A friend of mine is experiencing the onset of swelling in left hand and pain. Came on suddenly and they've ruled out gout and don't know what it is. No swelling in the arm and no pain anywhere but in the wrist and the whole hand and every joint in the hand. Ruled out carpal tunnel. Taking prilosec. Now been referred to a rheumatologist. What else could it be? Not sure if it matters or not, but my friend is a man.