[anon discussion]

Hi – thanks for the response –

So far, I do not seem to be having issues with tomatoes in moderation, that I’ve noticed. However, I’m mindful that others do report such issues (as you have done) so that’s why I was being careful.

I made this post about grape tomatoes awhile back. It’s not all relevant to that particular post, but filling in some overall gaps for me:

– I noted my first attack (when I first clearly realized I had gout) three years ago. About 2 years later I started trying to do more about it, and about 6-9 months ago, after my second emergency room visit, I made radical changes in diet and exercise, and temporarily halted the allopurinol. I did pay attention to some of the points on this goutpal website including that it’s not so much a matter of one right answer, but working to understand the best path. AT least that’s my recollection. I learned that my doctor, and a podiatrist, did have experience, and could help somewhat (some stretching exercises from the podiatrist for example seemed to help) but I also needed to be very involved.

I did test recently within normal uric acid (I don’t know the number, that’s all I was told so far by my PCP, though I can track it down). My symptoms have abated, but are not gone. Some of them were what I understood to be classic gout, but some of them were difficulty walking for weeks and months, and loss of some sensation in my feet at times, and sensitivity to heat and cold. The worst of those was about 1.5 years ago. I’m up against it as far as small-town medical administrations and decision-making and such.

The small town doctors here can try to be helpful, but one way or another the overall medical system gets to me. I had a low point a few months ago where I asked for a referral to a nutritionist, my very nice PCP was happy to oblige, I got a call from the nutrionist office to set up an appointment, and the front desk admin person who was calling me had never heard of gout. She decided before she would make an appointment for me, she would need to check with their billing. She came back and refused to make an appointment for me because gout has to do with the joints and they don’t treat that. I should have asked to speak to someone who was more qualified, but eventually I gave up on that place, but eventually did have a sit-down with a nutritionist. I tell the story to illustrate that it has been uphill to get food advice from a professional. Interestingly, I talked to my insurance and they are ok (they said) with paying for me to see a nutritionist the issue was not coming from them.

I have a secret weapon which is that I realized a friend of mine has identical symptoms and has largely or entirely overcome them. She is very active (a rancher) and younger. We have spent several hours going over foods and a variety of topics. Among others, I have given up pretty much all bread for now (other than wraps on sandwiches). Also I am drinking a lot more water. She paid a heavy price to learn all that she was passing along to me, in terms of reading and self-discipline and trying certain things, and her ideas have largely born out with me, and I”m grateful for her help.

I have a theory that another issue has been making sure I get more oxygen. That may sound a bit off the usual path, but it’s just a theory, somewhat underscored by the efforts I’ve made on air circulation at my house, and maybe a lifetime of just not being in very good condition, and now it’s perhaps helped also by aerobics type exercise.

I think the exercise (about 5x per week, an aerobics class, to my modest ability levels) has helped a bit. “Diet and exercise, who knew?” is a joke I make now to friends, but for me, for the moment, things are somewhat improved. I won’t say it’s fixed, but about 75% ameliorated. It’s still lurking there though. I don’t dare get reckless yet about what I eat.

I also quit caffeine recently (I was strongly addicted, and essentially substituting tea for water).

You mention Pizza. Pizza is a top food love for me, but I haven’t touched it in a year or two. Eventually I may give it a try, but for now I have been avoiding breads and most cheese, and yes, the tomato concern is still in my mind.

Basically I have a lot of salads, boiled vegetables and fruit and berries. A few nuts (that’s probably not doing me that much good, I don’t know). Almost no meat, fish or foul, but have lately been trying some small portions of wild salmon. On that, I don’t know if that’s bad or not. Some of what I’m doing may be terrible, but perhaps is counter-acted and masked by other things I’m doing? Lots and lots more water than I used to drink.

All of these modified a bit by paying attention to an app or website or two that help me remember within those and other food classes, what’s particularly dangerous-seeming. I would say “don’t pay attention to me” though as other people here I’m sure have more savvy on these points than I have, but I figure I’ll add my thinking to the pot.

[anon discussion]

Thanks, but does anyone have information on grape tomatoes (not tomatoes)? I don’t think it’s such a bad ignorant terrible thing to ask for more information about a specific food, if someone else out there might have the information. Thanks for the broader ideas around roots, seeds, legumes. I”ll check more into it.

Uric acid levels have been measured, and at least two attacks have warranted hospital visits in the last few years.

[Author]

Posts