I was diagnosed with hypermobile joint syndrome a few years ago by Prof Bird (now retired). Knowing why I suffer from pain has been helpful in getting the medical profession to help without looking at me as though I was mad. I am very sensitive to progesterone. This means that I need to avoid hormone pills and coils as they cause my ligaments to relax even more than normal as make me more liable to damage. I now can track the pattern of my pain to my menstrual cycle so I plan things so I can take it easy when my progesterone levels are higher when I'm due on.
With regard to splints etc. I recently got a pair of old fashioned callipers from the orthotic department - they were very surprised that I was happy to wear them but you can't really see them under long trousers and I look less silly with them then I did when I was loosing my balance all the time! I also have neck and wrist splints and knee braces, but I try not to wear these as wearing them too much can lessen the muscle strength and cause more problems. xx
