Dr Alan Hakim 2021-05-13 Person 5 5 0

I went to see Dr Alan Hakim at the Platinum Medical Centre at the end of April 2021, it was the first time that I had seen an EDS specialist even though I had several symptoms since childhood, and it was the first time that a Doctor was so thorough and had taken such great care and looked at all of my symptoms and separate diagnosis and test results, and put them all together – everything made more sense. It was a relief to be finally diagnosed with hEDS at aged 45! Dr Alan hakim was warm, welcoming and made me feel comfortable, listened to and validated, he read my notes about symptoms, medical history, medications and treatments that I have tried, and diagnosis letters/test results that I sent him before the face-to-face appointment, and so he had quite a good idea of my medical history and current level of health before I went in (and asked questions about it throughout the appointment). Dr Hakim’s personal assistant, Paul, was always very helpful in emails, and made things easy for me to understand before and after the appointment. Dr Alan Hakim gave a thorough examination of my joints and skin before diagnosing me with hEDS, and explained what the combination of generalised hypermobility and unstable joints meant for me, including how it effected some of my co morbidities that are commonly found in people with hEDS, such as PoTS and Dystonia, and how physiotherapy specialising in hypermobility and EDS could help whereas other general physiotherapy could not or could harm – this gave me a hope that I did not have before as general physiotherapy did not help my joints (and certain moved made them less stable and more in pain afterwards) and made my fatigue worse. He referred me to Central Health Physiotherapy and I now have an appointment to see the very experienced Jason Parry, which again gives me some hope (albeit realistic - not expecting too much of my body!). Dr Alan Hakim answered all of the questions that I had written down for him, and in his clinic letter suggested referrals for my GP to make for specific further investigation and treatment with the rare NHS specialists who have a good knowledge of EDS. I feel like I am now in very safe hands and finally have found a Dr who understands not only the hEDS symptoms but also how best to try to move further forward for possible improvements in certain areas.