This is what it is , have to live with it now

I’m trying to decipher how on earth my flare today happened. Got jaw surgery last week, my jaw was wired shut until yesterday, and I’m still extremely limited in movement. All liquid diet. I’ve ONLY had boosts shakes, spare for one banana/almond protein shake yesterday and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup today (first real meal in 8 days) and medicine. The medicine preparations are essentially a syrup so I can get them by the wires and do contain sugar. I’m thinking that + dehydration? I’m just trying to rack my brain for the source or what I could have done different. I’ve had virtually no purines and my sugar intake outside of the medicine has been near nill outside of the boost shakes which contain some sugar. Any ideas? I’m on 200 mg allo and have been for about 3 months now, levels were checked about a month ago and about 2 months before that. Both sub 6. I know it’s the first year of being on the medicine, could it be just that things are still breaking down? I forgot my colchine at my partners so I’m having an uber take me there for like a million dollars. Any thoughts or advice welcomed (besides making sure to have reactionary drugs with me, I know how I fucked up there).

Looking for some advice. Have high uric acid (about 8.5mg/dl) and suffering from frequent attacks. Planning on starting uric acid treatment. Was suggested to look into febuxostat by doctor. I want to research that vs allo (white male, no heart/liver/kidney issues). Had always heard allo first so wanted to gauge others experiences as was surprised to see this one suggested. Doctor is very open to conversations and have not discussed yet...I want to be better informed before having that

I’m 47, male, and drink beer occasionally and i woke up around 3 a.m. with intense burning pain in my big toe and am planning to have it checked out. I’d appreciate hearing from anyone whose first gout flare started in a similar way. what the diagnosis process was like and which type of doctor you saw first.

43M, been dealing with recurring foot and ankle flares for years and still trying to figure out if it’s gout or spondyloarthritis (SpA).

This actually started back in 2020 when I developed significant Achilles pain and ankle swelling. At the time, doctors thought I might have torn my Achilles tendon. But the pain and swelling kept coming back over the years, sometimes lasting weeks or months. Looking back, I’m wondering if some of those episodes were actually gout attacks that nobody recognized.

More recently, my rheumatologist diagnosed SpA based on Achilles enthesitis seen on MRI, chronic back pain, and episodes of swollen toes. My inflammatory markers (ESR/CRP) are always normal and I’m seronegative. I’ve been on Humira/Amjevita since June with some improvement, but the foot flares keep happening.

My uric acid has mostly been 5.8–6.2, although I’ve had a reading of 7.1. Some of the lower readings were during flares or while restricting my diet. I also have a family history of gout.

The weird thing is how my flares behave. Both ankles get swollen and painful, especially around the sides and Achilles. Sometimes my toes swell up too. The pain is often burning or feels like I’ve run 20 miles. Heat makes the swelling worse, ice helps, and strenuous exercise sometimes triggers a flare a few days later. These aren’t typical overnight big-toe attacks. They can last weeks.

I’m currently 2–3 weeks into another flare. Started colchicine four days ago and it’s definitely helped with pain and swelling, but hasn’t resolved it. Walking aggravates things again. Today I also started getting pain near my big toe, which is new for me.

I’m starting to wonder if this has been gout all along, or possibly both conditions. I know gout can affect tendons and uric acid can be normal during flares, but the Achilles involvement and swollen toes also seem pretty consistent with SpA.

Has anyone had gout that primarily affected their ankles/Achilles rather than their big toe? Or had gout mistaken for SpA or psoriatic arthritis? Curious how long your flares lasted and whether colchicine helped.

I’d really like to get a definitive diagnosis, but my rheumatologist doesn’t think there’s enough fluid in my joints to aspirate, so he’s ordered MRIs instead. I also asked about a DECT scan to look for urate crystals, but he wasn’t familiar with it, so unfortunately that hasn’t been an option so far. Feeling a bit stuck trying to figure out what’s actually going on.

I (26M) just got gout for the first time late last week. I am currently on steroids for my flare up and have started taking Allo. Gout runs rampant through my family (father, uncle, cousins, grandfather). I recently went on holiday and was eating a copious amount of food and pairing it with an outrageous amount of alcohol as well which probably caused this lol. But reading through this sub reddit i’m quite conflicted. Since being diagnosed i’ve been searching up how to minimise risk of flare ups and continuous care for gout online and I read about diet this, diet that until i started reading some threads here where people state diet means nothing really. I have stopped drinking, stopped eating red meat and pretty much have gone vegetarian for the meantime which is driving me bonkers.
I guess what I’m trying to ask here is wtf do I do? What do I eat, how much? things to avoid? Because I’m on Allo can I eat most things again?

I am really craving a cheeseburger

I’m diagnosed with gout and I’ve been on Febuxostat for years. No flare ups in a very long time. Yesterday I woke up and the top of my foot was tender and felt weird. It was swollen by the end of the day. Feeling like it may be gout related I took colchicine and it was better this morning. Any one experience this? Questioning if it was gout since it wasn’t associated with a joint. Thanks!!

Been dealing with gout for years. Don’t take anything daily because I don’t handle indomethacine or allo well. Reumatologist wants me to try uloric. My GP has concerns about heart health. Anyone use uloric? How’s it going?

I have been on Allo since Jan of this year. It has taken until July for my knees to stop being crunchy (iykyk) and for walking downstairs to feel normal again.

I added in May, an herbal supplement that had the usuals in the tart cherry, and celery seed extract (first time trying that) and then read about black garlic. Been taking 2 capsules at night and in the morning. My joints have never felt better, like seriously, I can’t remember when they felt this good.

So, I don’t know if it’s only the Allo, or if it the black garlic, or the combo. Has anyone ever relied on black garlic alone? And if so, what were the results?

I recently have the attack. Last time doc gave me prednisolone for it, but i forgot how many mg did i take.

I read it online that 30-35mg once a day for 3-5 days is commonly prescribed ?

I have a job that require lot of walking.

Thanks yall

Anyone experienced losing their voice on allopurinol?

Its listed as a super rare side effect on Mayo clinic, but not on the NHS website (UK user)

I've had for 4 weeks now after having taking allo for probably 3 months now.

Seeing my GP today about my voice so will mention it.

Casual drinking of alcohol, organ meats and rich sausage. This would've left me in a coma 10 years ago...but so far so good.

About two years ago, after a fun weekend of beer and shellfish, I stubbed my toe badly. I had gout so bad in my feet that I couldn’t walk for days together. I literally had to crawl to the bathroom since my feet couldn’t sustain any weight without extreme pain. Sometimes a flare would last two weeks before subsiding somewhat to let me walk with a cane. It went on like this until this spring when I did something about it.

I used to hike and sail small dinghies a lot. I thought I’d never do it again. It was depressing in the extreme. 45 was too young to stop doing the things I loved.

I held off taking allopurinol because I imagined a horrible gout flare up and during my okay-ish days between flare ups I didn’t want to risk the relative comfort. But I bit the bullet in the spring of this year and started at a low dose of 25mg and over a month worked my way up to 75mg. Taking colchicine along with it, I didn’t have a flare up at all. Just the tickling in my joints feeling.

Now I’m up to 150mg and have just had the best completely gout-free months I’ve had in two years. I went sailing again - with all that crouching and toe bending - and felt totally normal the next day. I’ve been hiking and also no pain. I’ll only get some very faint tingles when I eat too richly. But I’m back to eating a lot of what I wanted, just smaller portions.

My recent test had me down to 6.5 uric acid from about 9.5. And I’m about to increase my dose another 50mg and anticipate even greater results.

Anyway. Not gloating. Just wanting to share that there is hope. Talk to your doc and get on colchicine at the least to bring the swelling down and then start that allopurinol if you can. Better days are ahead for you!

Hi all,

I need some advice right now because I think I'm struggling mentally. I had my first flare ever in April, I woke up with my ankle really swollen as well as my big toe. I then couldn't walk properly for a solid 3 weeks, got to the point where I used crutches which was not fun because I have a fairly active job (high school drama teacher, always moving) during this I saw the doctor multiple times, was basically on Prednisone for it. Then once it settled down the doctor put me on Allopurinol - been on that since then, basically 3 tablets of 100mg a day. He told me to take colchicine if I get a flare.

Now we are in present day, months later, and I've not really experienced much relief, I've had a flare here and there, but when I don't have flares I still feel constant pain in my ankle and at times big toe. To the point where I cant exercise at all (not even walk down the street or do simple things like mow the yard) I've been smashing water and changing my diet.

My doctor wanted me to wait to check levels until this month with my appointment being this Friday. Has anyone else experienced this? or have I possibly done long term damage to my ankle from the first flare up? I'm relatively young in the big scheme of things at 34 years old. I'm just wanting hope right now because it's starting to ruin my life.

I've been stalking this page since April, it seems like a really nice community of people (gathered to discuss a crappy thing we all have in common). I would appreciate any advice or thoughts anyone has on my situation.

Thank you for reading my post!

Its at the toe and its an "inflammation" i guess? Since ice relief inflammation, is it good?

At this point I’m just venting constantly, indomethacin is the worst experience of my life. Not only has it not helped my feet, the side effects have stolen my life. GP, gave me a 7 day supply, no warning of side effects. The stomach aches have been daily, but that’s nothing compared to the withdrawal headaches. I’ve ever experienced a headache as bad as this, nothing relieves it and worst of all I’m 24 hours removed from my last indo pill and my head still feels as if it’s being actively punched. Finally have a rheumatologist appointment tomorrow I need some hope..

Went away for a wedding this past weekend (10/9/2026 to 10/11/26) and got into the tequila. Had about 10 drinks total in two days. Did some blood work as soon as I got back and got my results today. Uric acid levels at 3.4. I should be okay right? Have been on allo for 3 months

1. Does anyone else’s gout only affect one joint? It’s only my left big toe, right has never had an issue. Nowhere else either.

2. Can diet pop trigger it? I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I had my first flare about a year ago and no flares since but has always been sore since. Now I feel like it’s gonna flare again after waking up this morning. Only thing I did differently lately is drinking a lot of diet pop. Yesterday I did more housework than normal. Other than that idk..

I’m scared to take allopurinol because I hate taking new meds..so I’m trying to do it myself.

Long time reader, first time poster.

Diagnosed 3 years ago. One flare then nothing for two years, now two flares within 9 months. Have struggled at times with alcohol use, work in nightlife and genuinely can’t see myself/don’t want to go to alcohol zero (no lectures please, dealing w present facts and have disclosed to my dr).
Last flare started in August (big toe) and has never truly gone away. I’m back to walking without a limp but it hurts still, varying day to day, def can’t lunge at the gym but can live mostly normally. Doc said it’s finally time to start allo 100mg, along with colchicine. Uric was 8.1 6 weeks ago and went up to 8.8 even attempting to diet. He agreed to wait a little and clear the flare. Just colchicine for a few days and my foot still hurts. He’s impossible to get a hold of and not a specialist, and I’m having trouble with copays etc, so I’m turning here for some crowdsourcing. I’m scared to start the allo while my foot still hurts…but not sure it’ll go away, it’s been two months. Thoughts?

For context im 24(is gout common in my age?) i have had this since i was 15 occurring one a year up to when i was 18 and suddenly gone for 6 years with a few flare ups but nothing to severe and now im suffering because this gout flare up have been going for three weeks now first it was just my feet but then it went in to a full blown flare up i couldn't walk for a week so i went to my doctor and given allopurinol and pain revivers but all it did was the pain going to another body part then i went to an ortho and given febuxostat and colchicine(both 30 days once a day) and etoricoxib(for 5 days)it worked for a few days then the pain came back so i went back for anothe check up and given decilone forte (once a day for 4 days and half a dose for 5 days)for the pain and the same think happened i was fine the first few days then the pain eventually comes back now i am not walking strait again

So i have a few questions

1. Can a gout flare up last weeks?

2. Is there any way i can lessen the pain naturally?

3. Am i supposed to rest and let the flare go down before working again (i work in a kitchen so i move the whole day so imagine the pain i go through the whole day of working)?

4. I live in the ph what foods i can and can't eat?

Help a brother out im suffering, i need to work, i cant work because of this

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Hi everyone,

I live in Sweden and am looking for advice from people who have experienced gout,

I recently developed significant pain and swelling in my ankle. The pain was bad enough to limit my walking, and I had to spend quite a lot of time resting. The swelling has gradually reduced, but I am still experiencing symptoms.

One thing I have noticed is that the pain follows a particular pattern:

- In the morning, my ankle feels stiff, but it improves as I start moving around.

- The swelling increases again towards the evening.

- The pain tends to return in the evening, particularly when I am resting or lying in bed, rather than only when walking.

I consulted a doctor, who suspects a gout flare-up. I was told that the flare needs to settle down before a blood test can be done and medication prescribed.

I understand that uric acid levels can be misleading during an acute gout attack. I would also like to understand what happens if the pain and swelling persist for several days.

I have a few questions for those who have been through something similar:

1. Did your doctor also recommend waiting until the flare settled before checking your uric acid levels?

2. Were you given medication to manage the acute flare, such as anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroids, while waiting?

3. How long did it take for the pain and swelling to settle completely?

4. If the symptoms continued, did you contact your vårdcentral again, or were you referred elsewhere?

5. Once the flare settled, were you prescribed long-term uric acid-lowering medication, such as allopurinol?

I realise that everyone's situation is different, and I am not looking for a diagnosis online. I would appreciate hearing about your actual experiences with gout treatment and the healthcare system in Sweden.

Thanks!

It's been 2 weeks since my gout flare in my ankle and the swelling and horrific pain from that is all gone. but when i go to walk, my foot starts to hurt, but it feels different from the gout pain i had

im wondering if this is just because i haven't put any weight on my foot for 2 weeks straight and it just needs to "toughen up" again? anyone relate?

Just dealing with flare up and sad. Too stubborn to see a Dr- im almost 40. This started in the last 5 years, my first experience was horrible. I atest it to my poor diet of gummy worms energy drinks and fast food. I been struggling with poor diet basically my entire adult life, over weight I blame myself for everything catching up now and wonder if my choices sealed my opportunity to see my daughters girl up (11mo and 2.5yr old), bigger picture overall not just because of gout, it sure effects my ability to be a father to them .. can't chase em around the house during flare ups or do anything for that matter. Currently had a flare on my right foot as that started dying down my left foot started and I might be experiencing my knee now. Just having a really bad Monday and wanted to kind of vent and see that I am not alone.