Psuedogout

I have just had the awful experience of a flare up of psuedogout which whilst apparently is a form of arthritis is also due to being diabetic.
I was taken into hospital on the 20th October as my hands and fingers had swollen up and were so painful I couldn't even pick up a tissue. I came home last Wednesday (30/10) and have still got very painful joints which is proving to be very difficult to do anything much.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had this and whether it is a long lasting complaint and anything else please?

Thanks very much Fergus, very interesting information... much appreciated.