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23 Signs You Grew Up With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ever go through photographs of childhood and ask yourself the question, 23 Signs You Grew Up With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Why could I bend sideways like that? or “Why did I always get over my own feet? You are nodding your head which may have been something you didn’t even have to play: Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS). This has nothing to do with being simply more flexible or awkward. It is of a state that in a way, silently permeates the joints, the skin, and even the wiring inside of you even before you noticed. In this case we will take the tour of 23 signs you grew up with EDS the ones that this blog undertook, and others it has not. And you may find by the end you may say, Whoa, that was me. Or at least go, “Ook, this makes a lot of sense. Take a nice chair: we are getting down.
- Commonplace flexibility of the party trick.
We used to strut in front of your friends by bending your thumb back, or even touching your thumb and your wrist? This was not fun of an early hypermobility of the joints and that was weird. This is characterized by a number of sources as a hallmark of EDS. In case you could make funny faces and you thought, Why is it that I can do something that nobody can do? mark this one.
- Chronic falls, slips or ineptitude.
Perhaps you were that child: always clumsily falling, falling over the air, falling on walls. The Ehlers, Danziger Support UK has claimed that children with EDS may experience difficulties with mobility, strength and balance, such that heavy bag and regular walks are difficult. Not just being uncoordinated — we’re talking about body instability signaling joints that don’t always “lock” properly.
- Premature support or braces.
When you had to wear an ankle brace, knee strap or wrist support way younger than the rest of the population, it may have been than a bad sprain. Other blogs list braces as a symptom of EDS. Have you taken photos in your childhood: do you see supports? Were you forced to give up sports at a young age since everything was sore or something did not work?
- Joints that popped, clicked or sounded.
It was as though your body had in inbuilt sound effects: snapping shoulders, knee cracks. One report on the EDS symptoms in the child aged: joint instability + hypermobility = clicking/noises. This may have been more than habit had friends asked you to stop cracking your joints.
- Loose or wobbly joints
You may have experienced a knee or shoulder giving out without any significant cause. One of the obvious indications of EDS as listed by the NHS is loose, unstable joints which are easily dislocated. This is not flexibility per se but instability, which you were likely aware of at least internally.
- Pains in joints
Everyone gets aches. However, when you complained about your joint/muscle pains in the presence of friends and this time around you did not complain of pain; more so immediately after walking about or sports, it is worth noting. Studies observe that individuals with EDS usually wait longer to diagnosis due to the fact that the pain is attributed to growing pains. If your parent said “you’ll grow out of it” and you never did… this one hits.
- poor wound healing or easily bruised.
You banged your knee up and you were all scratched as though you fought in a war. A bruising skin is one of the symptoms of EDS that has been well documented. Also seek scars which healed in an unusual or retarded manner. That’s in the accounts too.
- Elastic or touchy texture of skin.
Were they saying that your skin was extra soft or rubber like? The latter might be skin hyper extensibility. Stretchy skin is one of the primary medical sites as a criterion of classical EDS. When you stretched the skin on your forearm and it stretched more than ordinary there is a pointer.
- Fine motor skill trouble
Getting messy writing, not using buttons, not able to fit clothing shoelaces on, not because you were lazy, just because your joints or muscles did not co-operate. Other sources report of having a problem with fine motor skills as a result of hypermobility in joints. Not listed often Among elementary entries, a novelty.
- Floppy baby/toddler/phase or retarded milestones.
Perhaps you did not crawl, or you sat too late or walked too late, or you were too floppy in your looks compared to your playmates. Pediatric EDS medical data involve inhibited motor development and hypotonia (low muscle tone). In case the early childhood was not right, not only in the joints but also movement timing, it suits.
- Chronic fatigue even as a kid
You had an active appearance and by noon were exhausted. Studies in children/adolescents with hypermobile EDS cite fatigue as one of the key determinants in quality of lifestyle. It is not merely lazy afternoon, but hard wired body on extra overtime.
- IBS type/digestive problems youngish.
Having a tummy which tends to take over your day, constipation, bloating, reflux as well as joint weirdness, it could be at all associated with EDS. According to clinic sources, gastrointestinal issues are common in EDS affected children. It is strange to go back, but when the muscles and bones become wayward, so is your intestine.
- Lightheadedness or palpitations of the heart its ups and downs
You stood too quick, your head turned or your heart went? Other children with EDS report feeling dizzy or having a racing heart (dysautonomia). Should the balloon you live in, your everything is fine, pop when you got up — mark it.
- Consternation, mood disorders related to body struggles.
When you were second guessing the body you might have thought, Everyone hurts like this? Research indicates that children affected with EDS usually have some anxiety/depression in addition to physical symptoms. Not really a cause, but your body misbehaving may confuse your head that is a fact.
- Sensual idiosyncrasy or hypersensitivity (sound/light/touch)
Perhaps, tags were annoying you, it was hotter, the light was painful, friends shook their heads. Certain sources note that EDM has sensory processing problems. It is not often found in simple lists of it but it is a good one to know.
- As a child had flat feet, or high heels.
Foot shape odd? You were informed that you require orthotics? One clinic mentions flatfoot as one of EDS symptoms. Feet have a great deal of joint load weird feet= warning sign.
- Arthritis or degeneration of the joints at an early age.
In case your coach had scowled at you, saying you were too young to have knee pain when you had it EDS could be the cause. According to medical sources, arthritis at an early age is one of the possible complications.
- Dental/orthodontic weirdness
Crowded teeth, high arched palate, gum problems. The dental/orthodontic problems of EDS are reported in the hospital records of children. When your orthodontist could never believe your case: pay attention.
- Poor positioning and leaning and support seeking.
Maybe you hung on to chairs, leaned against walls, you always changed places with a cushion. Children with EDS tend to lean on objects due to weakness or instability as mentioned in table based sources. In case you could not sit without any support, this one is real.
- Skin scars which appeared strange or not healing fast.
A cut left a long wide scar. Your wound took ages. Slow wound healing is an EDS sign which is mentioned on clinic sites.
Children’s Health Don’t ignore the skin story.
- Hernia, prolapse or organ slip (afterwards).
This symptom may occur later in life, but in childhood, there usually is foreshadowing (e.g. hernia repair in adolescents). It is reported that organ or tissue laxity manifests itself in EDM.
Patient In case you had hernia surgery in high school say this one.
- Loose joints or rubbery skin in the family.
Perhaps your aunt, grandfather or sister always mocked that they were double jointed. A family history is important since most of the types of EDS are genetic. Medical history: Familial in most instances.
Cleveland Clinic Do not overlook the idiosyncrasy of your relatives they count.
- Something not to be added was physical.
This one does not occur in the “catalogue” of signs but it is essential. The internal experience of physical otherness, slower recuperations, more pains, why is my body doing that is typical of adults who were later diagnosed.
In case you looked back at childhood and thought Hmm, I was the odd one, that is enough.
FAQs
Q: If I had half these signs, do I definitely have EDS?
No. Having some signs might point toward it — but many signs overlap with other disorders. This list is a guide for possible awareness, not a diagnosis.
Q: I never had any obvious joint dislocations. Could I still have EDS?
Yes. Some types of EDS present subtly. According to Children’s Hospital, classical/hypermobile types can show milder symptoms early on.
So absence of major dislocations doesn’t rule it out.
Q: I’m an adult — can I still look back and say “that was me”?
Absolutely. Many people only get diagnosed in adulthood even though their symptoms started in childhood. Studies show delays between symptom onset and diagnosis.
Looking back helps with understanding and moving forward.
Q: What should I do if I recognise a lot of these signs?
Consider talking to a medical professional (someone familiar with EDS) or a genetic specialist. You can bring your history, the signs you remember and ask for evaluation. Early recognition often means better management.
Q: Is there a cure?
No known cure for EDS yet. But many treatments and strategies (physical therapy, lifestyle adjustments, braces/supports) help manage symptoms. The focus is full body care rather than a “fix”.
Final thoughts
Being raised with EDS is not about being excessively bendy and weird. It is concerning a body that is requesting you to listen. One of the joints aches, one of the bruises remains, One of the worries bothers. You are not dreaming and you have realized a lot of the signs of 23 above. Your body was talking. And now you’re listening. That matters. Take one step at a time asking a doctor, keeping the list and reflecting upon history. You need answers and your body needs to be handled.