Taylor Lewan's Gout Battle: From Pro Bowler to Purgatory

The Agony of Gout and Foot Injury

• 🦶 Taylor Lewan is experiencing severe pain and swelling in his foot, which he initially thought might be a torn ligament after a gout flare-up.
• 😩 He describes waking up at 3:00 a.m. to a ballooned foot, unable to stand or walk without significant pain, leading to a feeling of being "prey" and a "shell of myself."
• 💊 Lewan has been on pain medication for 12 days straight, struggling with the desire for more while dreading the horrible come-down.
• 🏥 He humorously contemplates extreme measures, like cutting off his foot, comparing his situation to being in the movie 'Saw' or '127 Hours'.

Past Glory vs. Present Struggle

• 🏈 Lewan reflects on his past as a highly successful Pro Bowl tackle, contrasting it with his current inability to perform basic activities.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 He laments not being able to play with his children, feeling like he's "withering away" and slowly deteriorating.
• 🛡️ He previously took pride in taking care of his body due to past head injuries and reckless play, now finds himself in a boot, feeling like his health is accelerating towards a negative future.

Gout: The King's Disease

• 👑 Lewan discusses how people perceive gout, with some not taking it seriously, while others call it the "king's disease" from medieval times due to its association with inactivity and rich diets.
• 🩸 He expresses frustration with his gut health, which he has been trying to fix since his football career ended due to steroid packs, pills, and shots.
• 💊 Currently on uric acid medication and tramadol, he worries about further damaging his gut.

Coping Mechanisms and Support

• 💬 Lewan feels defeated and alone in his struggle, appreciating the support from his friends on the podcast.
• 👟 He questions if his footwear, like Vans, could be a contributing factor to his foot issues, despite wearing them his whole life.
• 🍒 He is exploring dietary changes, including cherries and vitamin C, and reordering tart cherry pills, while abstaining from red meat.
• 💭 He expresses a desire to feel good again and wonders if he has earned that, while also acknowledging the need to reroute his brain away from junk food.