Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a genetic disorder affecting every connective tissue in the body. The body of an individual with EDS cannot properly form collagen, the "glue" that holds the body together. The resulting weakness causes many debilitating symptoms and an array of disorders may accompany EDS.
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Some individuals with EDS, such as the author of this site (Susan S), can also have Cranio-Spinal Instability. This complication is a lack of stability of the neck and skull, and the skull may sink down onto the brain, forcing the cerebellum out of the skull creating a condition called cranial settling (also sported by Susan S).  Hence, it seems like the brains are falling into the butt!  The resulting pressure on the cerebellum and the brainstem progressively damages both structures over time. In addition to this, the odontoid bone in the neck, due to lack of stability, may push backwards into the brainstem, causing further damage.

The cerebellum controls the body's sensory processing center. The brainstem controls the autonomic nervous system, or all the body's functions that you do without thinking. Dysautonomia, or the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, often results from damage to these vital parts of the brain. This can affect all of the body's organ systems.All of these disorders can occur in conjunction with each other, and combined they can cause all the symptoms listed here, and many more: Severe headache and neck pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and/or vomiting, vertigo, palpitations, difficulty swallowing, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, muscle weakness, poor temperature regulation, and seizures.

All-in-all, this is not a good thing to have.  Unfortunately, too many people with EDS struggle with droopy brains. Read more about the author CLICK HERE .

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I spend most of my time creating digital art on my iPad and MacBook Pro.  It allows me to better direct the focus of my attention away from my body which is usually in pain. CLICK HERE

I’VE WORKED SINCE I WAS 16 YEARS OLD AND NEVER IMAGINED LIFE WITHOUT A JOB. NOT ONLY DID I ALWAYS HAVE A JOB, BUT ALMOST ALL OF MY IDENTITY WAS SYNONYMOUS WITH MY WORK. GIVING UP MY CAREER WAS THE HARDEST THING I EVER HAD TO DO IN MY LIFE. THIS MARKED THE BEGINNING OF MY BATTLE WITH FINDING A NEW IDENTITY.

Read about Susan's journeys through debilitating chronic illness. CLICK HERE