PETALING JAYA: For a whole month, he could hardly walk after suffering a gout attack – even using a cane to help him move.
“It was the worst flare-up I’ve ever had.
“The loss in mobility and being stuck at home severely affected my mental well-being.
“I could not go out, exercise, or do anything I liked outdoors,” said accountant David Chan, 34, recalling the incident.
His ordeal with gout started when he was only 20, believed to be triggered by drinking soy milk every day for a few months.
It was also hereditary, as his mother and grandfather had the condition.
But now, Chan has successfully managed his situation by consulting his doctor and taking medication.
“Listen to your doctor’s advice. I am glad I did.
“The longer you wait to get proper treatment, the greater your risk of permanently damaging the joints in your foot from gout,” he said.
Chan is one of a growing number of gout patients in Malaysia, with the disease affecting younger people today.
For a graphic designer who wishes to be known only as Iwan, 44, he said the pain he felt from a gout flare-up can feel worse than getting injured from a motorcycle accident.
“During a previous flare-up, a drop of water landed on my foot.
“But it felt like a sharp needle had just stabbed my flesh,” said the father of two, who was diagnosed with gout at 25.
Living with his condition for 19 years, Iwan said he makes it a point to exercise, walking three to four times a week at night to stay active.
“My gout flare-ups happen rarely now – two to three times a year and it is manageable,” he said.
Freelance worker Hariz Rani, 43, said it was his sweet tooth that triggered his condition, and he has since cut down on sugary treats.
“I used to drink a lot of soft drinks and fancy coffee, but now, I have switched to green tea and drink lots of water,” he said.
In the past, Hariz used to enjoy doughnuts, but now only indulges on a bite or two of it.
“If you have gout, I would say the most important thing is to watch your diet and drink enough water,” he said, adding that water helped flush out excess uric acid.
He said it was also important to manage stress, as it could also trigger flare-ups.
