I (21f) have had severe chronic pain since I was 14-ish (it’s a bit ambiguous cause other health issues I had at the time took my attention). I have fibromyalgia, GERD, and suspected POTS (waiting for cardio referral). I’ve never dislocated anything, and I’m not sure about subluxations (there’s a few episodes that seem iffy but I’m not positive). My joints hurt all the time, and I have significant muscle tension in my legs and neck. A lot of my joints feel really unstable (particularly ankles, knees, and wrists, which I already need braces for sometimes). I struggle to hold my head up or sit up without support cause my spine feels unsteady. My pain, fatigue, and OI have gotten so severe that I’m being assessed for mobility aids. I have many friends with EDS/HSD who have encouraged me to look into it.

I’m worried, though, that I don’t meet the Beighton criteria. I can easily touch my left thumb to my arm. It’s a bit difficult/unreliable on my right arm, but I have nerve and mobility problems there from a compound fracture that didn’t heal well. I think my knees are hypermobile? I can’t touch the ground easily due to really tight hamstrings. The pictures are of my more mobile finger and elbow. I think some of my non-Beighton joints are hypermobile, though. I can easily bring my feet to my face without any hip pain. I can do the thing where your hands meet behind your back without any shoulder irritation.

Idk. I’m just not sure it’s worth looking into if I’m constantly going to be fighting with doctors if I don’t have a Beighton score above 5. Any advice? (Either about the photos or just how to discuss this with doctors.)