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Ray experienced his first attack of gout about 20 years ago in his big toe joint. His GP referred him to see a specialist who recommended that he took long-term medication. Ray takes allopurinol every day and has not had any attacks in the last 12 months.
Ray is widowed and lives alone. He has two daughters. He works part-time as a Tax Officer. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Ivor's first attack of gout occurred when he was abroad on holiday. He has chosen to manage attacks with diclofenac rather than taking preventative medication. Ivor has about three or four attacks a year but does not feel that these impact on his day to day life.
Ivor is married and lives with his wife. He has two sons. He is semi-retired and works part time as an accountant. Ethnic background/nationality: White English/Jewish.
Looking back, Jeff now believes that he was experiencing symptoms of gout for a while before he was diagnosed. He has tophi on his ears and hand. He takes a low dose of allopurinol every day and feels that his gout is under control.
Jeff is married and lives with his wife and two daughters. He is retired, and previously worked in farming and as a Night Guard for a bank. Ethnic background/nationality: White...
John experienced pains in various joints and wondered if he might have gout. His GP did a blood test that showed that his uric acid levels were high. John now takes 300mg of allopurinol every day.
John is married and lives with his wife. He is studying part-time for a PhD. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
John's first attacks of gout were in his knee. He could not take allopurinol because it made his skin itch. John then saw a specialist who suggested that he took a low dose of allopurinol and gradually increased it to 300mg. John has not experienced any itching and the frequency of his attacks has decreased.
John is married and lives with his wife and granddaughter. He has two children. John is retired and previously worked as a Police Officer. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Gerald was diagnosed with gout in 1980. He has had around 12 attacks in the last 12 months which have affected his feet, ankles, knees and hands. In the past he took allopurinol, but he has recently started taking febuxostat.
Gerald lives with his wife and has two children. He is retired, and previously worked as a Production Foreman. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Tony has an attack of gout about once every three months. Gout has mainly affected his feet, but he has also had attacks in his knee and elbows. He manages his attacks by taking diclofenac, and generally finds that his symptoms are gone within four days.
Tony lives with his wife and has two children. He is retired, and previously worked as a Corporate Banker. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Ben had one attack of gout when he was 30. The symptoms lasted for around two weeks and he was prescribed naproxen tablets. He occasionally gets an unusual sensation in his toe and questions whether it is the beginning of another attack.
Ben lives with his partner. He works as the Creative Director of a media company. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Jill has had two kidney transplants. She takes 200mg of allopurinol every day, and also eats cherries. She has had four attacks in the last 12 months and finds Reiki helpful to manage the pain.
Jill is divorced and lives alone. She is retired, and previously worked as an Infeeder for a manufacturing company. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
Michael's first attack of gout was about 14 years ago and he has had attacks in various different joints. He tried taking allopurinol but did not believe that it was effective, so he now manages his attacks by taking anti-inflammatories.
Michael lives with his wife and three children. He works part-time as a Lecturer and also has a card franchise. Ethnic background/nationality: White Irish.
