Hypermobility MD

Happy Pride Month. 🌈

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and heard when seeking healthcare.

Yet research shows that many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience delays in diagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, or avoid medical care altogether because of prior negative experiences.

For people living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, hypermobility, or chronic pain, those barriers can make an already difficult journey even harder.

As clinicians, we have an opportunity to listen without assumptions, create affirming spaces, and recognize that every patient's experience is shaped by more than a diagnosis alone.

If you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community and searching for answers, you deserve care that sees the whole person, not just the symptoms.

What does affirming healthcare look like to you? I'd love to hear your perspective.



📌 This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Please consult your own healthcare professional for personalized medical care.

ID: Rainbow-themed Pride Month graphic discussing inclusive healthcare for LGBTQIA+ individuals living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, hypermobility, and chronic pain. The post emphasizes respectful, affirming care and the importance of listening to the whole patient.

What if your migraines, GI symptoms, dizziness, flushing, and reactions weren't separate problems at all?

That possibility is one reason I was honored to contribute to a newly published review on mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a condition that remains widely misunderstood and, in many cases, underrecognized.

For many patients, the journey looks familiar. They see multiple specialists, receive multiple diagnoses, and are told that their testing is "normal," yet no one explanation seems to connect the dots.

MCAS is not simply an allergy disorder. Mast cells interact with the immune system, nervous system, blood vessels, connective tissue, and gastrointestinal tract, which means symptoms can affect multiple organ systems.

This is particularly important for those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, where MCAS, dysautonomia, and gastrointestinal dysfunction frequently overlap.

Recognition matters because the right diagnosis can change the conversation and, for many patients, the treatment plan.

I've shared a deeper analysis, along with downloadable graphics and resources, in this week's newsletter. The link is in my bio.

Have you ever had multiple seemingly unrelated symptoms that were eventually connected by a single diagnosis? I'd love to hear your experience.



📌 This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Please consult your own healthcare professional for personalized medical care.

ID: Educational graphic discussing mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and why it is often missed. The post explains that MCAS can affect multiple body systems, frequently overlaps with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and dysautonomia, and highlights the importance of recognizing patterns that may connect seemingly unrelated symptoms.

She was told it was anxiety.

Depression.

Maybe she just needed stronger pain medication.

But that was not the whole story.

On last week’s episode of Bendy Bodies, I spoke with Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff, joined by cohost Dr. Dacre Knight of UVA Health about why we have to look deeper when symptoms do not make sense.

Dr. Plotnikoff shared the unforgettable story of a 35-year-old mother of two whose pain and weakness kept getting worse.

For years, she searched for answers.

Her symptoms progressed to the point where she could barely stand at the kitchen counter.

And still, the explanation she kept receiving was that this was anxiety, depression, or a pain medication problem.

When Dr. Plotnikoff met her, he recognized something others had missed:

Severe vitamin D deficiency.

With appropriate treatment, her health dramatically improved.

Of course, most cases of vitamin D deficiency are not this dramatic.

And weakness should never be assumed to be “just” vitamin D deficiency. Progressive weakness deserves a careful medical evaluation, including neurologic assessment when appropriate, to look for other possible causes.

But this story is still a powerful reminder:

Symptoms deserve thoughtful evaluation.

Especially when someone has been dismissed.

Especially when the story does not add up.

Especially when the answer may be hiding in something as “basic” as a nutrient deficiency.

Have you ever had a diagnosis, deficiency, or medical explanation discovered only after years of being dismissed?



📌 Medical information shared for educational purposes only. This post is not medical advice. New, worsening, or progressive weakness should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

ID: Screenshots from the Bendy Bodies podcast featuring Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff speaking into a microphone with a headset while discussing medical dismissal, progressive weakness, vitamin D deficiency, and the importance of looking deeper for underlying causes.

Migraine is not "just a headache."

It is a complex neurological condition that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, making it one of the most common and disabling health conditions on the planet.

Yet many people living with migraine still hear things like:
"Have you tried drinking more water?"
"Maybe you're just stressed."
"It can't be that bad."

Migraines can affect work, relationships, sleep, concentration, physical activity, and overall quality of life. And because they are invisible, many people suffer without others understanding what they're experiencing.

The good news? Understanding your unique patterns can make a meaningful difference.

Tracking symptoms, identifying triggers, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated, and working with a knowledgeable healthcare professional can all be important parts of a comprehensive migraine management plan.

This Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, let's help increase understanding, reduce stigma, and support those living with migraine and other headache disorders.

💬 If you experience migraines or chronic headaches, what is one thing you wish more people understood about them?

Save this post for future reference and share it to help spread awareness.



📌 Medical information provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding your individual situation.

Don’t miss this exciting new MCAS peer-reviewed journal article led by the incredible Dr Lawrence Afrin. I’m honored to be a coauthor! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Have you read "Progress in mast cell activation syndrome: the global consensus-2 diagnostic criteria at six years?"

Grateful for the continued MCAS research, patient care, and advocacy of Dr. Afrin, Dr. Blitshteyn, Dr. Bluestein, Dr. Dempsey, Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Miller, Dr. Nagy , Dr. Nugent, Dr. Schofield, Dr. Weinstock, Dr. Xi and Dr. Molderings.

https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/dx-2026-0016/html

“The lower the vitamin D, the higher the risk of injury and the slower the recovery.”

On today’s episode of Bendy Bodies I spoke with Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff alongside Dr. Dacre Knight of UVA Health about the critical role vitamin D plays in muscle function, bone health, tendon health, recovery, and overall performance.

Dr. Plotnikoff explains why vitamin D deficiency is often overlooked, especially in artists, athletes, performers, and highly active people who may be dealing with recurrent injuries, fatigue, pain, or prolonged recovery without realizing a deficiency could be contributing.

He also shares why vitamin D is one of the simplest things to evaluate proactively.

As Dr. Plotnikoff explains, no one wants to miss performances, training, competitions, or months of practice because of a preventable deficiency-related issue.

Vitamin D is not a cure-all, but it can be an important piece of the puzzle for some patients.

Have you had your vitamin D level checked? Did it seem to unexpectedly impact your symptoms, recovery, or overall health?



📌 Medical information shared for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.

VD: Podcast reel featuring Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff speaking into a microphone with a headset while discussing vitamin D deficiency, injury risk, recovery, muscle function, and why vitamin D testing may be important for athletes, performers, and active individuals.