My doctor confirmed I had gout about six weeks ago. I am 34 yo and
have binge drinked at least once a week since the age of 22. I also
weightlift for the last 16 years and weigh a healthy 280 at 6'6". My
gout started in my right ankle and over the course of three weeks
moved around the same ankle (in and out of pain). During diagnoses
uric acid was 9.3. I have had readings of 7.7 and 8.1 since stopping
binge drinking. Indomethacin did nothing but cause stomach problems,
found relief with Ibuprofen 800mg 4x daily. Doc also prescribed
colchicine but I was too terrified to use after reading it was a
poison that messed with your DNA at the mitochondria. Why would
anyone use this stuff?
Now that you have a little history, my doc says to wait until you
have three attacks in one year before starting allopurinol. I have
also read the same info on other gout related sites. He also states
that allopurinol is not prescribed "lightly". Has anyone's kidney
function declined or other metabolic changes taken place from
allopurinol? I am worried because my creatinine levels tend to be
high at times from 1.8 to 1.3, average being 1.5 (doc says probably
due to muscle mass). How nephrotoxic is this med? I also notice
Arnold says to not wait on taking allopurinol because gout will
return stronger and more frequent. What should I do? Should I wait
or should I tell doc about more attacks so he will prescribe? Please
reply!