Quick rundown on me....Touch of polio at a very young age...not debilitating; but some joints were so mechanically unsound, they would fuse and break apart with some regularity. Knees got chewed up from athletics on top of the "natural" progression or should I say deterioration . Extreme gouty episodes started in mid-twenties, almost always controlled by Indomethacin within 48 hours. Excruciating pain(as my Dad would say...a toothache in your foot, wrist, knee, etc) was my companion for many years. The X-rays of my foot showed bone spurs that had wrapped around to look like elf shoes. Second surgery(triple arthrodesis) in '03 solved the foot problem by fusing 4 bones into one! But, what about the knees?....what of the elbow from 30+ years on the tennis court?
Some changes I made that may or may not have helped:
1)Cut out artificial sweeteners, particularly Sucralose. Many people have found a link between Sucralose and proprioceptor function...as in your muscles can't figure out how to control your joints(walking up stairs, stepping off a curb, etc). Not directly related to joint inflammation; but I have to think they are connected somehow.
2)Better control of uric acid levels in my system...not tested at the site of a flareup, but general serum levels can make a difference I believe.
2)Reducing sugar intake...my Kryptonite...I have an incredible sweet tooth; but I'm convinced of the direct relationship between most sugars and inflammation and uric acid.
3)Checked any meds or supplements for their role in inflammation. Many years ago found any drug with the HCT component would trigger a gout attack right zippy...no more of those, please.
4)I'm convinced that keeping my spine in alignment(particularly my lower spine) is instrumental in my lack of pain for the past two+ years. YMMV and all that.
I wouldn't wish serious arthritic pain on any one...been there, have the occasional twinge from time to time...don't want any more! Good luck out there!!!
