This May I am participating in Dazzle Walk 2022 to raise awareness of ESD and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and to raise money for The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK.

I will be joining members of the EDS UK Yorkshire Group to walk 1.6 around Pugneys Lake at 1pm on Saturday 7 May and would be very grateful for any donations to help this great cause.

My Story

I was diagnosed in 2004 with HSD (called HMS at the time) but as very little was known about HMS (or EDS) I didn’t know how what, if anything, I could or should do, so my health and mobility was deteriorating.

After trying various docs and hospitals I was very lucky to be seen by the late Professor Bird, one of only 3 HMS specialists in the UK, and his team. They gave me treatment, info and advice and on how to manage and live with my condition and introduced me to Pilates. All of which I still use now to manage my symptoms on a daily basis.

EDS Support UK are an amazing charity that raise awareness and provide invaluable help, support and advice through their support groups, helpline, resources and training. 

What is HSD?

Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are connective tissue disorders characterized by symptomatic joint hypermobility than cannot be explained by other conditions.⁠ HSD are diagnosed after other possible conditions have been excluded, such as any of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) including hypermobile EDS (hEDS).

HSD, just like hEDS, can have significant effects on our health. Whatever the problems that arise, whatever the diagnosis, it is important that these effects are managed appropriately and that each person is treated as an individual. HSD and hEDS can be equal in severity, but more importantly, both need similar management, validation, and care.

Signs and symptoms of HSD⁠
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Symptoms vary from person to person, with different degrees of severity, and include:⁠
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o Joint hypermobility and instability⁠
o Joint subluxations⁠
o Dislocations⁠
o Joint pain⁠
o Loss of joint function⁠
o Joint damage, such as cartilage tear⁠
o Early joint degeneration⁠
o Ligament/tendon damage and injury⁠
o Recurrent, persistent, or chronic pain⁠
o Fatigue⁠
o Autonomic disturbances of heart rate and blood pressure, bowel and bladder function, and temperature regulation⁠
o Organ / systemic inflammation related to mast cell activation ⁠
o Headaches⁠
o Gastrointestinal problems⁠
o Anxiety disorders⁠
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Learn more at www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-hsd