Hi Everyone, I have been reading posts on this site for months now and it has been a great source of help. I have also found the website a useful tool to find out information. I thought it is about time I joined in and said hello and shared my story to help others know they are not alone and speak to others in the same boat.

I am a 34 year old mum of 2 and up until March this year I was working 50 hours+ a week as a Manager in a Despatch Warehouse. I cannot due to my very long list of ailments and conditions do this any more. Some days I can hardly walk a step. I was diagnosed in Sept 2104 with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which is a genetic connective tissue disorder, I have had symptoms all my life. It means basically I lack collagen in my ligaments and other body parts so my joints move around too much. This has caused the early on set of osteoarthritis. I have arthritis in my feet, in my big toe, a terrible bunion, that i should be having surgery on at some point.(straightening and fusion and shortening of bones) I have two bones in my feet that are too long. I also have flat feet. I have arthritis in my knees, my back, my hands and not confirmed but possibly in my jaw. I have degenerative disc disease/trapped nerves/degenerative facet joints,bulging discs...grade 3/4 cartilage loss in my knee, patella alta (my knee caps sit too high) this means they move around too much. I also have a loose body of cartilage floating around my knee and loose tendons. The ehlers-danlos causes you to be super flexible yet be stiff and achey. Every joint and muscle, tendon and ligament in your body hurts .But the OA crunching/grinding is the pain I feel more. It also causes migraines/anxiety...thin skin...you can see all the veins through my skin. The worse pain I have ever felt is last week my left leg doubled in size and was excruciating, I went to hospital and discovered I have a deep vein thrombosis well two blood clots actually..so on top of all all the pain meds for OA I am now on blood thinners! Although I can no longer take certain other tablets! I am remaining positive! I am trying to keep active, eat healthy and try alternative options..sorry for the long post..just wanted you to get to know me..ive have got to know quite a lot of you so far...thank you becks xx 8)
Comments
As mods we are here to help with any problems you may have on the message boards.
There are lots of lovely people here with a wide range of experiences with arthritis and the problems of living with the condition. Just join in wherever you like you will be made very welcome.
I look forward to seeing you posting on the boards.
Best wishes Modonfriday
I have OA as a result of my RA and have had knees and hips replaced very successfully. I haven't ever had a DVT and will try to avoid them
If you have any specific questions just ask away and we'll do our limited best to answer. Living With Arthritis and Chit Chat are where most people hang out. I hope to see you around.
It must feel very depressing when you are so young to be gathering so many problems. I sometimes think I had it easier because, way back when I was diagnosed at 15, patients didn't expect much info and docs didn't give it. So I acquired lots of things along the way which people now have names for (even if they are virtually unintelligible) but which I just regarded as part of having RA. I think, as a result, I felt less 'medicalised' and I think I'm rather glad.
You seem to have suddenly acquired all your medical problems recently. Is that so? I thought Ehlers-Danlos manifested itself much sooner in life. I'm pretty sure it's an inherited disease but I don't think it's anything to do with what your Mum ate when she was carrying you
The DVT sounds like the most pressing problem right now. I do hope they can find out why it happened and deal with that. Well done for persevering on the stockings front. If you need them you should have them.
Actually my RA is much better these days. Though the damage has already been done at least life is easier now that it's just Mr SW and myself. (Famous last words – the family are here at the weekend :roll: )
I'm sure, in your shoes, I'd be worried about future DVTs too despite the fact I've always believed in living in the present and letting the future take care of itself – with the help of a sensible diet, exercises etc. We can only do so much – as you yourself have done with the stockings – then get on with more interesting things
Barbara