As much as I have read it is very individual how long it lasts. But 10-14 days is average and it can be periodical - some days are better but then worse again. Also, I am not sure but it is possible that when air pressure drops, the pain gets stronger.
There is a specific painkiller Arcoxia that works quite ok for me.
But: drink much water and do not eat food that contains purines, especially seafood, meat and fish. My recommendation is that be vegeterian for a month or so and also avoid beans and peas. Do not break that rule until at least 2-3 weeks after the attack. Then some quantities can be resumed.
The second attack came 1.5 years after the first and the impacted area was right ankle. Very annoying. Of course, I had forgotten all the rules by that time.
Again, perhaps after 10-14 days there will be a day when you feel much better and start to forget. But do not forget and continue drinking water and eating low-purine food at least for 2-3 weeks.
Apr 18, 2010 Rating
First gout attack at 71 years old. by: Anonymous
I'm 71 years and have just had my first gout attack. It started just as yours, after a very streneous day of pushing a shoping cart empty 2.5 miles to COSTCO and 2.5 miles back fully loaded (about 100 lbs). The next day I felt what I thought was a muscle strain on the side of the joint of my big right toe. Over the next three days I continued to think it was a muscle strain but it got progressively worse. I took asperins ( wrong thing ) and applied cold compresses in an attempt to reduce the swelling. This morning I knew somewthing was wrong, I had trouble walking and I went to the web and GOOGLED gout. Yep,,,that what it is. The question is how long does the first attack last. Also have you had another attack since?
