I was officially diagnosed with RP 2 yrs ago. No one else in my family has it. It started approximately 5 years ago with ear flares, jumping from one to the other. My PCP happened to go to a conference where RP was discussed, and soon contacted me to see a Rheumatologist. Since the official diagnosis, I've been treated with the high doses of prednisone. I started with Dapsone with it making me ill, then moving unsuccessfully to azathioprine. The methotrexate seems to be the most successful. I've experienced flares in both ears, the nose, various joints, and now my eyes.