Gout and Fish

[PollyannaMom]

(loosely inspired by the thread about what you eat during Lent)

If you or someone you know has gout, are there any fish dishes that don't aggravate it?

DH had a couple flare-ups of gout (a type of arthritis where the body doesn't break down purines). The initial trigger seemd to be scallops, so after some reading, he's been avoiding seafood in general. But he misses it, especially right now. I can find different lists of foods to avoid or limit, but sometimes they contradict each other, and several just say that the recommendations for fish should be individualized to each person. - So, what do you know from experience to be the "best" fish, if any, to see if he can have?

 

[minniebeth]

I think it's different for everyone, but shellfish in particular, can contribute to gout. Scallops would be part of that. I have several people in my family who suffer with gout and shellfish or any fried fish will trigger it. As well as canned salmon, tuna. However, they seem to do well with fresh light, flaky fish such as fresh flounder. Like I said, it's different for everyone though as to what would trigger it.
to your DH, gout is no fun...best wishes finding some things that you can enjoy and be ok with.

 

[happygirl]

My hubby has chronic gout. He never eats fish.

 

[Micca]

Not a direct answer to your question, but just a thought for fellow gout sufferers. I've been taking a maintenance drug for gout for several years and have never had another flare up. No matter what I eat or drink, no gout.

I know each situation is different, but I'd encourage anyone who deals with this extremely painful condition to ask the doc about it.

Good luck with finding some food for your DH.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

My grandfather has gout and so does my uncle. Both eat fried catfish every week and do just fine! He was told by his doctor that pond raised catfish from the US is fine.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have had gout for many years. However, I was put on Allopurinal and take 100mg daily and have not had any gout attacks at all since I have been on that medication. And it is less than $10 for a 90 day supply.

 

[GeorgeG]

I used to get some really wicked gout attacks and any rich food can trigger them. That doesn't mean you can't have rich food, but not in large quantities or on a regular basis. Lobster, shrimp, scallops, especially with butter will raise your uric acid level as will prime rib, etc.. Again, it can accumulate over time so eat everything in moderation and keep rich foods an occasional treat.

 

[MizTink]

i have gouty arthritis too. no fun......
and i'm on 300mg allopurinal.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I thought I would resurrect this thread - I had my first round of what the doctor said was all the symptoms except one (no heat) for gout - wow, did that come out of left field! No family history, I'm not a man, I'm not post-menopausal or menopausal, I don't drink alcohol, I do drink a lot of fluids (mostly water, coffee, tea), I've been anti-fructose since before it was fashionable, don't regularly eat fast food, make most meals from scratch, not on any medications . . . and boy, does my big toe hurt!

I didn't think I ate a lot of red meat, but something caused this. My doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory and said that if it happened again he would run tests. I know I could benefit from losing some weight . . . but I'm not ginormous or anything.

Looking for hints, support, advice!

 

[marcyinPA]

I thought I would resurrect this thread - I had my first round of what the doctor said was all the symptoms except one (no heat) for gout - wow, did that come out of left field! No family history, I'm not a man, I'm not post-menopausal or menopausal, I don't drink alcohol, I do drink a lot of fluids (mostly water, coffee, tea), I've been anti-fructose since before it was fashionable, don't regularly eat fast food, make most meals from scratch, not on any medications . . . and boy, does my big toe hurt!

I didn't think I ate a lot of red meat, but something caused this. My doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory and said that if it happened again he would run tests. I know I could benefit from losing some weight . . . but I'm not ginormous or anything.

Looking for hints, support, advice!

I had my first gout attack three weeks ago. I am 43 years old, female, normal weight, regular exerciser. I drink socially but not a lot, I don't eat many of the 'no-no" foods. I eat red meat maybe once every 2 weeks. I don't fit the criteria at all, but I had EVERY symptom, including that it occurred in my big toe.

I was also prescribed an anti inflammatory and was told to watch my diet and increase my fluids. I also learned from the good old internet to add cherries into my diet (in any form). So, I've been eating a handful of dried cherries daily, or drinking a small glass of cherry juicy juice. So far so good.

I was shocked with the dx- I am not old! I should not be dealing with stuff like this! It was SOOOOO painful!!!

 

[crusoe2]

DH has major problems with gout. We buy bottles of cherry juice concentrate by the case. He mixes that with water in a large plastic bottle and keeps it in the fridge at all times. He drinks at least one glass a day and doesn't eat seafood. He's had pretty good results from that but can still have a flare up from time to time. Then he has to resort to the prescription meds. I can't recall the name of the meds his doctor prescribed for him but I don't think it's Allopurinal. DH's meds have awful side effects so he does his best to avoid having to take them. What about the Allopurinal - what sorts of side effects does it cause?

 

[PollyannaMom]

DH has major problems with gout. We buy bottles of cherry juice concentrate by the case. He mixes that with water in a large plastic bottle and keeps it in the fridge at all times. He drinks at least one glass a day and doesn't eat seafood. He's had pretty good results from that but can still have a flare up from time to time. Then he has to resort to the prescription meds. I can't recall the name of the meds his doctor prescribed for him but I don't think it's Allopurinal. DH's meds have awful side effects so he does his best to avoid having to take them. What about the Allopurinal - what sorts of side effects does it cause?

Original poster here, surprised to see this thread come back! Did they put your DH on Colchicine? That one upset my DH's stomach a lot. The Allopurinol is a much better choice for him. He doesn't have any complaints about it. And the cherry juice was a big help here in getting things under control, too!

Thanks to those who responded before! DH is doing much better (knock on wood, of course). He was able to reintroduce things slowly and can now have everything in moderation again.

 

[crusoe2]

Yep, Colchicine is the one DH has to take. The doc did try one other on him that wasn't suppposed to be as bad on his stomach. But it didn't seem to do as much good and still caused some stomach issues. I will mention the Allpurinol to him and get him to check into that. Thanks. And glad to hear your DH is doing better.

 

[Micca]

I just saw my post from a couple of years ago a few posts up. I'm still taking Allopuronol(sp?) and haven't had a gout attack in years. I don't notice any side effects, and I eat/drink anything I want. I used to take colchicine, but my understanding is that is for occasional flare-ups. I had increasingly frequent gout attacks over a period of time before my doc put be on the Allo. The Allopuronol is a maintenance med. I occasionally ask my doc if I should try going off the Allopuronol since I haven't had an attack for so long. He says "Why risk it?" I take that to mean he doesn't see any harm in using it long term.

Gout is incredibly painful. If you are still enduring attacks you might consider asking your doc for a painkiller. I know a lot of people avoid them, but gout pain is severe, and a powerful painkiller will make a big difference until the attack subsides.

I hate to see newcomers to this thread suffering, but at least you have some support here. Whining and cries of agony are allowed

 

[nancycg56]

I have gout and I take uloric for it and haven't had a problem since I started taking it