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Is there any evidence to suggest flying is a known gout attack trigger?
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I have been on Allo for about 6 months now and am still in the 'personal discovery' phase. I still have attacks, but feel I am getting on top of this condition now – beating it back with a broom. 🙂
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I am trying to understand what triggers my attacks – and the most coincidental factor to my twinges/full blown attacks is flying. Maybe it's the stress (I hate flying) or dehydration?
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Just interested to hear if this has ever been discussed or suggested previously.
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Many thanks,
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Trev
As well as the dehydration, there is the problem of restricted blood flow which, like driving long distances, has been known to give my knees and ankles a gouty going-over.
Keith (Gout Admin) said:
As well as the dehydration, there is the problem of restricted blood flow which, like driving long distances, has been known to give my knees and ankles a gouty going-over.
That's a very good point Keith – I didn't consider the circulation issue.
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I would hazard that the last 8 times I have flown have given me some sort of gout flare.
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Is there anything you would suggest might help. Obviously drinking lots to try and stay hydrated … but is there anything I could do to help the blood flow?
For driving, I always recommend regular breaks to walk around outside, but I do not think you should do this when flying.
Book an aisle seat and keep walking. Unless all the passengers believe you have a serious toilet-related problem, you are doing it wrong.
Airlines should have advice about foot exercises, as this reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis, as well as helping gout sufferers. If they have no leaflets, it's not rocket science – just keep moving toes, ankles and knees as much as you can, in all directions. Unless all the passengers believe you have serious St Vitus Dance, you are doing it wrong.
I am posting after a significant gap. I had my last attack of gout exactly 2 years back and started Allopurinol 300, which I still continue. The things improved dramatically.
I was scared of flying that it may trigger gout again.
However, in last 4 months, I have clocked close to 80, 000 miles of flying, no jokes -80, 000 miles of flying in 4 months. And it included San Francisco to Florida or Philly flyings, mostly flying for 6 hrs one way on return trips most weeks, including 5 consecutive weeks.
And I did not walk during the flights as there is not much to walk anyway in domestic flights and as most of time I fly first class, there is small first class cabin with only 4 to 6 rows.
The good news is – it did not cause any problems and not even once I felt any unusual feeling of anything that could signal gout or even a smallest uneasiness.
And I did have cheese burgers, wines and scotch etc. as they are served free in first class.
So, my experience, once you have it under control, and taking the Allopurinol regularly, it should not matter.
And I believe very few people travel as much as I travelled in last 4 months.
So, just relax and chill out.
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