I've been getting gout flareups occasionally for ~10 years. If it can be prescribed with your current condition Colchicine has worked wonders for my flair ups. As far as how long the flair up lasts, it depends on how bad it gets before I take the Colchicine. If I catch it in when its just a dull ache, pretty much cleared up the next day. A full on flair up will take 2-4 days to clear up but pain relief within 6-12 hrs.
Eliminate caffeine and any other diuretics from your diet immediately. Drinking 1+ gallons of water a day and a quart of black cherry juice will help, but not nearly as fast as Colchicine. Too bad you can't take ibuprofin as that with copious amounts of water is almost as good as colchicine.
Personally I recommend against icing. Cooling down the area will facilitate more uric acid chrystalizing in the joint.
