MCAS vs Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
Reacting to a food one day and not the next, with clear allergy tests? Five things that separate a true allergy from mast cell activation — and why tests miss it.
The SpoonieToolkitStudio Blog
Blog — Chronic Illness Tips for POTS, MCAS, hEDS & Dysautonomia
hEDS Headaches: Why They Start in Your Neck
Base of the skull, builds through the day, better lying down? That's not a migraine. Why hEDS headaches start in the neck — and the red flags to act on.
Hypermobile or hEDS? Where the Line Actually Is
Lots of people are bendy and fine. Six things that suggest it's more than flexibility — plus why a low Beighton score doesn't rule hEDS out in adults.
POTS and Your Period: Why Symptoms Spike With Your Cycle
Two hard weeks, then two easier ones? POTS symptoms often track your cycle — blood volume, progesterone and prostaglandins all play a part. How to map yours.
MCAS and Dental Work: What to Tell Your Dentist
Latex, flavourings, disinfectants and adrenaline — a dental appointment stacks MCAS triggers fast. The six things to put on your file, and when to say them.
Braces and Supports for hEDS: How to Choose
Everyone with hEDS has a drawer of braces that didn't work. Rigid vs soft vs compression, the six mistakes to avoid, and why all-day wear can backfire.
hEDS and Your Gut: Why Digestive Problems Are So Common
Bloating, reflux, feeling full after four mouthfuls — gut symptoms are among the most reported non-joint features of hEDS. Three mechanisms, and what helps.
POTS vs Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference
Racing heart, breathlessness, trembling — POTS and anxiety share a symptom list. Five questions that separate them, and the one measurement that settles it.
6 hEDS Signs People Miss for Years
Bendy joints, bruises from nowhere, pain that moves, fatigue sleep won't fix. Six hEDS signs that sit unconnected for years — and why the combination is the point.
Why Does a Shower Wipe You Out? The Hidden Cost of Getting Clean
Needing to lie down after a shower isn't weakness — it's heat, standing still and arms overhead at once. Why it costs so much, and what makes it easier.
MCAS at Night: Why Symptoms So Often Spike After Dark
Itching, flushing or a racing heart at 2am? MCAS often worsens at night for real reasons — circadian rhythm, bedroom exposures, meal timing. What actually helps.
hEDS Subluxations: What to Do When a Joint Slips Out
A joint just slipped out and you froze. Here's the calm version: subluxation vs dislocation, what helps in the moment, what never to do, and when it's an ER visit.