Rediscover Hope by listening to how others recovered from ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia:
During my illness, one of the most deflating things was not hearing other people recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or recover from Fibromyalgia or POTS. Hence one of the things I really wanted to do was collect and share Fibromyalgia Recovery Stories, CFS Recovery Stories, POTS Recovery Stories, Chronic Lyme Recovery Stories and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Recovery Stories to give hope to people still suffering with this illness.
If you know someone who has recovered, please ask them to contact me to share their story or if you yourself have recovered from this group of illnesses, please contact me directly here.
Best wishes,
Dan
RECOVERY STORIES DISCLAIMER:
Please note that the people sharing their stories here have gone through their own journey of recovery from Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome independently from the author of this website and related content. They are simply sharing their experience here and are not responsible for, nor are they endorsing the content on this website or other related products. Similarly, we do not take responsibility for the content on their respective sites or products and make no implied endorsement.
ME/CFS Recovery Story: How Pacing and CBT Led to Lynne’s Success
Join us in this transformative episode as Lynne, an experienced nurse, bravely shares her journey to recovery from ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
Julia’s Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Recovery Success Story using ANS REWIRE
Julia shares her Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Recovery story after 22 years of illness. This interview is in 2 parts and goes into diet for MCS and brain training for MCS recovery using ANS REWIRE.
Fibromyalgia Remission or Recovery – Rachel shares her return to health
Rachel tells her fibromyalgia recovery story and we discuss what it means to recover - or as she says, go into fibromyalgia remission. Her recovery didn't happen overnight and she talks about how to persist when your efforts don't show results right away.
7 Years of MECFS Fibromyalgia POTS End In Bumpy 2½ Year Journey
Shannon shares her journey of recovery from POTS, Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS after 7 years of illness and shares her fascinating video diaries.
RECOVERY STORY: Alexandra recovers from 4 years of illness with CFS and Mould Illness
Mould illness is often regarded as needing complex physical treatments alone - when it fails, you're told to do more. Alexandra shares how a shift in her recovery approach using neuroplasticity led to her mould illness and chronic fatigue syndrome recovery.
Kristin recovers from 6 years of illness with ME/CFS POTS & MCS as well as PTSD and Bulimia
This is the first recovery story shared on the podcast. Kristin shares her MECFS, POTS and MCS recovery story in this fascinating detailed interview and talks about the treatments she tried, the ups and downs, her relapses and the constant expansion of diagnoses and symptoms. We delve into how she changed her approach to also recover from Bulimia and PTSD and end the cycle of relapse and remission.
After 10 years of illness Oda shares her POTS recovery (& MECFS recovery) using ANS REWIRE & cold water immersion
Oda shares her experience with the ANS REWIRE program after 10 years of illness and shares how she also used cold water therapy.
Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovery After Six Years – Vera’s Story
Vera tells how she recovered from severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after 6 years using her own approach.
Colin’s recovery from long-term ME/CFS & MCS using the ANS REWIRE program
Colin tells his story of recovery from long-term ME/CFS & MCS using ANS REWIRE.
CBT for CFS : Luke shares his experience and frustration that led to his recovery
Luke shares his frustration of being told CFS is in his mind, and how he explored CBT for CFS and how he recovered
Adrienne Dellwo shares her Fibromyalgia remission and Fibromyalgia recovery story
The name Adrienne Dellwo is likely familiar to you if you have read up on fibromyalgia. Here is her stroy of Fibromyalgia Remission, Fibromyalgia Relapse and Fibromyalgia Recovery
3 Decades of MECFS, Fibromyalgia, MCS and Chronic Lyme end ‘Shockingly Fast’
During 3 decades of illness with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, MCS and Chronic Lyme, Claudia becomes intimately involved with advocacy work when she gets a strange facebook request about a book talking of 'recovery' - what happened next left her feeling shocked and a little confused.
Kiki overcomes POTS, MECFS with Chronic Lyme after 10 years of illness
Kiki (@chronicallyhealed) tried lots of cures for POTS but nothing really worked for years. Finally, she cured POTS and ME/CFS in stages over a period of 3 years and regained her health despite being diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. In this interview, she tells her story.
Mollie recovers rapidly after 4½ years of MECFS (POTS)
Mollie shares her experience with the ANS REWIRE program after 4 years of failed approaches to return to health in an inspiring interview.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cured by itself? Here is Kari’s CFS Recovery Story
Kari's ME/CFS had a rapid shocking onset whilst playing sport, but despite her best efforts, she stayed sick for 6 years. Now a decade later she looks back and wonders - did her CFS go away by itself?
Teodora finds her own path out of fibromyalgia MECFS
Teodora had experienced severe chronic fatigue before her Fibromyalgia started at age 31. She didn't want to accept her doctors' verdicts that it's 'incurable', so she found her own path out of fibromyalgia.
Age & length of illness are no barrier for recovery from fibromyalgia and CFS
Diane recovered remarkably fast after 3 decades of ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia and one year after her recovery shares what life is like now. She tells her story and her experience giving a review of the ANS REWIRE program.
Stuart Aken ends 10 years of ME/CFS & discusses his success with pacing and its failures
Stuart discusses his experience with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E. ME/CFS) and how three 'recoveries' using pacing were just symptom reductions but failed as soon as he exerted himself normally. Then, after 10 years of illness, he recovered in as little as 2 months.
From bedridden with Fibromyalgia & CFS & MCS to fully well
Peter shares how he recovered from a decade of CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in a period of 12 months of using the ANS REWIRE program.
CFS Recovery: Ted shares how he recovered from CFS after 8 years of illness
Ted shares how an email reignited hope and reduced him and his wife to tears. In this interview he tells how he recovered from CFS using the ANS REWIRE program.
James learns how to heal from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis after 9 years of illness
After 8 years of suffering, James' life had hit hit rock-bottom. “I couldn’t see a future for myself”. It was an understandable outlook for a young man whose life was in shambles and who had never experienced what it was like to be an adult and have normal health. But against all odds, he then changed his approach, his outlook, his whole life and 9 months later he was recovered.
Tim shares his long-term recovery from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Tim shares his journey and struggles with M.E. and explains what he has learned from mentoring others to recover. He also shares the positive learnings from his experience that he has taken into his new life post Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Rapid onset CFS/Fibromyalgia sufferer makes full recovery and shares her shocking journey
Many people become bedbound with MECFS or Fibromyalgia, if we have the illness long enough. But imagine the shock of becoming bedbound OVERNIGHT! Sayaha's recovery includes all the classic strategies we so often speak about, although as is so often the case, Sayaha mostly worked these out herself. She is passionate about sharing her insights so listen for important recovery distinctions.
Rachel’s finally experiences a robust Fibromyalgia recovery
Rachel’s Fibromyalgia started at age 18 and it was only a visit down to Australia that allowed her to recover without any defined strategy or plan. But it was short lived and she got ill again. But after 15 years of illness, she finally found a way to create a robust recovery that she has enjoyed for over 6 years now, allowing her to exercise virtually every day and work full-time again!
20 years of Fibromyalgia, CFS & PTSD, Depression and Anxiety come to an end
Leah tells her story of recovery and how a moment watching daytime TV changed everything and led her down a new path. After 20 years of severe illness, she got her life back in as little as 10 months.
Beth French’s Journey from ME-CFS to Ultra Marathon Swimmer
Beth French’s’ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) started at age 10 but was only diagnosed at 17 when she became bed-ridden. 4 years later she had recovered against all odds and took her recovery to the next level with her amazing athletic achievements.
Is chronic lyme disease curable? – Katina Makris tells of her Chronic Lyme & Fibromyalgia Healing Journey
Is Chronic Lyme Disease curable? Katina Makris tells of her Chronic Lyme & Fibromyalgia Healing Journey For Recovery Story Disclaimer,[...]
Beth recovers from Fibromyalgia with the help of emotional healing
Beth shares her story of healing through a variety of strategies and her final fibromyalgia breakthrough from emotional healing on an energetic level.
The Lightning Process – Simon’s Last Ditch Effort for Recovery from M.E.
Simon spent over 8 years trying to get well after being diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). After being sick for so long, he couldn’t even envisage feeling well again but then decided to try something he felt quite sceptical about.
A mother finds a way to help her child with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A mother finds a way to help her child with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the[...]
Recovery From ME/CFS using Mind/Body Approach Gupta Programme
Recovery From ME/CFS using Mind/Body Approach Gupta Programme For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Jenny didn’t[...]
Jane learned how to overcome Depression and MECFS
For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! If you have ever been faced with the label of[...]
Looking for Help for Fibromyalgia – Sue Ingebretson’s Fibromyalgia Recovery
Looking for Help for Fibromyalgia - Sue Ingebretson's Fibromyalgia RecoveryFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here!"The clouds[...]
“There is no Cure for Fibromyaliga” – An Inspiring Interview about Recovery from MCS, CFS & FMS
"There is no Cure for Fibromyaliga" - An Inspiring Interview about Recovery from MCS, CFS & FMS For Recovery Story[...]
CFS Relapse: Katie learns how to end the ME/CFS relapse cycle
CFS Relapse: Katie learns how to end the ME/CFS relapse cycle[lmt-post-modified-info]For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here!When[...]
Lynn shares her thoughts on how to overcome fibromyalgia and get your life back
Lynn shares her thoughts on how to overcome Fibromyalgia and get your life backFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the[...]
Liz Dyde’s Mind-Body Connection in Fibromyalgia
Liz Dyde’s Mind-Body Connection in Fibromyalgia For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! This interview started about[...]
Abigail tells how she managed to recover from long-term Fibromyalgia MECFS after 20+ years
Abigail tells how she managed to reverse long-term Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS after 20+ years For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see[...]
Berit Frivold’s Fibromyalgia & MECFS Recovery Story
Berit Frivold’s Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS Recovery Story For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! How Berit’s Chronic[...]
Pat Gurnick Learned How To Get Well From CFS, Fibromyalgia and MCS
Pat Gurnick Learned How To Get Well From CFS, Fibromyalgia and MCS For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main[...]
My Story – Dan Neuffer’s ME/CFS Fibromyalgia POTS Recovery Story
For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here!Further to the written story, I have also shared my story[...]
If you liked these recovery interviews, here is a great book with more recovery stories:
Recovery from CFS: 50 Personal Stories
by Alexandra Barton
I have read your books and the recovery stories and would be interested to know if any of your case histories are in their 60’s and have other illnesses to contend with. I have a diagnosed under active thyroid and take thyroxine I also have MGUS. My CFS was diagnosed by process of elimination by my GP but no support offered. I have had a year of CBT and my symptoms just got worse. Acupuncture does help as does seeing a homeopath but the improvements are short lived and the crashes more often and intense. I get stressed by the slightest things and believe that stress burnout 15 years ago has left me with shot adrenals. I have scaled my life back, adopted a healthy diet and light exercise regime. In my area of the UK there are no CFS support services and alternative health practitioners seem to focus on their own pet theory. The road to recovery seems uncertain and the journey lonely.
Hi Andrea – thanks for your comment – I totally understand your frustration and know what you mean about the ‘pet theories’. Hopefully CFS Unravelled will help you put all of these into context and help you recognise that they still have value in terms of helping you recover. If you have a look at the recoveries, you will regularly see that it is usually a combination of a mind/body approach that focusses on the root mechansim along with a range of physical treatments to help the body & secondary dysfunctions heal.
And YES – I have met people of ALL ages, including people in their 60’s that recovered. Not everyone shares their story publically, but I do have one of them of a lady in her 60’s that agreed to share her recovery which I hope to share later in the year! 🙂
I was inspired by Beth’s story because of the emotional and spiritual aspects of her recovery. Although the primary expression of my emotional and spiritual illness was mental illness, the story of our recoveries is remarkably similar. I could really relate to the push and crash that she described. In fact, my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is indicative of that! I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which I see as primarily triggered by all the stress and toxic medications prescribed to me. I even became addicted to opiates, from which I recovered when I saw it was not a treatment, but, rather, an additional problem!
I have written a book on my recovery, The Sword and the Rainbow. I recently signed a contract with a publisher, and the book will be in print in a year or two. I agree completely that one has to take charge of their own recovery. It was only when I saw this that I began to recover, and I will recover completely. Like Beth, I have graduated from college, and I have also gone to graduate school in spite of literally years of institutionalization, often against my will. My Fibromyalgia has really been secondary. I see it as a symptom of my stress and the destructive impact of all the drugs I have been prescribed.
I like that the introduction says “there is no magic cure.” I have tried to practice good nutrition, meditated regularly during the last 7 years, had intensive psychotherapy, among other coping strategies. People who have seen me progress have been astounded. Recently, I spoke to 600 people about my recovery at a fundraiser for mental health treatment. I did not get to say all I would have liked to about taking charge of my own recovery. However, I am open to talking to anyone, including whoever is reading this comment, about the aspects of my life that have brought me so far.
I left two comments because I had not filled in the personal information required. I do not know which, if either you received.
Hi Lynn – got your message – thanks for your comment! 🙂
Hey Dan,
Thank you very much for sharing your story! As a physician suffering from the same illness, over the last three and a half years I came to the exact same conclusion as you did – a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system! Only that can cause that level of incapacitating fatigue, and also affect so many body systems.
You had said “and my fibromyalgia pain became more prominent during the second half of my six-and-a-half-year illness.” So during this second half, when your fibromyalgia became more prominent, how was the severity of your fatigue? Did it get better, or stay the same, or got worse?
Thanks for your reply!
Hey – thanks for your comment.
I would like to be able to say the fatigue reduced – would have been a bit fairer. But unfortunately my fatigue continued to worsen on all levels, including between flare ups when the fatigue “was not so bad”. In fact, it was only after I recovered, that I got a true sense of how bad the fatigue was even at my most “energetic”. The list of other symptoms also had expanded over time.
Thank you!
Hi Dan,
So How does ANS rewire takes place? what I need to do to fix the ANS issue. Should reading your book will have answers or I need to buy something from this website. I read here a lot about supplements and I myself is taking supplements. My main symptom is pain but fatigue is also there. fatigues has been little better with supplements.
Thanks
Shweta
Hi Shweta,
It isn’t as simple as some single magic strategy – it is a process of transformation.
I explain this in more detail in the free ANS REWIRE lessons.
If you listen to the interviews, you will see how the changes occur over time with a variety of strategies. 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to collect and share these collection of stories Dan. I’m 7 months into my 3rd episode of glandular fever, so I think it now qualifies as chronic fatigue. Neither of my last 2 episodes were this long or complicated. This time it’s got progressively worse since I first noticed it in March this year, and now I’m mostly bedbound and pretty foggy in the brain. but so far I still have good sleep, digestive health and low pain.
To tell the truth, while the recovery stories are very inspiring, it is also very scary how long people are sick for, and how much worse it can get! I’m trying not to be too scared because I know that doesn’t help.
I just read your book. Thanks for the scientific detail – it went a little bit beyond my grade 12 biology knowledge from 16 years ago, but it’s something to nut over. I’m still not quite personally convinced that it was stress that did it in for me… I didn’t think I really was a type A stress-head, and I was having a good time, working part time, enjoying life when it hit! well maybe I am somewhat of a type A imperfectionist hippy, and of course my life isnt perfect and has had periods of stress.. But I dunno…. I didn’t think it was anywhere near as stressful as a lot of other people’s are. I have eaten a not perfect, but pretty good diet for a long while too… Also as this is my 3rd bout of glandular fever, as soon as I noticed the familiar fatigue I stopped work (I was a seasonal casual worker so that wasn’t hard), and took up a whole bunch of meditating, sitting in the bush out the back of my house , lots of yoga and thought ‘oh well another forced holiday in slowtown’. And yet I’ve got worse, not better, so now I can’t do much yoga at all, walking 100m to the bush is an epic mission, and meditating is pretty hard with all the brain fog and dizziness too! As for avoiding microwaves… Well I sure hope they’re not too terrible for you, because standing up stirring a pot is no easy task right now!
I guess I still have a fair way to go on this journey and many more insights and self discoveries to make. Today’s was about curiosity: “hey, I get to find out what it’s like to be a sick, dependent, unreliable person who doesn’t do anything. I guess that’s kind of interesting at least!”
Thanks again and good luck to all chronic illness sufferers out there 🙂 jen
Hi Jen,
Thanks for your comment.
Well, things sure get complicated and we should never speak in absolutes. I guess the real thing to learn is whether you actually have CFS, or whether there are other factors at play that are more easily resolved.
I have also come across many people that recovered after being sick 6-18 months, so there is not reason to expect to be sick longer. It is just that those earlier recoveries from ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia are often seen as the person not actually having had the illness, although in many cases they clearly have.
The word stress is misunderstood. You don’t need a type A personality or have some kind of mental or emotional stressor to experience stress. My illness was trigger by an immunisation, and many others are triggered by an infection such as glandular fever or hepatitis or something like that. Usually though, when we dig a little deeper, we find that there are actually a number of additional stressors besides the main trigger.
I encourage you to work with an integrative physician or a naturopath in conjunction with your MD, and to cultivate a positive expectation for recovery. Don’t let all the negativity on the internet affect you adversely – the positive quicker and earlier recoveries simply don’t get spoken about, because after all, why would they? (they move on with their lives)
Thank you Dan : )
Ive been ill for 30+ years & have tried everything to only end up on opioids that dont even work yet have horrific side effects. Im so sick of being so ill on many levels. Was diagnosed with FM in the year 2000 & take anti deps, anti infalms & opioids as well as many many supplements that I dont even know if theyre working as Im still so sick, tired, exhausted & suffer pain 8/10 everyday. Morning stiffness, RLS, depression, arthritis, bone on bone, laberal hip tear, have had lumbar disectomy & fusion in L5 S1, Im badly constipated, irritable, cry most days & just want some kind of quality of life. My GP wants me off the narcotics soon & this worries me greatly as the pain will hit me even worse than Im feeling now. Im foggy, fatigued, sore, swollen, hot flushes, depressed & in a despair for so long now Ive lost all hope of ever getting better as Im so ill on many levels. I eat well, I dont exercise as it hurts after, Im always tired & have dark circles & sensitive skin to touch. Can I be helped in anyway?
Thanks for reading
Cath.
Hi Cath – the key is going beyond symptom treatment and addressing the perpetuating mechanism of the illness. I suggest you start by watching the video explanation here: https://cfsunravelled.com/freebies/
Hi Dan,
I am Kotryna. I am just 2-3 months into the illness and throughout last month when I’ve been on sick leave, thankfully I managed to do all possible tests to realise it is PVFS or CFS (I do think it’s the same, even if they don’t call it CFS yet as it’s couple of months) and glad I did it before I am bedboud 100%, while I can still invite friend for some time, and get out for little walk, see therapists from time to time, even if some weeks I feel crap, other days can be better. I know I have to do and I started to do all the steps to recover (functional medicine doctor, health coach, clean adapted diet, therapy, acupuncture, herbs, meditation, no screen after sunset, some other and starting your programme etc etc) while I’ve gotten plenty of time from work for myself and recovery. I understand that each body is different, but what do you think, early start can lead to faster healing? (keeping my hopes up and maybe mid next year I am up and ready for life!)
Also another question – I live in Singapore and I didn’t see how I can guy a book to ship it here, is there a way?
Hi Kotryna,
Glad you have been thoroughly checked out by your MD to rule out other illness.
As people progress with the illness, they often get added complications. So early intervention can avoid these complications which can make recovery more straightforward.
I would imagine that that Book Depository would ship to Singapore!
Thanks Dan! I did a lot of research myself on CFS and made strict routine for my mind and body, and now I will kick off with ANS rewire, more tools and knowledge cannot hurt! Even after 4 days of pure rest and good routine I can feel some differences, so feeling positive!
Would be great to hear some stories how people catch it and recover easier than multiple years! As I hope people start considering PVFS/CFS in early days of the sickness, not years in it when it significantly affects their bodies and lives! Sadly at the moment it is not even covered under life insurance as serious illness…
Hi Kotryna
Yes, I hope some change will happen soon.
I can say that people in the UK get diagnosed quite quickly – much much more quickly than in the US and Australia for instance!
I actually have another question. Have spoken to a few bright doctors today and been discussing antidepressants as one way to support the recovery as it supports function of neurotransmitters. What do you think – could it potentially fasten or slow down the recovery?
It depends on the individual – people have varying results.
Hi Dan. Love the recovery stories. I watch one first thing every morning to make sure I start the day on a positive footing. I wonder whether you can tell me where I can get the piano music that you use at the beginning and end of each video? The music is very moving and every time I hear it I am reminded of your inspiring videos. It would be great, for example, to use it as my daily alarm on my phone, so the first thing I hear each day is a positive reminder that recovery is possible. Thanks, Dave.
Hi David
Glad you are enjoying the interviews.
You can purchase the soundtrack here: https://audiojungle.net/item/inspiring-cinematic/19677143
Hi Dan,
Can I ask, from your experience of working with people with CFS, does the Lightning Process benefit most people? I did the course 3 years ago and couldn’t make it work for me . . . and in many ways it did more bad than good in that I have felt like a failure ever since – especially as my friend also did the course and had a wonderful result. The feeling of major failure when I put so much hope into the training – has led me into quite a cycle of depression. I suppose it would be nice to know that the LP isn’t for everyone . . . and your book (combined methods) sounds much more like the sort of treatment I could ‘believe in’ (but I am a bit ‘shy’ of trying new things now).
Hi Kate
Like with many approaches, you get mixed experiences. So whilst I have met many people that recovered, many also seem to relapse soon after, but most upsetting is when people feel similar as you do.
This illness is complicated and there are numerous triggers. It’s really important to be kind and gentle with yourself and explore a range of strategies (hence ANS REWIRE advocating a multi-lateral approach, even for the brain-training component).
Personal responsibility is important for recovery – it really does take quite a commitment. However, this should not go as far as self-blame, ESPECIALLY if you are only using a unilateral approach!!!
Don’t rush into anything. Make sure that whatever your next step is that you feel good about it, confident in it and committed to it.
After beeing diagnosed with CFS/ME, MCS and Fibromyalgia the doctors gave me no hope on recovery. My life was full of agony, pain and obsticles. I was convinced that there must be a way out of it because living with it was not worth living. The ANS rewire program helped me get my life back. Now I can enjoy life to the fullest again. This program is very educational and therefore helping to regain health an also maintain healthy on the long term. Thank you so much for this great program and all the effort you put into helping people get their life back!
Thank you for sharing your experience Juli!
Great to see you enjoying life again. 🙂
Hey,
I’ve been suffering from post-viral fatigue (not sure if it’s cfs or ME). I’ve only had it since October really, and it’s gotten worse over Christmas, forcing me to defer my final medical school semester (such poor timing). I have profound exhaustion, myalgia but my severe brain fog has improved greatly.
Have you seen people with post-viral fatigue recover without developing CFS/ME? I know they’re practically the same but does PVF ever spontaneously remit? I got your book anyway to address it proactively. Seeing as people recover after years of illness, surely I can only having it a few months.
Thanks
Hi Ferdia
Your doctor will undoubtedly tell you that post-viral fatigue (PVF) is something that will pass in a few months – that is what many people experience.
On the other hand, post viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) is ME/CFS in my view. So PVF will sometimes develop into PVFS (ie. ME/CFS)