Not Freaking Out

I am so happy I can hardly stand it!  On Monday I had an appointment with a rheumatologists. I had been having more joint pain in my hands and knee, and Jason wanted me to get a second opinion about  Sjögren's syndrome that my general practice doctor said I had.  Jason made the appointment and had my records transferred and everything.  I didn't have much hope that anything different would come of it, but I decided to humor him. 

Turns out I don't have Sjögren's syndrome I have something called Hypermobility Syndrome. What is that... nothing at all compared to the other.  I was so happy I almost started crying.  He said just because tested positive (weak positive) doesn't mean I have it, I also have to display symptoms (which I don't, except the joint pain).  Often times people with (BJHS as it is called) get miss diagnosed by their general physicians.  I know it sounds stupid, but I am so happy.  Not only that I don't have Sjögren's, but that he knew what was wrong with me, and there is something I can do about it!   Anyway here is some information about hypermobility syndrome.

The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint. The joint hypermobility syndrome is considered a benign condition. It is estimated that 10%-15% of normal children have hypermobile joints, or joints that can move beyond the normal range of motion. There is a tendency of the condition to run in families (familial). It is felt that certain genes are inherited that predispose to the development of hypermobile joints. Genes that are responsible for the production of collagen, an important protein that helps to glue tissues together, are suspected of playing a role.

Because the joints are capable of excessive motion in people with the joint hypermobility syndrome, they are susceptible to injury. Symptoms of the joint hypermobility syndrome include pains in the knees, fingers, hips, and elbows. There is a higher incidence of dislocation and sprains of involved joints. Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) occurs more frequently in people with hypermobile joints. Joint hypermobility tends to decrease with aging as we become naturally less flexible.
Signs of the syndrome are the ability to place the palms of the hands on the floor with the knees fully extended, hyperextension of the knee or elbow beyond 10 degrees, and the ability to touch the thumb to the forearm.

Often joint hypermobility causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. Many individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome improve in adulthood. Treatments are customized for each individual based on their particular manifestations. Joint pains can be relieved by medications for pain or inflammation. Proper physical fitness exercise can strengthen muscles and stability, but the nature of the exercise should be designed to avoid injury to joints.