CFS Recovery Stories: Real Experiences of Healing from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Living with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or ME/CFS can feel overwhelming — especially when it’s often described as “incurable.” Many people search for CFS recovery stories hoping to find real examples of people who have regained their health.
Unfortunately, most stories online focus only on what it’s like to live with ME/CFS — few share how people actually recovered.
That’s why I created this page — to collect and share real ME/CFS recovery stories that bring hope and practical insights.
Each person’s journey is different. Some recovered gradually using lifestyle changes, others through addressing underlying causes such as autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and many found success through a combination of mind-body and physical approaches.
When I was ill myself, one of the hardest things was not hearing about anyone who had recovered from ME/CFS. It made me believe recovery wasn’t possible. But I now know it is — and these stories are here to show that.
Every story on this page is a true CFS recovery story — told in the person’s own words.
You’ll discover how they:
- Faced the challenges of living with ME/CFS
- Found what worked for their recovery
- Rebuilt their lives and regained their health
If you’ve recovered from ME/CFS, or know someone who has, I’d love to include your story. You can contact me here to share your experience and inspire others.
Besides ME/CFS recovery stories below, you’ll also find Fibromyalgia Recovery Stories, POTS Recovery Stories, Chronic Lyme Recovery Stories and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Recovery Stories — all showing that recovery is possible.
Explore the full list of ME/CFS recovery stories below.
Best wishes,
Dan
RECOVERY STORIES DISCLAIMER:
Please note that the people sharing their stories here have gone through their own journey of recovery from ME/CFS independently from the author of this website and related content. They are simply offer the experience of their ME/CFS recovery story 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.
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).
Shannon shares her journey of recovery from POTS, Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS after 7 years of illness and shares her fascinating video diaries.
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.
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.
Oda shares her experience with the ANS REWIRE program after 10 years of illness and shares how she also used cold water therapy.
Vera tells how she recovered from severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after 6 years using her own approach.
Colin tells his story of recovery from long-term ME/CFS & MCS using ANS REWIRE.
Luke shares his frustration of being told CFS is in his mind, and how he explored CBT for CFS and how he recovered
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 (@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.
Sirin Gnadeberg shares how she cured ME/CFS & POTS after 5 years of debilitating illness in her own words below.
Mollie shares her experience with the ANS REWIRE program after 4 years of failed approaches to return to health in an inspiring interview.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Brenten’s story is a wonderful example of how it is possible to recover from long-term ME/CFS. We were lucky enough to capture parts of his journey on film and when Brenten watches the footage from a few years earlier we both get emotional.
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.
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 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.
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 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!
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’ 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 JourneyFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! After getting more and more sick for 5 years, learning she had Fibromyalgia & Chronic Lyme Disease, Katina had to ask herself questions like “is fibromyalgia curable” & “is lyme disease curable” When
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 SyndromeFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Few things are more emotionally exhausting than not knowing how to help a child with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, especially if it is your child! Darcy Shedden shares her journey through the worst years of her
Recovery From ME/CFS using Mind/Body Approach Gupta ProgrammeFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Jenny didn’t try many ‘alternative’ treatments because she was very skeptical. However, after 4 years of illness she decided to invest in a mind/body approach for recovery from ME/CFS called the Gupta Programme. After just 3 weeks, the improvements she
For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! If you have ever been faced with the label of having depression when you actually suffered with MECFS, then you will really appreciate this brave and inspiring interview with Jane. Depression and MECFS seem to go hand in hand; and for good reason. But besides the physical
“There is no Cure for Fibromyaliga” – An Inspiring Interview about Recovery from MCS, CFS & FMSFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Most of us would be devistated to hear that “You have Fibro – There is no Cure for Fibromyaliga!” But Evelyn’s breakthrough came right being told just that when she
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 you have to deal with yet another CFS relapse, it’s easy to believe that recovery from CFS is not possible. After all, if there is no agreed upon cure for CFS, how can you expect
Lynn shares her thoughts on how to overcome Fibromyalgia and get your life backFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Having recovered from CFS/ME & Fibromyalgia some years ago, it might sound strange to hear that I was inspired by this interview, but that is exactly what happened. If you listen carefully, you will
Abigail tells how she managed to reverse long-term Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS after 20+ yearsFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Even after a few years, we wonder how we can reverse long-term fibromyalgia or ME/CFS. That’s why I am excited to be able to bring my first audio interview of someone that managed
Berit Frivold’s Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS Recovery StoryFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here!How Berit’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome first startedBerit, a nurse, wife and mother, was in her early thirties when her symptoms began. She says she first saw a Rheumatologist with complaints of muscle pains and severe fatigue back in 1995. Berit
Pat Gurnick Learned How To Get Well From CFS, Fibromyalgia and MCSFor Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! What a powerful interview with a strong lady that learned how to get well from severe CFS, Fibromyalgia and MCS. Pat helps people cope with chronic illness, but there is no doubt about the mark the
For Recovery Story Disclaimer, please see the main page here! Further to the written story, I have also shared my story in numerous interviews. Ultimately, they end up somewhat about my experience helping others, but I felt this interview with Phil of the Chronic Comeback does capture my story pretty well. Dan’s Recovery Story in
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Hi Dan, firstly thank you for sharing the hope of recovery from this extraordinary illness. I have been really unwell with what my GP agrees is CFS/ME, though it began with flu like symptoms and an ebv diagnosis 20 months ago and my ebv test continue to show a positive reading. I am essentially house bound and often bed and couch bound with fatigue and dizziness and flu like symptoms and significant gut problems that have resulted in persistent vomiting over the past 4 to 6 months. All gastro tests have been done, along with everything else, and the results… Read more »