Finally diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos at 56

I was recently diagnosed with hEDS. I am 56 and have been trying to figure out my chronic pain for about 13 years. I have had 3 diagnoses in that time. The first rheumatologists I went to told me I have loose joints and I should take tylenol. The next one diagnosed me with Lupus and I went through years of infusions, all to no avail. The same clinic then said I had ankylosing spondolitis, with more infusions. Still no relief. During this time my back was deteriorating. I have stenosis, bulging disk, ruptured tendons, bone spurs with 2 foot surgeries. This year I finally went to my last rheumatologist. Who told me I definitely am hypermobile and she referred me to a pain doctor. The pain doctor told me I should see Dr. David Saperstein, who works out of Phoenix only a few miles away. I got an appointment but it was like 8 months away and he doesn't take any insurance. I weighed the pros and cons and decided to go ahead and see him. When I finally did get to see him and his clinic, I was diagnosed with hEDS.

After years of being dismissed or misdiagnosed I finally got an answer and have been able to get accommodations at work and start PT at a clinic that understands how to treat me. I feel so fortunate that I was able to be vigilant and afford this final diagnosis. I hope that the medical community can eventually catch up this illness and also that women will stop being told that their pain isn't real. So many doctors that I've seen just look at me as though I was either making up my pain or at the very least exaggerating. I'm on lots of pain medication now and learning how to work through that but feel like I have turned a corner.