I've had gout since my early 30's (I'm 61 now). I wasn't a big drinker (a couple of beers a couple of times a week) and I don't drink alcohol at all nowadays.

I've never tied it to any particular foods, it just happened when it felt like it. The worst attack was when my leg was in plaster from the toes to the groin, and I got it in my big toe and knee, both at the same time. It lasted almost three weeks, despite medication. I have no fear of death since that little episode!

The aftermath was an arthroscopy on my knee to scrape out the uric acid crystals that had decided to live there permanently.

The doctor put me on Allopurinol about ten years ago, and I haven't had an attack since.

People find something very comical about gout - the original music-hall joke - but, believe me, it's no joke when you've got it! The pain is exquisite, and the slightest sound, or someone moving around near you makes it go wild.