Can joint pain, meningitis, § cough w/ wheezing § crackles be related to one dx.

[omh]

HI, after the birth of my 1st son in 2001, I have had joint pain.  Tested + for rheumatoid factor one time and - 2 other consecutive times.  I often get sick with unknown fever origins.  This year, I have continued to have the joint pain as well as a sharp pain in my left upper back around my rib cage upon deep inhalation, don't know if its pulled muscle or what?  August of this year I came down with a 104 fever that passed in 2 days, I figured just a virus.  Exactly a month later I came down with joint pain, fever and swollen tonsils with white patches, was told it was strep w/o any test done.  Given 1 shot of rocephin, next day was well.  then exactly a week later started with headaches and malaise, 4 days later unbearable and went to ER to find I have meningitis w/ WBC in spinal fluid 1114, PMN's 89%, protein 45, glucose 52.  In hospital for 3 days no bacterial growth on cultures, sent home with PICC line for antibiotic therapy for 1 week.  After that I developed an outer ear canal infection, and then 2 days later a productive cough deep in my chest, was put on allergy meds, did not help and then crackles and wheezing began, I can hear audible crackles on prolonged expiration.  at the hospital an echo showed mild mitral & tricuspid insufficiency, mild pulmonic insufficiency, mild pulmonary hypertension & prominent eustachian valve near IVC.  I have now been told that I have asthma and bronchitis, took a z-pack perscription as told and feel that my right side lung is clear but my left is still crackling .WHAT do u think,I'm so confused,is this all normal or a problem help

[National Jewish]

It is possible that all of your symptoms are related to one health problem.  The best advice that we can give you is to seek a thorough examination at a university medical center by a rheumatologist, an infectious disease specialist and a pulmonologist.  If traveling to Denver, Colorado is feasible for you, National Jewish Medical and Research Center would be the ideal place for you to come for a complete evaluation.