How long will it last? its been nearly 7 months

I have had it since June 2013, but was seen my a dermatologist that gave me medication which includes steroids and an auto-immunosuppressant called Dapsone. So far it has worked for me, I haven't had many side effects apart from recently working out that alcohol is a definite no no with these meds. I also had askin biopsy that proved it was hsp. I have recently seen a renal doctor for my kidneys.

All I can discuss being that I haven't experienced a huge amount of abdominal pain or nausea but have had really achey joints particularly in my ankles (made it so difficult to walk) is that the steroids really got rid of all the pain for me! This however didn't get rid of the awful rash I had on my legs until I was put on dapsone.

What have the doctor said to you in regards to medication? All the best x

Thans for the reply and sorry i haven't got back to you sooner. All i has told when I first saw the kidney specialist was that if it is HSP that if it gets bad I could be put on steroids. but that was before the diagnoses. I had a biopsy done int he begining of December and was told I would hear back from them in a week or so. I never did- so I called them the first week of january and the receptionist told me that both the kidney specialist and my GP believe it is HSP since IGA was found in the biopsy of the purpura.

I am concerned though about the arthritis. I already have bad joints in my legs and hip dyspepsia so i'm use to that sort of pain, but generally is not my ankles, knees, hips and hands at the same time (only since july have I been getting the wrist and finger pain. that and just the nausea feeling/not being hungry (i'm generally a pig)and stomach pain is just getting to me. I'm normally very active but i find these symptoms are just getting in the way of my life. i ride/train horses, work part time and go to university so i lead a very busy life.

Hi,

I've had HSP for over three years now and have never got the symptoms under control. I'm just about to try Dapsone.

My arms and legs are so covered in the rash there is almost no normal skin! I manage my stomach pain with ibuprofen, which also helps with the joint pain. I find the joint pain is very changeable. I went several months with constant pain in both hip joints and both knees. And then it disappeared just like that. My ankle pain comes and goes daily and I get swelling in my fingers and palms.

Steroids can help with the swelling/joint pain but I had awful side effects.

From what I have read and personally experienced I don't think the HSP does permanent damage to joints. The symtoms are like arthritis but it doesn't cause damage and once the HSP symptoms are under control the joints go back to normal.