I've got gout also, I once had a doctor in in different city where I am now, who said gout is not caused by alcohol (the doctor had gout too, so I took that with a grain of salt). My father, his brothers and my grandfather all have/had gout. But I do like my beer, so i think that definetly has something to do with it.
I had menningitis once, about 10-15 years ago. the doctor gave me percocet. A six pack and a percocet - hoo boy - that was the ticket.