After living with gout for 16 years without proper treatment, Gary Ho finally connected with rheumatologist Dr. Chris Parker to find the care he was looking for. Now, Gary and Dr. Parker work alongside patients and specialists to better understand the complexities with diagnosing and treating gout.

In this episode, nephrologist Dr. Nissreen Elfadawy, Dr. Parker and patient advocate Gary, explore the complexities of gout, highlighting the importance of treating it as a systemic disease. Join them as they debunk common gout myths, discuss key treatment considerations, and share ways to seek support.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:57: Dr. Parker and Gary discuss the myth of cherry juice as a treatment for gout

04:07: Dr. Elfadawy discusses the myth that gout is caused by a person’s lifestyle and diet and details the genetic factors underlying gout

04:58: Gary shares his journey with gout, including his initial symptoms, search for treatment, and finally, connecting with Dr. Parker

09:52: Dr. Parker shares his perspective on Gary’s story as a provider and describes the importance of speaking up about the symptoms of gout

11:45: Gary speaks about the affect  gout has had on his mental health before his diagnosis

12:59: Gary describes the pain of having a gout flare and the difficulty in seeking proper treatment for many people with gout

15:19: Dr. Elfadawy details the importance of managing gout symptoms, even when a person is not experiencing a gout flare

16:53: Dr. Elfadawy describes how pain management with over-the-counter medication can be harmful to a person’s kidneys, and describes alternative kidney-friendly medications

18:28: Dr. Elfadawy talks about the health benefits of controlling uric acid levels in people with gout

20:20 Gary describes his personal journey with pain management medication, and the impact on his physical health

21:12: Dr. Elfadawy notes some of the problems in treatment for patients with gout and shares the importance of persistence in seeking gout treatment

23:54: Dr. Parker adds to Dr. Elfadawy’s insights with his own perspective on different routes to treatment for people with gout

26:10: Gary tells patients how to find their own voice, and advocate for their own health when they visit a medical provider

Meet the Team

Host: Susan Jara, Director of Patient Education at GHLF.

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director of Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

This podcast was made possible with support from Amgen.

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