My Flare-Up Toolkit

What I Reach For When hEDS Hits Hard

Living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) means walking a daily tightrope of energy, pain levels, and unpredictable symptoms. One minute you’re just getting through the day like anyone else — the next, your joints are subluxing, your muscles are spasming, and fatigue hits like a truck. Over time, I’ve learned to accept that flare-ups are part of this condition. But that doesn’t mean I have to be caught off guard.

That’s why I created a Flare-Up Toolkit — a small but mighty collection of items and comforts that help me cope when my hEDS symptoms escalate. I keep it accessible at home and adapt a travel-sized version for when I’m on the go. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps me feel a little more in control and a lot less alone.

Here’s what’s in mine: