Gout? What next?

Well I heard back from the doctor's office.  It turns out that I have a mild form of gout. Initially I didn't think that this was the case because I looked it up online and it was described as having excruciating pain as  one of the main symptom. While my foot is a bit swollen and sore, it certainly is not excruciating. (I'm not complaining about this, mind you.) But the xrays don't lie.   I haven't rested and elevated my foot as I should so it is still swollen. If the swelling doesn't go down soon I'll have to call the doctor again. I am being good now that I know what I'm dealing with so maybe the swelling will go down. Just my luck to get the "rich man's" disease without the "rich man's" wallet. Actually, I think that it's another case of my body's domino effect. In my late 40's I was diagnosed with hypertension. Unfortunately I must have had it for quite some time before I was diagnosed, As a result I have a mild kidney impairment that always leaves me with an elevated creatinine level in my blood.  They don't know what caused this sudden development of gout since my lifestyle is  not excessive.  Personally,I think that my weakened kidneys contributed to this as well as my chronic illnesses. So far I don't have to take any meds for this (one of the meds used for this is prednisone, can you believe it? I can't get away from that stuff!) and I would like to keep it that way. I think that the All Mighty is sending me a message to slow down and stay home for now. OK, point taken. So I'll just sit back with my foot elevated and watch the ball game. I don't think I want to go out and risk any other signals from on high. (I may just be allergic to a plague of frogs!). Sooo I remain.... Grounded again,Tom