Ehlers Danlos and Osteoarthritis

[dan13113]

I’m 37 and suffer with ehlers danlos hypermobility syndrome, osteoarthritis and metabolic bone disease. Over the years my symptoms have gotten worse, at times my very strong painkillers have no effect, I am constantly exhausted to the point where I am falling asleep when ever I sit down, but can’t get a restful night sleep as I’m in too much pain. It takes me an hour to get out of bed in the morning due to stiffness and pain.
As my EDS causes me joint instability and dislocations what exercises can I do that will help me to lose weight, tone up and improve strength?
How can I improve my sleep to help with my exhaustion?

[Tracy Corbett]

It would be worth consulting your GP to ask for a referral to physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist will assess you to determine the extent of your hypermobility, specific strengths and weaknesses, and biomechanical issues. He/she should then be able to prescribe specific/targeted exercises to help with muscle imbalances and to help strengthen the muscles around the affected joints which can help with joint stability. There may also be support groups or classes local to you which your GP could recommend for you.