[Graham Ashford]

So far no re-occurrence of the first day’s symptoms, so hopefully a bit of bad luck timing on an illness or maybe first time blues? Either way so far so good, thanks for the thought.

[Graham Ashford]

Once again thanks for the feedback.

Thought I’d write up my Alluprinol 100mg experiences so far, as much for here as for my own records if that’s OK?

Took the tablet (about 0900) with some porridge, berries, glass of water and a cup of black instant coffee and thought I was going to be sick about a minute later, wasn’t in the end but spent most of the day feeling ill (nausea and drowsy) and a couple of bouts of diarrhoea. Been able to function all day, just not feeling too well. By about 2000 last of the nausea left me.

I don’t normally react to tablets and there’s an outside chance I may have just been ill in general I suppose.

The plan at the moment is to continue with the same food each day and tablet regime and see whether or not the same thing happens. If it does I guess it’s another trip to the doctors to see if there’s a slightly less reactive plan B 🙂

All the best

Graham

[Graham Ashford]

Keith

Thanks for the reply it is very helpful as I try to get a handle on things as there is a lot of confusing info out there. Here’s another attempt at the uric acid, urine ph value understanding.

1. Urine pH is a measure of my urine’s pH, not my blood which for generally being alive needs to be about 7.4.
2. Urine pH is a reasonable measure to help resist forming kidney stones through too much acid or alkaline but little else.
3. Maintaining a healthy urine pH (about 7 – 7.5) is an useful indicator of how my diet is affecting my kidney and urine.
4. By using this technique of measure I can gain a useful guide (but only a guide) that my new eating regime is healthy – against this measurement only.
5. Combined with what I (hopefully) understand about eating, now specifically thinking about my gout, I stand a better chance of strategically lowering my uric acid levels.
6.However the only sure measure of uric acid levels are through blood tests (best done by the doctor) but also by myself (over time as a less accurate trending tool).

My newly revised plan is:

Continue trying to eat a healthier mix/proportion of healthy food (following 80/20 rule) lowering my weight by 1-2lbs a week.
Drink plenty of fluids including about 4 cups of coffee, 1 cherry juice and water (sometimes with fresh lemon to add taste.
Take 1x 100mg Allupurinol a day (just prescribed from the doctor).
Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg as snacks rather than ‘snacks’.
Keep my feet much warmer in the workshop with the addition of rubber flooring, thermal socks, heating and massage during the working day.

I’m thinking of getting a uric acid tester (not to live by so much but measure any trending over time and I enjoy this sort of thing), but will use doctor’s blood tests as more accurate measures. I was thinking this one looked ok nand wondered of your opinion?

http://www.goutcare.co.uk/uric-acid-and-glucose-meter-kit-with-an-extra-25-uric-acid-test-strips-and-10-free-sterile-wipes.html

Anyway, as ever, thanks so much for your thoughts, already eating better I have lost just under half a stone in 3 weeks which I am very pleased about, I appreciate your time and any feedback.

Kindest regards

Graham

[Graham Ashford]

As a summary of what I think I understand so far.

Cut back the meat, eat more veg, avoid processed foods and generally take the healthier options of food that most of us know we really ought to be doing anyway. To aid with this I will try and get a better handle on alkaline foods (once digested) but always ensure there is some acid in the diet after digestion (around 20 – 30%)?

Additionally I am still a little confused over the uric acid tests and ph urine tests. I am wondering whether the urine tests (taken each time I go to the loo) would give a nice understanding of tactical acidic levels in my urine and as such me; but wouldn’t a uric acid blood tester help with a more strategic idea of knowing that I am headed in the right direction if taken once a week or even month? Or, is the urine ph as good if not better indicator with accurate records?

Lastly I have an appointment to see about daily meds in the immediacy to get me down from the apparently dangerous levels of .55.

I’m more than happy to make dietary changes to my life and frankly use this as a long over due spur to make some much needed changes to my once quite healthy lifestyle, but just want to make sure I am slowly headed in the correct direction 🙂

As ever, thanks for the time.

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