(11-03-2017, 11:43 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Walking pretty good this morning with only a hint of tenderness. Thought about riding, but will rest for 1 more day.

Yea, I've had a kidney stone (also earlier this year.. also required an ER visit ...see I told you it's been a crummy year healthwise). Not sure which is worse. Ok now that I think about it the kidney stone was worse, you're right Tezza. Neither is fun. Although I didn't miss a day of riding with the kidney stone. Was on a ride when it hit. Rode home, went to ER, passed stone by 11 pm, rode the next day.

I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't eat lots of red meat, as a matter of fact right now I'm on a gluten free, lactose free, caffeine free diet thanks to another medical issue I was diagnosed with this year (microscopic colitis) that started after returning from the Arkansas rally. It has been a real pia (literally lol) for 6 months, but think we have a handle on it now, we shall see. I really do need to drink more water, but I don't really care for water (plain), heat it up, put a tea bag in it and some creme and sugar and you are onto something though lol. I am drinking more plain water than I used to (and less tea), but nowhere near the 8-8 oz glasses a day they recommend. More like 3 or 4-8 oz glasses, which seems like a lot to me.

When I said my goal has always been to ride until I'm 70, now maybe you understand where I was coming from. In my family, we don't make it very much past that before medical issues take us.Nobody in my family has ever lived as long as Rocky has now. Heredity bah humbug! I'll be 68 in May.

Like Django said and I'll paraphrase "getting old is not for the faint of heart!"

(11-06-2017, 02:17 AM)Guth_imp Wrote: Hey Mickey, I was going to shoot you a PM, but then after reading this thread, I thought a post here would be more appropriate.

I'm with Cormanus, in that I'm up for any natural alternative over long term / permanent use of a prescription drug if possible. As you know, I've been dealing with my own pain issues for years now and find myself on a lifetime medication as a result. I'm not sure what bothers me more — the pain (along with the associated sleep deprivation) or the the fact that I'm totally dependent upon the meds. When gout was added to the mix I was none too thrilled. I have not cut things like beer and beef out of my diet and when I partake in such things I know that there will be a price to pay as a result. I've been fortunate in that cherry fruit extract has been surprisingly effective at helping to decrease the pain experienced from gout. The stuff I use comes in tablet form so I just take it along with the rest of my meds. I don't know how much the gout meds cost, but I'm guessing that the extract tablets are bound to be less.

All that said, I realize as well as anyone that we are all unique and what works for one person might not do squat for another and vice versa. Still, in my mind such alternatives are worth investigating. My sympathy goes to any of you dealing with gout. It ranks pretty high on my "Not Fun" list these days.