Metabolic Arthritis, better known as Gout, sucks. There's really no other way to put it, it sucks.

    Here's how it works as far as I understand it. Some mysterious metabolic process that may or may not involve red meat, sugar and/or asparagus (no one seems to know) causes a high concentration of uric acid to accumulate in one's body. When the concentration is high enough, crystals start to form. Those crystals pick a joint and take up residence there causing anything from a dull, persistent ache to sharp, excruciating pain. The kind of pain that makes a pair of flip-flops feel restrictive. In fact, a gentle breeze can feel like like a 25 lbs weight landed on you foot from 6' high. It really does suck.

    I've had a couple flare-ups over the past 2 years or so. Usually, I take some Ibuprofen and it's gone in a day or two. My latest bout with the beast just subsided a few days ago after going on for nearly a month. After a good scolding regarding my diet and exercise habits my doctor was kind enough to write me 2 shiny new prescriptions. One to manage Uric Acid levels and another to control the next flare up. He seemed pretty confident that there would be a "next time". Here's hoping he's wrong.

    In my case, it's the big toe on my right foot that's under assault. As a motorcyclist, this isn't so bad. The right foot is the one appendage that really doesn’t have to do anything. I typically use my rear brake but I can get by without if I need to. I can't really drive a car without the accelerator. Oddly enough the specific pressure from the SVs foot peg on the ball of my foot offers some relief. I've tried mimicking that position off the bike but it doesn’t have the same effect. I've long thought that Motorcycling was the best way to travel. In this case, that is undeniably true. Even so motorcycling is more physically demanding then driving a car. This latest episode brings that sharply in to focus. For that reason and many others, I am embarking on a new path with regard to fitness. It seems that the only reliable ways to lower Uric Acid levels without drugs are to stay hydrated and lose weight so that's the plan. I'm thinking that increased physical fitness can only improve my riding. If that proves to be the case, we may have a new recurring series to work with. Now I'm off to review Bluepoof's Basic Routine for Motorcyclists.