UPDATE - The Gout is Under Control

Since the move and the career change, I've really been slacking on updating this blog.  Thankfully, however, there really hasn't been much to report.  I haven't had a gout attack now for over six months!  It's been a long road to recovery, but it's been worth it.  I have even dropped my dose of daily Allopurinol from 600mg to 300mg.  I still am having periodic bloodwork done in order to check my uric acid levels (and other important indicators).  My last results came back amazingly good - uric acid, kidney functions, liver function, cholesterol - all of it - right in the normal range where they should be.

When I get some free time, I want to succintly write up what I've gone through to get my gout under control.  I received a lot of good advice from other gout sufferers along with taking a few things, such as my diet and strict no alcohol rule, to the extreme - and it has worked!  I think some people suffering with gout make things way, way too complicated.  It is my feeling that you can control your gout with a few simple rules, but simple rules that you absolutely must adhere to.  Just recently I was on a ski trip with a guy who asked me why I wasn't drinking any beer.  I told him I had gout and that I stayed away from all booze now.  He proceeded to tell me how he had really bad gout and how crippling and painful it was - while he chugged down a beer.  I asked him what his diet was like, if he was taking any drugs for his gout, etc....  He was actively doing nothing to help himself or his gout and he really didn't seem interested in hearing my story.  Fair enough.  I was like that at one time.  It took my gout getting so bad that it was ruining my life for me to take extreme action (and by God was it worth it!).

Just recently, I've started experimenting with a new diet, one I have read a lot about, and one that I know has worked great for some people I know.  Now, this may sound counter-intuitive and some may ask why I would want to screw with my diet as my gout is coming under control.  Again, I have read, and read, and read some more about this diet, and have talked with people who swear by it.  It's the Paleo Diet, a diet where lean cuts of meat along with  fresh veggies, fruit, and some nuts, rule.  This diet is more about what you don't eat than what you do eat.  The Paleo Diet requires that you stop eating all gluten, grains, bread pasta, bad starches, and most importantly, sugar.  Any sugar you get should only come from natural sources (i.e. fruit).  The cause of most autoimmune diseases (along with other afflictions) has been linked to out-of-whack insulin levels and inflammation in the body.  The Paleo Diet looks to normalize these levels and greatly reduce inflammation.

My wife and I have been following the Paleo way of eating for about six weeks now - and we both feel GREAT.  I've lost over 15 pounds (without really trying), have more energy than I've had in years, feel stronger, healthier, more vibrant, all gut issues have disappeared, and I've had not a twinge from gout. 

Here is a great site that explains exactly what the Paleo Diet is:  http://robbwolf.com/faq/

"Yes, but I've been taught my whole life that red meat will kill me and that it's the cause of gout"
Read This:  http://www.rawpaleoforum.com/carnivorous-zero-carb-approach/gout-from-an-evolutionary-perspective/

Just do a Google search for 'Gout and Paleo Diet' and you'll find enough reading to keep you busy for weeks!  What it all boils down to is that if a strict Paleo Diet is followed and insulin spikes are kept to a minimum, the Paleo Diet will help greatly with alleviating gout.  So far it's worked for me and my bloodwork numbers confirm this.  I will be the first to report if I start getting attacks again because of this diet.  If you look at this as with a Cost/Benefit bent, the benefits so far have been amazing and there has been no cost to my health.  If that cost eventually becomes more gout attacks, I will definitely have to modify my diet.  However, from what I've read, I should be just fine - and that makes me happy!

New job, new life, new tasks = limited updates right now

One of these days - I promise - I will update this blog with newer and better information.  I have a lot to add, some stuff to change, and some new stories to share.  I just haven't had enough time lately to do what I need to with this site.  Well, I should say, I'm trying to focus on one thing right now and that is to get my burgeoning business off of the ground.  One thing that I have realized since quitting my 9-5 job is that I have always had a tendency to take on way more than I should.  It was driving me batty and wasn't doing too much for me health wise either.  With this new venture, I'm working on getting to a point where I'll only have to put in eight hours a day and not the 12 to 15 I am putting in now.  I really am enjoying what I'm doing, however, but there are other things I would like to spend some time on - like this blog.  It will probably take me two to three months to get to a point of comfort.

Two things regarding my gout that I would like to report.  My last attack, although very painful, was much shorter-lived than attacks in the past have been.  This is definitely a good thing!  Also, I did ski two days last week in the Austrian Alps.  It had been over a year since I'd been on skis, and damn did it feel good!  I still have some knee pain, but that has more to do with cartilage damage (perhaps from numerous gout attacks in my knees) than acute gout.  I don't think this will be stopping me, though.  I felt pretty good on the slopes and can't wait to go back in a couple of weeks!

Until next time.........

It was a good run..........

Well, it was a good run. Three whole months without a gout attack. I was beginning to think that my body had rid itself of the last of the UA crystals that were residing in my joints and that life would be hunky-dory and 'normal' (what is that?) again. Alas, it was too good to be true. Yesterday I woke up with a sore big toe. It was annoying, but nothing of serious concern, that is, until the afternoon. Out of nowhere, the damn thing began to throb, turn red and hot, and swell like Violet after chewing the experimental gum in Willy Wonka.


Quick run down: I've been on 600mg/day of Allopurinol for almost one year with SUA readings below 4.9 for over 10 months. No alcohol, no red meat (hardly any meat) - eat very healthy. Gout sufferer for 15+ years with attacks in multiple joints. 36 years old.

Within the past month, I've started to exercise quite regularly and pretty intensely. I've been mixing things up between yoga, mountain biking, hiking, weights, and cardio on different machines. I've lost about 10 pounds over this time and have lost over an inch on my waist. I've been pushing myself hard, but still trying not to overdo it.

I know that exercise and rapid weight loss can cause attacks. I was at a point, however, where I figured my body was pretty-well cleansed out. This latest attack has proved otherwise. The pain I experienced last night reminded me why I have to stay diligent. Holy jumping up and down Martha did it hurt (and still does). On one hand, I'm disappointed. I'm making such good progress, getting in great shape again, and have been feeling healthier than I have in years and years. The brakes have been slammed on that for a few days at least.

On the other hand, perhaps this forcing of the issue (exposing deep-seeded crystal deposits) is a good thing. It will help me get rid of the shit that is in my body faster. If the crystals are there, they eventually would have reared their ugly head anyway - yes?

Crap, I'm trying to laugh this pain off, but it hurts. I wish I could just sit here with a bottle Bushmills or a Bob Marley-sized joint, work, and forget the pain. I'm actually more anxious over the fact that I'm missing out on a few days of exercise. When I start getting this way, at least I know that I'm once again dedicated to getting in better shape.

So, yeah, for those who are taking Allopurinol or any other gout drug, realize that it will take time. Try not to get too discouraged and stay on the path you're on.

15 Oct 2010 - Getting Settled in to the New Life

I've made some big changes in my life recently and just haven't had any time to post.  I now am writing from a new house in a new village and find myself with a new career.  The settling in phase for the new home has just about passed, but I'm still getting used to working from home and being my own boss.  I must say, however, that so far I really am enjoying it.  My stress levels have decreased dramatically over the past two weeks and I'm feeling healthier than ever.  It may be too early to tell, but I could be verifiable proof that office work can be hazzardous to your health!

As far as my gout, there have been no new attacks and nary a twinge since I stopped taking that evil, evil drug Lisinopril.  In fact, I have been more active over the past two weeks than I have in well over a year.  I'm not half-assing things, either.  Just a couple of days ago, I made a 12 mile hike up the Schlegeis Glacier Valley in Austria to shoot photos.  The day before that, I hiked down and on to and up the Pasterze Glacier in Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria.  Two days before that, I went for a fun and somewhat challenging bike ride.  I've even been working out, doing cardio and lifting some weights.  Hell, the wife and I even did a bit of Yoga at 5:30 this morning before she left for work.  It was just what I needed to stretch my overly-sore muscles! 

I know I haven't updated the 'daily log' in quite some time, and I'm not sure if I will for much longer.  If things keep going the way they are, there really is no need for it.  I don't plan on going back to drinking beer or eating unhealthy food.  My plan is to continue taking my Allipurinol and to continue to exercise as much as I can.  I will also continue to severly limit my red meat consumption and not drink any beer (well, maybe one Rogue Dead Guy when I visit Oregon!).  I'm almost positive that red meat and alcohol, especially beer, are my gout triggers. 

If I continue to stay gout free and the path I'm on keeps working, I will update this site detailing what I have done over the past year to bring myself from gout hell back to a relatively healthy 36 year old who is once again participating in the activities he loves.  I'll give it a month or two, but so far, things are looking good!

Stopping for a rest to look back on what I hiked up.  Tell me that doesn't look painful for a gout sufferer!  I began at the other side of the lake (Schlegeis Glacier Valley, Austria 13 Oct '10)

On the Pasterze Glacier, Austria.  It was a helluva hike down and to the ice and then back up to the road.