Keith’s GoutPal Story 2020 Forums Please Help My Gout! Controlled gout with allopurinol. So is jogging OK?

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  • #3236
    cjeezy
    Participant

    Aside from random general pain and soreness in my feet and knees, my allopurinol treatment has worked very well.

    Over the past 3+ months, I’ve been trying to get my heart rate up by jogging. Currently, I can run/jog a mile in about 8 minutes.

    My question is, am I doing damage to my joints by doing this exercise?

    Ironically, I never had any knee soreness in my life until I started allopurinol. My last uric acid readings have been around 4! I’m only 31 and like to stay active. But not at the cost if it’s doing damage. After each jog, I typically drink about 1 liter of water to rehydrate. I know there are other ways to get my heart rate up, but I like to jog if possible.


    Gouty Foot DECT image
    Will running with gout damage your feet?
    #8252
    trev
    Participant

    It would becomon enough to get knee cartilage problems from jogging. It happened to me in my 40's and I had to give it up. This was before gout kicked in by many years ,too!

    I must admit  that walking is easier and the ability to do this for long distances is something to hang on to.

    Yes, jogging is good for stretching the heart and I really enjoyed it- but other pursuits are less fraught with potential damage, over time.

    #8254
    cjeezy
    Participant

    Thank for the reply Trev.  I do understand what your saying.  I don't have any pain while jogging and my SUA has been averaging around 4-4.5 for the past 5+ months (3.6 yesterday).  Do you think there is less of a chance of me having issues since my levels are low and new crystals should not be forming? Again, I never had any joint pain whatsoever prior to my first gout attack and I would hate to give up jogging 🙁 

    PS: I'm referring to me jogging when there is no imflammation at the time

    #8257
    trev
    Participant

    yep CJ- I'd take a punt and bet that if you haven't had a knee gout and now under control in the feet- you would be Ok. 

    What I'm saying is my exp with running and others too, is that the knees are prone to damage eventually and with gout you really need a more gentle regular, and keep you supple, exercise esp. on the extremities. I'm looking long term.

    Something to watch with a cautious eye, you won't need reminding what gout feels like ,should you be so unlucky in the knee dept!

    #8263
    vegetarianGuy
    Participant

    cjeezy stick to cardio in the gym using step machine or those elliptical trianers. Less impact on your joints. Running screws up the joints even for non Gout people so for Gout patients it's not worth the risk.

    I don't even have knee pain but still I don't risk it. I use the step machine to take my heart rate to 180 level for 45minutes. Although right now I can't even walk properly as I am in the middle of an attack.

    #8265
    Utubelite
    Participant

    I agree. It is bad for knees.

    Before my Gout attack, I used to do a lot of jogging….My average jogging was 5 miles in  a stretch 4-5 time a week and at variable speed of 5 mph to 10 mph on treadmill….Somedays, I use to even go 7 miles at a stretch.

    I had that routine for many years and for me if there was no jogging, I did not feel if I have done any exercise.

    But then later I started getting knee pain and pain in the hips. I had to reduce the jogging and switch to brisk walking. Though I do not feel satisfied with brisk walking, at this time that is what I can do with my foot situation. Jogging is very much reduced…generally 1 mile or so occasionally..

    At the same time, the painful knee has improved a lot with walking….

    #8273
    cjeezy
    Participant

    The problem is that I like to jog outside (not a fan of machines) and step machines/ellipticals seem to always hurt my lower back for some reason.  I'm not referring to running a marathon, but merely 1-2 miles/day to keep active.

    #8276
    vegetarianGuy
    Participant

    cjeezy said:

    Post edited 3:13 pm – April 14, 2010 by cjeezy


    The problem is that I like to jog outside (not a fan of machines) and step machines/ellipticals seem to always hurt my lower back for some reason.  I'm not referring to running a marathon, but merely 1-2 miles/day to keep active.


    Dude I like going gym everyday but I am stuck at home. What we like and reality are two different things. Cycling outside?

    #8277
    rdavisiii
    Participant

    I have had a similar issue related to trail running.  I have been on AP now for almost 3 months and I have been slowely working back to running.  I feel like a hamster when I workout in a gym, I like the terrian, I like the outside far too much and if you feel the same way you will never be successful working out in a gym.  Currently I have been hiking at a good clip(3-4 MPH) in the hills 5-6 days a week.  I typically do a 6 mile route(800 feet elevation gain) most days with a 10+ mile route( 1500+ feet elevation gain) thrown in once a week.  I do mix in running while I am out there but not a whole lot, the amount has been increasing.  Do a workout you love, more importantly a workout you will do, just be cautious in opening up the throttle. 

    #8279
    cjeezy
    Participant

    rdavisiii said:

     Do a workout you love, more importantly a workout you will do, just be cautious in opening up the throttle. 


    Wow! 5-6 miles nearly everyday.  Anyways I completely agree about exercising caution when opening up the throttle. This is why I keep jogging to only 1-2 miles/day.  If I start feeling any pain in the future I'll certainly discontinue until inflammation subsides.  I guess in my original post I was more or less asking if I could be causing damage even though I dont have pain.  I'd like to have kids and be able to keep up with them one day lol

    #8282
    Goutgal
    Participant

    I really don't know how anyone can jog, after a gout attack. I guess I'm reading that many do this. It's been 8 weeks since my attack, and I'm just starting to walk more briskly, and even at that, I watch for a pebble, uneven bricks, or a cracked sidewalk, which (I've learned) causes some pain, or turns my ankle the wrong way. And, I've exercised a number of years in the gym, and have fast walked. That said, I understand we each have our own type/area of pain. My hat's off to all you joggers and fast walkers.

    #8287
    Utubelite
    Participant

    After the gout attack, I do not do treadmill amymore yet. Currently it is on a walking /joggin track next to a hill on the backside of my home. It is very nice at this time with green hills on one side and a lot of almond trees on other side. They were all pink(flowering season) couple of weeks back and now they are full of thousands of Almonds on them.

    One fun of outdoor walking is that I can pick fresh almonds in the months of Mid May to June /July. That's my favourite time as I pick them fresh everyday after jog. I could do it only few weeks last year due to gout attack. I hope, this year I can do better in picking themLaugh

    #8292

    Isn't jogging for gouties in the same class as rock climbing for vertigo sufferers?

    #8295
    cjeezy
    Participant

    Goutgal said:

    I really don't know how anyone can jog, after a gout attack. I guess I'm reading that many do this. It's been 8 weeks since my attack, and I'm just starting to walk more briskly, and even at that, I watch for a pebble, uneven bricks, or a cracked sidewalk, which (I've learned) causes some pain, or turns my ankle the wrong way. And, I've exercised a number of years in the gym, and have fast walked. That said, I understand we each have our own type/area of pain. My hat's off to all you joggers and fast walkers.


    Goutgal,

    Keep in mind, its been 8-9 months since my last attack.  There is no way I would have jogged immediately following the attack. Aside from some random general soreness, I have full range of motion in my joints. Actually, my joints typically feel better when I'm jogging.  I can say, aside from the general soreness at times, I “almost” feel back to normal <knock on wood>

    #8296
    cjeezy
    Participant

    GoutPal said:

    Isn't jogging for gouties in the same class as rock climbing for vertigo sufferers?


    I'm starting to think it depends on the person.  Everyone's body is different and it probably depends how much urate is already laid down.   I CAN run a full sprint right now if I wanted with no problems/pain but instead I jog with extreme caution at a mild pace (6mph).  If my joints ever start to feel uncomfortable I'll stop. Also, while it damn near lasted 2 months, I've only had 1 major gout attack in my life thus far <again, knocking on wood>.  Thank God for AP! Last test on Tuesday was 3.6!

    #8297
    rdavisiii
    Participant

    In regards to damaging the joint, my doc has taken x rays on my problem areas a few times a year over the last few years.  I was trying to make a go at it without AP they thought this was a good idea to ensure damage was not happening.  I have always pushed being outside and always have a trip on the horizon, gout has really messed with that the last two years.  I do get what I consider mild pain in the foot, both feet actually but this usually clears up when it happens within 10-20 minutes of starting my walks.  Overall I find I am in better spirits and feel better phyiscally if I am getting out 5-6 days a week.  My problems in the past have always started by taking more days off then on, sometimes I think if I am slacking I am just inviting trouble.

    #8298
    Utubelite
    Participant

    cjeezy said:

    Post edited 12:40 pm – April 15, 2010 by cjeezy


    GoutPal said:

    Isn't jogging for gouties in the same class as rock climbing for vertigo sufferers?


    I'm starting to think it depends on the person.  Everyone's body is different and it probably depends how much urate is already laid down.   I CAN run a full sprint right now if I wanted with no problems/pain but instead I jog with extreme caution at a mild pace (6mph).  If my joints ever start to feel uncomfortable I'll stop. Also, while it damn near lasted 2 months, I've only had 1 major gout attack in my life thus far <again, knocking on wood>.  Thank God for AP! Last test on Tuesday was 3.6!


    I fully agree with you. I have always found jogging as less painful. I talked to the podiatrist and was told that it is very common thing after the joint injury as jogging for many needs less bending near toe area  than the walking while the load is more on the knees and hips.

    It is funny that I always felt my joint more mobile and less painful most days after jogging as I reported in one of my earlier post reply sometime back.

    I am doing less currently due to never ending rain in bay area and I am not using treadmill for some time now. The weather is getting beter and I look forward to more jogging days ahead…..the only issue is that I have to be careful not to hurt the injury site…I am given a sleeve which I wear before jog and that protects it from shocks and uneven surfaces…

    #8308
    zip2play
    Participant

    I agree with those who find that exercise helps with gout. Crystallization takes time and little disturbance with cool conditions, just the opposite of exercise producing heat, rapid blood flow and muscle and tendon massage.  It is is no accident that most gout attacks wake us from an immobile sleep of many hours.

    Thus the worst thing a goutie can do is sleep.Cool

    But the alternative is pretty tough.

    #8315
    vegetarianGuy
    Participant

    zip2play said:

    Post edited 2:13 pm – April 16, 2010 by zip2play


    Thus the worst thing a goutie can do is sleep.Cool


    Yes I think I  noticed that recently Cool

    #9553
    gtaus
    Participant

    Newbie to this forum. I'm a 50 year old male trying to increase my activitiy to lose weight and trim up. I have been riding bike, but barely break a sweat after 40 minutes. Walking does not seem to help either. So I was looking for a more intense workout. Recently I started a walk/jog interval training. After one week, my knees were really sore. After a week and a half I started getting a gout attack in my right ankle. Now it's just painful to walk and my exercise program is in a setback. I don't think my body is able to handle the impact of jogging anymore.

    Given my age and gout condition, I'm thinking maybe my days of jogging are behind me. I still want a more intense workout than either walking or biking provide. After doing a little research on the internet, I found the Gazelle Edge trainer by Tony Little, which claims to give you the workout of jogging but without the impact. The user reviews on the machine are very positive. But I'm looking at it from the point of view of someone my age taking AP daily for gout. Does anybody here use the Gazelle Edge trainer, and if so, how does it affect your gout condition?

    As others have mentioned, I'd rather be outside jogging than working out like a hamster on a machine in the house, but in reality, I want to stay active without causing gout attacks and the impact of jogging has triggered my recent gout attack. Any advice appreciated.

    #9557
    trev
    Participant

    @ stay active without causing gout attacks …

    Try hill walking on a hot day with a group 20 years younger than you for low impact sweating!

    I did this last 2 w/e's on some difficult meds currently- maybe that didn't help and I am overweight.

    The point is -all the sleepiness and fluid retention, kidney hammering etc that meds cause seem to get one into a chair and die off, if not carefull !

    Something like this- too steep to farm, in the distance..

    [Swift Hill Nature Reserve. nr. Slad, Gloucs.] Lovely area..Laurie Lee country!

    #9558
    gtaus
    Participant

    Looks like a nice place to walk. I live in northern Minnesota and our country is basically flat. No hill climbing around here to speak of. Lots of nice pine trees, however. Also, I'm thinking ahead to my exercise routine in the winter months when walking outside is not much of an option. Winters here can be long. We have a local saying that we have winter followed by 3 months of poor ice skating.

    I have a manual treadmill and exercise bike at home. The treadmill gives me a good workout, but it's still too high impact. The exercise bike was useful when I first started exercising, but soon I was up to over 45 minutes on the bike and not breaking a sweat. I'm looking at stepping and ellipical trainers at the moment, which is why I wondered if anyone is using the Gazelle Edge trainer by Tony Little. If I can get a good workout like jogging, but without the impact, that would be good for me. Like I said, the user reviews on the Gazelle Edge trainer are very positive, but I'm concerned how it may affect my gout condition.

    In the meantime, while it's still walking weather, I think I'll start walking trails and back roads once I get over this latest gout attack. Maybe if I walk far enough I'll find a nice hill.

    #9559
    trev
    Participant

    Glaus- Sorry about the flat terrain- how's about carrying a weighted pack? Lots of joggers do this for training -and it beats being overweight Embarassed

    The other thing is , my exercise bike has a torsion tightener on it- Can you lean on that to get more sweatabilty?

    When I'm out on an old 3 gear Sturmey Archer bike it's hard work uphill for the same reason. Everything these days is TOO easy, even trying to suffer for our health Wink I've since loaned out the bike, too…Cool

    The other old standby for low impact is swimming.

    Some wag said sweat is the best Cardio medicine- and I'm not sure that gout doesn't have connections in this dept.

    [Arterial / veinous inflammations from SUA = High BP?   – & Hypertension [HT] is a known factor in gout]

    #9568
    gtaus
    Participant

    I have weighted vests and ankle packs, but I have not used them for years. At the moment, I'm just looking for low impact workouts because my joints cannot take the beating and my gout flared up from my jogging. Maybe the weights will be an option once I get over this gout attack.

    My exercise bike does have a torsion tigtener on it, but I've set it low on purpose to reduce the impact on my knees. I have also been riding my real bike outside and that is a better workout, but still, it's all lower body and I can ride for 45+ minutes and not break a sweat.

    I don't feel that I've had a good workout until I feel the sweat pouring down. When I first started jogging, I loved the workout and the sweat pumps were working overtime. It felt great. Unfortunately, after one week, my knees could no longer take the impact and a few days later I had a gout attack. I really wanted to get a good workout, but I don't want to end up in bed not being able to walk because of my gout. So I'll continue to explore other lower impact options.

    #9569
    trev
    Participant

    OK Glaus..2 more things: Do you use those shock absorbant insoles? This would also help with the weight impact -even if you kept to walking- I didn't really mean jog, right now.

    On that- what about speed walking? It looks strange but it must be hard to do as they all  look so darned wirey!

    You're probably relatively fit, compared to many- Maybe you'll have to forgo the 'burn' till you get your UA under control. Figures?

    #9570
    gtaus
    Participant

    I just bought 2 pair of Asics running shoes with gel insoles. I should have started running with them, but I bought them after about 4 days of jogging. By then, my knees where already getting sore. So the better running shoes with gel insoles may not have been enough at that point.

    My gout is getting better and I should be able to start exercise walking again in a few days. Maybe I'll just work more slowly into the jogging, or not at all. I'd rather be walking further than trying to jog and end up with another gout attack.

    I had not given much thought to speed walking. Maybe I could increase my exercise walking using things like those heavy hand weights. Also, I see some exercise stores selling poles for walking. They kind of look like cross country ski poles, which I have, so maybe that's another option. I was able to walk 2 miles (30 minutes) without breaking a sweat, which is why I started increasing my exercise with jogging intervals, but maybe my old body just cannot take the impact anymore. Perhaps a longer walk is the best solution for now.

    Having a gout attack is like a triple whammy. First, I miss my daily workouts, second, it's just painful to walk around the house, and third, my daily morning weights are climbing back up the scale. Well, I hope to be back exercise walking in a few days and maybe things will be better again.

    #9571
    trev
    Participant

    Yeah, Take it steady!

    People forget that gout takes years to establish and won't go overnight.

    What are your SUA figures- and have you started on AlloP ?

    #9572
    Hayata
    Participant

    Hello Friends,

    i used to jog all the time and would like to get back to it. I developed a nasty case of plantar fasciitis on my left foot with the gout in my right great toe. I think I got the problems on my left side by favoring it due to toe pain on the other foot. I am very active but years of foot pain has really bummed me out.

    #9573
    limpy
    Participant

    Hayata said:

    Hello Friends,

    i used to jog all the time and would like to get back to it. I developed a nasty case of plantar fasciitis on my left foot with the gout in my right great toe. I think I got the problems on my left side by favoring it due to toe pain on the other foot. I am very active but years of foot pain has really bummed me out.


    Hello Hayata, Are you on Allop? If so how long. I'm just wondering because your trouble sounds alot like mine. I just started Allop. in May and still having some pain. But also have pain in my foot that MD said may be plantar fascitiis. Thanks LIMPY

    #9574
    gtaus
    Participant

    trev said:…What are your SUA figures- and have you started on AlloP ?


    I have been taking AP for about 8 months. I had a really bad gout attack last winter and could not walk for almost 2-3 months. Until then, my gout attacks only lasted for maybe 3-4 days at most. Anyway, I went on AP after that bad spell with gout and had not had a flare up until I started jogging.

    Is there a test kit/tester for taking your SUA at home? I go into the doctor about every 3 months and they take blood. My levels, according to the doctor, have been back to normal with daily AP. But that was before my latest flare up due to jogging. Is there a simple way to check your SUA at home without having to draw blood?

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