Tony's Health: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP)

This is an illness I would rather not know about.  Tony went through a period of having sore ankles.  We couldn't figure it out.  Could he have twisted them?  This was our thought as he had been on roller blades.  However when his hand swelled up at church a couple weeks ago, we knew something was up.  tony was at the MD the next day.  He also developed a strange rash before we took him.  We were thinking strange spider bite or something.
However it turns out the doctor was familiar with this stuff.  Henoch-Schonlein Purpura is a disease that is rare but happens.  However the cause is still unclear. It could be a reaction to having an upper respiratory infection few weeks back and the body over compensating to attack this.  This overcompensation results in the capillaries leaking fluid which results in all the symptoms, strange rash and arthritic type of pain.  Tony had a cold a few weeks back.  The major treatment is wait and see and it will go away in three to six weeks.  There is not much they can do; although Tony is taking Neproxen.  The worries are kidneys and intestines.  They checked Tony's kidneys with a blood test--all good.  He also does not have blood in his urine which is also good.  The intestines can kink and cause pain.  Tony has no sign of this which is good.
Since the diagnosis, Tony's other hand had a bout of swelling.  His rash went away.  However things come and go with this disease.  His rash has come back looking like the classic rash.  The arthritic condition which comes with it has moved from his ankles to his knees; and is much more painful.  We have had periods of his not being able to walk because of the pain.  We are waiting for it to go away.  However frequently the symptoms come back; but not as severe.

swollen hand

first rash

Mom marked the rash, when Tony went to the Dr. it was wider but not as high.

second rash

Good thing about the rash it is not hives.  It itches a little but not as much as you would think looking at it.  It is more like bruising from the capillaries leaking.  

swollen knee

Tony has almost three weeks of dealing with this stuff.  It comes and goes, and changes where it is hurting, but it is all the same stuff.  Right now he is having problems with his right knee.  We are hoping he has a shorter course, because two-six weeks is very indeterminate.