Ya know you're getting older when you're googling cures for gout.......

Me and the gout poster child had a lot of serious moments together

You know the fabulous doctor that I have....you know the one who was so kind and helpful? Well I called two weeks ago when I had my panic attack (which turned out to be a mini stroke) during the donkey roping and then gout set in, to make an appointment and I can see him mid August.

If I think it is hard to get to see him now, just wait until the medical care changes go into effect and there are even more patients wanting to be taken care of.....maybe. Anyway, I needed some relief and herbs have always served my family well. So I've been on the computer and I have found out some fairly interesting things.

I always thought gout was from overeating or from eating rich foods. Nope. Here's my list of new knowledge.

A. gout is associated with and is considered a form of arthritis. Prolonged attacks of gout (edema) actually destroy joint tissue and make the arthritis worsen.

B. gout is easily managed with just a few things that must be adhered to. No caffeine, limited salt, no organ meats, icing the affected joints, lots of water.

C. there are many herbals that can help a body to rid itself of the uric acid. (interestingly enough diuretics don't help, they hinder).
Some of these herbs are devils claw, bilberry, nettle root, and tart cherries, in either tincture or fresh.

D. the anti inflammatory medicine I was taking actually is on the list of prescriptions that may lead to high uric acid build up.

E. a change of diet to include more potassium, fiber, vitamin C and anthocyanines and no purine are highly recommended.

So everything I was taking to make myself feel better was contributing to the "cankle" problem I had. And the "cankle" problem was so painful and had spread to my finger and wrist joints. At one point my foot was 3 times the size it normally is. I freaked out. I hadn't done anything different and yet there it was. 


But I have such smart people around me. SM and Shel helped me see that the smoothies, paletas (Mexican frozen fruit bars but for grown up tastes) and frozen fruit treats I was making for the kids are what I should be eating too. As well as plain old fresh fruits and veggies.

I gave up all caffeine and that alone make a 75% difference. No more pills but rather fruit, herbs and walking (now that I can) are fixing my foot, wrists and fingers. The arthritis I have isn't going away. That's a part of my medical history but in two weeks time, the changes are huge.

So when I go in to my appointment with my doctor in 5 weeks. What will I have to see him about? Maybe the old complaints will be new information for me to share with him. And then we can talk about "biotch" TV, his favorite.

I just wanted to share the good news with you because I am a happy lady and can almost dance to prove it.