what causes the swelling then? water?? does it go down when you elevate your leg??? what causes the swelling then? water?? does it go down when you elevate your leg???I don’t see how it could be H2O, it’s only the left one. Elevation makes no difference. Last 2 times I went to ER and they gave me 2 different antibiotics (at the same time) and a few pain pills. I’ve had gout before and it is not that- this starts in the ankle, gout has ALWAYS started in my big toe 1st then moved upwards.