My daughter was diagnosed with HSP when she was about 2 years old. She's been sick off and on during the winter with vomiting/diarrhea. She was on her potty chair one morning and said her knees hurt. I didn't really see anything unusual but they progressively became more painful and by evening they were very swollen, warm to touch and she was unable to walk. When my husband arrived home from work her ankles and elbows were swollen as well. By the time we arrived at the ER that evening the purpura began and continue to worsen throughout the evening. The ER doc. loosely diagnosed her with possible juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and told us to follow up with pediatrician. We took her to pediatrician the next day. Our pediatrician was pretty confident it was HSP as soon as he saw her and after getting a urine sample and some blood work he diagnosed her with it. She did have kidney involvement. She was put on steroids as well as a narcotic pain med. The pain swelling and purpura subsided in about two weeks she continued to have blood in her urine for about two months. She is 13 now and has started having purpura around her eyes, her earlobes and sometimes on extremities. I have an appointment set with her pediatrician so hopefully we can make sure all is well soon.

My son was a month away from turning 3 when he got a stomachache. Within two days, he started hurting and not wanting to be moved or touched. That night, his skin started turning a light purple and he developed red spots on his body. We took him to the ER and he was diagnosed with HSP. It took about two weeks before he was better. Six months later, it came back, and he was ill for another three weeks. Another six months after the second episode, it returned. I feared the HSP would permanently damage his kidneys. Luckily, he didn't have any lasting damage. It has been four years now and we have been very lucky that he has not had another outbreak.

My son had Henoch-Schonlein purpura just before his third birthday. It started with a rash and vomiting, we were told initially that it could be meningitis and he was treated for that. It took a couple of days to get a correct diagnosis. He was quite ill with diarrhea and vomiting and arthritis in his knees. He had trouble walking. The rash got considerably worse over the next week, he had to be hospitalized three times. His scrotum swelled up, that was the cause of one hospitalization. It was a very stressful time. Eventually his symptoms diminished on their own. He was followed up for over a year. He is now 10 and has had no further problems. Every time he has a tummy ache I worry about a recurrence.

I'm 29 and have been battling HSP now for 2 months. I've been to 5 different hospitals now. This sucks! I'm ex-military and believe it might have to do with exposure to depleted uranium found in reactive armor. They have me on 60mg of prednisone a day along with 2 heavy pain killers. I have gained ample amount of weight and cannot workout in fear of a out break. I literally hate my life now! Can't work or even be active with my son.

I am 55 years old and spent the Christmas Holidays with what turned out to be H.S.P. Apparently it has no age limit!. It started with a rash on my legs, and spread to 75% of my body with pain and swelling in my ankles, legs, and knees. After 3 days of hospitalization, numerous tests and visits by specialists, it was determined to be H.S.P. and the only treatment was antihistamine and pain relief. It cleared up within 2 weeks, and now 3 weeks later it has reoccurred, so I will be taking antihistamines and otc pain meds to save the $25000 it cost me (since I have no insurance) for the hospital costs.

My three year old was diagnosed the HSP 10 weeks ago and all of the symptoms are still present. She currently has the rash all over her legs (this has never left her), has had continuous problems walking, standing and sitting, her hands are currently so swollen she cannot pick up her cutlery or crayons. Two weeks ago she could not open her right eye as it was so swollen, she has had intermittent tummy ache and she now has black stools. I was told these symptoms would last for 6 - 8 weeks but they are showing no signs of going. My concerns are the amount of ibuprofen she is having to control the pain and the swelling. I just hope this has no long-term effects on her health.