new study about gout and milk

Question
Fluid from my knee is being tested now (probably as i write this) for uric acid crystals and i've had some major pain in my big toe. so i won't be surprised with the diagnosis.

I don't know if you can answer this question, but a new study just came out about the preventative effects of milk and dairy products on gout attacks. I have a couple of questions for you. one, am i gonna have to see a rhumatologist? two, since i'm also lactose intolerant, does "lactaid" fall into the category of a preventative dairy product? What can i do to lengthen the time between attacks? I don't take a multi-vitamin or any other supplementation. Should I? Would this prevent attacks?

It is starting to effect the quality of my life, so I hope that you can help me. But if you cannot answer these questions, please help me find someone who might be able to.

I'm only 32 years old.

Answer
If you're 32 and have a diagnosis of gout, you should have some further studies done.  At such a young age the diagnosis is uncommon, unless there is a significant history of gout in your family.  If it is gout, then given your age it may be very reasonable to see a specialist or rheumatologist, who would most likey evaluate you a bit further.

I'm not familar with the issue of milk preventing gout, but would assume that Lactaid would be fine.  However, for those patients with frequent gout attacks I usually prescribe daily medication to prevent the attacks.  Those two medications are allopurinol and/or colchicine.  Both are effective, and work by different mechanisms, so they often complement each other.

Taking a multivitamin can't hurt, but I doubt it would help.  

You might also look here for more information:

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/gout.asp?aud=pat  

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