Running and Gout

[mtruitt]

Hello all!

My name is Michael Truitt and I am active duty Air Force. I was diagnosed with gout about 2 years when I was 29. I’m 5’11 185lbs, and am very active. Ever since I’ve been diagnosed with gout it’s been hard for me to run. I currently take 40mg Uloric twice a day every day and have cut out red meat and alcohol from my diet. It seems that every time I run on the treadmill or on the track the next morning my gout will flare up. I’m trying to stay in shape, but having a flare up every time I run is starting to make it hard. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Michael Truitt

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

If you have recently started Uloric, your doctor should also have prescribed preventative colchicine for a few weeks until uric acid has stabilized below 5mg/dL. That’s not really the main issue. Uric acid crystals cause damage to tendons, cartilage, and bones. Until you have gone 6 months without a flare, whilst maintaining uric acid below 5, you should avoid any exercise that stresses the joints. As I’ve said in another recent topic about gout and exercise, I’m do not have the skills to advise what the best exercise is. Swimming appeals to me. Walking should not cause too much joint stress, but as with all forms of exercise, moderation is important.

Exercise is vital for a healthy life, but you should not overstress joints that are already gout damaged.

[Farley Lee]

Hi Keith,
I am a new member and very much appreciate this support forum. I am 51 years old and have been experiencing a few gout episodes in the past few years. It has gotten more difficult. My uric acid level is 8.2 and the doctor has recommended allopurinol. I am hesitant but think that may be my only recourse. My feet (around the ball of foot and big toe area) have been experiencing this achiness/stiffness/burning over the past few weeks. I’ve tried to continue with some basic exercise like the exercise bike but it seems to increase the achiness/stiffness/buring in my foot joints, especially the day after. It feels like a pain of 2-4. I’ve been taking indocin and that seems to help but from your recommendation, it does sound like I should hold off on any exercise that puts weight on the feet. My wife said the same thing and didn’t want to believe her but it sounds like she is probably correct.

Thanks,

Lee

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

Hi Lee,

Indocin and other anti-inflammatories are good for helping you cope with pain short term. As I’ve learned more about gout, I put short term at six months. There are two reasons for this:

1. Long term anti-inflammatories carry increasing health risks. I don’t want to be scary, but read the leaflet in the Indocin pack. It carries the same warning that all NSAIDs carry. I took them for many years in my 40s, and I’m not aware of any problems from them, but I’m glad I don’t need them going through my 50s.

2. The second reason is much more important. When uric acid is higher than 6, it is forming crystals more or less every day. You only get a flare when your immune system gets overwhelmed. Most days, your white blood cells just get on with their job. Unfortunately, young specialist cells get caught in this battle. Cells that should grow to repair and renew bone, cartilage, and tendons, die in the fight against uric acid crystals. This is why I recommend against strenuous exercise, as gout has weakened joints.

If uric acid is controlled aggressively for a year or so, then slack off to stay no higher than 5mg/dL, joints should start to recover a little. I’ve not seen any good studies on joint recovery after correct gout treatment. However, it makes sense to get started asap.

Lee, I think your ready for the allopurinol. Try get uric acid as low as you can for a year or two, then no higher than 5. Exercise is good, but not to overstress. If you are worried, get x-ray or ultrasound checks, as advised by your doctor.

Good Luck

[Farley Lee]

Thanks Keith for your suggestions. I will start on the Allopurinol and let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I will continue to read through these forums as they contain alot of great information. Keep up the great work and I’m sure the members all agree that you are providing a great tool for us.

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

” Keep up the great work and I?m sure the members all agree that you are providing a great tool for us”

Thanks for that. Lee. A little encouragement goes a long way.

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