The Truth About EDS: A Doctor’s Experience with Medical Dismissal

 Dr. Linda Bluestein shares her extraordinary medical and personal journey through the underrecognized world of connective tissue disorders, particularly hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). Initially trained as an anesthesiologist, Dr. Bluestein faced a lifetime of unexplained symptoms—ranging from joint pain and allergies to abdominal issues and severe fatigue—before being properly diagnosed in her 40s. After experiencing medical gaslighting and dismissiveness, even as a physician herself, she finally received clarity and validation from a thorough and compassionate rheumatologist. That turning point led her to launch Hypermobility MD, a specialized clinic dedicated to patients with connective tissue disorders.

Throughout the interview, Dr. Bluestein explains what hypermobility is, how it can present both as benign flexibility and as a disabling multi-systemic condition. She demystifies common tools like the Beighton score and five-point questionnaire, and clarifies why many patients are missed under current diagnostic criteria. She also outlines the broader symptoms—GI issues, mast cell activation, fatigue, and pain—that often go unrecognized and misattributed. Her clinic offers in-depth assessments and long appointments that are not possible in traditional insurance-based practices.

In addition to her medical clinic, Dr. Bluestein runs a virtual coaching business through Bendy Bodies, where she helps clients worldwide understand their conditions, arm themselves with the right questions for their doctors, and access targeted resources including supplements and treatment suggestions. Her podcast, also called Bendy Bodies, features over 150 episodes of interviews with experts across gynecology, gastroenterology, physical therapy, and pain neuroscience. Dr. Bluestein’s goal is clear: to bring awareness, empowerment, and practical strategies to the millions suffering silently from connective tissue disorders, many of whom have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or traumatized by the healthcare system.

***Resources & Links Mentioned
 www.hypermobilitymd.com
www.bendybodiespodcast.com
www.hypermobilitymd.substack.com
Coaching and one-on-one education available via Services tab on www.hypermobilitymd.com

***Medical Tools & Concepts Explained
 Beighton Score – A nine-point physical exam for assessing joint hypermobility
 Five Point Questionnaire – A simple screening tool capturing hypermobility symptoms from youth to adulthood
 Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) – A connective tissue disorder affecting joint stability, skin elasticity, and other body systems
 Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) – A group of disorders related to joint hypermobility without meeting full criteria for hEDS
 Tarlov Cyst – A fluid-filled sac affecting the nerves in the spinal cord, more common in patients with connective tissue disorders
 Mast Cell Activation – An immune response issue often comorbid with EDS that contributes to allergies, GI symptoms, and sensitivities
 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) – A chronic pain condition that arose post-surgery for Dr. Bluestein, shifting her career toward advocacy

***Clinics, Practices, & Coaching
 Hypermobility MD – Dr. Bluestein’s out-of-pocket medical practice offering extended diagnostic visits and treatment plans for connective tissue disorders
 Bendy Bodies Coaching – Virtual, educational coaching sessions for clients worldwide who are unable to travel to her clinic