The Nutcracker Syndrome podcast

Hi, my NCS besties! In this episode, I’m sharing a side-by-side look at my best and worst in-patient experiences throughout my Nutcracker Syndrome medical journey. Ten months after my kidney autotransplant, I underwent a hernia repair surgery, which is an issue that developed as a result of my open-abdominal AT. To be clear, this was in no way due to any error by the incredible team at UWHealth in Madison, Wisconsin. Hernias are, unfortunately, a common risk following abdominal surgeries, especially open procedures. Mine appeared around five months post-op, and I eventually proceeded with the repair.

Unfortunately, the in-patient stay following my hernia repair turned out to be the most difficult hospital experience I’ve had, leaving me feeling unexpectedly helpless. In this episode, I break down what happened during that stay and contrast it with what made my best in-patient experience so positive. I also share practical recommendations to help you, and your loved ones, advocate more effectively and potentially avoid similar challenges.

As always, I’m sending you all so much love as you continue navigating this space. You are not alone!

Welcome back! It's been a few month hiatus from a new recording as I have been busy with work + starting a new company, The COPE Center, which is short for The Center for Optimal Psychological Education in Injury & Rehabilitation. Give the site a visit + please know I have not forgotten about you all; I just needed some time to get my feet back under me!

Now, for this episode, recorded on the doorstep of my next surgery, which is a hernia repair and endometriosis excision, I open up about one of the most universally frustrating parts of the American healthcare experience: insurance. From endless phone calls and pre-authorization delays to the emotional toll of waiting for approval just to receive the care you need, this episode explores the hidden stressors that accompany our medical journeys.

As I share my own recent experience navigating an insurance and pre-authorization nightmare leading up to my surgery tomorrow (10/27/2025), my goal is to validate what so many of us feel but rarely talk about: that medical trauma doesn’t begin or end with the procedure itself. It’s woven through every frustrating, exhausting interaction we have with a system that too often forgets we are more than just dollar signs.

If you’ve ever felt unseen or overwhelmed by the bureaucracy that stands between you and your healing, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone.

Also, to be clear, this episode isn’t about bashing anyone. It’s about acknowledging the shared struggle on all sides and finding empathy for everyone involved in navigating a system that’s just as overwhelming for those working within it as it is for those trying to access care.

Buckle up and grab your popcorn! I am so stoked for this episode of the NCS podcast because we have an absolutely incredible guest joining us—a true advocate, pioneer, and fellow Nutcracker Syndrome patient. In this episode, Sheri Spain shares what it was like in the early days of getting diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome, navigating a medical world that barely recognized it, and fighting for answers, care, and change. Sheri's story is raw, real, and powerful—and it's one you won’t want to miss. I know I am so appreciative of her and the others in her era that helped pave the way for so many of us today!

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re learning from one of our own—Kat—as she shares key insights from her personal journey, including:

• Her second IVUS experience: what it was like being awake vs. fully sedated, the pros and cons of each approach, and the benefits of seeking a second opinion from Dr. Peter Stratil

• Why renal angioplasty can be a viable treatment option for NCS that many don't know about

• How endometriosis, not May-Thurner Syndrome, was the main source of her pelvic pain

The road to an NCS diagnosis can be long and filled with exhausting testing to determine whether major surgery is truly the right step. Kat’s story offers not only clarity, but also empowerment. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more informed.

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful and personal story from one of our own—Lilly. She shares her journey living with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) alongside vascular compressions—specifically May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) and Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS).

MCAS is a complex and often misunderstood condition, and for many in our community, it presents as a comorbidity that can make an already challenging path even harder. Lilly opens up about:

• The specific symptoms that led her to suspect something more was going on

• The diagnostic process she went through to finally get answers

• The medications, supplements, and strategies she currently uses to manage her MCAS

While MCAS can be a life-long condition, Lilly’s story is one of resilience and empowerment. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more informed.

Below is additional information Lilly shared during the episode to support your journey navigating MCAS and vascular compressions:

• Phone Application: InTolerApp
• Test to request: Tryptase (blood) & 24-hr urine collection
• Medications: Cromolyn Sodium 10mg (prescription), Pepcid AC, multivitamin, and Clartin or Zyrtex (OTC)

• Supplements: DAO enzyme, vitamin C
• Cookbooks: Search "low histamine diet cookbooks" to find different recipes that appeal to you
• Article: Kirk, C. (2023). The Important Role of the Lymphatic System and Mast Cell Involvement in Nutcracker Syndrome and other Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast, I'm joined by guest Kat Weissner to discuss her experience with the Marcaine test at UCHealth. We explore what the Marcaine test is, why someone might undergo this procedure, what to expect during the process, and important questions to ask your doctor to help ensure the test is effective for you. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, and I hope it brings value to your NCS journey.

If you have any questions or would like to share your own story, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you so much for listening!

This episode is the third and final installment of our three-part series focused on mental game insights. In this episode, I take a deeper dive into my own mental health journey, specifically through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy—the primary modality that has helped me navigate the psychological challenges of living with a medical diagnosis.

I’m also thrilled to introduce Dr. Brooke Rundle (she/they), a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor based in Colorado. Dr. Rundle brings deep experience with IFS and joins me to explain what IFS is, how it works, and why it can be such a powerful tool for those of us facing complex and chronic medical conditions.

In addition to our conversation, I share vulnerable moments from my personal experience using IFS both before and after my kidney autotransplants, as part of my journey with NCS. My hope is that this episode shines a light on a therapeutic approach that has been truly transformative for me.

If you're interested in learning more, here are some helpful resources related to Dr. Rundle and IFS:

• Dr. Rundle’s website – for those seeking IFS therapy in Colorado

• IFS Institute Directory – to find an IFS therapist near you

• The Somatic IFS Workbook – especially helpful for those living with chronic pain

• Rocky Mountain Equality – Free therapy for uninsured LGBTQ+ folks in Colorado (3 months of access through Rocky Mountain Equality)

I hope this episode brings value to your journey. Sending big hugs and lots of care your way!

This episode is part two of a three-part series focused on mental game insights. In it, I share practical interventions to help you mentally navigate the often-overwhelming experience of living with vascular compressions.

The specific techniques I discuss include:

• Goal-Setting (2:55)

• Self-Talk (16:20)

• Relaxation (28:46)

• Imagery/Visualization (45:48)

To support your mental journey, here are some helpful resources:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing Demonstration

• Pain Management Relaxation/Imagery

• Healing Relaxation/Imagery

• Loving-Kindness Meditation (Compassion)

Although this podcast series is specifically centered on NCS, the mental strategies discussed can be valuable for anyone navigating chronic illness. If you know someone who could benefit, I encourage you to share this episode with them.

This episode kicks off a three-part series focused on mental game insights. As a psychology professor, I’m setting the stage to help normalize your mental health journey through two psychological models of injury: the Three-Phase Model of Injury and the Stress-Injury Model. I’ve adapted these frameworks to relate specifically to our experiences with vascular compression.

The Three-Phase Model of Injury breaks down our experiences into the following stages:

• Phase I: Reaction to Injury
• Phase II: Reaction to Rehabilitation
• Phase III: Reaction to Return to Life

The Stress-Injury Model (discussed at timestamp 31:15) explores the various factors that influence how we cognitively process our diagnoses. These include:

• Personality

• Medical History

• Coping Resources

My hope is that this episode provides a strong foundation to help you better understand why these diagnoses can feel so overwhelming—and to reassure you that your struggle is valid and shared. In the next episode, I’ll dive deeper into specific interventions and tools you can use during both the pre- and post-operative phases of your journey.

Sending you all so much love.

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! In this episode, I share the list of medications that helped me get to the finish line, which was my kidney autotransplant. Below is the list of medications for those that need help with spelling (like myself!) along with the dosages prescribed to me. While I offer the list below, I provide a lot more detail in this episode regarding these medications, and how they helped me specifically. With that, and as a gentle reminder, this is my journey that I am sharing. I am aware that what worked for me might not work for others; I do not want to invalidate others' experiences if these medications don't work for you. My hope in sharing my medication experience is to help you know what options are available to you.

If there are other medications that I didn't mention in this episode that worked wonders for you, please drop them in the comments so we can have a running list of medications others can ask for in their respective doctor's appointments.

Anti-anxiety:

• Buspirone: 10mg, 3x daily
• Clonazepam: 0.5mg, as needed

Anticonvulsants:

• Gabapentin: 300mg, 3x daily

Muscle Relaxers:

• Methocarbamol: 500mg, as needed

• Tizanidine: 2mg, as needed

• Cyclobenzaprine: 10mg, as needed

Pain Medication:

• Oxycodone: 5mg, as needed

Stool Softeners, BABY!

• Colace (or off brand) w/ stimulant laxative