[49F] Experiencing muscle and ligament issues with associated pain and swelling

Question

How is the best way to stretch that will not aggravate the hypermobility issue related to hEDS?

Patient Description

A 49-year-old female is experiencing significant health issues related to her diagnosed condition of hEDS (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). She reports that her ligaments are weakening, causing her muscles to overcompensate, leading to various pains in her shoulders, neck, and back, and causing her legs to swell. The left leg swells significantly by the end of the day, while the right leg shows mild swelling. This has been ongoing for approximately 5 months. Additionally, she experiences constant pain in her right shoulder, entire neck, and hips, with aches in the upper thigh and groin area. She has been dealing with muscle tightness in her thighs and pelvic area for over 3 years, which also affects her pelvic muscles, causing discomfort and difficulty with bowel movements and bladder emptying. The patient also has a medical history of a past heart attack in 2012, and long-standing depression, anxiety, and insomnia diagnosed in 1992. She is currently on Remeron 40 mg ODT and has reported allergies to morphine, amcef, and lisinopril.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, the following conditions could be contributing to your symptoms:

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS): This is a genetic disorder that affects your body's connective tissues. These tissues act like a glue to hold your body together and are found in your skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, organs, and bones. Your symptoms of weakening ligaments, muscle overcompensation, and chronic pain are common in hEDS.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): This condition occurs when your leg veins don't allow blood to flow back up to your heart. It can cause swelling, pain, and changes in skin color. Given your description of your left leg swelling significantly by the end of the day, CVI could be a contributing factor.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Your symptoms of pelvic pain and tightness, difficulty with bowel movements and emptying your bladder, and pain that radiates down your thighs could be due to pelvic floor dysfunction. This occurs when the muscles of the pelvic floor are weak, tight, or there is an impairment of the sacroiliac joint, lower back, coccyx, or hip joints.

Please remember that this is not a definitive diagnosis. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider who can evaluate your symptoms and medical history in person.

What you can do

Consult with a healthcare provider: They can provide a thorough evaluation and potentially refer you to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or geneticist for hEDS, a vascular specialist for CVI, or a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction.
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can provide exercises and stretches to help manage your symptoms. This can be particularly helpful for hEDS and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Compression Stockings: These can help improve blood flow in your legs and reduce swelling and pain caused by CVI.
Heat and Stretching: Continue using heat and stretching for temporary relief of muscle tightness.
Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage your pain. Always use them as directed and consult with a healthcare provider about long-term use.

What you should look out for

Contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

An increase in the severity or frequency of your symptoms
New symptoms
Symptoms that interfere with your daily activities
Severe pain
Changes in the color or temperature of your leg
Any other concerns about your health

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.

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8 mo ago

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