Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Chronic Pain, and Complex Symptoms
Many patients who live with chronic pain have spent years searching for answers. Some have been diagnosed with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, joint pain, chronic fatigue, or widespread musculoskeletal pain, yet still feel that the full picture has not been understood.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, often referred to as EDS, is a group of connective tissue disorders that can affect the joints, skin, blood vessels, and other body systems. Hypermobile EDS and related hypermobility spectrum disorders may be associated with joint instability, chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness, and other complex symptoms.
At Chicago Pain Medicine Center, we recognize that patients with complex pain conditions often need careful listening, thoughtful evaluation, and an individualized treatment approach. While EDS is not always easy to diagnose or manage, identifying patterns of hypermobility, pain, fatigue, and associated symptoms can be an important step toward better care.
This page was created to provide education, awareness, and patient perspectives about EDS and chronic pain. The videos below feature patient experiences and discussions intended to help others feel less alone, better informed, and more empowered to ask the right questions about their health.
These videos are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis or personalized medical advice. If you are experiencing chronic pain, joint instability, unexplained fatigue, headaches, dizziness, or other persistent symptoms, we encourage you to speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Our goal is to help patients find clarity, maintain hope, and pursue practical paths toward improved function and quality of life.
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Looking for unicorns…
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EDS Is NOT rare!
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It is VERY common. It is just not frequently recognized because the science has not been there to test and confirm the genetics on everyone.
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Everyone has been focused on the individual symptoms, which actually fall under the big umbrella of connective or collagen-vascular disease:
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Systemic & Neurological: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, headaches/migraines, neuropathy, MS, OCD, ADD, anxiety & depression, neurodivergence (Aspergers/autism).
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Cardiovascular & Autonomic: Dizziness, low blood pressure, fast heart rate (POTS), vertigo, varicose veins, stroke (aneurysm), heart murmurs/valves, peripheral vascular disease.
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Musculoskeletal: Flat feet, dislocating joints, knock-knees/bow-leggedness, scoliosis/hunch back, throat spasms, cracking knuckles.
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Gastrointestinal & Urogenital: Irritable bowel, fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, anemia (heavy uterine bleeding), prolapsed bladder, psychogenic irritable bladder.
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Integumentary (Skin) & Dental: Obesity, keloids, poor teeth and gum disease, poor wound healing, eczema, skin hypersensitivies, scar pain.
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Ocular: Astigmatism, lazy eyes, detachment of retina.
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Autoimmune/Endocrine: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism.
...to name just a few.
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Unicorns DO exist — they are everywhere, we just haven't been looking through the correct lens!
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Hint: Look for the creative, interesting folks with the colorful hair and listen for the sound of cracking knuckles!
