You can live a totally great life with this disease, but know that you will have some limitations. Learn to live with these limitations, and you can overcome it all and achieve great things.

4/11/17 by Montana 1670

Lots of people are happy while living with EDS, myself included! I've found the best thing to do is to accept EDS as a part of your life that will never go away, as an unchangeable fact. I also look for the good in having EDS: I love my soft, smooth skin, for example. Another thing that has helped me is practicing radical body positivity. My body is all kinds of messed up, but I've learned to love it anyway. Keep in mind that it's ok to have negative thoughts about your EDS. It's ok to struggle sometimes. There are times where I appreciate having EDS. Knowing that I'll always have it can be weirdly comforting for me during times of major change because at least there's one constant in my life. It's taken a few years of work to get to this point. I used to be very depressed about my EDS and feel a lot of anger and hatred towards it. Be patient.

5/10/17 by stairphobe 3070

Oh man, this is hard. I am in constant pain since I was 15 years old. That's almost 7 years with pain. But am I happy? I think so. But that has nothing to do with EDS. I am happy despite EDS. Although I must say, there are days when I am in so much pain and despair that in those days I don't consider myself that happy. Pain is here with me everyday. Constant pain. Not easy, man. I don't have any advice. The worst thing someone can tell me is "at least is not cancer". I'm not saying that I have cancer, or that EDS is worst than cancer but how can they even compare?

5/25/17 by Maria 2051

You can be happy and live an amazing life. That's all in perspective.

5/26/17 by Stephanie 800

I lead an ok life. The support network out there for eds suffers is huge.

5/27/17 by Jude 2050

Listen to your body if it's tired rest and take a break. Learn what your limits are. Stay in touch with your friends and join a support group if you can.

5/27/17 by Ashley 950

This depends on the level of damage and pain. So can exercise carefully and some can't at all

5/28/17 by Celi 2000

Yes, but the let downs associated with pain, awful doctors, isolation, impatient people, etc ARE a challenge. I sense you're already experiencing some depression given the question. Please talk to someone, even if you're unsure. Medication is safe and can work wonders. Depression makes you hurt and pain makes you depressed. Seeking help can improve both and open the doors to a "normal" life.

5/31/17 by KathrynOConnor 2200

Depending on your family support you can have a very happy life.

9/27/17 by Lbond94 4100

I'm married and happy and even though my eds has gotten worse I'm still happy

10/6/17 by Sasha 2050

Remember your a zebra and smile at being different ro a horse

10/7/17 by Sharon 7050

Discovering I have EDS has been helpful in understanding life long, unexplained, conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Behavior, hyper mobility, fragile skin, periodontal disease, TMJ/Migrains, digestive problems etc. Now that I have an answer or explanation for these conditions I'm addressing them from an educated standpoint-I'm not crazy, lazy or a hypochondriac! Happy? I admit that's a tough one, I'll go as far as saying that I try to enjoy special moments of happiness in between the pain and frustration of having Ehlers Danlos.

10/25/17 by Dolores 3050

Learn how to live with the pain which can be hard

9/29/19 by Amy 13500

Take care of your joints, and don't overwork them.

5/12/20 by Alex 3551

Depends on which type you have if you have vascular ehlers-danlos syndrome your lifespan will be shortened usually to about 47 years of age otherwise the others usually have a normal life span depending on other conditions that you may have with either danlos syndrome

11/19/21 by NuNu 2550

Translated from spanish Improve translation

You can Be happy with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, admittedly, there exists the disease, to accept that we suffer, to bless our body and our being and to love our body and love this hard conndición of life with which we were born

3/25/17 by Paula Lopez. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

Although pain is an important part of everyday life it is quite possible to be happy, it is necessary to surround yourself with people who support us and understand us. Learn to take time for yourself and to learn not to love is also important, meditation can be a good way of achieving this.

8/16/17 by Apolline. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

It is important not to get discouraged. A day is not the other with the SED. It may be that it is nailed to the bed one day and shape the next day. Even if it is difficult to project long-term activities, the disease if the treatment is well adapted, and that the pains are more or less under control, can still keep a social life. It is necessary, however, often pass by the acceptance of his own limitations and especially to take into account not to immerse in crisis. Splints support really make it possible to limit sprains and dislocations. Having a wheelchair allows you to be able to continue to make longer excursions.

8/17/17 by Sandrine. Translated

Translated from french Improve translation

The sed changed life. Of the patient and his entourage. Living with sed is to make sacrifices, know when to listen, and listen to his body when he says "stop". It is accept help from family or friends and know how to rest. It is setting up your home to avoid unnecessary moves and tiring. And that is to challenge themselves and to accept being sick. The concept of being happy is unique to each. Some will look, others will flee from him: by denial or by fear or shame of the sed. A sed can be happy. It is a journey for life

8/30/17 by Ehos. Translated

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Have to drop the sheet that has a sindorme and seek all kinds of help and information as possible. Both asking for doctors or counselors as well as in books and internet articles.

8/30/17 by Kayla Rarine. Translated