Gout

 Gout is often referred to as an ailment caused by gluttony because it can be brought on by too much red meat and alcohol. 

Years ago I suffered with a bout of gout. It’s a pain in the big toe and its connecting joint that can make it hard to walk. Back then I was a poster child for gluttony: I weighed 230 lbs (bordering on Obese by the BMI) and I was definitely drinking too much. 

I cut back meat consumption & alcohol, drank lots of fluids to rid my body of the uric acid causing the inflammation. In a week or so I was much better. 

Last week my right ankle was bit by some nasty bugs while walking Cujo. I felt the bites and a rash and swelling started soon after. 

By Saturday the pain/scratchiness had subsided on my skin but I felt an odd pain had moved to my toe. 

On Sunday I could barely walk and it was unmistakably the same pain as the foot I had had years ago.  Here’s what is odd: I have been a good boy. Very little meat and no alcohol for the past month. In fact, the only alcohol I’ve had was my #MinnesotaSister Kiley giving me a wine cooler on a night at the desert with our dogs. 

And weight? I weighed in last week at 174 pounds. 

On Sunday I drank an insane amount of water, took nsaids and felt good on Monday. Cujo and I had a walk long enough that he was leading ME back home.  

Unfortunately, I woke up Tuesday with the pain having moved to my ankle and I can barely put any weight on it. 

I don’t know if the big bites triggered this bout; I simply hope it passes quickly because being unable to walk is not fun.