gouty arthritis
"I am in the middle of my first gout attack. It started during the night, waking me with an unexplainable pain. My work nurse practitioner gave me an anti-inflammatory and checked my blood. My uric acid levels were very high. After three weeks I returned to her because the pain would not subside. This vivit she gave me a 5 day 20mg/day dose of prednisone and allopurinol to lower my uric acid. My toe started feeling better within 2 hours and drastically improved during the 5 day dose. I believe she told me the uric acid crystals form in your joints and your bodies immune system starts the fight which leads to swelling and soreness. The prednisone turns the immune system down, therefore reducing the pain and swelling. It worked for me."