hi there, hoping i can learn more about this blasted condition. This may be a long post so please bear with me.

im 29 and male, for many years i have enjoyed my life going to gym, being very active playing hockey and athletics (13- 26 years) however few years ago 2003 i think i went on a "lads" holiday and noticed that the toe next to my little toe on left foot was swollen, dint hurt so did nothing...silly of me

anyway my knee began hurting, both i put it down to overtraining as no probs in past. now been diaganosed with gout feb 07, on allporinal300mg. seen a rhemtologist, but just says he will review me in 6 months, but i feel im having more acute attacks than i was before i even knew what i had. told i need to take tabs for rest of life..gutted especially as im struggling, left knee cauisng probs for nearly 4 weeks presently(i think this joint must be weak due to previous injury and vulnerable for urates to attach??)

i dont drink hardly(last month been tee total due to knee issue), dont eat much red meat so it baffles me why my levels are so high. blood pressure ok, not overweight and dont eat the wrong foods, no family history

please help, im trying not to let it affect my normal life but unfortunately it is and i always worry in my mind what happens when i go out drinking socially and the fact it rears it ugly head when i least expect it!

thanks