Man, 24 years old, fit and healthy otherwise.
I have tiny red spots on my feet, elbows and hands. These always appear with a discomfort on the right side of my abdomen and excessive gas. Some random joint will start to swell and hurt in no time too. Usually both knees, sometimes an elbow or either wrist.
The wider the spread of the purpura-like rash, the greater the abdominal pain and joint problems later on. I also noticed that my stool turns yellowish nearly every time this happens.
By the time I reach a doctor for tests, the symptoms are usually falling back and both blood and urine tests are clean. Ultrasound and gastroscopy gave clear results too.
One of the more serious urine samples showed bacterial growth bit too high for men. Gastroscopy showed signs that this rash had also had some effect on my gastric tissue, but again - it was barely visible and nothing serious. It has been a year now since my last outbreak when I had all these tests.
Everything's been super until now. Just the same symptoms again. Purpura, random joints hurt, discomfort or pain in gallbladder area, gas pain, differences in stool, including yellowish tone.
Any ideas?
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Well, joint pains with rash can be seen in SLE, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, polymayalgia rheumatica and chronic fatigue syndrome. Gout, though typically affects the great toe, can cause multiple joint pain with rash. Hashimotos Thyroiditis is another possibility. Hayfever and rheumatoid arthritis too should also be ruled out. Crohn’s disease is another possibility.
Another possibility is reactive arthritis, which could have occurred in reaction to something—in this case rash. In this case you need to rule out the cause for the hives or urticaria. Urticaria is usually triggered by allergens, such as drugs, foods, insect bites, inhaled substances, in response to sunlight, cold, heat, stress, exercise, or a viral infection. Other common allergens are pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, or cosmetics. Food allergies like to gluten and alcohol too should be looked into.You may need to consult an allergy specialist.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!