Vestibular Migraine, POTS, and the Road to Recovery with Laura Ehlers

In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Danielle Tolman sit down with Laura Ehlers to share a powerful, real-life story of chronic dizziness, plus the long road to obtaining answers in a healthcare system that often defaults to “it’s BPPV” or “it’s anxiety.”

Laura walks us through how her symptoms evolved after being hit in the head and what her life looks like living with dizziness. She also shares the layered diagnoses that often show up together in complex dizziness cases—vestibular migraine, PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness), dysautonomia/POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome), and hypermobility/EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), as well as the strategies that have helped her rebuild capacity.

You’ll hear practical advice on:

- How to advocate for yourself when you’re not being believed

- Why the right healthcare provider can be a game-changer

- Medication realities: from sensitivities to finding what works

Guest: Laura Ehlers
Instagram: @laurasnaturallife

Hosted by:

🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS

🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT

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This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host(s).

01:11 Laura’s background: chronic migraine, holistic health, and early dizziness tools
02:37 Early warning signs: highway driving issues, tunnel vision, “is it anxiety?”
03:05 Vision therapy → severe spinning vertigo onset
04:33 Current symptoms: nonstop rocking/boat sensation + visual flow triggers
04:59 Life impact: driving intolerance, travel limits, parenting challenges
06:27 The advocacy problem: being believed, speaking the “right language”
07:52 Misconceptions in healthcare
09:47 Resources that helped: clinicians online + vestibular education on social media
10:42 Why primary care matters
11:09 Diagnoses explained
12:07 Layering issues: infections, mold gene, mast cell activity
13:06 Clinician perspective: frustration when patients get conflicting medical input
14:31 Hope vs acceptance: living in the chronic illness “seesaw”
15:59 Biggest mindset tool
17:35 “Early whispers” of symptoms
20:58 What helped most: rehab principles + sensory integration focus
21:20 Proprioception strategies: weighted inputs, holds, stomps, boots, blanket
23:15 Scaling exposure: “one sidewalk square at a time”
24:14 Breakthrough: walking on grass increased capacity
25:14 Histamine/mast cell stabilization: Zyrtec and sleep/sensory benefits
26:35 EDS/hypermobility: why screening matters in the “triad” conversation
28:40 Daily habits: caffeine consistency, electrolytes, potassium vs sodium insight
29:10 Nervous system work: somatic therapy + staying committed to movement
31:10 Mindset during flares: you’re not at square one; you’re stepping off the path
36:19 Encouragement for beginners: slow progress still adds up
37:45 Identity shift: grief + reinventing life (reading, painting, new interests)
39:06 Community: why 1:1 connections can beat unmoderated groups
41:30 Medication journey: fear, hesitancy, and why meds became a useful tool
44:55 Rescue meds (Ativan): pre-treating to participate in life moments
45:54 Micro-dosing approach: ultra-low starts + pharmacist check-ins
46:52 LDN + Zyrtec wins; sensitivity to other meds
48:40 Mic drop moments: what clinicians must understand + patient hope message