Boy...Did I get a reminder to make sure that I drink my water every day.

[RaySharpton]

I think that I got lazy the past couple of days and didn't drink all the water that I should be drinking every day.

Since I weigh 291-lbs., and most sources say that you should drink half your weight in ounces of water. I should be drinking 146 ounces of water or 18 eight ounce cups of water per day.

Well a couple of days ago I developed gout or pseudo-gout in my left big toe area. My toe was red, warm, swollen, and extremely painful. I couldn't even let the bed sheets touch it.

With all the meat and eggs that I had been eating without drinking sufficient water, I developed gout.

Well needless to say, that besides the pain medication, I have been drinking a lot of water the past several days.

I am just now able to start walking with my left toe down without much trouble.

So if you are prone to getting gout...drink your water consistently.

I'm going to make a salad now...and drink my water...lol.

I just bought some cans of Diet-Rite last week for the first time. I think that I was getting into my old habit of drinking Diet-Rite soda like I used to drink Diet-Coke instead of keeping up with my water.

It also satisfies me in a way that I didn't think about drinking water as much.

When I just drink water as my only liquid, I seem to be able to drink the appropriate amount every day.

But that gout pain has taught me to go back to water and just treat the Diet-Rite as a "treat". And it really is to me.

God bless, best wishes, and encouragement, RaySharpton:)

[Rajah]

Ouch!! I don't know what else to say. Ouch!! Thanks for a reminder, though.

[Mickey527]

Sorry that this happened to you but it is funny you should talk abou this tonight.
I was at the grocery store today and overheard two women talking about someone who was diagnosed with Gout. One woman said it was called the "rich man's" disease because people who get it eat more red meats and rich foods which cause it.
Then the other said, "I told him that Atkin's crap was no good for him"
I was not going to cut in because they were both over 60 and since they were not going to change their minds for their friend I didn't want to get into it with them.
Now I hope you fell better soon and thank you for reminding me to drink another liter before bed. I just wish it would stay in me till tomorrow, I have been getting up every night 2 or 3 times to use the bathroom and I never did before Atkins. Peggie

[WebmasterKathy]

Ouch, Ray! I'm glad you're starting to feel better.

I had no idea what gout was... I remember that my grandpa had it, but I just thought it was one of those "old people" things.

So I looked it up, and found that it's a painful inflammation caused by a buildup of crystals caused by excess uric acid in the body. Diets rich in red meats and creamy sauces increase the uric acid levels, and the kidneys filter it out. Decreased kidney function can lead to gout. To improve your kidney function- drink lots of water!

Ray, you are such a good health education for us!!! I'm drinking an extra glass of water tonight, in your honor.

[Beanie]

Thanks for the reminder, Ray! Sounds like a painful thing to have, I hope it feels better now! :)