Here we gout again...

 I had another gout flare. At least I think that's what it was. It started around 1 a.m. Friday morning (yesterday). It was so painful I couldn't lay in bed any longer. I went upstairs and sat on the couch with the cat. I took ibuprofen most of the day and was able to hobble through work from 5-9 am.

Fortunately it is much better today, though still a little swollen around my left ankle. This pic is from this morning, soaking it in ice and it is 63 degrees fahrenheit in the house. Burr!!! I had on a fleece and my stocking cap and could only stand it for 10 minutes.

The last flare up I remember was March of 2019, so it's been over a year. I made mention in one blog post about that being the second one, but I don't recall the first. It would be nice if this is the last. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It doesn't last long, but is by far the most acute pain I've ever experienced (that I remember). As it says in this write-up:

“The victim goes to bed and sleeps in good health. About two o’clock in the morning he is awakened by a severe pain in the great toe; more rarely in the heel, ankle or instep…The pain, which was at first moderate, becomes more intense…So exquisite and lively meanwhile is the feeling of the part affected, that it cannot bear the weight of bedclothes nor the jar of a person walking in the room.”

So, there will be no running this weekend. I did a little research on running with gout, and while it's not recommended during a flare, it appears to be okay - though dehydration and joint stress are not good. You're also supposed to avoid alcohol. I do have to say, I probably drank more beer last weekend after the marathon than I have in the last year combined, so that could have been a contributing factor.

I probably need to say something to my doctor on my next visit (in November). It appears medicine is the best way to control it. Ugh, I hate the thought of another prescription in addition to my bp meds. 

I suppose this is what I get for being so excited about doing another marathon in November. I guess we'll have to see how it goes.

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“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27)