Metspitzer wrote:

>I have had gout flare up in both feet at
> separate times. My podiatrist gave me
> an injection of steroids directly in my
> foot.

>Because he is only in my town on certain
> days and not today, I called my regular
> doctor. I was expecting a shot in my
> foot. After talking to the doctor, the
> nurse came in and asked....Arm or hip?
> When I told her I was expecting it in my
> foot she went back and asked the doctor
> and came back with the only
> explanation...........He says we don't do
> that.

>She said that it wouldn't make a lot of
> difference. I am guessing that a local
> injection would have been better. No?

I really do sympathize with you! I had my first experience with Gout
this past summer, and suffered quite awhile before I went to the doctor,
as thought it was just arthritis, like my mother and grandmother had in
their hands. Come to find out it was Gout that had hit a couple of my
fingers. I was surprised, as I know when my dad had it, it was in a big
toe! Come to find out it is becoming more common to hit the fingers
anymore, as that's where I'm mostly bothered when I have a flare-up.
Only once I had it in a big toe.

My doctor didn't put much emphasis on foods, but blamed the many years
I've been on blood pressure medication, that caused my uric acid count
to to be high. He never mentioned any type of shot, but prescribed
Naproxen when I'm having an onset, for the pain, and then prescribed
Alopurinal to take daily, but the instructions said to drink TEN glasses
of water a day while taking it, and if they mean 8 oz. glasses, that is
80 oz. in a day...I would drown for sure!! I'm not a big water
drinker, but trying to force myself to drink more, as that helps with
the uric acid. Needless, to say I'm not taking the Alopurinal, but
luckily I'm not bothered that much. Might wake up with a red swollen
finger, but in a day, or two, it's fine.

Tried cherry juice and that didn't do a thing.

Good luck!
Judy