And the verdict is.....

[starrynight]

Early onset osteoarthritis in the hands and knees due to Ehlers-Danlos III.

The rheumatologist that I saw yesterday told me that the osteroarhtritis in my hands resemble that of a 65-70 year old. I have osteophytes on both pointer fingers.

As for my knees, they bow in quite a bit, as seen hereI didn't get any meds yet because I have to get a

Comments

[super_loulou]

Oh darling you poor thing, I'm so sorry. Good to have a diagnosis though, and a competent rheumy. I would buy Tubigrip for your knees (or US equiv) as it's supportive without being too tight. Do you take Motrin as soon as you wake and take every dose as soon as you can? I would try that, take it before the pain gets chance to really take hold.

Do keep us up to date, and feel free to vent. It's mixed emotions when one is first diagnosed. At least you now know what you're dealing with and are being taken care of. Much love.

[starrynight]

I have a script for 600mg Motrin. It is definetly the first thing I take. I take two pills and that is it, even if it does not work. I do not try to take Vicodin at all if I can help it because it isnt really a solution. I am new to all this so I dont know what my options are aside from not overusing the joint. I was very active and I do not have extra weight on me.

My boyfriends thinks my exercising made it come out since I was doing circuit training and a littke tae bo. Do you know of gentle exercises I can do? Is pilates ok?

[alatoo]

I am very sorry to hear this, and wish you to find the best pain management option. An ointment or spray based on Ketoprofen or Voltaren in addition to Ibuprofen may work well - at least they do for me.
When you get your pain under control, try to find a good physical therapist, because the best way to stabilize the joints is by straightening the muscles.
The other thing you might want to consider is mineral hot springs. I know it is not a very popular treatment option in the US, but there folks who arrive to Palm Springs in a wheelchair and after a couple of weeks go back home on their two. In fact, I am going there myself, in a month.

[starrynight]

Yeah, I agree that straightening my muscles and using my legs more priper will help. I had physical therapy as a kid and I wonder if it had to do with my bowing, even back then. I am the only one with bowed knees in the family. Even my dad who has arthritis says my pain is worse, and hes nearly 70.

Hot springs sound very nice. I will totalky try that some day.

[belle_marmotte]

Do you see an orthotist? I pronate so badly due to my EDS that my legs were a complete mess from the subluxating hips down. I saw an orthotist and got some heavy duty hard arch support orthotics for my feet and the decades of pains in my knees eventually cleared up. I still have hip and ankle pain, but it really helped my walking.

When my pain is really intense I have to use braces but just until all the tendonitis clears up. Bracing, although it stabilizes the joints, causes muscle wastage, which is a catch 22 in EDS as others have mentioned here.