Moderate hypermobility syndrome

[Hellosquiffy]

Can some one shed some light on what this actually means? Is there varying degrees of HMS? I've had a look about but it just comes up as HMS.

[ouryve]

It can vary from having a few slightly bendy and unstable joints to being severely disabling.

[Hellosquiffy]

Thank you ouryve

[loismustdieatyahoodotcom]

Ds has this and was a late walker as it is predominately in his knees and ankles and wrists. He walks ok although a little clumsy and sometimes staggers when tired and looks like he's had one too many. I was told sometimes joint stiffen with age and this may be the same I. Your case.

[Hellosquiffy]

Thank you lois, I hope so it is causing him a lot of pain with regards to school. He seems to have it everywhere including his jaw, all of his finger joints and neck. My Ds was also a late walker and with hindsight I now realize we helped him a lot with other milestone e.g sitting, rolling etc. He was so different to Dd in that he would just lay there and we had to physically 'show' him what to do which Dd just did IYSWIM? I'm a afraid that was always put down to the fact he was a boy

[loismustdieatyahoodotcom]

Ah everyone thinks it imaboysoimlazy syndrome. My D's is only 2.4 and not talking yet which can be affected apparently. I found out v recently I have flexible too which is probably where he got it from but he doesn't seem in any pain at the mo. He has it in toes ankles knees wrists fingers not sure where else. he struggles to hold a crayon properly but that could be because he hates drawing

[CheeryGiraffe]

Hi all,

I am new to Mumsnet and was just having a look about and found this thread.

I have hyper mobility syndrome. Mostly my feet, knees, hips, hands and wrists. I was a late walker, and wore supportive boots until school, then specially made insoles. From about 11 onwards I no longer needed insoles, I have found wearing flat shoes best, as I am far more likely to topple over in heels. However, I am tall so not wearing heels isn't really a big loss!

I think joints do stiffen to a certain extent as you get older (I am 29), but I have found that you basically just learn to live with it. You work out ways of doing things you struggle with etc. and you know your limits. My hands and wrists give me the most trouble now, but nothing that I can't work around.

Holding a pen was a struggle for me (and is often an issue if your hands are affected) and what made it easier was having something on the pen that made it fatter. The issue is applying pressure and control on something small. Hypermobile joints often 'collapse' and are more likely to do so when you're struggling to keep grip of something. A fat pen has more area, therefore is less likely to twist about. I hope that makes sense?!

One thing I would say that I wish my parents had thought to do, was to speak to PE teachers at school. I loathed PE anyway, and my teacher couldn't understand why if I was 'bendy' that didn't automatically translate into being good at gymnastics. It doesn't - to be good at gymnastics you need to be able to control the bendyness!

I don't know what's causing your son's pain Hellosquiffy, but I get pain when I have over done things. I like to crochet and knit, but I really have to pace myself - doesn't hurt at the time, but the next day moving my hands is agony. Hot baths and hot water bottles help, so maybe a hot bath after school would ease things for him?

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me adding to your thread. I just thought it might be useful to hear from someone with HMS.

[ouryve]

Cheery I have HMS, too, and a similar persistent loathing of PE teachers after a few horrendously painful and humiliating experiences.

[Hellosquiffy]

Hello, sorry about the delay replying.

Thanks Cheery and ouryve Ds avoids PE too, he uses the excuse he doesn't have his kit. We have a review meeting coming up soon for his IEP so I'm going to get some info together for that. As it stands all focus has been on his Asperger's but TBH I think the majority of his difficulties may actually be down to the HMS

Can I ask you both....Does frosty weather affect you?? or on days when there is a cold wind or if the rain feels particularly cold?? Ds hates frosty weather but it doesn't seem to bother him AS much if it has been snowing but not frosty...If that makes any sense. He has always said it hurts. I have always struggled with the cold because when the above happens I literally can not feel anything, no matter how many layers I wear and I swell....and turn blue but i've not seen the same with DS.

[Hellosquiffy]

@ imaboysoimlazy syndrome, you would not believe the amount of times I queried things with friends, family, professionals (Ds was first child) and I had the 'he's a boy' line........now look years on he is under countless professionals with countless difficulties.

[Hellosquiffy]

Just wanted to add! Ds has been kept in many times at school during break and lunchtimes....do you think this may have something to do with the pain??

[ouryve]

Cold weather does affect me. My hands and feet become extremely cold, even when it's mild, anyhow, but when the weather's cold, my muscles stiffen and I'm more prone to injury, as I am reliant on some modicum of half decent muscle to to support unstable joints. One little awkward twist and I can't walk for several days, when it's cold. It makes walking on frost and ice quite nervewracking and I tense up.

I find it helpful to wear waterproof over-trousers, in cold weather, as these help to keep my buttock and thigh muscles warm and reduce knee and hip pain, later in the day. I also have some fleece lined boots, which are quite snug fitting. They don't provide any arch support, but are wide enough to let my toes splay, for support, and are subtly stiff enough to stop me from going over on my ankle.

[ouryve]

A bit of advice for your DS in nasty weather btw, is to avoid ordinary wellies. They're terrible for hypermobile feet and knees. When we've had deep snow, my boys have both done well with padded snow boots, probably for the same reason i like my fleece lined boots. For wet weather, I buy them both crocs wellies. They have nice wide toes and a bit of built in arch support - both boys bound around in them, rather than plodding, like they do in wellies.