I have a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (or EDS) is a rare group of connective-tissue disorders that are caused by faulty collagen, which is the protein that keeps your joints together. Instead of the collagen acting like glue, it acts like gum. Since the collagen is messed up, we EDSers have flexible joints like a contortionist. EDS is genetic so chances are that if you have it, then someone else in your family does too. There are several types of EDS. The most common type is the hypermobility type. Then you have the classical type, the vascular type and several more rare types.
What type do I have?
I have get to see a geneticist to tell me what type I have. I have been officially diagnosed with EDS though. I am pretty sure that I have the hypermobility type but I want to be sure.
What are the symptoms of EDS?
The symptoms of EDS are:
Flexible, hypermobile joints which tend to dislocate frequently
Constant joint pain
Soft, stretchy skin
Skin that heals slowly.
There are many other symptoms but those are the main ones.
EDS can also lead to other disorders like POTS and Scoliosis.
Is there any emotional distress with EDS?
Yes there is alot of emotional distress with EDS. People with EDS can't do alot of things that they might want to like sports. Some people with EDS are in a wheel-chair because of it. Also a big problem with EDS is that this disorder is extremely misunderstood. People don't understand what we go through daily so they have a hard time believing that we are in pain. Sometimes people call me a hypochondriac. Alot of people think we are lazy or we just want attention.
Thanks for reading my blog. I will continue to blog about my EDS life. I try to make the best of it though. If you know anyone with EDS, please understand that they are in constant pain and they are not faking it. Try to help them as much as you can. Subscribe to me on youtube. www.youtube.com/buddyboy091994 and my twitter is buddyboy091994 too.
