Gout

The big toe on my right foot was sore all Friday. By yesterday morning, after a disturbed sleep, it was excruciating. I limped about all day, slower in even the most menial of tasks, even bookeeping on the computer. The pain is there with the slightest movement.
Make no mistake, gout is a formidable adversary. I was disappointed that my precious Saturday was ruined by pain, resultant incompetance, and fear that the condition may linger for days. I can see how severe pain can lead to depression. I had to miss my morning walk, the first time for the year. I took anti-inflammatory pain killers and read up on gout in my food remedy book.

Quote- "Gout is a form of arthritis in which glass like shards of uric acid jab into joints causing searing pain. For some, the mere weight of a blanket on an inflamed toe can be too much to bear."

This is my second attack within a year, after 55 years thinking it was something for others to worry about. Coincidentally (or not?), the first attack came a week after I began taking blood pressure tablets mid last year. I told the doctor the tablets gave me gout after googling the drug (Avapro-irbesartan) and learning that gout was a side effect in some people. She told me the particular Avapro I was taking did not cause gout, it was another type. What can you do but believe your medical practioner who knows more than you do and is entrusted to reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease?
The food remedy book says purines in food can contribute and advises cutting back on purine rich foods such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, asparagus, mushrooms, and beans. And to drink alcohol only in moderation. Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages increase the risk of gout attack by increasing the body's production of uric acid and impairing the kidneys' ability to get rid of it. Heavy red wines have the most purines. Drinking more water (10-12 glasses a day) dilutes the uric acid in the bloodstream and helps prevent the formation of crystals.
The food recommended to alleviate symptoms is CHERRIES. I bought a big bag yesterday and have been drinking more water. Today I'm much better, only sightly inconvenienced. Mind you I've kept up the anti-inflammatories. Late yesterday I hobbled about picking bay and laurel foliage, which may seem silly when I had a gout attack but the pain had eased a bit, and I had no way of knowing how I'd be today. I planned to work today, to do half of Monday's huge load on Sunday, as it's a big week due to Valentine's Day.
My thinking was, I was so slow with the gout that I should start Saturday. It probably helped me mentally as well as physically, to get moving and make a start. It could be seen as a disadvantage in being self employed, particularly in fields not highly remunerated, that you can't take 'a sickie', but perhaps it's a blessing. Sheer necessity is a great motivator.