Current mood:	indescribable
Entry tags:	amazing medical specimen, beighton, bjhs, my health

So, about that joint thing...
I've been researching, and I keep getting the urge to laugh hysterically.
The two major criteria for determining whether one has BJHS (called by several other names as well) are:
1. A Beighton score of 4/9 or higher. (I score 9/9, and, as far as I can recall, always have.)

2. Athralgia (joint pain) in 4 or more joints for 3 or more months. (This is one of those moments where I laugh hysterically. Try two DECADES.)

Um. Yeah. Also at the (very informative and helpful) site I linked to above, it ACTUALLY TELLS PEOPLE LIKE ME TO FIDGET!!!! (Those of you who don't know me in person are not aware that I DO fidget, constantly. I can't be still for extended periods. This has been a problem occasionally in situations like at the dentist (which the site actually talks about!)...seriously, I'm going through the whole OMGWTHHOWWASINOTTOLDTHISAMILLIONYEARSAGO thing. This is a tad long, so I'll cut, but keep reading, 'cause this is pretty huge for me.

So, I look at the Wikipedia page on the subject, which has a list of other conditions people with HS may develop thanks to their lax connective tissues.
Of the 21 conditions listed, I have (debatably where noted) these:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (I think my GERD may have resulted in this diagnosis, but, as time goes on, I become less sure.)

Varicose Veins (Not bad, though.)

Flat feet, pronated feet, plantar fasciitis or sesamoiditis and unsupportive shoes (My feet are mostly flat, and I have had plantar fasciitis undeniably for years.)

Joint instability causing frequent sprains, tendonitis, or bursitis when doing activities that would not affect the normal individual. (Define frequent. Yes, my joints have always injured more easily than others.)

Early-onset osteoarthritis (in my back)

There is evidence linking hypermobility syndrome to anxiety and depression. (Although this, imo, is pretty true of all chronic pain conditions.)

Knee pain (YES.)

Back pain, prolapsed discs or spondylolisthesis (Just back pain, though I've got it under quite good control generally.)

Worsening of symptoms in cold weather (and wet weather...one of the big negatives about moving to Canada.)

Joints that make clicking noises (Hee. Heeheehee. OMGYES.)

Headaches (Have you read my journal?)

Susceptibility to whiplash (Sprained neck when I got hit my a car while walking kind of screws up this one. Chicken/egg.)

Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome also known as TMJ (Most forehead slapping moment of my life: I ACTUALLY SAID, "You mean that's not supposed to hurt?")

Increased nerve compression disorders (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome) (*shrug* Unquantified, but I certainly have hand problems from all my typing.)

That's fifteen, for those of you who don't feel like counting, with maybe two or three being debatable.

Amusing.

I'll spare you more, as the kid is finally waking up. (WOO! TWO AND A HALF HOURS! YES!)

My initial reaction was nonplussed because there's no cure, but I have already gotten some ideas about things I can do to help myself, which is awesome. And LONG FUCKING PAST DUE. *smacks various doctors retroactively*

Okay, back to taking care of the monkey.