u/Next_Impact6080

Didn't know whether to tag this as "sucess" or "vent" (it's both)

I'm finally below 6mg/Dl UA and ready to start the (sometimes painful I hear) recovery journey.

28months ago, I went to the Dr saying I had gout.

Don't recall the number, but it was the upper-edge of 'green' on the chart in the app. I didn't get Allo until a year later after advocating and another test showing 9.5mg/Dl. My first one was likely lower because it was during athe tail end of an active flair. Neither me nor the doc knew at the time a flair would artificially lower that number.

I didn't know that UA should be re-tested (and he apparently didn't either).

A year later (on 100mg Allo) UA was 7.3 which was also within the 'green' on the app.

I didn't go up to 200mg until near tears in his office about the pain I dealt with the past year.

I then read up on gout: internet searches, r/Gout forum, scholarly articles.

My next test UA was 7. I said, well that's above 6,so we're moving to 300mg right? He resisted and said we needed an MRI and to look for other causes since it's 'probably not gout, since Allo isn't helping'

I told him we were supposed to up the dose and re-test until <6mg/Dl.

He doubled-down, and ordered an MRI.(that I never got)

I started myself on 300mg Allo that day.

A few days later I had a tele-med Dr say "I don't reccomend people getting the bulk of thier medical info from reddit, but in this case you are right"

I got a prescription for 300mg/day.

My follow-up 4weeks later (yesterday) UA test showed 5.5mg/Dl

28months after me walking into my PCP's office saying "I have gout" I finally got down to <6mg/Dl.

I finally got over it, but my PCP delayed my recovery by a year.

Over those two years I gained 50+lbs. I used to create large sculptures, build things, bike and run as main hobbies.(hobbies on my feet)

I transitioned to playing guitar/singing, drinking LOTS of beer and going to concerts. (mostly sedintary hobbies+booze)

In 2026, I'm down 35lbs so far through just dieting/calorie management.

I'm looking forward to being able to exercise again without the painful reminder.

I'm looking for good shoes for someone with gout and limited big toe range of motion.

This is for daily wearing (not during a flare)

&#x200B;

I want:

U.S. Male size 13

Wide toe box

Rocker toe

Relatively stiff sole

Good ventalation: my gout foot runs hot-no leather

Normal thickness sole (most things fitting the above requirements have a thick sole)

Can go either way on zero drop (not certain WHICH I prefer)

&#x200B;

&#x200B;

Any suggestions that tick ALL of those boxes?

Any suggestions for most of the above criteria + safety toe? (steel toes)

&#x200B;

&#x200B;

I currently am rocking some cheap Amazon 'Jackshibo' shoes that check all of those boxes except too thick of a sole.

The thick sole makes these unsuitable for uneven terrain.

I have Hoka trail-running shoes that fit all those criteria except they have a normal toe box. They are my best shoes for walking a Forrest, but I have to bring two pairs of shoes when I wear those due to those being uncomfortable and unwearable for long periods of time.

&#x200B;

&#x200B;

I'm looking for good shoes. - really 2 reccomendations.

This is for daily wearing (not during a flare)

&#x200B;

I want:

U.S. Male size 13

Wide toe box

Rocker toe

Relatively stiff sole

Normal thickness sole (most things fitting the above requirements have a thick sole)

Can go either way on zero drop (not certain WHICH I prefer)

Breathable: mesh preffered, no leather

&#x200B;

Any suggestions that tick all of those boxes for daily use?

Any suggestions for something close to meeting that description but also safety toe? (Steel toes)

I need to occasionally wear those when in the factory at work.

&#x200B;

&#x200B;

My leather redwing shoes are just too hot for a gout foot that runs hot.

For daily wearer, I currently am rocking some cheap Amazon 'Jackshibo' shoes that check all of those boxes except too thick of a sole. (cheap is not one of my requirements)

The thick sole makes these unsuitable for uneven terrain.

I have Hoka trail-running shoes that fit all those criteria except they have a normal toe box. They are my best shoes for walking ib a Forrest, but I have to bring two pairs of shoes when I wear those due to those being uncomfortable and only wearable for short periods of time.

&#x200B;

&#x200B;

My right big toe can't bend as far either direction compared to the left. On a normal day: not a flare.

Is that gout related?

If so is that reversible (now on Allo)

Should I be doing toe stretches or anything?

Does anyone have a good telemed Dr contact?

I'd like to get my Allo upped while I search for a new primary care/rheumatologist.

I'm unable to get to a rheumatologist locally(at least not in the next 6 months)

My Primary care thinks that since my UA is down to 7.5mg/dL and 'within normal levels' my symptoms likely aren't gout. (since UA levels are 'Green' on the mychart app)

Rather than get the worthless MRI he reccomends, I'd like to find a doc to up my Allo from 200 to 300mg.

I have the medical records (UA testing history) to support the obvious conclusion, just looking for a person legally allowed to write prescriptions in the U. S. that knows more about gout treatment protocols than me.

&#x200B;

Is it time to switch Dr/get 2nd opinion?

Uric acid levels just came in at 7.5mg/dL

This was the post switching the dose from 100 to 200mg test (that I had to advocate for)

It was at 9.5 a year ago, then I started 100mg Allo (with no follow up test to check effacacy)

My doctor said since UA is now at 'normal' levels (3.7-7.7)and I'm having daily pain, it's time for an MRI. He implied he'd be looking for non-gout causes.

I've likely had gout for 5 years. But ignored it and jokingly called it "turf toe" In that time I've crept up in weight from 235lbs to 295, generally let myself go and was a heavy almost daily drinker.

I've been on 100mg Allo for 13months switching to 200mg about 2 months ago.

My toe hurts daily to differing degrees.

It's pretty much OK as long as I wear my wide toe box toe spring shoes and don't do extra walking.

I have some pain and limited range of motion in my big toe all days.

I've had one flare-up this year: likely caused by quitting drinking.

No flare ups in 2 months.

I've been doing at least a half gallon of water and a gallon of total liquids a day. (alot of coffee and zero call flavored Seltzer)

I quit drinking in late Feb 2026.

I've lost weight: 22lbs this year and still going down. I'm targeting 1-1.5lbs/week(currently 6' male 274lbs)

Just keeping calories to ~2000/day: not anything crazy.

I'm taking 200mg Allo, daily multivitamins with vitamin C.