I suspect that you have not been on allopurinol for very long andthat your system has not had enough time to flush out the excess uricacid. At 225 you are not very much over weight, if any at all really,and it will take time for the allopurinol to work.

You should not simply “push through” the pain either because you cancause crippling damage to the joints involved if you do. I do thesame thing and it is usually a close call. If I can walk comfortablywith the shoe on I will go ahead and walk but when we do that we haveto be very careful. Especially when you run, your body tends to maskout the pain so that while you are running you will not feel it andthat’s when you might damage yourself permanently.

Double your intake of water, and wait it out while you keep takingyour allopurinol. You know, 53 is not 24 and perhaps you shouldconsider taking long, fast walks instead of running.

I too was a runner for years up until I contracted psoriatic arthritis (PA) in my feet. That stopped me cold.

I am 48. I’ve had gout for several years but was only properly diagnosed about 3 months ago. I am 5′11″ and was 220lbs. when I had my last gout attack 3 months ago. I have had to get custom orthotic insoles for my shoes because I am also flat-footed. But the good news is I’m now 210lbs. having begun a program of very moderate exercise and watching what I eat and drink. Since I have been on allopurinol, I have been gout free, but my PA symptoms mildly come back every now and then. So, I continue with my Vioxx. I drink more water than I used to and far less alcohol. I changed my eating habits - I eat a proper breakfast and stopped eating big meals in the evening. I cut back on my portions of food and I have increased my fruit & veggie intake. I tried running again but found that my feet and knees are not up to it. Even though the allopurinol and Vioxx help, I believe my joints are so damaged that running will cause me to further damage my joints. So, I occassionally ride a stationary bike; walk when I play golf a couple of times a week; and, try and use the stairs more often. For me, while I long to be able to run again (it is a most peaceful solitudinous pursuit) I know I will only hurt myself, so I do not. As winter approaches, I’ll be trying to walk outside more and most certainly hitting the stationary bike. While I am an advocate of pushing my limits, I also believe you need to listen to your body when it tries to talk to you by giving you pain. I hope you are able to run again. But I would take it easy.