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Multiple Weird Symptoms *It's never Lupus*
tachyon
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All these symptoms seem to be consistent with a form of Colitis, maybe moderate ulcerative colitis (see also here). This is another one of those difficult-to-diagnose bowel diseases and patients tend to present with a variety of symptoms. However, the coincident fever and the joint pain are indeed symptoms of UC. The wacky cholesterol may be related since it does mess with your nutrient balance, but I'm not so sure on that. Onset is usually between ages 15 and 30, so that's consistent. Your description of the pain might also be consistent with spasms.
The symptoms are also similar to Crohn's disease, especially the periodicity of it. However, Crohn's is less likely to cause the visible bleeding you're seeing. It can still be associated with the joint pain and fever.
The asthma is an interesting one and seems unrelated, but there is research indicating that people with Colitis or Crohn's are at a higher risk of developing asthma.
Diagnosis of any of these is tough but a colonoscopy could probably help.
Did the Prednisone help with any of the non-asthma symptoms? I ask because while they probably gave it to you for asthma, steroids are also prescribed for Crohn's and UC.
Good luck anyway. Been to many haemotologists?
When I was on pred. it pretty much knocked out everything. So yeah, when I was having my year of asthma, I didn't have much bleeding.
Thank you for the UC links. I have already had a colonoscopy which turned up clean. (Had it because of the bleeding, also, my dad was diagnosised with Crohn's). I guess my worry is that I am at the early stages of whatever, and that while I am having the symptoms of something, the tests are coming up negative because I am at such early stages.
Never thought of the bowel/cholesterol connection. I'll be sure to bring this up with my GI specialist.
Thanks!