In this clip, Dr. Theoharis Theoharides (@dr.theoharides) shares why it’s better to say mast cell activation rather than mast cell activation syndrome - because not everyone has elevated tryptase, and too many people are dismissed because of it. Don’t let a normal lab result be the reason you’re sent home without answers. Lead with symptoms. Lead with activation. Push for doctors who listen, even when the numbers don’t tell the full story. 🎧 Hear more from Dr. Theoharides and guest cohost, Dr. Pradeep Chopra, on the latest episode of Bendy Bodies - available wherever you get your podcasts. #MastCellActivation #MCAS #Tryptase #MastCellDisorder #HereditaryAlphaTryptasemia #HAT #ChronicIllnessAwareness #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #POTS #HypermobileEDS #HistamineIntolerance #InvisibleIllness #BendyBodiesPodcast #MedicalDismissal #ListenToPatients 📌 Medical Advice Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical care.

What if your brain fog, fatigue, and hypersensitivity weren’t “just anxiety”—but signs of a much deeper immune malfunction? In this episode, Dr. Pradeep Chopra co-hosts a rare and revealing conversation with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, the scientist who first discovered that mast cells communicate with microglia in the brain. Together, they dive into groundbreaking research on neuroinflammation, autism, histamine, stress, and why brain fog may not be “all in your head”—but inflammation inside it. From overlooked biomarkers to misunderstood triggers, this episode unpacks the science most doctors still don’t know… but patients desperately need Takeaways: What you didn’t know about the link between stress and mast cell activation in the brain. A surprising breakdown of how mast cells could be fueling neuroinflammation and foggy thinking. Why autism and MCAS might share more than we think—especially in early development. The overlooked role of environmental stressors in triggering immune responses that affect cognition. How one researcher’s journey into mast cells rewrote everything we thought we knew about inflammation. 00:00 Amazon's New Supplement Regulations 00:34 Introduction to the Bendy Bodies Podcast 02:15 Understanding Mast Cell Activation Disorders 09:03 Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation 40:04 Exploring Histamine and Parathyroid Hormone 41:40 Measuring Mast Cell Mediators 47:23 Histamine Intolerance and Supplements 53:42 Treatment Approaches for Mast Cell Activation Want more Dr. Theoharis Theoharides? Website: ⁠https://www.drtheoharides.com/⁠ Podcast Link: ⁠https://algonot.com/⁠ Blogs: ⁠https://www.nova.edu/nim/neuroinflammation-research/index.html⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoharis-theoharides-ms-phd-md-faaaai-67123735⁠ Want more Dr. Pradeep Chopra? Website: ⁠https://www.painri.com/⁠ Reference Episodes: Episode 70: ⁠https://youtu.be/BoRyQh12X2c⁠ Episode 71: ⁠https://youtu.be/yDT3JTzfiJk⁠ Episode 72: ⁠https://youtu.be/CYhnKkVjIxM⁠ Episode 73: ⁠https://youtu.be/2OxtZGNswfo⁠ Episode 77: ⁠https://youtu.be/d9A1aJB5GRo⁠Episode 139: ⁠https://youtu.be/u1pxvAzXh7M⁠ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠ Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.

We’re on The Road to 2026 - a global initiative sponsored by @ehlers.danlos, working toward an update to the 2017 International Classification of EDS. That 2017 publication was a major milestone. It shaped how we understand and diagnose hEDS and HSD - but we’ve learned so much since then. This new effort will: 🔹 Reevaluate what we know about all types of EDS and HSD 🔹 Identify research gaps and clinical needs 🔹 Improve access to diagnosis and care worldwide 🔹 Support faster, more accurate diagnoses The update is expected in 2026 (or perhaps late 2025), but in the meantime, remember: 🫶 Even as criteria evolve, your symptoms and quality of life are valid. 🧠 Your experience is real, with or without a diagnosis. ⭐️ Want to keep this conversation going? Add me to your favorites! ⭐️ #EDS #hEDS #HSD #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #HypermobilitySpectrumDisorder #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #EDS2026 #RoadTo2026 #EDSResearch #RareDisease #Hypermobility #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome #ChronicPain #HypermobilityAwareness #MedicalEducation #DiagnosisMatters #EhlersDanlosAwareness #TheEhlersDanlosSociety #DrLindaBluestein #BendyBulletin #BendyBodiesPodcast #PatientAdvocacy 📌 Medical Advice Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical care.

You asked. I answered. In this solo Q&A, I tackle some of the biggest and most misunderstood questions from our Bendy Bodies community. From toddlers flagged for autism to adults fighting for an EDS diagnosis, from altitude flares to functional neurologic disorder, this episode pulls no punches. I talk low-dose naltrexone (LDN), altitude hacks, medication struggles, and the quiet panic of a diagnosis that suddenly shifts under you. Plus, we look ahead to the 2026 hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) classification changes and the stigma that still haunts hypermobile bodies. Whether you're a patient, a provider, or somewhere in between—you’ll hear something in this episode that makes you feel seen. Takeaways: How the diagnosis of functional neurologic disorder (FND) is often misused—and what that means for bendy patients. What one family doctor learned when her toddler was flagged for autism... and EDS. The truth about low-dose naltrexone—and why it’s not a quick fix. Why a change in your diagnosis doesn’t change your reality. A life-saving strategy for traveling to high altitudes with EDS or POTS. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 02:14 Understanding Functional Neurologic Disorders (FND) 06:51 Misdiagnosis of EDS as FND 13:11 Diagnosing EDS in Young Children 26:22 Supporting Children with EDS at Home 30:16 Low-Dose Naltrexone: Uses and Considerations 38:31 Managing High Altitude Sickness with EDS Connect with YOUR Hypermobility Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠. Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠ Connect with the HypermobilityMD:  YouTube: ⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠sales@human-content.com⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.

On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, Dr. Eva Nagy explains how Breast Implant Illness (BII) can look a lot like hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), HSD (Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), and other systemic disorders. Here’s what you’ll learn: 💡 Common signs of BII and how it’s diagnosed 🔍 Why implants may trigger systemic inflammation and immune issues 🧬 How BII and hypermobility overlap—and what to do if you suspect it’s affecting you 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts! ⭐️ Want to keep this conversation going? Add me to your favorites! ⭐️ #BreastImplantIllness #BII #hEDS #MCAS #POTS #ChronicIllness #HypermobileEDS #MedicalGaslighting #WomensHealth #Autoimmune #BendyBodiesPodcast #BendyBulletin #InvisibleIllness #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ChronicFatigue #Fibromyalgia #JointPain #ConnectiveTissueDisorder #PatientAdvocacy 📌 Medical Advice Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical care.

What if your breast implants were silently fueling your fatigue, anxiety, rashes, or brain fog—and no one believed you? In this powerful episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with renowned breast surgeon Dr. Eva Nagy who’s become a global voice for patients suffering from Breast Implant Illness (BII). Together, they uncover the overlooked signs of mast cell activation, connective tissue involvement, immune dysregulation, and the invisible damage that can linger—even when scans look normal. Dr. Nagy breaks down the myths about “safe” implants, explains how BII can show up years—or hours—after surgery, and why removal must be done in a very specific way to truly heal. This episode exposes the real science behind BII, the staggering rate of gaslighting, and why so many hypermobile and chronically ill women are caught in this hidden epidemic. Takeaways: Her rash showed up the day she woke from surgery—what came next was worse. Silicone can migrate to your brain, lymph nodes… even your spinal cord. “Just anxiety”? One surgeon says no—and she has the pathology to prove it. A capsule left behind might mean years of symptoms—and one more surgery. When should breast implants be removed - even if there doesn't seem to be a problem Explant System Review Questionnaire: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18hA9TEQZlbIs8EP_wbOUSLc-mkjTO-q_/view 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:19 Understanding Breast Implant Illness 06:31 Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges 12:25 Surgical Considerations and Patient Experiences 31:43 Introduction and Sponsor Message 32:49 Understanding Breast Implant Illness (BII) 34:56 Surgical Techniques and Risks 37:44 Post-Surgery Recovery and Recommendations Want more Dr. Eva Nagy? Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067473308969⁠ Connect with YOUR Hypermobility Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠. Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠ Connect with the HypermobilityMD:  YouTube: ⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠sales@human-content.com⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.

Do you have chronic pain "down there"? Is intercourse painful? Do you have difficulty wearing tight pants or sitting? On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, Dr. Andrew T. Goldstein (@andrewtgoldstein and @the.cvvd) dives deep into vestibulectomy—a surgical option that’s often misunderstood in the world of chronic pain. Here’s what you need to know: 🩺 There are many nonsurgical treatments for vulvar and vestibular pain although many doctors are not familiar with them. 🩺 Very few patients are ideal candidates for vestibulectomy surgery. Careful, expert evaluation is critical—because not all pain is the same. 🩺 For those who are candidates, outcomes are overwhelmingly positive one year after surgery, with many patients experiencing life-changing relief. If you’re living with chronic vulvar or vestibular pain, know that there are options—and the right diagnosis is the first step. ⭐️ If you don’t want to miss a post, add me to your favorites! ⭐️ #Vestibulectomy #VulvarPain #PelvicPain #WomenHealth #ChronicPain #PelvicHealthAwareness #Vulvodynia #VulvarPainAwareness #PelvicHealthAdvocate #ChronicPainSupport #DrAndrewGoldstein #PelvicPainTreatment #MedicalAdvocacy #BendyBodiesPodcast 📌 Medical Advice Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical care.

What if the pain you’ve been told to ignore… was actually coming from your hips, your spine—or your immune system? In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Andrew Goldstein, an expert in sexual pain disorders, to unravel the misunderstood causes of vulvar and pelvic pain in people with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) , and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Dr. Goldstein reveals why the traditional diagnosis of “vulvodynia” might be missing the real problem, and how factors like labral tears, pudendal nerve compression, Tarlov cysts, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, nerve proliferation, and mast cell disorders can all converge into debilitating pain—and be completely overlooked. He explains why pelvic floor physical therapy sometimes fails, when Botox is a game-changer, and how stigma and misinformation continue to prevent EDS patients from receiving proper care. If you've ever been told "it's all in your head"—this episode proves it’s not. And it might be the roadmap you've been searching for. Takeaways: You might not feel hip pain at all—but your clitoris, rectum, or vulva will. A cyst that’s left off your MRI report could be ruining your life. That pain during intimacy? It could be nerve sprouting—and it's not your fault. When physical therapy fails, it may not be the therapy’s fault. He’s performed 1,300+ surgeries. Here’s how he decides if you really need one. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 03:20 Understanding Vulvodynia and Pelvic Pain 06:46 Hypermobility and Pelvic Pain 23:43 Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Dysautonomia 38:29 Challenges in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy 40:37 Botox and Other Treatment Options 45:08 Understanding Vestibular Issues and Treatments 52:59 Listener Questions and Final Thoughts Reference Links: Ep 130 with Dr. Goldstein: ⁠https://youtu.be/csiK_Zmb_hk⁠ Ep 116 with Dr. Feigenbaum: ⁠https://youtu.be/Uq4OrVa6deM⁠ ⁠https://www.gyncancer.org/⁠ ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd/list/2LQLPARJY3CDS?ref_=aipsflist⁠ ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23875629/⁠ ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23577645/⁠ ⁠https://www.isswsh.org/⁠ Want more Dr. Andrew Goldstein? Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.cvvd/⁠ Connect with YOUR Hypermobility Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠. Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠ Connect with the HypermobilityMD:  YouTube: ⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠sales@human-content.com⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.