Hello, I read your message carefully and understood your problem. Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can be used to treat gouty arthritis. But in this case, it is indicated as a local injection and it may be difficult because of your son s fear of needles. Indomethacin like all drugs may give side effects mostly gastrointestinal, headache, skin rash and irritation. You can help your son by advicing him to rest and raise his affected limb, to keep it cool (use ice), to take the pain medication as soon as possible and to stay hydratated. Treatment of gout is more complex that one may think. If NSAID drugs are useless, colchicine oral is a great option. Colchicine is a drug that treats and prevents gout attacks but it is not a painkiller drug. It works best when it is taken in the first sign of attack appeared. First dose is 1.2mg followed by another dose of 0.6 after one hour. If your son has recurrent attacts of gout he needs medication to reduce the levels of uric acid which means a urate-lowering-therapy. In this therapy allopurinol is used first. Your son also needs to maintain some lifestyle models. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking plenty of water must be done dayly. Also, avoid giving him foods that are rich in purines like red meat, oily fish, offal and foods that contain yeast extract. Sugary drinks must be avoided too. I hope this was helpful for you. Dr.Albana