I remember my grandparents many moons ago complaining about how their artheritis was triggered by atmospheric pressure. I suspect there is something to do with that and gout too. But what really troubles me is why spring time always triggers my gout. Summer, fall and winter I have occassional small bouts of gout. But march - watch out! It is like a biological clock. The weather here finally hit the 50's but not warm enough to change ones exercise really as that is not t-shirt weather. And I have not been doing anything different. And I do not believe I have changed my diet in any significant way. But just like last year. Bam! The gout attacks are terrible and I am wondering why?

What are the possibilities here - assuming it is not increased exercise and not a change in diet? Can it really be atmospheric conditions (high pressure vs. Low pressure)?

Does anyone have any information on this?

March seems to be the month the gout starts. April and may are the super painful attacks. And then the attacks start to go away by the time summer is here. So maybe it is the up and down or pressure instability during spring. I do not know. If that were the case, I would suspect regions of high thunderstorm activity (colorado, wyoming, etc) folks there would have gout all summer. But if primarily spring there too, then there has to be something else.

If we could identify this spring time trigger, we may have another means to address the gout.

Gout started in my toe a week ago, moved to my ankle about 5 days ago and then to my knee 2 days ago. And I am pretty much bed ridden it hurts so damn bad. I will not go to the docs because I do not trust them anymore. So I just started the baking soda treatment and will see how that works. I am also taking ibuprofen as it does help with the pain. Occassionally, I get what I call super-severe attacks and the ibuprofen doesn't do squat.

I know this sounds funny as it goes against traditional wisdom, but sometimes a nice juicy red steak takes my gout away - but not always. But when it works, it is a dramatic improvement in just a few hours.

-ken