Any athlete training with Gout?

Bigger Stronger Leaner Injuries and Rehab
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Hello there! I hope this is OK to ask this question here. I’m MMA guy training 3 times a week. I also do strength weight training 3 times a week (this may include track sprints). It seems that due to hereditary, I do have gout and am going thru a flare-up now. If anybody out there has the same, are you able to resume intense training eventually? If so, how did you go about doing this? (whether weights, sprinting, etc).

Mike

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Hey Mike

I’m a sports physio, and I’ve worked with quite a few athletes during gout flare-ups.

You will be able to return to regular training once the flare-up has settled. However, there are probably training activities that you can return to sooner than others, depending on which joint/s are affected.

Which is the (most) affected joint?

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Thank you so much for replying! Am taking Cochicine to reduce the uric acid and swelling. It was my right big toe. And man I don’t wish this on my worst enemy. lol. I’m hoping to start jogging and get back to the MMA gym next week. Any good advice for me to prevent future flare ups? I have a very strong suspicion that for me the Creatine was a big contributor.

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Creatine does it to me every time. I just can’t use that stuff. If you have any sort of elevated blood pressure where you do or may need a med, you might look into and consider Losartan. It’s an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. But it has certain properties different than most other ARBs in that it helps lower uric acid, along with blood pressure. It also helps reduce hematocrit which is often another win for trt or steroid users like most of us are around here. There’s other reported cognitive and cardio health benefits of it as well. No gout, lower blood pressure, better overall health and cardio protectant!

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Thanks @BigNord ! This is helpful information! I’ll try jogging to keep the big toe joint flexible and all. Creatine did have wonders though to my sparring stamina and running speed too.

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Unfortunately I don’t have any specific advice other than what you’ve probably heard:

  • Minimise alcohol consumption, and obviously unhealthy (especially fatty foods)
  • See you how you go removing supplemental creatine. You may want to consider increasing your lean red meat consumption to keep your muscle creatine stores high

From a return to activity stand-point, I would do the following:

  1. Do not return to both activities in the same week. I would start with the least stressful or most important activity first (your choice), stick with that for a week, then add the second
  2. I absolutely would not return to either activity until you can:
  • Fully bend and flex the right big toe
  • Calf raise all the way up onto the ball of your big toe, on one foot
  • Perform 20-30 unbroken single-leg calf raises, to full height, without worsening of pain
  • Hop 30-50 times continuously, without worsening of pain

In the meantime, you should be okay for a lot of non-weight bearing activities, such as:

  • Cycling
  • Lower body machine training (except hack squat/leg press)
  • Upper body training
  • Swimming
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For sure happy to add to the positive mix around here. I will note Creatine had many positive weight lifting and cardio benefits for me. I could go longer in the weight room and on my normal level 3 or 4 elliptical sessions I would see level 5 on my fitbit more than usual. I really liked that part of creatine. I only dosed 2.5 grams per day 6 days a week. I do believe the overwhelming research that it’s generally very safe and useful and sits well for MOST. But on this one, I’m one of them it just does not sit well with. The way I look at it, I’ve got plenty of other “supplements” that are helping me acheive the fitness level and look I desire. :slight_smile:

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Thanks @j4gga2 ! This is helpful. As per cycling is high intensity cycling ok!

1 Like
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@BigNord I feel ya! There is that high you get when you get that extra push right ? And I’m joining you in that Creatine just don’t mix with my joints! lol. And you’re right there are other supplements. Gotta do what’s right for you individually. Damn this is a good forum.

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Should be! Since there’s no/minimal pressure through the big toe

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Thanks @j4gga2 !