September 7, 2013

mom's the word....

Have I mentioned Mom's not been well? She developed gout three weeks ago in her wrist which lingered. Then two days ago on the same side in the toe. My mother is 85 and walks with a cane so even with the wrist she had to move into my home because not being able to use that wrist made her so unbalanced we worried she'd have a fall.

Needless to say we (my step daughter and I ) had to help her with her personal needs for two days after the men carried over here the other day .Poor mom! If you know anything about gout is very painful and it's your bodies way of saying "you're not treating me well" and "you better to make some changes." She's on limited medication since she has kidney disease but she's responded well enough to ditch the wheel chair and walk with a walker.

After a bit of reading and research we adjusted her diet to a more alkaline based diet with a small amount of acid foods to naturally purge her body of the uric acid that's built up in her system. This is what the web page says and it really makes sense after some thought. "Our bodies are really a complex biochemical laboratory (with a soul thrown in!). They work best at a pH level between 6.75 and 7. The food we eat greatly influences how alkaline your system is and consequently, how well you absorb your nutrients."  If you'd like to take a look at the food list you can find it here. We're hoping to cut short her need for medication by this change in diet. We'll see what the kidney doctor thinks next week at her appointment.

It's my understanding that gout is rather common. If you have any tips of stories that might be helpful I'd sure appreciate it.

22 comments:

  1. Poor mom. I hope she feels better soon.

    I have high uric acid and this made me think. I should take care of myself while I'm still young!

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    1. Thanks Dee I do too. Make ya think how important it is to do those things to keep us healthy when we're young.

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  2. Your poor mom, Jen. Good that you are able to take care of her during this gouty flare up. I have no advice but I think you are doing great looking at the food she is consuming and working on changing that to get her off meds. Good luck with it!

    betty

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    1. I feel so bad for her Betty. I'm curious to see what the kidney doctor thinks of this diet approach.

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  3. Girl, you've got a full house! If you were a poker player, I think that would be a pretty good hand.

    Wishing her (and you) the best of luck!

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    1. Don't i evah! lol She's feeling better today and went back next door to her own place. After she was settled we ran out for a thick steak and a cold beer.Boy did I need it! The rest of the "gang" looked in on her and we called and checked in on her when we got home. She's happy to be home in her own chair in her own house in her own bed, you know how it is!

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  4. Oh that is so awful to hear.
    It is very common and very treatable. I worked with little munchkins though so I have lost a lot of my "big people" illness treatment knowledge...holy mouthful.
    But she sounds like she is in amazing loving hands that will help her on her road back to recovery.
    I'll keep her in my thoughts xoox

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    1. She's a pip my mother. She was off back to her own house today just three days after the flare. Nothing's gonna keep her from her comfy chair!!

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  5. Oh your poor Mom, Jen. I hope she feels better soon. All the best.

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    1. Thanks Jim, Shes doing great but the real test is what the kidney doctor says on Wednesday when she tests her those test never lie even if you're feeling better. She's home again though and I take that as a good sign.

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  6. Aww Jen :( I'm sending good thoughts your mom's way! I hope she starts feeling better soon. How painful for her and how hard for everyone involved.

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    1. She's on the mend already Jenna, thanks for the good thoughts.

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  7. It's amazing what a simple change in diet can do for a person. I hope the change helps your mom!

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    1. We'll see and also get the advice from the doctor on Wednesday.

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  8. Oh God.. that is horrible. I hope she gets some relief soon.

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    1. She's strong Hena and already bouncing back thank goodness!

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  9. Jen,
    I hope your mommy get better soon. Love that you take care of her :) Xxxx

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  10. I'm going to check out that source. I have acid/alkaline imbalances too. Sorry to hear your mom is having issues. As you might remember, I help my folks almost daily, so I can relate to hating to see a loved one not doing well. I swear, helping them makes me feel older, or at least makes me more aware of my own ailments!

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    1. I hear ya Mare. Taking mom to the doctor today to see what she thinks. Hopefully this won't become a chronic thing since it's so painful. Peace my friend.

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  11. I feel your anxiety over this---I know exactly where you are coming from. Your poor Mom must be in so much pain. My Dad used to get gout in his feet and it was torture to watch him--he couldn't even bear the weight of cotton sheets touching his toes when he had it. He also had kidney issues and was on dialysis for the last two years of his life. I hope your Mom gets better soon and finds some relief.

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    1. I'm sorry about your Dad Kathleen dialysis is life saving but terribly hard on the person and the family, not to mention his gout pain.

      This is really only the third time she's had an attack but the last two time were in the past three weeks so we're concerned. The kidney doctor did a uric acid test and gave her some pills to take so we think she should be fine with that and watching what she eats. Her kidneys are stable at stage three so we're hopefully at 85 never looking at dialysis unless something catastrophic happens.

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