Question:

I experienced pain that I thought was a kidney stone, as I have previously had a stone. I had a blood serum uric acid test and my uric acid was 10.5mg/dl the cause of the pain. Ultrasound revealed no kidney stones. My urologist put me on 300mg Zyloprim for 10 days and the pain went away and the uric acid dropped to 7.2mg/dl. The question is what could cause the uric acid rise, will it rise again and will I have to take the Zyloprim for long term maintenance. I have been off the Zyloprim for 3 days and there is a periodic residual feeling of discomfort but no pain. I take 81mg asprin and Toprol 150mg daily + 8mg Alazide. Also take multivitamin and 400mg vitamin D as well. Doctor recommended a herbal pill used in Philippines where I live called Sambong 1000mg daily as a maintenance. But I hesitate to take this as I am not sure of its effects with the BP medicine. What is the advice for management of the high uric acid should it reoccur? Should I be concerned if it reoccurs or just medicate it? I am 58 years old and this is my first eposode of high uric acid.Thanks

Answer:

Most people with uric acid stones have an acid urine and often we treat patients with medications to alkalinize the urine.  You should discuss this with your physician.  Also it would be of benefit to have a 24 hour urinary collection to measure how much uric acid you are excreting.

For more information:

Go to the Urinary Disorders health topic.