Chiari Connection International

02/27/2026

02/27/2026

02/27/2026

to all the up and coming fellows breaking into the field! Own It!

02/26/2026

Love how Science is evolving!

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/strep-throat-autoimmune-disease-chronic-fatigue?fbclid=IwdGRleAQMil5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegs34MwGtMXI1_-R6txKSR8Ct0vI0vWZ5p6fm6UGBYiHyafOXLXoWl62Kdvs_aem_QfZfa6nIoOLjAmH13QBzGA

Growing research suggests the bacteria left behind by the common childhood infection may trick the immune system into attacking both the invader and the body's own cells.

02/24/2026

🦷 HOW TO HACK A DENTAL NERVE BLOCK (WHEN YOU HAVE EDS) 🛠️

“You shouldn’t be feeling this.”

But you do.
The drill hits. You flinch.
And suddenly you’re “dramatic.”

Let’s be clear: if you have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, anesthesia failure is documented in the literature — not just in your head.

1️⃣ The Lidocaine Problem Is Real

A large peer-reviewed study found that 88% of people with EDS reported inadequate pain prevention from dental local anesthetics — compared to only 33% of people without EDS.

Even more telling?

Reported effectiveness in EDS patients:

Articaine: ~30%
Bupivacaine: ~25%
Mepivacaine: ~22%
Lidocaine: ~8%
Procaine: ~7%

Translation: Lidocaine fails a LOT in EDS.

We don’t fully understand the biological mechanism yet. There is no proven “porous sponge tissue” explanation — the resistance is documented, but the physiology is still being studied.

But the pattern is real.

2️⃣ Articaine > Lidocaine (According to Meta-Analyses)

In general dental research (not EDS-specific), randomized controlled trials show that articaine is about 2× more likely to achieve successful anesthesia than lidocaine.

Is it a magic fix for EDS? No.
Does evidence support trying it if lidocaine failed you before? Yes.

If you’ve had repeated block failures, asking about articaine or bupivacaine is evidence-based — not difficult.

3️⃣ The Epinephrine (Adrenaline) Question

Dentists add epinephrine to: • Prolong numbness
• Reduce bleeding
• Keep anesthetic localized

There are no large dental studies proving epinephrine triggers POTS episodes.

However — epinephrine does stimulate the cardiovascular system.
If you have POTS or dysautonomia and know you’re sensitive to sympathetic surges, it is reasonable to discuss epinephrine-free options with your dentist.

That’s a conversation — not a conspiracy.

4️⃣ You Are Not a “Hard Patient”

Research supports that people with EDS experience higher rates of local anesthetic failure.

Not anxiety.
Not exaggeration.
Not low pain tolerance.

A documented clinical pattern.
🛠️ What To Do Before Your Next Filling

✔ Tell your dentist you’ve had local anesthetic failure before
✔ Ask about articaine, bupivacaine, or mepivacaine if lidocaine didn’t work
✔ Discuss epinephrine use if you have autonomic issues
✔ Do not let them drill until you are actually numb

You are not being dramatic.
You are advocating with data.

👇 Have you ever had a dentist actually adjust their protocol for EDS?

Save this for your next appointment.

Sources (peer-reviewed):
Schubart et al., 2019 – Resistance to local anesthesia in EDS dental patients (J Dent Anesth Pain Med)
Martin et al., 2021 – Articaine vs lidocaine systematic review (BDJ Open)

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

02/13/2026

Things doctors blamed on anxiety that were actually POTS, hEDS, and MCAS.

• “You’re just stressed.”
• “You need to calm down.”
• “Your heart is fine.”
• “You’re probably just dehydrated.”
• “You’re overthinking it.”
• “Maybe it’s a panic attack.”
• “All your labs are normal.”
• “Stay off the internet.”
• “You just need to lose weight.”

Meanwhile…

My heart rate was spiking 40+ beats just from standing.
My blood vessels weren’t constricting properly.
My connective tissue wasn’t supporting my joints or organs the way it should.
My nervous system was misfiring.
My body was reacting to things it shouldn’t.

It wasn’t anxiety.

It was POTS.
It was hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
It was MCAS.
It was small fiber neuropathy.

And it took 11 years to untangle it.

Anxiety is real.
But so is autonomic dysfunction.
So are connective tissue disorders.
So is mast cell disorders.

The chest pain.
Feeling dizzy in stores.
Fuzzy vision and exhaustion after eating.
The nausea.
Feeling wired but tired.
Racing heart while sleeping.
Air hunger just from talking.
Jittery and weak when overheated.

Sometimes what looks like anxiety is actually a body working way too hard behind the scenes.

If you were ever told it was “just anxiety” and later found out it wasn’t… I see you.

🩵

02/13/2026

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic cleft between neurons, muscles, or glands, enabling communication throughout the nervous system. They regulate vital body functions including, mood, sleep, memory, and movement.

Here are some examples of the key aspects of them:
•Function: They act as chemical messengers, with functions classified as excitatory (stimulating action) or inhibitory (calming action).
Major Types in the 🧠:
•Serotonin: Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
•Dopamine: Associated with reward, motivation, and motor control.
•Glutamate: The main excitatory neurotransmitter, crucial for cognitive functions like learning and memory.
•GABA: The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing neural excitability.
Acetylcholine: Involved in muscle action, arousal, and memory.
•Role in the Nervous System: They are released from neurons, travel across the synapse, and bind to receptors on target cells to transmit signals, allowing for brain activity and bodily regulation.
•Role in Mental Health: Imbalances in specific neurotransmitters are linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression (low serotonin), Parkinson’s disease (low dopamine), and Alzheimer’s disease.
•Mechanism: Once a message is sent, neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic gap via reuptake, enzymatic breakdown, or diffusion.

Overall, Neurotransmitters are your body’s chemical messengers.

One love

02/10/2026

what cervical instability and cranial instability can feel like!

02/08/2026