Stressing Out Over Gout!

by Linda Lee Kelly
(Macon, Georgia)

I am happy that I am not the only person who has noticed a connection between Stress and Gout! My job had really become more and more stressful and I ended up resorting to using anti-depressants to assist with the effects of the stress. Because of the side effects of the medication, my appetite had also become non-existent. Between the job stress and the lack of appetite, I developed the worst case of gout I have ever had! I went off the medication, and my appetite began to return. However, because the attack was so severe, it took nearly two weeks to pass. Fortunately, I am in a position where I can leave my current job and took a two week leave of absence in order to recuperate.

I eat very little meat, and have avoided all foods which might ordinarily be associated with an acute attack of Gout, so I must attribute this severe attack to stress. It was good to hear that others have had similar experiences. Thank you for this forum. By the way, I do not take anti-gout medications, and regulate this condition entirely with diet. My pain reliever of choice has been naproxyn sodium.