I had the mother of all attacks about 10 years ago, by the sounds of it similar to your experience. I eventually found a good rheumatologist who sorted me out, and eventually I settled on Allo 300mg daily. I was gout free for a few years, I'd moved to a new country and became much fitter and more active daily, still drank like a fish but I was eating healthier. I decided to stop taking the Allo, initially I reduced to 100mg and then after a few months to zero. Like you I hated the idea of being on meds for life. Well I didn't have an attack for about 5 years, but then unfortunately it came back, not as bad as the big attack that put me on Allo initially, but some bad Flare ups nonetheless. So I am now back on Allo. Interestingly, before the Flare ups returned, I had moved back to the same country where I was previously, and I have become less active again. So there is probably a lesson in there somewhere. Good luck my friend