Question
Hi Barbara,

Although I am only 37 years old, I feel I am aging in "dog years".  With my first (hernia) surgery at age twelve, I have just recently had my thirteenth surgery (with complications of course).  Recently I decided to request ALL of my doctor's records from all 28 providers and hospitals so I can hopefully find a doctor to put the pieces together and figure out why I am needing all of these surgeries.  I feel like my body has just been falling apart over the past 25 years.  Having had 2 hernia surgeries, 2 bunionectomies due to flat feet causing nerve pain, 3 rhinoplasties due to lack of cartilage in my nose as well as a deviated septum, knee surgery, cystocele, rectocele, hysterectomy, hemrrhoidectomy ... I'm starting to think there is more to it than just each doctor deciding to take a piece of the pie (my money).  What type of doctor should I take the hundreds of pages of my medical history to for them to try to find the answer?  One doctor suggested researching Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but the doctors here in our City seem to be clueless about it.  Is that possibly what I'm dealing with?  I'm still having complications (bleeding and non-healing wounds from the last surgery I had three months ago in September).  I haven't been able to work since because of the complications.  Any suggestions?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Most doctors are clueless about EDS.  Your best bet to find a doctor familiar with EDS is to ask for referrals from the CEDA (Canadian Ehlers Danlos Association) e-mail group.  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ceda/  Don't let the name fool you, it's run out of Canada, but there are members all over the world and many in the USA.

I am not a doctor, so I can't confirm your suspicions on whether this is EDS or not, but is sounds plausible from your descriptions.  To read more on EDS, go to:

http://www.edstoday.org

http://www.ednf.org

http://www.ehlers-danlos.org

Feel free to contact me any time with more questions.  I'm happy to help.