How does gout affect quality of life? (Pain, mobility limitation, mental stress)

Oh, when it comes to gout, it's really hard to put into words; it has such a huge impact on life. Let me tell you about my experience.

First and foremost is the pain, and this pain is truly beyond what most people can imagine. Many describe it as if their bones are being clamped by pliers, and I don't think that's an exaggeration at all. It often strikes suddenly in the middle of the night when you're sound asleep. Your toes, ankles, or knees (most commonly the joint of the big toe) feel like countless red-hot needles are stabbing wildly inside, swollen and burning, hurting so much it makes you question your existence. Forget walking; sometimes even a breeze or the touch of a blanket feels like torture. When this excruciating pain hits, you're basically incapacitated. You can't do anything, and the only thought in your mind is, 'How can I make this stop?'

Next is restricted mobility. Once an attack flares up, you can forget about walking normally. Limping is the least of your worries; in severe cases, you can't even put your foot on the ground. Simple things like going to work, buying groceries, or meeting friends become luxuries. Your foot swells up like a puffy bun, making it impossible to wear shoes; you can only go barefoot or wear oversized slippers. Essentially, during those days of an attack, your range of movement is limited to just from the bed to the bathroom, and every step is a challenge. You become completely dependent, feeling utterly helpless.

Finally, there's the psychological pressure, which is a long-term torment.

1. Fear and Anxiety: Because you never know when the next attack will strike. This feeling of a 'ticking time bomb' makes you incredibly insecure; you're constantly on edge, terrified of accidentally triggering another flare-up.
2. Lifestyle Restrictions: To control uric acid, many delicious foods are off-limits, such as seafood, organ meats, hotpot, beer, and so on. Watching others feast while you can only drink plain water on the side is truly frustrating. When friends gather for meals, you're torn between going or not, and gradually, you start to withdraw from social life.
3. Low Mood: The recurring pain, coupled with various inconveniences and limitations in daily life, can easily make one irritable, short-tempered, and even depressed. Sometimes family members might not understand, thinking you're being 'overly sensitive,' and this feeling of being misunderstood makes it even harder.

In summary, gout is not just a simple pain in one part of the body. It comprehensively degrades your quality of life, both physically and mentally, making you feel like a 'weather forecaster' (prone to attacks with changes in weather) and a 'fragile person,' having to be cautious with everything you do.