohol it will increase gout symptoms. I hope it all clears up.

Nichole