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GEO (Hoyland Nether, South Yorkshire) on 05/13/2009
5 out of 5 stars

While doing some web research to help a friend find relief from gout, I discovered I was suffering with it after seeing photos and reading about the symptoms - swollen big toe, red spots, and of course, excruciating pain.

My sister is a vehement advocate of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and honey for anything that ails you; consequently, I checked it out on the Internet as a gout remedy, and the overwhelming response from people was that it worked wonders.

Being an ex-investigative environmental journalist, I wanted to find out why for my own satisfaction. From the preponderance of anecdotal testimonies alone, my research overwhelming indicated that ACV has helped people with a host of maladies, and has been used for thousands of years for everything from foot fungus to kidney ailments.

However, in spite all the positive personal testimonies as to ACV's effectiveness, I couldn't find any any substantive scientific research to back to back the glowing testimonials. In fact. When I finally found the analysis for trace minerals in ACV, the amount people take should have no impact whatsoever on any malady. Acetic acid is about the only active ingredient that would impact anything.

So eliminating myself from any placebo effect bias, I tried a few tablespoons of ACV in water. It alleviated the major symptoms shortly after the first dose. After two days, I only have some residual pain in the ball of my foot instead what felt like festering boil two days before.

Replied By Money (Chicago, Il) on 06/17/2011

Alright: I'm 52/male, not overweight (although not the most fit I've ever been), no injuries or sprains in my feet. And for the first time in my life (it started yesterday)... An excrutiating pain developed almost instantly in my right big toe. From what I've read, it's probably gout? So I'm trying the apple cider vinegar in water approach, just drank it at 9:45PM... I will report here again what kind of results (if any) I get. WISH ME LUCK!

Replied By Money (Chicago, Il) on 06/18/2011

Reporting back (as promised) with the apple cider vinegar & water approach: ZERO POSTIIVE EFFECT! FYI, I used a Kroger private label brand, not sure if that matters? It's nearly 11 hours later, can barely bend my big toe (pain seems to be sourcing from the first joint), still swollen. My toe was throbbing and banging so hard last night, I didn't get much sleep and damn near started crying. Any ideas out there folks?

Replied By Goutattack (Portland, Oregon, Us) on 06/18/2011

Uhg. I know that feeling all too well. You can try the 'ol massive NSAID like Ibuprofen for the inflammation. Or the doc will give you a stronger one like indomethacin. I take 2 to 3 times the recommended over-the-counter recommended dose of Ibuprofen (per doctors advice). Combine that with Tylenal (for the pain). Don't take Asperin. Tylenal and NSAID's can be taken together.

The downside to this approach are the side-affects of NSAID's. They can put a hurt on your stomach.

I've had gout for years and just started taking ACV last night. Jury is still out for me.

Replied By Money (Chicago, Il) on 06/18/2011

Just read more information saying apple cider vinegar actually turns into alcohol in the body - exactly what you DON'T want for gout. Who knows? But I know this: It's nearly 16 hours since I started hammering down several doses of the vinegar & water mixture and... My toe is just as sore & swollen (maybe even more). Bummer.

Replied By Kelly (Cambridge, Massachusetts) on 06/18/2011

If the ACV doesn't work, try dark cherry juice concentrate. It is the bomb-diggity for gout. :) It's thick like syrup, and you can buy it at GNC. Take one tablespoon 2-3 times per day and you'll be good to go in no time.

Replied By Money (Chicago, Il) on 06/25/2011

June 25, 2011. Reporting again on my first-time "bout with gout" and what I've been doing to address it. It hit fast & hard on June 18, and it's still very bad (June 25). Although I realize this didn't manifest overnight, it may not be realistic to expect an instant cure (although I welcome that). Not sure if I'm just more used to the pain, or if there's improvement, or both. The toe is still swollen/throbbing/stiff & sore, plus some redness.

I have tried: No booze of any kind; ACV with "Mother" & water; Black Cherry Juice extract (tasty as hell no doubt); garlic tablets; Cherry fruit extract capsules; "Total Cleanse" Uric Acid capsules from Solaray; lots of water; ice pack. Just now, I tried mixing some baking soda with water & drank that down.

I will report back again if there's any progress to report (please GOD!!! ). This really sucks folks.

Replied By Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 06/25/2011

Hi Money -

My husband has had gout a couple of times a year for the past decade. It doesn't seem to matter what he eats or doesn't eat. He has had it in his big toe, his ankle, and his knee. I therfor consider myself somewhat of a gout "wife-expert".

But - BIG BUT!!!! ~ his has never lasted as long as you have been suffering (and yes, I know the suffering.... I damned near want to kill him by the time he is on the mend.) ;-)

Questions / Suggestions: Have you been icing it? Apply ice - 20 mins on, 20 mins off. A bag of frozen peas or corn with a hand towel wrapped around it works really well. You will be amazed at what elevating the offending joint, and applying ice can do....

Have you been to a doctor? Some other very bad things can look like gout. I remember one of the very first times my husband had it in his ankle, and they thought it might be cellulitis. If it is cellulitis, you need an IV of antibiotics, asap. If it is HOT and RED, and is not better after this many days, you NEED medical attention.

I am not a big fan of the standard medical field - have not had a prescription shoved down my throat in years.... And here this is my second post of the day suggesting someone see a doctor... Something is out of alignment in / with the universe. lol.

I hope you are feeling better by now, so this post is not necessary... but if you are not - please consider what I said.

:-) ~Carly

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