Gout/Allopurinol

[Davidt]

Anyone suffering gout and taking allopurinol long term have any probs with a class 11 med?

Does it work for you?

[Flyin'Dutch']

Gout is usually a family trait but can be exacerbated by your diet.

I dont know how many bouts you have had but most people seem to manage to reduce these by adjusting their diets.

I have no idea whether there is a problem with you class 2 medical and gout/use of allopurinol. Your AME can advise.

Your GP or surgery can give you an advice sheet on what to eat and what to avoid.

Very few people seem to have to use allopurinol permanently.

FD

[reynoldsno1]

I have non-chronic gout - get an attack once every 18 months or so, usually triggered by something I eat/drink/have too much of.

I avoid liver/kidneys, though can eat small amounts. Too much beer is not good, but red wine seems to have no effect. Sardines, prawns are not good either.

I take indocid (indomethacin) at first signs, and this usually clears things up with about 3 pills. It can upset your lower digestive system! Have also taken flameril, which seesm to be just as efficacious without the side effect...

[Cool Runnings]

As a gout sufferer I too would be interested in knowing if gout would be a problem for a medical as I would like to embark on a career in flying? I have steered clear of going onto Allopurinol as I do not wish to take anything on a permanent basis but I can feel an attack coming on and take Voltarol which prevents the attack becoming to severe.

[Loose rivets]

I was told many years ago that Allopurinol was OK. ( Class 1 since DC3 s were the in thing.) What is important is that doctors have repeatedly told me that I must take it for the rest of my life. This it seems, is to protect my important parts from the uric acid crystals. Do not wait for a flare-up and then treat…damage is being done. Gout bloody hurts, I got half way across the tarmac on one occasion and had to wait for transport…I was not going anywhere. It caused two weeks off work. And in those days I ran 3 or 4 miles a day. Since taking the magic tablet for 20 years.. no problems.

[Lou Scannon]

I must be one of the long term gout candidates who have been "cured" by 300mg of allopurinol every day.

I was originally diagnosed as having the dreaded condition back in '67 (to the hilarity of my RAF mates who made a great play of helping me into the aircraft!). It came back in '72 and an RAF Medical Specialist put me on the drug that I have taken every day since.

I have now spent thirty years without even a twinge. The only side effects to the drug that I have heard of all seem to be beneficial. The only cautionary note that I would add is to keep your body fluids up, as in later life I have had the odd problem from passing very small Kidney stones. This too is a metabolic problem so they might be related.

It will not prevent you holding a class one medical.

Having had the odd attack of gout does make one realise the unbelievable agony that some people suffer who have untreatable arthritic or rheumatic conditions. I consider myself very lucky to have gout!

[Davidt]

Thanks for all the advice chaps as a follow up it got so bad that i went to docs who put me on Allopurinol, I spoke to CAA nice lady told me the following:
1) Neither gout nor Allopurinol per se are a worry to the CAA
2) If I'm having an attack to ground myself they dont need to know unless it lasts more than 21 days
3) Their main concern is with some of the stronger pain killers commonly given for such attacks, but I seem to manage with Ibuprofen, which if taken as directed is again no worry to CAA.

Yep its hereditary and triggered/exacerbated by diet any one know of a good gout diet book or web site?

[sky9]

I have been suffering from gout since the early 70’s and was on Allopurinol. I did however suffer a reaction with inflamed fingers and sensitivity. The CAA cardiologist who I was seeing about another problem suggested Probenecid which is an old drug which I have used without any side effects.
Unfortunately Probenecid has now been withdrawn in the UK because of lack of demand. My Chemist now gets it from abroad with the agreement of the NHS. If anyone gets the same reaction from Allopurinol I suggest that you give it a try.