Gout attacks are unexpected and painful; here’s how to get a handle on them.
Few things in life are more painful than a gout attack, so if you’re
awakened in the wee hours by a joint that is tender, swollen, red and
radiating heat, you’ll want to act fast. Here’s what you can do when a
gout attack starts to ease the pain of the attack and reduce the risk of
others.Take medicine you have on hand. Start treatment immediately with over-the-counter ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), but never take aspirin, which can actually worsen an attack. If you have had an attack before and your doctor has prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication to take in the event of another, take your prescribed medication as your doctor directed. If you are already taking a uric acid-lowering drug to reduce the risk of attacks, continue to take that drug through this attack.
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/articles/how-to-stop-a-gout-attack.php