How long does anti-inflammatory medication take to work for pseudogout?

Pseudogout is an inflammatory joint flare linked with calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Medicine can quiet the inflammation, yet the joint may remain swollen or tender after pain starts to recede. The speed of improvement depends on the joint, the severity of the flare, when treatment begins, and your general health.

A sudden hot, swollen joint can resemble an infection or another crystal arthritis. A clinician may need to examine the joint and sometimes test fluid before settling on the safest treatment. More background is available in Pseudogout.

Take the prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not add another anti-inflammatory product without checking first. Rest the painful joint from heavy loading, but keep comfortable gentle movement if it does not increase pain. A cool pack wrapped in cloth may be soothing for short periods; stop if the skin becomes numb or irritated.

Tell a clinician about kidney disease, stomach ulcers, heart problems, blood-pressure concerns, pregnancy, or blood thinners before using these medicines. Keep a record of the flare, dose times, swelling, and movement.

Seek urgent medical assessment for a first or unusually severe hot swollen joint, fever, chills, feeling faint, or rapidly worsening pain, because infection needs prompt exclusion. Contact a clinician if the flare is not improving, keeps returning, or the medicine causes black stools, vomiting blood, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, or much less urine.

Ask how the diagnosis was confirmed, when improvement should be checked, and which medicine is safest with your kidney, stomach, heart, and other medicines. Ask what to do if a future flare starts and whether prevention needs discussion.