Spoonielivingfree

Good afternoon, evening, morning. Thought I’d do a follow on from my h-EDS post by sharing some EDS misconceptions,

1. You have to be flexible to have EDS No, although many people with EDS are flexible there is a difference between flexibility and hypermobility. Flexibility comes from the muscles, however hypermobility comes from joints and ligaments. As a lot of people with EDS find they’re muscles tighten to prevent dislocations they may not be flexible. Furthermore widespread hypermobility isn’t present in all  types of EDS. In vascular EDS the hypermobility is more in the hands and feet.
2. You have to be severe to have EDS  No. EDS is a spectrum disorder. This means that although yes many people are severe and have multiple comorbidities it is not essential to be on the more severe end of the spectrum.
3. You have to have a family member with EDS to have EDS No. Spontaneous mutations happen and the nature of awareness only recently increasing and many likely going undiagnosed in the past means that a family member may indeed have it but just isn’t diagnosed.
4. You have to dislocate Mahoosive misconception. Some people only partially dislocate others don’t even do that.
5. If you have high arches you don’t have EDS No – both flat feet and high arches are signs of EDS
6. You have to have stretchy skin to have EDS – No No No No No. This is associated with the classical type more than other types although can be present in other types.
7. EDS only affects the joints –  No just no. It affects skin, gums, the bladder, bowels, uterus, mast cells, stomach, uterus. Literally everything
8. Exercise cures EDS Again no. For those who are able yes it can help but there are many with EDS who simply can’t be it due to the EDS itself or a comorbid condition.
9. Everyone with EDS bruises easily No. Again this is just one symptom many with EDS experience, but not everyone.
10. It’s just a name and it doesn’t matter what you call it No no no. EDS is often more respected by doctors than HSD or hypermobility syndrome or benign joint hypermobility. It matters.