Relapsing Polychondritis and Ulcerative Colitis

I was recently diagnosed with both RP and UC during a 2 week hospital stay.  My question concerns the prevalence of the two conditions together.  How common is it?  My primary care doc says I am the first case of relapsing polychondritis that she has ever seen which really concerns me coupled with the fact that I may not get in to see a rheumatologist for another 2-3 months.  In the mean time, I am constantly having inflammations on top of inflammations but unless I have another major issue (ear, which got the original diagnosis) I am on a waiting list.  It is pretty difficult dealing with both issues as is but I am also wondering how serious the RP is.  I have prednisone, as needed but am not ready to become too dependent on that right now.  Any advice would be helpful.


This discussion is related to sarah.