Gout and arthritis

[Guest guest]

Hello and others interested in this question. Two or three

years ago I began to have what I think must be osteoarthritis in my

knees, wrists and feet. However, since I have been on Creon (and my

specialists subscribes to the latest research which indicates that

high doses are the most effective), these symptoms have greatly

increased, especially in my knees and wrists. I had dreadful pain

in my feet but it turned out to be largely metatarsalgia and

responded very well to arch supports in my shoes. (They are quite

discreet and can be worn in most shoes. However, I find that walking

much in high heels now causes my left foot to swell. I think this

is the osteoarthritis.)

Well, there is some point in this story! When I had the very bad

feet, I e-mailed my specialist to ask about the possibility of Creon

causing gout because of the incresed level of uric acid. He took it

seriously but said he had never before had a case of gout linked to

taking Creon although these enzymes certainly can increase the uric

acid level. Naturally, he advised me to have it tested. My GP

organised this and we found that I didn't in fact have raised uric

acid levels anyway. In the meantime the arch supports were doing

their stuff!

However, I still have greatly increased pain in my wrists and knees

especially. The pain does seem to be worse when my pancreatic pain

is at its worst as well. This morning I woke very early with

abdominal pain and my whole body seemed to be in pain. Fortunately

my pain-killers (codeine & paracetamol) worked well and the levels

of pain have been tolerable all day. I don't know what brought it

on. I am always worried about joint and body pains because my

mother, who died in 1964 of acute pancreatitis, after many years

severely ill with chronic pancreatitis, was unable to walk for the

last few years of her short life (she died at 42) and had terrible

pains in her limbs. They were originally diagnosed as rheumatoid

arthritis but later that diagnosis was abandoned, to be replaced by

nothing else. Of course, at that time they were not able to cope

well with feeding patients who could not eat normally so her diet

was poor. Things are different to-day, as my specialist has

reassured me. I still worry though! Incidentally, my mother was

teetotal all her life and had no gall bladder problems.

Anyway, there is a definite possibility of raised levels of uric

acid with Creon and other similar enzymes but it seems to easy to

test for this. My apologies if I missed earlier posts, , in

which you said you have had such tests. I have not been able to keep

up-to-date with all posts recently as I have had a number of medical

problems to deal with for myself and my husband and have also been

away on holiday.

With very good wishes to you and to everyone,

Fliss (UK)