Living with Relapsing polychondritis
A condition with repeated swelling and inflammation of cartilage and other tissues in many parts of the body.
Understanding Relapsing polychondritis
Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones and shapes parts of the body, like the ears and nose. RP can also affect the airways, ribs, eyes, heart, blood vessels, skin, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms depend on which parts are involved. It often occurs along with autoimmune conditions and can start at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Swollen, inflamed cartilage, such as in the ear
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Cough, wheezing, or hoarse voice
- Shortness of breath
- Eye problems, such as cataracts
- Dizziness and ringing in the ears
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists, eye disease specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association and Global Autoimmune Institute may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the exact cause isn't known. Genetic and other unknown factors may play a role, and RP often occurs with autoimmune conditions.
Also known as: chondromalacia, systemic; chronic polychondritis; meyenburg's disease; polychondropathia; systemic chondromalacia
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationRelapsing polychondritis · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteRelapsing polychondritis · United States
- Arthritis FoundationRelapsing polychondritis · United States
- Relapsing Polychondritis FoundationRelapsing polychondritis · United States
- The International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory ArthritisRelapsing polychondritis · United States
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Relapsing polychondritis.
Explore research for Relapsing polychondritis
Explore actively recruiting Relapsing polychondritis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Relapsing polychondritis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Relapsing polychondritis studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Relapsing polychondritis
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Relapsing polychondritis experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.