Who am I and what is this blog about?

My name is Rachael Ralston. I am 15 years old.  I love to be with my friends, scrapbook, read, shop and do my school work.... oh yeah I am also in a wheelchair most of the time and I dislocate joints about 20 times a day... yep you read right 20 times a day. I have a lot of medical conditions and they don't just affect my joints, they affect my skin, inner organs, eyes and cause my constant grief... but I want to make it clear I am HAPPY!

So what are these medical conditions? I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 7 (Arthochalisia), Hypothyroidism, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, Osteoarthritis, Gastroparesis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Slipping Rib Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

So what are all these conditions?

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 7 (Arthochalisia): With Ehlers Danlos Syndrome it causes the collagen and connective tissue to be damaged. This causes: Joint dislocations and subluxations, the blood vessels to be damaged, the heart valves to be damaged, my skin to be sensitive, severe chronic pain, hypermobility, and most of the time people with EDS are unable to function normally due to the pain and dislocations.

Hypothyroidism: I can not control my body temperature, paleness of the skin (especially when sore or tired), weakness and bloating.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia: This condition causes me a lot of problems. The symptoms for me are: lightheadedness, fainting, weakness, tachycardia, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, seizures, fatigue, headaches, sleep problems, cold hands and feet, chills, noise sensitivity, light sensitivity, loss of appetite, muscle aches, weight loss, restless leg syndrome.

Osteoarthritis: This causes me pain in a lot of joints, it is in my jaw as well and sometimes it causes me to be unable to chew food.

Gastroparesis: Inability to digest food, nausea, vomiting, weight loss. This condition can cause malnutrition and dehydration.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome causes clumsiness when gripping objects, numbness, tingling, pain going up to the elbow, pain in the wrist and thumb, weakness.

Slipping Rib Syndrome: This causes a lot of rib pain, sometimes it feels like you are having a heart attack.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Intense burning pain, change in skin temperature, muscle spasms and muscle wasting

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Extreme tiredness, feeling unrefreshed after sleep, forgetfulness, concentration problems, confusion, fevers for no reason, muscle aches, muscle weakness, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

Fibromyalgia: Painful areas call tender points, fatigue, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, headaches

So they are the conditions I have and the symptoms they cause. The most serious ones for me are Ehlers Danlos, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia and Gastroparesis.

I have made this blog so that people with these conditions know they are not alone and so that family and friends can keep up on what is happening with me. I will do posts aimed at people with these conditions, some aimed at friends and family, some aimed at the general public, and some for everybody.

Please continue to read my blog. Within the next couple of weeks I hope for it to be completely up and running!

Hugs,
Rachael