Pseudo gout

I had pseudogout in the last joint (DIP) of my 5th finger (pinky) 2 years ago. The joint was too small to aspirate to confirm the diagnosis. The doc prescribed colchicine (0.6mg) twice the first day, then once a day until the pain resolved. He said that if I got relief, it would confirm that what I had is pseudogout. Within hours of taking my first dose the swelling and pain decreased. It was completely gone in 4 days. Colchicine is also used to treat gout. Colchicine is a fairly standard treatment for pseudogout.

I wonder why your doc didn't prescribe it. Did the doc confirm you have pseudogout by aspirating your knee and finding CPPD crystals in your synovial fluid? That's the true test.

@loriesco Just diagnosed with pseudogout, CPPD, and it isn't the same as gout. Diet will not change pseudogout. It's caused by calcium crystals, not uric acid.

@loriesco update. Flares can come from both pseudogout and gout. I wrote this before I learned that psuedogout is not FAKE gout, but actually a thing! Pseudogout, formally known as Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) disease, is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, painful swelling, redness, and warmth in joints. It is caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals depositing in joint cartilage, often affecting the knee, wrist, shoulder, ankle, or elbow, especially in older adults.

@jonijean thank you. I updated what I could. There was no edit nor delete button.
I have gout. (I might have pseudogout too but I don't think so. My calcium levels have always been perfect). I did not know anything accurate about pseudogout until April 2026. (I wrote the post in Nov. 2025). However, diet management helps even with pseudogout:
"Focus on Anti-inflammatory Foods: Increase intake of vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats (such as olive oil) to reduce joint inflammation. Boost Magnesium: Ensure adequate magnesium intake, as it may help prevent the formation of calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water (2.5–3L/day) to support joint health. Avoid Processed Foods: Limit foods high in refined sugars and phosphorus additives. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on joints, which is essential for managing chronic symptoms."

@loriesco I was going by this: "Gout (Uric Acid Crystals)
Diet can meaningfully reduce uric acid levels.
Purine metabolism is the key driver.

Pseudogout (Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals)
Diet does not dissolve or prevent CPPD crystals.
Management focuses on reducing inflammation and addressing mineral imbalances (if present)."

@jonijean, totally agree. Seems we can prevent (manage) gout by managing a low purine diet until we can't, any longer, and need to be on supplements or medication. (I managed with diet alone for 30 years.) Now I can't. I need the meds.
I didn't see that the CPPD crystals were able to be "controlled," but managing CPPD symptoms with a low-inflammatory diet + eating a diet rich in magnesium, omega-3s, veggies, and hydration helps the inflammatory pain of CPPD.