By lorad99 on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 11:37 am:

Hi everyone,

I was shocked to find out last night by reading a report from a rheumatologist I saw that I have hypermobile joints in my fingers. He never mentioned this to me when I saw him almost 2 years ago, and I've since seen another rheumy who never mentioned it. I have been diagnosed with "undifferentiated collagen vascular disease" and I don't know how hypermobile joints factors in to my problems, but I do know that my hands are very painful and swollen all the time. I'm on prednisone, methotrexate injections, Plaquenil, folic acid, Lortab, Nu-Iron, and need to be on calcium soon for my CVD. Still, my hands bother me every day and I type for a living so having a hand problem is devastating for me, especially being that I'm 26 years old and not ready to give up my career.

Does anyone have any advice to offer on hypermobile joints and different treatments? I don't know whether you even treat this disease or what; I really don't know much about it at all. I have had a shoulder dislocation before, though, and several knee dislocations in the past, so maybe that has something to do with this?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

By Sheena on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 08:38 am:

I don't have personal experience of hand problems, but I want to offer some support! Can you see someone sypmathetic, preferably with some experience of HMS, for example a physiotherapist? Which country do you live in? I know you don't want to give up your career. Is it possible to take your leave and get 3 or 4 weeks complete rest for your hands? Rest is the most effective treatment I find when my problems become acute. Also, read as much as you can on the internet and maybe you can find someone with more relevant experience to share.

Best of luck!
Sheena

By Ian on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 11:16 am:

To Lorad99
It seems to me that you need a better diagnosis of your problem. With the dislocations and the pain it seems to me that you fit into the HMS/EDS classification. That being the case there is more you need to do than taking pills.

It is possible to get support items for many parts of your body and this includes wrist and fingers. A form of glove with small extensions for the base of the fingers could well help you.

As Sheena asks - what country are you in?

Regards, Ian (mercedes_nz@yahoo.com)

By sofie on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 11:00 am:

Hi,
At my job I have to type also and when my fingers dislocate (that's almost every working day) I tape them around the middle fingerjoint, not the thumb, with normal tape. And untill now this is the best solution. I can do everything except writing with my fingers taped. For my wrist I used braces for a while but then my ellbow dislocated after some time. Now I use a normal wristbandage (for sports) and for now it works perfectly.
Take care!

By lorad99 on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 02:09 pm:

Hi everyone,

I appreciate your responses, but think there may be a misunderstanding. I don't take medications for this hypermobility problem...I'm taking medications for my collagen vascular disease. I'd be in a lot of trouble if I didn't take it. I just wonder what significance hypermobile fingers accounts into this problem with collagen vascular disease; I don't think my doctors see it as a big deal, I think they just see my CVD as my primary problem, so I was just asking for that reason. I haven't tried any braces or anything, b/c I didn't know what I'd do, and I've seen no dislocations in my fingers, but my doctors just typed in one of my notes that I had hypermobile fingers/hyperextended joints. So, I was just wondering what difference it makes in the grand scheme of things. I do live in the USA.

Thanks for your help!

By Leen Peetermans on Sunday, October 24, 2004 - 12:40 pm:

HMS/EDS is a collagen disease that can give problems every where in the body where there is collagen. The hypermobility in the fingers can be a result of the same collagen disease which now they only diagnosed vascular. I think you have to see a good dokter.

By Az on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:47 pm:

Diseases in which inflammation or weakness of collagen tends to occur are also referred to as collagen diseases. Collagen vascular disease is a somewhat antiquated term used to describe diseases of the connective tissues that typically include diseases which can be (but are not necessarily) associated with blood vessel abnormalities. Connective tissue diseases can have strong or weak inheritance risks

Connective tissue diseases that are strictly due to genetic inheritance include Marfan's syndrome (can have tissue abnormalities in the heart, aorta, lungs, eyes, and skeleton), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (many types, may have loose, fragile skin or loose [hyperextensible] joints or HMS.
Sounds like you have a typical doctor who uses ancient words. Since they have always used Latin what else would you expect? lol
To help ease the finger pain/injury you can buy finger splints. The best I have heard about are silver ring splints. www.silverringsplint.com

By Barbara Tschudy on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:31 pm:

Hi.
I'm new. I was aware that I had hypermobility in my fingers, i.e., I can take my fingers and pull them all the way backwards in a really odd looking position. Especially both ring fingers. Anyway, I am taking a phlebotomy class, and the instructor is telling the class how to hold the "holder" to inject the needle into the vein. It seems that I cannot for the life of me, hold it in the "cocktail" position like she and the rest of the class can! It's weird, I know, but it surely is not helping me to have to hold it that way. I just can't do it! I don't feel comfortable or have leverage at all! But imagine trying to hold this holder and needle and because of the way my fingers "stretch" I just can't do it. I am afraid to tell the instructor that I honestly do think that is the reason I cannot hold it like she asks! She'll think I'm nuts, I know. What do you suggest I do? Anyone? Thanks! Barb

By Michelle on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:54 pm:

Barb,
You might try taping your fingers, so they don't hyperextend. Or for a more permanent solution, look into Silver Rings Splints. http://www.silverringsplint.com

But I'd really suggest that you talk to your instructor, and find a different way to hold the holder - espcially if it's straining your joints. Just because you have to use a technique that is safe for the patient doesn't mean you have to use a technique that is dangerous for you. If the instructor isn't cooperative, you might contact the student disability office or similar service for your institution.

Michelle