Pseudogout is a kind of arthritis and is a common problem for older adults. Deposits of calcium crystals in joints cause attacks of pain, stiffness, and swelling, similar to the symptoms of gout. The disease is also called calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD).
The joints most commonly affected by pseudogout are the elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, and finger and toe joints. Sometimes the hips and shoulders are affected. In contrast, gout usually affects just one joint, usually at the base of the big toe.
The cause of pseudogout is not known. Risk factors include:
Symptoms may include pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling around affected joints.
Pseudogout is diagnosed by removing fluid samples from the joint with a needle to look for crystals. You may have X-rays of your joints to look for signs of calcium deposits.
Treating a sudden attack of pseudogout mainly involves relieving the pain by:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs used to treat pain and swelling. NSAIDs may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, do not take for more than 10 days for any reason. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are NSAIDs that you may buy with or without a prescription.
COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex) are prescription NSAIDs. COX-2 drugs may cause fewer stomach problems than other NSAIDs. While they may help arthritis symptoms, COX-2 inhibitors have been linked to a greater risk of heart attacks and stroke and are seldom the first treatment tried. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you cannot take NSAIDs, sometimes a medicine called colchicine is prescribed to reduce the inflammation. Colchicine is very safe for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and nausea.
In some cases, corticosteroid medicines such as prednisone may be given to reduce pain and swelling. These medicines are either taken by mouth or given as a shot into the affected joint. Using a steroid for a long time can have serious side effects. Take steroid medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Don’t take more or less of it than prescribed by your provider and don’t take it longer than prescribed. Don’t stop taking a steroid without your provider's approval. You may have to lower your dosage slowly before stopping it.
A single attack of pseudogout rarely lasts longer than 1 or 2 weeks. You may have more attacks.
In severe cases, the disease may damage your joints.
People who have had pseudogout attacks may prevent future attacks by taking colchicine. Some people who have repeated, severe attacks may have to take the medicine every day.
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