Pseudogout and Magnesium

Stanton, Kentucky
March 21, 2016 9:53pm CST
One of the not so pleasant side effects of getting older, for me, has been a nasty little thing called pseudogout. It mimics gout symptoms, to some extent, but is caused not by uric acid but some sort of crystals that form in the joint, in my case the knee. In a matter of moments, my knee was swollen to the point that I couldn't put my weight on it. My research revealed that not being hydrated enough as well as a magnesium deficiency are often the causes of the flare-ups. Within a day of consuming 400 mg. of magnesium and increasing my water intake, the swelling and pain lessened and gradually went away. Thank God for the internet! I have no health insurance, so a doctor's visit is a last resort. Have you had similar issues with your knees or other joints?
12 people like this
12 responses
• United States
22 Mar 16
I have never had gout, but it's nice to know these things so when a flair up happens we will know what to do. I,too go to the doctor only as a last resort. I have insurance now but doctors just want to put you on all kids of meds.
3 people like this
• United States
22 Mar 16
@jenniemaries I have to agree that doctors will be too quick to prescribe a pill rather than see if there is a more natural remedy to try first
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Mar 16
@Marilynda1225 I tried to fix my cholesterol by diet instead of taking the meds prescribed and he was burnt to a crisp about it but said "we'll see" and gave me another test after six months. But it went up so I started taking the medicine. I'm hoping he didn't alter the results just to fix my wagon and make me take the meds. (I don't really think any doctor would do that....but it makes me mad all the same) haha!
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Mar 16
Yes, Internet helps in many ways even as a last resort. Happy for you that you are okay now - siva
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Mar 16
The internet helps me in a hundred ways as well. I was even able to fix kitchen appliances with the help of internet.
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Mar 16
Drinking at least 12 glasses of water in a day and regular brisk walking also dramatically lessened the pain of my osteoarthritis even without medicine.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Mar 16
@Marilynda1225 it will have if you also lose weight. Drinking at least 2 glasses of water every hour helps me control my appetite so I lose weight dramatically and that has been so beneficial to my knees.
• United States
22 Mar 16
I'm a regular water drinker but have trouble walking with my bad knees. Glad to see that you are having good results for your osteoarthritis
2 people like this
@xstitcher (30427)
• Petaluma, California
22 Mar 16
That doesn't sound good at all. My maternal grandmother had regular gout, and she swore by cherry juice.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Mar 16
My knees are always killing me but I haven't found a solution to it yet but the doctor says its just degeneration. I don't have any insurance other than Medicare so it's unlikely I'll be having knee replacement any time soon. Glad that your magnesium and water intake helped your knee problem
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
23 Mar 16
Ouch, sounds painful. My friends elderly neighbor is going through something that sounds just like this.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
23 Mar 16
So far no problems, touching wood. Glad that you could find a solution.
@Tampa_girl7 (49148)
• United States
22 Mar 16
Yes, I occasionally suffer from gout.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326222)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 16
This is interesting. I am sure I should be taking magnesium but haven't got around to it yet.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
22 Mar 16
i guess I have to search that on net. I am not aware of that joint disorder.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
Yes, that was a year ago, and it was so painful. I didn't want to take pain relievers, so I just took some anti-uric acid meds; some herbal drinks, then drank a lot of water (until now) plus some 20-30 minutes of cycling every morning. It helped a lot.
@KuznVinny (768)
• United States
22 Mar 16
Hm. I once was diagnosed with pseudogout. It's not certain to me that I actually have this. But I DO have trouble especially with my left knee. I'm thinking it is my weight (300 pounds). I also have a touch of psoriasis, so psoriatic arthritis could be present. It's hard to say. Meanwhile, I'm making the best of it and not taking any painkillers.
1 person likes this