Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I am in the UK Keith so that would be good for me.
The tester is just for my own curiosity really. When I had a blood test at the doctors during an attack a while ago my level was very low & she said it normally is during an attack as all the acid is crystallised – so I’m not really sure the readings are that much use as a one off, but if they are taken regularly you can get a picture overall of your levels.
I went to see a specialist last September to ask his advice about exercising during ‘attacks’ and had a blood test then but have heard nothing back so assume everything is OK.
Although I am taking febuxostat every day and generally my gout is under control & no major attacks, I still get pain in my hips & ankles & other joints and am trying to work out if that is gout or just old age!(I’m 56) but with regular tests I could see if my uric acid levels are changing or staying the same & this might answer my question.
He said exercise was good by the way and I’m doing a lot now – which seems to be helping as well. I just didn’t want to wear away my joints with acid crystals!You are quite correct about febuxostat & liver & kidney tests – after a doctor prescribed it for me as an alternative to allopurinol (which didn’t seem to work for me – although I don’t think I gave it long enough to settle down) she phoned me on a Sunday after 6 months to say I should stop taking it because she didn’t realise I should have had a liver & kidney test to see if it had affected me! Luckily I was due one the next day & everything was good.
I am still looking for a doctor who has gout to get their take on it!
cheers
ChrisHi Keith,
well it’s several months later & I’m afraid I can’t find any record of who I purchased my Urit 10 tester from. Ebay don’t seem to keep records that far back ๐
Did you or anyone else on the forums have any luck finding a supplier?cheers
ChrisHi Keith,
thanks for the link – I’ve sent it to my neighbour.
Have you heard anything back about the test strips yet?cheers
ChrisHi Keith,
I bought the tester from Ebay a while ago and then I bought some extra strips a year later but they have stopped selling them now ๐
I’m not sure exactly how my uric acid level is at the moment as I have only a very few strips left. Over the last 18 months it has been between 520 and 245 so quite a difference. Sometimes when I am having an attack it is quite low & one doctor says this is because all the acid is crystals in my joints causing the attack.
I am still trying to find a doctor who suffers from Gout to find what they do!
I have seen at least 6 different ones & they all have different views on it!!
At present I am on Febuxostat after Allopurinol didn’t seem to cope but in hindsight I don’t think I gave it long enough to settle. Apparently it can take up to 9 months to stabilise.
The biggest problem is obviously finding what triggers the attacks. I found if I stop drinking or start exercising or change diet or any variation to my normal routine it can trigger an attack.
My neighbour has kept a detailed food diary for about 3 years & he still can’t work out what causes his! He has finally started allopurinol & it seems to be working for him so far.All in all I am reasonably happy with the febuxostat but still get occasional twinges & have to take indometacin as well but only 1 or 2 a week. I am concerned my joints are going to suffer because of the crystals so am going to see a joint specialist next month for advice – I have managed to loose 2 stone in the last 2 years by going to the gym & moderating my alcohol intake but get a lot of pain when running sometimes so want to see if I am doing more harm than good by doing it!
cheers
Chris
ps Does anyone know a fellow gout suffering doctor??Urit 10 test strips
Hi all,
does anyone know if the test strips from an easytouch machine can be used in a Urit 10 machine?
I purchased a Urit machine & am pleased with it but there seems to be a shortage of suppliers for test strips – whereas there are loads for the easytouch machine.Or does anyone know where I can purchase some strips for a Urit 10 machine?
many thanks
Chris