Does medication really make a difference?
I hate taking medications, especially after taking Paxil and the side
affects it gave me. I took Paxil for OCD, depresion and anxiety. The
100 pounds I gained while on it and the flu like symptoms were the
worst. I have now been diagnosed with gout and I'm trying to avoid
medications if I can, except my gout is getting worse. My question to
everybody here is if the medication has really made a difference and
if it's worth the side affects? How long have you been gout free
since beginning the medication? Thanks in advance.
I might have sent first letter to wrong address--so I am resending it to
this address. If both work I am sorry for duplication!
dh
I believe.
Wonder if there is a link between past depression med users and
gout? I too was on Paxil (gotta love those side effects!... NOT)
and now I am off, and I guess I now have gout. I say I guess
because my blood work comes back OK. Guess they are catching me at
a wrong time.
Anyhow... wondering if there is a link. Or just a co-ink-ie-dink?
Has anyone been successful on the Atkins diet without gout flare ups? I was watching Donahue last week and Dr. Atkins mentioned being on 300 mg of allopurinol without a problem. I've been on the diet since Feb 1 and I've lost 6 lbs. No problems.
Hi Chris,
I'm new here and I was wondering the same thing. I've been troubled with gout for quite a few years and I've noticed the "attacks" are coming closer and closer together as time goes on (I'll be 70 this year). I had gout in an elbow in November and then in an ankle in January. I finally gave in and went to a doctor for a prescription of allopurinol, 300 mg. I've only been on it a month so I don't know yet how much the drug will help but I also need to lose weight so I'm trying Atkins at the same time.
I also joined the Atkins_support_list eGroup and asked if the Atkins diet is safe for a gout sufferer. I received two answers but neither told me what I wanted to know. By the way, I've been on the Atkins diet for over a week, closer to two weeks, and haven't lost any weight - maybe even gained some since I'm getting more salt now.
So are you saying that Dr. Atkins himself is taking allopurinol? That's not a good recommendation for his diet, would you think?
Best,
Bill
I've been on the Atkins diet for six months and I get flare ups every
month or so. People keep telling me to get off the diet because of
all the protein that's involved with the diet, but im not on any
medication for gout
yet.
---
Bill,
Have you followed the diet EXACTLY for the introduction phase? Meaning you only have 20 grams of carbs and that only comes from the allowed veggies.
Dr. Atkins himself doesn't take allopurinol. He says that he has recommended his patients take it that suffer from gout. He says with any diet that in the beginning you will increase you uric acid levels.
I'm sorry to hear about you not loosing any weight. Here is the direct link to Atkins Center which tells you all about the diet.
http://atkinscenter.com/
It has EVERYTHING you need to know. Just remember follow the intro phase exactly. NO sugar, caffein, and limit yourself to the allowed foods...
Acceptable Foods
These are the foods you may eat liberally during Induction:
All fish,
including ...
All fowl,
including ...
All shellfish,
including ...
All meat,
including ...
All eggs,
including ...
tuna
chicken
oysters*
beef
scrambled
salmon
turkey
mussels*
pork
fried
sole
duck
lobster
lamb
poached
trout
goose
clams
bacon**
soft-boiled
flounder
Cornish hen
squid
veal
hard-boiled
sardines
quail
shrimp
ham**
deviled
herring
pheasant
crabmeat
venison
omelets
*Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs than other shellfish, so limit them to four ounces per day.
**Processed meats, such as ham, bacon, pepperoni, salami, hot dogs and other luncheon meatsand some fishmay be cured with added sugar and will contribute carbs. Try to avoid meat and fish products cured with nitrates, which are known carcinogens. Also beware of products that are not exclusively meat, fish or fowl, such as imitation fish, meatloaf and breaded foods. Finally, do not consume more than four ounces of organ meats a day.
OTHER FOODS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE DURING INDUCTION
Cheese
You can consume three to four ounces daily of the following full-fat, firm, soft and semisoft aged cheeses*, including:
* cheddar
* cow, sheep and goat cheese
* cream cheese
* Gouda
* mozzarella
* Roquefort and other blue cheeses
* Swiss
*All cheeses have some carbohydrate content. The quantity you eat should be governed by that knowledge. The rule of thumb is to count 1 ounce of cheese as equivalent to 1 gram of carbohydrate. Note that cottage cheese, farmers cheese and other fresh cheeses are not permitted during Induction. No "diet" cheese, cheese spreads or whey cheeses are permitted. Individuals with known yeast symptoms, dairy allergy or cheese intolerance must avoid cheese. Imitation cheese products are not allowed, except for soy or rice cheesebut check the carbohydrate content.
Vegetables
You can have two to three cups per day of:
* alfalfa sprouts
* daikon
* mushrooms
* arugula
* endive
* parsley
* bok choy
* escarole
* peppers
* celery
* fennel
* radicchio
* chicory
* jicama
* radishes
* chives
* lettuce
* romaine lettuce
* cucumber
* mâche
* sorrel
These salad vegetables are high in phytonutrients and provide a good source of fiber.
Other Vegetables
You can have one cup per day of these veggies if salad does not exceed two cups. The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbohydrate content than the salad vegetables:
* artichoke
* celery root
* pumpkin
* artichoke hearts
* rhubarb
* asparagus
* chard
* sauerkraut
* bamboo shoots
* collard greens
* scallions
* dandelion
* snow peas
* bean sprouts
* dandelion greens
* spaghetti squash
* beet greens
* eggplant
* spinach
* broccoli
* hearts of palm
* string or wax beans
* broccoli rabe
* kale
* summer squash
* brussels
* kohlrabi
* tomato
* bean sprouts
* leeks
* turnips
* cabbage
* okra
* water chestnuts
* cauliflower
* onion
* zucchini
If a vegetable, such as spinach or tomato, cooks down significantly, it must be measured raw so as not to underestimate its carb count.
Salad Garnishes
* crumbled crisp bacon
* grated cheese
* minced hard-boiled egg
* sautéed mushrooms
* sour cream
Spices
All spices to taste, but make sure none contain added sugar.
Herbs
* basil
* garlic
* rosemary
* cayenne pepper
* ginger
* sage
* cilantro
* oregano
* tarragon
* dill
* pepper
* thyme
For salad dressing, use oil and vinegar (but not balsamic vinegar, which contains sugar) or lemon juice and herbs and spices. Prepared salad dressings without added sugar and no more than two carbs per tablespoon serving are also fine.
Acceptable Fats and Oils
Many fats, especially certain oils, are essential to good nutrition. Olive oil is particularly valuable. All other vegetable oils are allowed, the best being canola, walnut, soybean, grapeseed, sesame, sunflower and safflower oils, especially if they are labeled "cold-pressed" or "expeller-pressed." Do not cook polyunsaturated oils, such as corn, soybean and sunflower oil, at high temperatures or allow to brown or smoke.
Butter is allowed. Margarine should be avoided, not because of its carbohydrate content, but because it is usually made of trans fats (hydrogenated oils), which are a serious health hazard. (Some nonhydrogenated margarines are available in health-food stores.)
You don't have to remove the skin and fat from meat or fowl. Salmon and other cold-water fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Remember that trying to do a low-fat version of the Atkins Nutritional Approach^TM will interfere with fat burning and derail your weight loss.
Artificial Sweeteners
You must determine which artificial sweeteners agree with you, but the following are allowed: sucralose (marketed as Splenda), saccharin, cyclamate and acesulfame-K. Natural sweeteners ending in the suffix "-ose," such as maltose, fructose, etc., should be avoided. However, certain sugar alcohols, such as maltitol, do not affect blood sugar and are acceptable.
Saccharin has been extensively studied, and harmful effects were produced in the lab when fed to rats only in extremely high doses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed saccharin from its list of carcinogens, basing its decision upon a thorough review of the medical literature and the National Institute of Sciences statement that there is "no clear association between saccharin and human cancer." It can be safely consumed in moderation, meaning no more than three packets a day. Saccharin is marketed as Sweet'n Low.
We discourage the use of aspartame (marketed as NutraSweet® and Equal®) because of clinical observations that it slows weight loss in certain individuals. The FDA has approved the herb stevia for use only as a supplement, not as a sweetener.
The Atkins preference, however, is sucralose (Splenda), the only sweetener made from sugar. Sucralose is safe, noncaloric and does not raise blood sugar. It has been used in Canada for years, and the FDA recently approved it after reviewing more than 100 studies conducted over the past 20 years. Note that each packet of sugar substitute contains about 1 gram of carbohydrate, so dont forget to include the amount in your daily totals.
Acceptable Beverages
Be sure to drink a minimum of eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day, including:
* Filtered water
* Mineral water
* Spring water
* Tap water
Additionally, you can have the following:
* Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
* Club soda
* Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three tablespoons a day; note carbohydrate content)
* Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
* Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs
* Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
* Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
* Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three tablespoons
*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases.
Special Category Foods
To add variety, each day you can also eat 10 to 20 olives, half a small avocado, an ounce of sour cream or three ounces of unsweetened heavy cream, as well as two to three tablespoons of lemon juice or lime juice. But be aware that these foods occasionally slow down weight loss in some people, and may need to be avoided in the first two weeks. If you seem to be losing slowly, moderate your intake of these foods.
Convenience Foods
Although it is important that you eat primarily unprocessed foods, some controlled carb food products can come in handy when you are unable to find appropriate food, cant take time for a meal or need a quick snack. More and more companies are creating healthy food products that can be eaten during the Induction phase of Atkins. Just remember two things:
1. Not all convenience food products are the same, so check labels and carbohydrate content. (See the Online Store for Atkins brand products.)
2. While any of these foods can make doing Atkins easier, dont overdo it. Remember, you must always follow The Rules of Induction.
f_favila,
Every month!?!? I couldn't stand that. I'm sure there are different degrees of gout but I'm talking about an attack that is completely crippling since I can't possibly walk with it. I can limp around with crutches for a couple of weeks and hop around for another week or so but it just takes too much out of my life.
I don't know if it has been proven or even if there is any evidence that a high protein diet causes gout. In fact I read somewhere that 85% of the purines in our bodies are produced by our own bodies and only 15% is introduced by the foods we ingest.
Are you losing weight on the Atkins diet?
Thanks for all that information, Chris.
My answer is, no, I have not been following the diet exactly. I have not read the details from the original source but have only followed what a friend has told me is allowed. But I am still hopeful since I discovered several things I was doing wrong. I didn't know avocados are so high in carbs and I didn't realize that a turkey "ham" I had been eating had sugar in it. And I see from your list that I shouldn't be using balsamic vinegar. And I don't see American cheese on your allowed list, I'll have to check that one too.
Thanks again. I'll save your list and link.
Bill
Acceptable Foods
These are the foods you may eat liberally during Induction:
CAPTION:
All fish,
including ...
All fowl,
including ...
All shellfish,
including ...
All meat,
including ...
All eggs,
including ...
tuna
chicken
oysters*
beef
scrambled
salmon
turkey
mussels*
pork
fried
sole
duck
lobster
lamb
poached
trout
goose
clams
bacon**
soft-boiled
flounder
Cornish hen
squid
veal
hard-boiled
sardines
quail
shrimp
ham**
deviled
herring
pheasant
crabmeat
venison
omelets
*Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs than other shellfish, so limit them to four ounces per day.
**Processed meats, such as ham, bacon, pepperoni, salami, hot dogs and other luncheon meatsand some fishmay be cured with added sugar and will contribute carbs. Try to avoid meat and fish products cured with nitrates, which are known carcinogens. Also beware of products that are not exclusively meat, fish or fowl, such as imitation fish, meatloaf and breaded foods. Finally, do not consume more than four ounces of organ meats a day.
OTHER FOODS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE DURING INDUCTION
Cheese
You can consume three to four ounces daily of the following full-fat, firm, soft and semisoft aged cheeses*, including:
* cheddar
* cow, sheep and goat cheese
* cream cheese
* Gouda
* mozzarella
* Roquefort and other blue cheeses
* Swiss
*All cheeses have some carbohydrate content. The quantity you eat should be governed by that knowledge. The rule of thumb is to count 1 ounce of cheese as equivalent to 1 gram of carbohydrate. Note that cottage cheese, farmers cheese and other fresh cheeses are not permitted during Induction. No "diet" cheese, cheese spreads or whey cheeses are permitted. Individuals with known yeast symptoms, dairy allergy or cheese intolerance must avoid cheese. Imitation cheese products are not allowed, except for soy or rice cheesebut check the carbohydrate content.
Vegetables
You can have two to three cups per day of:
* alfalfa sprouts
* daikon
* mushrooms
* arugula
* endive
* parsley
* bok choy
* escarole
* peppers
* celery
* fennel
* radicchio
* chicory
* jicama
* radishes
* chives
* lettuce
* romaine lettuce
* cucumber
* mâche
* sorrel
These salad vegetables are high in phytonutrients and provide a good source of fiber.
Other Vegetables
You can have one cup per day of these veggies if salad does not exceed two cups. The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbohydrate content than the salad vegetables:
* artichoke
* celery root
* pumpkin
* artichoke hearts
* rhubarb
* asparagus
* chard
* sauerkraut
* bamboo shoots
* collard greens
* scallions
* dandelion
* snow peas
* bean sprouts
* dandelion greens
* spaghetti squash
* beet greens
* eggplant
* spinach
* broccoli
* hearts of palm
* string or wax beans
* broccoli rabe
* kale
* summer squash
* brussels
* kohlrabi
* tomato
* bean sprouts
* leeks
* turnips
* cabbage
* okra
* water chestnuts
* cauliflower
* onion
* zucchini
If a vegetable, such as spinach or tomato, cooks down significantly, it must be measured raw so as not to underestimate its carb count.
Salad Garnishes
* crumbled crisp bacon
* grated cheese
* minced hard-boiled egg
* sautéed mushrooms
* sour cream
Spices
All spices to taste, but make sure none contain added sugar.
Herbs
* basil
* garlic
* rosemary
* cayenne pepper
* ginger
* sage
* cilantro
* oregano
* tarragon
* dill
* pepper
* thyme
For salad dressing, use oil and vinegar (but not balsamic vinegar, which contains sugar) or lemon juice and herbs and spices. Prepared salad dressings without added sugar and no more than two carbs per tablespoon serving are also fine.
Acceptable Fats and Oils
Many fats, especially certain oils, are essential to good nutrition. Olive oil is particularly valuable. All other vegetable oils are allowed, the best being canola, walnut, soybean, grapeseed, sesame, sunflower and safflower oils, especially if they are labeled "cold-pressed" or "expeller-pressed." Do not cook polyunsaturated oils, such as corn, soybean and sunflower oil, at high temperatures or allow to brown or smoke.
Butter is allowed. Margarine should be avoided, not because of its carbohydrate content, but because it is usually made of trans fats (hydrogenated oils), which are a serious health hazard. (Some nonhydrogenated margarines are available in health-food stores.)
You don't have to remove the skin and fat from meat or fowl. Salmon and other cold-water fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Remember that trying to do a low-fat version of the Atkins Nutritional Approach^TM will interfere with fat burning and derail your weight loss.
Artificial Sweeteners
You must determine which artificial sweeteners agree with you, but the following are allowed: sucralose (marketed as Splenda), saccharin, cyclamate and acesulfame-K. Natural sweeteners ending in the suffix "-ose," such as maltose, fructose, etc., should be avoided. However, certain sugar alcohols, such as maltitol, do not affect blood sugar and are acceptable.
Saccharin has been extensively studied, and harmful effects were produced in the lab when fed to rats only in extremely high doses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed saccharin from its list of carcinogens, basing its decision upon a thorough review of the medical literature and the National Institute of Sciences statement that there is "no clear association between saccharin and human cancer." It can be safely consumed in moderation, meaning no more than three packets a day. Saccharin is marketed as Sweet'n Low.
We discourage the use of aspartame (marketed as NutraSweet® and Equal®) because of clinical observations that it slows weight loss in certain individuals. The FDA has approved the herb stevia for use only as a supplement, not as a sweetener.
The Atkins preference, however, is sucralose (Splenda), the only sweetener made from sugar. Sucralose is safe, noncaloric and does not raise blood sugar. It has been used in Canada for years, and the FDA recently approved it after reviewing more than 100 studies conducted over the past 20 years. Note that each packet of sugar substitute contains about 1 gram of carbohydrate, so dont forget to include the amount in your daily totals.
Acceptable Beverages
Be sure to drink a minimum of eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day, including:
* Filtered water
* Mineral water
* Spring water
* Tap water
Additionally, you can have the following:
* Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
* Club soda
* Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three tablespoons a day; note carbohydrate content)
* Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
* Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs
* Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
* Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
* Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three tablespoons
*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases.
Special Category Foods
To add variety, each day you can also eat 10 to 20 olives, half a small avocado, an ounce of sour cream or three ounces of unsweetened heavy cream, as well as two to three tablespoons of lemon juice or lime juice. But be aware that these foods occasionally slow down weight loss in some people, and may need to be avoided in the first two weeks. If you seem to be losing slowly, moderate your intake of these foods.
Convenience Foods
Although it is important that you eat primarily unprocessed foods, some controlled carb food products can come in handy when you are unable to find appropriate food, cant take time for a meal or need a quick snack. More and more companies are creating healthy food products that can be eaten during the Induction phase of Atkins. Just remember two things:
1. Not all convenience food products are the same, so check labels and carbohydrate content. (See the Online Store for Atkins brand products.)
2. While any of these foods can make doing Atkins easier, dont overdo it. Remember, you must always follow The Rules of Induction.
You are so welcome Bill. It works. Be well.
Yes I've lost the 100 pounds I gained with Paxil with the Atkins diet.
"W. Mueller" <steam@...
f_favila,
Every month!?!? I couldn't stand that. I'm sure there are different
degrees of gout but I'm talking about an attack that is completely
crippling since I can't possibly walk with it. I can limp around with
crutches for a couple of weeks and hop around for another week or so but
it just takes too much out of my life.
I don't know if it has been proven or even if there is any evidence that
a high protein diet causes gout. In fact I read somewhere that 85% of
the purines in our bodies are produced by our own bodies and only 15% is
introduced by the foods we ingest.
Are you losing weight on the Atkins diet?
That is great. I'm bi polar and I have decided to go off my Effexor. I was on Paxil and I am also on Depakote (something else that makes you gain weight).
Great job on loosing your 100 lbs.
Chris
Flavio,
Very impressive . . . and inspirational! I'll stick with it.
Bill
Bill good to hear from you tonight. I just wanted to ask you if you have tried Splenda? It is made from sugar and according to Atkins it is better.
Chris
p.s. Hope you are doing well. Where are you btw?
Do you mean me, Chris? I don't have any cravings for sweets so I wouldn't be interested in any sweetener.
I'm doing okay though I can often feel a gout attack trying to get a foothold (pun intended).
I'm in Florida.
Bill
No More messages Please about Gout,thank you.
Have to throw this one out.. just to see...
I went on a diet, and completely cut out sugar. (which I do not
suggest to anyone to try, as the headache alone is enough to make
you cry).... To replace my sugar, I used Equal. I was great, for
awhile. But then, I started having the gout like attacks. I am
wondering if there is any like to artificial sweetners and joint
pain? I was told by another woman she had horrid joint pain, and
had been using Equal for a while. She cut out the sweetner, and she
was fine. So, I stopped using it. Well, I still have my joint
pain... so that was not it I do not think. Has anyone heard
anything like that?
Also, I have a question about colchicine. Do any of you take it
regularly? I have been on it for awhile, and my DR had me go in for
blood work, to check my kidney and liver function. I had the tests
on Monday, and have not heard anything, so I am thinking I am fine.
But is this something that I should be worrying about? Does it have
long term effects on the kidneys or liver?
Thanks all, you are a plethora of info!
Andi