Which advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos?

This disease is manageable. It may not seem that way at first, but step by step you will realize what works best for you.

4/11/17 by Montana 1670

Find the best specialists you can. Look for people who have experience with treating EDS. Get accommodations for school or work. Special pens and pencils, a better chair, 504 plans, etc. can all be very helpful. Don't be afraid to use assistive devices and mobility aids that you need. If your friends are not supportive or understanding, try explaining how EDS affects you and answer their questions. If they still aren't supportive or understanding, and they aren't trying to be, dump them. It hurts but you'll be better off. You deserve friends who are supportive and understanding and kind.

5/10/17 by stairphobe 3070

Do as much research as you can. Go to as many doctors as you can and try to find a doctor who knows about EDS. Someone who really knows. Not a doctor that asks you what EDS is. Don't be afraid to try new things, such as k-tape, braces. Try things that might help you. Each case is different, each person is different. Since there isn't much information yet about EDS, and since there are so many different types and collagen can affect us differently, don't be afraid to try braces or whatever to make you feel better.

5/25/17 by Maria 2051

Write everything down. If you suffer from widespread issues write down each issue. It makes it easier to deal with each problem. You can also ensure you see the right person. At appointments take notes som you don't forget things to. You can be given a huge amount of info at adornments which can be easily forgot when you walk out the door. Most importantly you are not alone, they're are thousands of others who were in you pave once and we're happy to listen

5/27/17 by Jude 2050

Form a team of doctors and therapists willing to learn about the disorder and help you in anyway they can.

5/27/17 by Ashley 950

Study! !You WILL need to advocate for yourself because most of the time you will know more about eds than your doctors! Keep seeing different doctors until you find one willing to search for answers with you. You'll go through many but don't give up

5/28/17 by Celi 2000

If the doctor you're seeing isn't willing to go to the ends of the earth to help you (and by help, I mean do more than pile you up with addictive pills because that is tragically VERY common), get a new doctor.

5/31/17 by KathrynOConnor 2200

Be careful, don't do party tricks, and stay safe.

9/27/17 by Lbond94 4100

Take it slow and if Drs try to tell you it's in your head find a new Dr who will listen

10/6/17 by Sasha 2050

Read about it, ask questions, do your psyhio but dont let it get you down

10/7/17 by Sharon 7050

To LIVE, do the things you enjoy while you can, you may not be able to later! Don't think of EDS as a death sentence, think of it as a reason to explore the world and not procrastinate. DON"T be reckless, DO be kind, to both yourself and others. What would I have done differently?, I wouldn't have been such a perfectionist and I would have been less judgmental towards others. Also, I wouldn't have been as demanding on my body physically, wouldn't have pushed so hard and maybe could have avoided several injuries.

10/25/17 by Dolores 3050

It can be hard and you will have to limit your activity but make sure you have high sodium and don’t purposely contort and ask how to relocate your own joints and no party tricks and you are special

9/29/19 by Amy 13500

The Ehlers-Danlos Society members are sharing information online and learning from each other in ways that were impossible not very long ago. Visit The Ehlers-Danlos Society’s Facebook page, The Ehlers-Danlos Society Inspire Online Community, or look through the Resource Guides. Visit the Ehlers-Danlos Society’s website at ehlers-danlos.com

3/11/20 by MegTheMariner 1870

Research about your condition, take care of your joints, and find a community of people who understand and who you can ask questions.

5/12/20 by Alex 3551

To stick with the doctor that diagnosed you cuz apparently they understand and know what is going on follow their advice

11/19/21 by NuNu 2550

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Investigate and infirmarse on the Ehlers Danlos syndrome and become and become experts in the subject, I'm them can be life-saving since most of the doctors don't know much about the topic

3/25/17 by Paula Lopez. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

Talk about it, After the diagnosis, many questions arise, of the word group or groups facebook can help. Some need a moment to mourn the life that they had dream to be able to build a new one. The diagnosis is not the end of your life but the beginning of your support.

8/16/17 by Apolline. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

Get in touch with an association or a word group (there are plenty on fb). Talk, ask questions of other patients will help you greatly.

8/17/17 by Sandrine. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

A person who has been diagnosed with sed goes through several stages. Denial (because everything has always been so) , the anger, the sadness, the sense of injustice, and the long acceptance of the disease. It is a disability which is invisible and some doctors have probably told that it was psychosomatic. Everything collapses. But it is over and we are fighting. You have it always in you and you are still here and for a long time. The name of this disease and its symptoms are not well known but it will change. Stay close to your family and friends and don't make the mistake of thinking that you can handle it alone(e) , because this is not the case. The sed is pervasive, takes your energy but your good humor, your generosity, your smile are the best weapons against it. Some days will be very hard to not be able to get out of bed or hardly... but you say that you are more qualified to talk about the sed that all of the doctors who you have said that it was in your head and all those who will tell you "the air in the bone ?" And that day, you will understand that the sed will not change what you have always been. The equipment will help you, the medication also and you will get there because so far, you have done it.

8/30/17 by Ehos. Translated

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Aconcelhar to seek from an early family joveis have is syndrome. Because if it is better to find out when new.

8/30/17 by Kayla Rarine. Translated