Hypermobility

[Survivor53]

I have recently been informed that I have hypermobility in addition to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, should I be discussing this with my GP? Also would heighten my fibromyalgia symptoms?

[Schilddruse]

I think there is a link, although obviously it's not well researched. Unfortunately, most GPS have next to no understanding of hypermobility and its many effects on the body and instead will tell you that it's just being double jointed. However, there are many resources online such as the Ehler Danlos Society and also a support group on this forum, so I suggest you look into those. Wishing you all the best!

[SpikeDinosaur]

Hi, I have hypermobility. I've been told it's incredibly common, and you will have always had it. Many dancers and gymnasts have hypermobile joints - so it's sometimes helpful. From everything I have read, you don't need to see a GP unless you start to have problems caused by it. For example, my knees bend backwards and partially dislocate fairly often. This means I have to keep my thigh muscles strong to help the knee alignment. I take more care when exercising and stretching not to take the joints through their full range. I was told that in my 20s and have never needed to go back since (now in my 50s). I did wonder if it was a hypermobility issue when I got more joint pain 4 years ago - instead was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. If you are having problems, then it will likely be a physiotherapist that helps with the right exercises.

So, I would say it would be worth mentioning the next time you have a GP appointment. If your hypermobility is giving you pain, then I guess having fibromyalgia could make it feel worse. I have no idea about the osteoarthritis and whether there is more of a connection.

Good luck.

[MaggieSylvie]

My chiropractor told me I had some hypermobility, but I've had pupils with it and their arms become dislocated painfully but easily. Clearly, there is a spectrum because I haven't got anything like that. All I can say is that as a child I could not "do" the parallel bars because I did feel my arms would dislocate. Of course, I could not explain the feeling. I just could not understand how other kids could do it. Being told you have hypermobility might not mean very much.