Let's Talk About The POTS life

Living with chronic pain, hypermobility, POTS, or other complex conditions can make it difficult to connect the dots. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Linda Bluestein, a board-certified physician specializing in connective tissue disorders, to discuss the connections between hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), POTS, mast cell disorders, and chronic pain.

Dr. Bluestein shares her personal journey, why these conditions ar...

Receiving a POTS diagnosis can be both validating and overwhelming. After finally getting answers, many people are surprised to learn there isn't a quick fix and that managing POTS often requires consistent lifestyle changes over time.

In this episode, we talk about the emotional side of life after diagnosis, including grieving your old life, learning to let go of constantly pushing through, and building a support system that truly ...

Dr. Marie-Claire Seeley is a registered nurse, researcher, Founder and Volunteer CEO of the Australian POTS Foundation, and one of the leading voices advancing POTS research, education, and advocacy.

In this episode of Let's Talk About the POTS Life, Kelsey sits down with Dr. Seeley to discuss her journey from developing POTS after a post-viral illness in 1993 to helping change the future of care for people living with POTS and dysa...

How do you start trusting your body again after a POTS diagnosis?

In this episode, Kelsey and Brit talk about the fear of doing everyday activities when your symptoms feel unpredictable. From weddings and travel to summer events and driving, they discuss practical ways to prepare, pace yourself, and build confidence as your body changes and improves.

They also dive into the connection between POTS and anxiety, why progress isn't alwa...

What is the connection between POTS, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and hypermobility?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cohen Solomon, board-certified pediatrician, educator, and patient living with hEDS and dysautonomia. We discuss the overlap between POTS, EDS, chronic pain, fatigue, GI symptoms, and why so many patients struggle to find answers.

We also talk about recognizing early signs of hypermobility, building ...

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we sit down with Joanna Behm, occupational therapist, dysautonomia advocate, and co-author of The Dysautonomia Workbook. Joanna shares her personal journey to diagnosis, the challenges of living with POTS, MCAS, and hEDS, and the work she does through the Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) to help others feel more supported and informed.

We also talk about practical tools for ...

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), it can feel overwhelming figuring out what actually helps.

In this episode, we break down what to focus on early and what to avoid.

We talk through common mistakes after a POTS diagnosis, including over-relying on water without enough sodium, falling for “electrolyte” products that don’t contain meaningful salt, and making...

GI symptoms, pain clues, and why a consult matters

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we break down the connection between POTS and pelvic floor dysfunction and why it’s often overlooked.

We cover common “beige flags” like GI issues (IBS, bloating, constipation/diarrhea cycles, gastroparesis), bladder symptoms (chronic UTIs, straining to pee), and unexplained pelvic or low back pain. We also to...

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we sit down with Veronica, a POTS Life graduate now in our graduate program, to talk about her journey from simply surviving to truly living again.

Veronica shares what life looked like when her symptoms were at their worst, navigating frequent episodes, overstimulation, and the day-to-day challenges that made even simple things feel overwhelming.

After trying multiple approach...

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we walk through the philosophy behind the POTS Life treatment program and why it’s structured the way it is.

We talk about the importance of a lower-and-slower approach when building exercise tolerance with POTS, how strengthening evolves over time, and why structure and progression matter when navigating dysautonomia.

We also discuss how the program adapts to real life. ...

In this Q&A episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we’re answering one of the biggest questions we get:

Is The POTS Life Program safe if I have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, EDS, or severe fatigue?

We talk through what happens if you’re mostly bedbound, how we modify when symptoms flare, and why starting “low and slow” isn’t just a phrase — it’s the foundation.

We also ...

What is it really like to love someone living with POTS and dysautonomia?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, my husband Cale shares what it was like watching me navigate years of undiagnosed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) — the ER visits, the “normal” test results, the adrenaline dumps at night, and the slow decline that didn’t make sense.

We talk openly about what dysau...

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, Cate shares her experience navigating POTS alongside Chiari malformation, CSF leaks, EDS, and multiple complex complications.

What began as headaches and athletic injuries evolved into years of surgeries, overlapping diagnoses, and periods of profound disability. Cate walks us through how her symptoms were missed early on, how deconditioning worsened her condition, and how fin...

In this episode of 'Let's Talk About The POTS Life,' hosts welcome Dr. Poorvi Desai, a hematologist oncologist with a unique perspective on both practicing medicine and being a patient with chronic illnesses. Dr. Desai shares her journey through medical school while managing symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and other related conditions. She delves into her background, her a...

In this episode of 'Let's Talk About the POTS Life,' Arielle shares her compelling journey with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Diagnosed at 12, Arielle recounts her initial symptoms, the challenges of finding the right medical support, and the invaluable role her parents played in her recovery. She discusses her experiences with various treatments, medications, and the importance of staying motivated. Arielle's s...

In this episode of 'Let's Talk about the POTS Life,' the hosts welcome Ashley Schuetz, a dual-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ashley shares her journey from cosmetology to the medical field and her extensive experience working in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The discussion dives into the intersections of mental health and chronic illness, particularly POTS, emphasizing the importance of validati...

In this episode of 'Let's Talk About the POTS Life,' the hosts delve into the frequently asked questions surrounding the Tilt Table Test, a crucial diagnostic procedure for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). They explain what the test involves, who typically orders it, and its importance in diagnosing POTS. The discussion also covers personal experiences with the test, how to prepare for it, and tips for managing the...

Welcome to a special holiday edition of 'Let's Talk About the POTS Life.' In this episode, we share essential tips and tricks to navigate the holiday season while managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). We discuss the importance of maintaining routines, prioritizing exercise, staying hydrated, and eating consistent small meals. Additionally, we emphasize the significance of self-care and flexibility during this f...