Navigating EDS, POTS, MCAS, and Long COVID Together

Living with complex, often overlapping conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Long COVID can feel isolating and overwhelming. Many people spend years searching for answers, navigating dismissive medical encounters, and piecing together care from multiple specialists—often without clear guidance or validation.

This 90-minute virtual panel brings together leaders in the fields of EDS, POTS, MCAS, and Long COVID—alongside a patient advocate—to bridge clinical insight with lived experience. Together, they will explore how these conditions intersect, why they are often misunderstood, and what comprehensive, patient-centered care can look like in practice.

Designed for both patients and healthcare professionals, this discussion offers a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms, overlapping symptoms, and multidisciplinary strategies that improve outcomes and quality of life. You’ll walk away with evidence-based knowledge, practical approaches, and renewed confidence in navigating complex care—whether for yourself, your patients, or someone you love.

This panel is for educational and community-building purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. No recording will be shared to protect attendee privacy. Cameras are optional, and questions may be submitted anonymously.

Speakers

Dr. Eliza Etter, PT, DPT, PRPC, CLT is a pelvic floor physical therapist at Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, where she provides individualized, evidence-based care to help patients improve quality of life and regain confidence in their bodies. She developed her passion for pelvic health during her clinical rotations, recognizing the profound impact that pelvic floor dysfunction can have on daily life and overall well-being. Dr. Etter takes a compassionate, whole-person approach to care, integrating patient education and collaboration to empower long-term healing. She is deeply committed to normalizing conversations around pelvic health and educating both professionals and the public to increase awareness and access to care.

Kelsey Bates, LMHC, CRC is a licensed mental health counselor and the Founder of New York Women’s CBT Counseling for Women’s Health, where she specializes in supporting women with chronic illness, disability, and pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, and MCAS. With a master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from The George Washington University, she brings a unique clinical perspective to the intersection of mental health and physical health. Her trauma-informed, evidence-based approach helps patients navigate medical uncertainty, manage anxiety, and build emotional resilience while living with chronic conditions.

Dr. Alexis Cutchins, MD is a board-certified cardiologist and the Founder of Cutchins Cardiovascular Medicine. With over a decade of academic and clinical experience at Emory University, she is internationally recognized for her work in POTS, MCAS, Long COVID, and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Cutchins also serves on the boards of ISMCAS, Standing Up to POTS, and SAFIRE, advocating for research and awareness of complex, underdiagnosed conditions. Through both research and clinical practice, she is dedicated to improving diagnostic accuracy, fostering collaboration across specialties, and empowering patients through education and advocacy.

Patient Advocate is a passionate voice for the chronic illness community, drawing from lived experience with complex, overlapping conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, MCAS, and Long COVID. After years of navigating medical uncertainty and feeling unseen within the healthcare system, they transformed personal challenges into purpose—using storytelling and community engagement to foster awareness, compassion, and change. Through advocacy, education, and peer support, they are dedicated to helping others feel validated, empowered, and less alone on their healing journeys.

What You’ll Learn

• How EDS, POTS, MCAS, and Long COVID intersect and why that matters for diagnosis and treatment
• The role of the autonomic nervous system in overlapping symptoms and recovery
• Pelvic floor considerations, pain management, and movement-based strategies to support function
• How chronic illness affects mental and emotional health—and practical ways to support overall well-being
• Building an informed care team and advocating for yourself in medical settings

Who Should Attend

• Individuals living with or exploring a diagnosis of EDS, POTS, MCAS, or Long COVID
• Caregivers, partners, and friends who want to better understand and support loved ones
• Clinicians and wellness professionals seeking patient-centered perspectives