Hiyah

recently had a gout attack on my right big toe, after a two year absense of any acute attacks. This one was quite severe and subsequently spread to my left foot. This has left me fairly incapacited for almost two weeks...! Finally appears to be receeding and under control..... However my knee is now becoming sore, so this might be a bit premature....! The confusing thing to me is that I don't really know what caused the attack..... Wanted to recount what happened before these attacks and see if anyone else knows of these as potential triggers.


I) I have being on a 9 month health kick and have being going to the gym and swimmin 4-5 times a week, since last august. Was feeling fit.
Ii) started a new job recently and with that the regular gym sessions went out of the window, due to long commute and exhaustion.
Iii) two weeks ago I did manage to go for a long swim 1-1.5 kms. Looking back on it was probably slightly dehydrated after the swim and the next day.
Iv) attack came on two days after the swim.

I haven't being drinking alcohol and have being eating resonably healthily (apart from comfort 'snickers' at the office..!)


so I guess I am attributing a rised level of uric acid (and hence gout) to the change in lifestyle, (muscle atrophy due to decreased activity) dehydration...

Does this sound feasible...... None of the literature mentions this, but I am really trying to understand why I would have had such an acute attack...?

Love to hear anyone's thoughts.... And expertise..

Thanks
doddy