What Causes Relapsing Polychondritis?

The causes or triggers of Relapsing Polychondritis are unknown.

Some medical experts suspect that environment may play a role.

The medical community suspects that Relapsing Polychondritis is related to with other inflammatory diseases.

On a personal note, I have Sheehan’s Syndrome and I developed Relapsing Polychondritis six years after my Sheehan’s Syndrome diagnosis.

In 50 percent of Relapsing Polychondritis patients, there is confirmation of thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and normochromic normocytic anemia.

Another personal note, I am part of the 50 percent that has thrombocytosis and anemia.

Bright red ears are usually the first symptom of Relapsing Polychondritis.

However, in my experience with Relapsing Polychondritis, it was the cartilage in my rib cage that suffered numerous attacks.

The pain from the Relapsing Polychondritis inflammation in my rib cage brought me to my knees.

Several doctors suspected my Gallbladder was inflamed.

My Gallbladder was fine and the excoriating pain subsided after I was given IV steroids to prevent an adrenal crisis.

It was not until several years later that my ears bubbled over with bright red inflammation and open sores.

I had Red Ear; tenderness, swelling, red rash (a pimple like) breakouts and redness in one or both ears.

The lobe of the ear does not have cartilage and is not does not have inflammation.

Inflammation Of Cartilage Areas

Pain

Fatigue

Tenderness can also affect the nose, throat, joints, and eyes

Shortness of breath

Nausea

You can read more about Relapsing Polychondritis on this HypoGal’s Relapsing Polychondritis Web Link.

Health Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relapsing_polychondritis
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331475-treatment

You can read about my experiences with the rare disease, Relapsing Polychondritis on the HypoGal Blog.

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