[jyl]

I had an extended period of severe pain in one ankle last winter, have had other episodes in past.

Docs said didn't seem like classic gout but they couldn't find any other cause and was eventually disagnosed as probable gout, although not for 4 months by which time it had mostly resolved. Treated with anti-inflammatories (which didn't do much), drawing joint fluid (helped a little), much time (spent limping around with a cane/crutches, in pretty severe pain at times), and finally with colchicine (a gout medication, which seemed to complete the recovery). 6+ visits to orthopedic and rheumatologist, x-rays, MRI, lots of blood testing, etc. Think total bill was appx $4K?

My friend the GP laughed at me when he heard this story - he said you should have just gone on gout medication immediately, inexpensive with few side effects, if was gout you'd have known and gotten relief quickly, why did you waste all those months and dollars in pain, ha ha pass the wine. I said thanks, doc.