Hey everyone, I am a 20 year old female. The last few days I have been suffering from excrutiating pain in my right big toe. The joint is completely swollen and red and so tender that any touch from anything brings me to tears. My father, his father, and my dad's grandparents all suffered from gout. My dad started getting it in his late teens and it has spread to his elbows.

When I told him what happened to me, one day, out of no where my toe started aching, and within a half hour it was too swollen to fit in my shoe and I was unable to walk, he told me it sounded like gout.

I know it's less common in females, especially of my age, but considering family history, what does it sound like? I went to the doctor on campus, but all he said was that the joint that usually swells up in the big toe during gout attacks is farther back than the actual toe joint. He gave me antibiotics, but said if it doesn't work he'd follow up with bloodwork.

I'd really hate to have gout, considering I see how much it makes people suffer, but I didn't hit it on anything, I've never had this kind of joint pain before, and there's no open wounds or puncture marks, and there is no pus. Anyone have any ideas?

If it is the joint at the base of the toe, it might be gout. If it is the one in the middle of the toe, it most likely isn't. That being said, try 20 canned tart pie cherries a day.
I know that sounds funny but it will work if it is gout. Or you can buy natural cherry juice at the health food store....but generally the canned tar pie cherries (not the filing, just the cherries) will work.

SOunds like gout. A good friend of mine got it. Fortunately there is a pill that will clear it right up.