Gout pain is no joke! After my fisrt attack in january 2005 I started following what my doctor said to the letter. He put me on allopurinol and naproxin. Although I like red meats, I really never ate them more than 1-2 times a week, but I cut them out. I watched the volume of high purine foods I ate. Then about 5 weeks after the first attack subsided a second one started in the top of the other foot. I was doing what I was supposed to...This was not fair! That is when I started researching on my own and found this web site.
I tried the baking soda. I started with only 1 teaspoon in the morning and 1 teaspoon before I went to bed because I have high blood pressure and was concerned about the water retention. I was pain free in 3 days and have not had another attack.
I stopped using the baking soda about two weeks later. If I start getting even a "twinge" of foot pain I take 1 teaspoon of baking soda before going to bed and I have no pain in the morning.
After the second attack I also researched food ph levels and made gradual changes to my eating habits. I now only have a soda about 1-2 times a week (used to be 2-4 a day). I still eat red meat occasionally and even have some shredded cheese on my salads occasionally. About the only thing I have increased is drinking green tea 1-2 times a day.
My doctor took me off the dyazide (has been known to increase gout attacks) and changed my blood pressure medicine to where that is being maintained well without it.
I have been loosing weight slowly, about 1/2 to 1 pound a week, and exersize moderately with water aerobics (less impact and easier on the joints).
Forgive me for going on so long, but I wanted to share with you all what has been working for me and hope you all find just the combination of things that work for you. Do not give up, there are pain-free days ahead!