To cut a long story short i have had a painful swelling in my left hand between two knuckles for about a fortnight which worsened dramatically yesterday (not helped by trying the bucking bronco at a party last night } and I paid for it by being up all night with pain.... headed to A&E this morning convinced I have a fracture only to be told I have an old fracture that is inflamed, and bloods taken for gout . I have had swelling of another knuckle for several days a couple of months ago (on the other hand) and the odd stabbing pain in toe joint. I dont eat any of the trigger foods apart from asparagus as I am a veggie. Anyway, bloods came back with no urate level at all, and also my CRP marker was less than one. as the nurse practitioner said, it is obvious I have an inflamed joint but the test didn't find an inflammation. Query rheumatoid flare up..... What the hell is going on, please????? It is excruciatingly painful and I really cannot use my hand at all. Is this rheumatoid arthritis setting in? Do any other MNers have this and any advice ? TIA