Ok it isn’t a new issue, more of a re-realisation of an persistent problem – gout.

For those that don’t know, gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by a build up of uric acid in joints, and it is wickedly painful.  I get mine in the arch / ankle of my left foot.  It feels like walking on a broken foot.  I have been keeping the attacks under control for the past year with medication but I still get the occasional bout of gout.

So the issue is that apparently prolonged walking causes my gout to flare up.  A doctor once told me that the reason for these post activity attacks is that during exercise and movement the joints open up allowing the uric acid, which generally floats around the outside of the joint, to get right inside it.

I went on a 10.5 km walk along the Hutt river yesterday, and although it wasn’t overly taxing on the knees because it was flat, it did hammer the gouty joint in my foot.  So last evening and through the night it was torture.  I didn’t sleep well as any movement while lying down was painful.

On the bright-side the pain dissipates quite quickly once I get up and start moving around, but is still there lurking in the background, and I can manage the pain with paracetamol and ibuprofen.  I flagged my 4 km walk today in the interest of recovery, but I won’t be able to do this on the hike.  I can’t walk one day, then not the next.  I will have to soldier on through the pain, getting worse and worse.  I’m worried that after a couple of days I won’t be able to move.

I’m not sure what to do about this.  I don’t know if there is anything I can do.  Maybe losing weight will help (i’m guessing it is obesity related), diet can help control it, but I am already avoiding my trigger foods as I understand them.  Nuts.  This is going to cause me some stress and worry.  I suppose I will just have to take a wait and see approach.  Carry on with The Plan™ and see if there is any improvement.  I guess the Mangatepopo walk at the end of this month will tell me a lot.