ANS REWIRE On-line Recovery Program Introduction Videos:
Click buttons above to watch other lessons
ANS REWIRE
ONLINE PROGRAM ACCESS
Recovery program for ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS, MCS & related illnesses
12 Months Access
$
537
AUD
Please Note: You will be charged in Australian Dollars. The above amount translates approximately to:
$
350
USD*
£
280
GBP*
€
327
EUR*
* These are approximate amounts for informational purposes only. Actual exchange rates will vary.
Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
“If you don’t feel the program delivers engaging and compelling education to help you understand this illness and take decisive action towards your recovery, you can request a full refund minus the administration fee within 30 days of enrolment. This will be paid upon return of any physical components and the refund request form.”
See Terms & Conditions for details.
I got sick with CFS 4.5 years ago ... in 5½ months I am hiking up mountains and doing things that seemed impossible this spring.
Recovery Program Description & Details:
The program includes an online component and audio training.
Program Content Introduction:
Often, people that have tried many approaches for recovery from ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia with partial or little success, are interested to understand the specific tools and techniques in the program before they enrol.
It is important however, to understand that recovery is NOT about any ONE specific tool or technique, but rather about a comprehensive approach tailored to your personal needs.
In order for you to tailor your personal recovery action plan using the tools, techniques, strategies and additional treatments discussed, it is key that you gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the illness. And it is this understanding that is the central value and power of the ANS REWIRE recovery program for ME/CFS/FMS, and the reason why education and understanding are so heavily featured.
In other words, it is about understanding the answer to this question:
“Why have others recovered with XYZ strategy (some specific physical treatment, therapy, brain training or even graded exercise regimen), whilst others have not had success with the same approach?”
Understanding answers to such questions will help you to answer the most important questions including:
“What do I need to do to recover?”
and perhaps most importantly:
“Why haven't I recovered so far?”
Hence the program is based on the fact that:
We know that what allows one person to recover from ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia, often won’t work for the next person!
Despite a common root dysfunction, symptoms and bodily dysfunctions vary, as does the severity of the illness.
So whilst all people share common challenges and dysfunctions, that often require a common approach, we recognise that everyone still has some different needs. This is why there is no single effective fix-all treatment for ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia that works for everyone, no easy cure. For example, a person experiencing severe pain has different challenges to a person experiencing MCS. And in turn, a bedridden person may need different additional treatment needs to somebody that is more mobile.
So the program is more than a collection of strategies or a “protocol” for recovery, it is about you using the education, information, tools, strategies and training to tailor your PERSONAL ACTION PLAN for recovery. It is about guiding you to explore answers to the above questions and to seek additional help from health care professionals where needed as part of your holistic recovery action plan, to tip your nervous system back into normal functioning.
The program consists of five categories including:
Coaching
Think of the program as having somebody in your life each day, to guide you and help you plan your recovery, somebody who understands what you are going through and who can motivate you to do what you need to do. This is why the lessons are delivered one day at a time, so that you can build on your knowledge and give yourself time to take the action you need to recover.
Understanding
The first 2 weeks of the program focuses largely on understanding the mechanism and dynamics of the illness, which we believe is the key for long-term success. This forms the foundation for the techniques and strategies that you will learn later in the program..
Physical Strategy
Here we address the 4 key physical triggers of the illness. This category is made up of specific education and strategies to reduce these triggers to help you create a healing environment and start your journey towards recovery. This includes:
- specific dietary changes
- lifestyle changes;
- specific physical activity strategies.
The lessons are strongly focussed on understanding the reasons behind the differences in people’s experiences. For example, it addresses the conundrum of many people experiencing a significant worsening of their condition with increased exercise, whilst others benefit from it. This understanding and the distinctions are then available to allow you to avoid the pitfalls, and to start using physical exercise for improved function and recovery.
Brain Training
- education on brain plasticity in the context of ME/CFS/FMS;
- education on relevant scientific research on meditation and pain perception;
- instruction on meditation;
- instruction on specific mind/body strategies for ME/CFS/FMS recovery;
- instruction on specific body/mind strategies for ME/CFS/FMS recovery;
- instruction on the REWIRE technique as applied to:
- physical expression triggers of ANS dysfunction;
- conscious psychological triggers of ANS dysfunction;
- subconscious psychological triggers of ANS dysfunction.
- specific relaxation training for ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia;
- specific mental exercises and cognitive strategies to normalise pain perception and re-contextualise our experience with MCS.
Supporting Strategy
- disturbed cellular metabolism;
- hormonal and neurotransmitter support; AND
- detoxification support.
- Understand what is going on;
- Learn what you need to do and how to do it; AND
- Take the daily action steps to move you forward.
Daily Action Steps:
The daily action steps that are part of the program, vary depending on the topic of the lesson. Some examples of simple steps are:- Assessing current symptoms and your function;
- Setting recovery targets;
- Exploring your experience with the illness by considering certain aspects such as the lead up to your initial onset, your current symptoms or your current circumstances;
- Exploring specific treatment options.
- Specific brain training exercises;
- Lifestyle and dietary changes;
- Other physical strategies specific to your recovery.
The program includes:
Online Component:
- Over 40 lessons that teach you the techniques & guide you in your recovery journey;
- Specific training on the 4 pillars of energy restoration;
- Specific training on the 3 elements of pain desensitisation;
- Training to address the 3 main physical triggers of the ANS dysfunction;
- Range of options to tailor the REWIRE technique to your needs and preferences;
- Personal login with access for 12 months;
The program is available online with the delivery of one lesson per day over a period of about 6 weeks. This ensures that you can complete the daily action tasks and build up your understanding before commencing specific strategies and brain training for your recovery!
The online program is divided into 5 main categories:
Audio Training
This includes 3 components:
ANS REWIRE
Mindfulness Meditation Course
- Mindfulness meditation instruction tracks;
- Mindfulness meditation practice tracks including a 20 minute guided track with brainwave entrainment technology.
- Mindfulness meditation practice tracks including 20, 40 and 60 minute guided meditation tracks with music and voice only options
Utilises Brainwave Entrainment Technology!
ANS REWIRE
Pain Desensitisation Exercises
- 2 guided brain training sessions to complement the online training on the 3 components of pain sensitisation.
- includes one additional version with brainwave entrainment technology.
Utilises Brainwave Entrainment Technology!
ANS REWIRE
Sleep Relaxation
- 2 variations of a guided relaxation for sleep that also trains you on how to evoke the relaxation response and is specifically tailored to ME/CFS/POTS/Fibromyalgia;
- includes both options with brainwave entrainment music and ordinary relaxation music.
Utilises Brainwave Entrainment Technology!
What is Brainwave Entrainment Technology?
Brainwave Entrainment Music uses an audio technology known as binaural beats as well as isochronic tones, monaural beats and amplitude modulation. These assist in bringing about desirable changes in brainwave activity to encourage states of relaxation, deep meditation or sleep.(1)(2)(3)
The Cons List
- The program includes lifestyle and diet changes and will require a little adjustment during the recovery period;
- The program will require some ongoing efforts from you. Little happens from watching a video only;
- The program will require 6 months of commitment;
- The program requires a good quality internet connection;
- The program requires a little patience because the lessons are not all available immediately, as they become accessible over a period of about 6 -12 weeks with additional support and lessons over the coming months;
The Pros List
- The program is staggered to ensure you take daily steps towards recovery;
- The program has a strong foundation of understanding before launching into the techniques and strategies to ensure you follow through;
- You can complete the program in the comfort of your own home;
- You can slow down and complete the program at your own pace;
- Because it’s an online program, you get access to any additional on-line resources that are added to the program in the future;
Online Recovery Program
ANS REWIRE
ONLINE PROGRAM ACCESS
Recovery program for ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS, MCS & related illnesses
12 Months Access
$
537
AUD
Please Note: You will be charged in Australian Dollars. The above amount translates approximately to:
$
350
USD*
£
280
GBP*
€
327
EUR*
* These are approximate amounts for informational purposes only. Actual exchange rates will vary.
Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
“If you don’t feel the program delivers engaging and compelling education to help you understand this illness and take decisive action towards your recovery, you can request a full refund minus the administration fee within 30 days of enrolment. This will be paid upon return of any physical components and the refund request form.”
See Terms & Conditions for details.
References
(1) James D Lane, Stefan J Kasian, Justine E Owens, Gail R Marsh – “Binaural Auditory Beats Affect Vigilance Performance and Mood” Physiology & Bahviour, January 1998 Volume 63 Issue 2 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938497004368
(2) Dale Foster – “EEG and Subjective Correlates of Alpha Frequency Binaural Beat Stimulation Combined with Alpha Biofeedback” http://www.stealthskater.com/Documents/Lucid_07.pdf
(3) R Padmanabhan, A J Hildreth, D Laws – “A prospective, randomised, controlled study examining binaural beat audio and pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day case surgery” Anaesthesia, 2005 60 pages 874 -877 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04287.x/pdf
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I have been with Re-Origin for nearly a year. It helped me tremendously with interrupting thought loops and anxiety. The physical symptoms, especially not sleeping, have improved only slightly. I recently discovered high blood sugar. I like that your program includes lifestyle stuff. I have changed as much as I know to do (there’s so much conflicting info out there.) I have to keep going, but it’s so hard to know where to spend my money. Already spent a small fortune over the last 43 years trying to heal. Thank you for trying to help.
Hi Dee,
Chronic illness is a complete money pit!
Whilst certain treatments and medical interventions can certainly be very helpful, in my experience they are often only helpful when we line up all our ducks so to say.
Whilst brain-training is very important, we also need to address physical triggers and other triggers to reduce the pressure of the nervous system. That’s why we talk about such things as blood sugar regulation.
My best advice is don’t rush into anything. Perhaps read CFS Unravelled first to be sure this is the right path for you.
I am impressed at the program even though I couldn’t grasp it in one go.I feel very hopeful that it will help me in the future.
Glad the lessons are supporting you.
I read your book and have watched the 4 free videos over and over again. I have also watched almost all the recovery stories. I started on the SHINE protocol by Dr. Teteilbaum and started neurofeedback with my holistic doctor. I’m feeling a lot better! Does neurofeedback reset the ANS? I don’t have brain fog or the extreme fatigue, but I still have the pain and my muscles still tense up and hurt. Would your program help me to get 100% better and avoid a relapse? With what I’m doing right now, I’m concerned of a relapse or still having the sensitization to pain.
Neurofeedback may be very helpful – however, how it is used is very variable and so I am not sure we can standardise the evaluation of such treatments.
It’s a bit like saying, medicine makes people better – what specific medicine for what specific people?
The program is designed to help you build a solid lasting recovery by first helping you have a deeper understanding of how the illness works and then building up a range of strategies to get fully well. Having made great progress already creates a great platform for you as it makes it easier to engage with additional actions.
Understanding how we get ill and how we become well is key to creating a lasting recovery so that we don’t end up with a relapse.
A lot of ANS REWIRE appeals to me. But it bothers me that I can’t access the recordings for guided meditation and for relaxation before the deadline for getting my money back. I need to evaluate whether they will feel okay for me. One other program with similarities to ANS REWIRE appealed to me a lot — until I sampled the guided meditation, and found it had an attidude that turned me off.
Hi Catherine,
Sorry for the confusion.
Actually you can absolutely access the tracks 4 days after enrolling (they become available when we discuss that strategy).
You can stream them online and use them fully. It is only the download that becomes available after 30 days.
Hope that clarifies things.
No, “education”as you define it, is NOT helpful. It’s confusing and complicates the problem already existing. I have healed ME/CFS by applying Mckel Therapy, as devised by former Scottish GP, Dr David Mickel. It was easy to apply, and enlightening to use. Neither of these apply to your methods. Also, I’m still free of ME/CFS 15 years later! So it actually works and works well. I’ve also applied the Lighting Process for a mysterious form of “fatigue” that has puzzled doctors for the past 7 years (it is NOT ME/CFS as the symptoms other than exhaustion are totally dissimilar), and this has worked well, too. Much simpler to apply and use than the complicated process you talk about….Sorry, I’m not even interested. Nothing has become clear, just more complicated, after all of your talking about it! I’m glad you got yourself well, but it’s not for me!
Of course it’s not for you.
You have recovered, there is no need for you to look at these things.
Hi Dan, Thank you for the information so far. ANS Rewired sounds exciting so I am trying to make the decision rationally rather than emotionally.
I try to practise a healthy level of skepticism when choosing tools to help me with my CFS and just a couple of things made me feel cautious. I think you are genuine but I usually stay away from anything that mentions detox, or naturopathy, or that asks me to give up healthy foods. I eat a wide variety of wholegrain and noticed you mention giving up grains. This worries me because the science on the benefits of wholegrain is very well established.
I appreciate that the science is not really there on CFS so expect lots of science ideas that are not yet established. You are reassuringly transparent about that. But am I going to find ideas that contradict established science on your course? That would not be a good fit for me.
Many thanks
Marcia
Great to hear Marcia
Yes rational not emotional is what we want – don’t rush into it!
And yes, nothing wrong with scepticism as long as it is balanced. (of course as a sceptical person, I would say that 😉)
Indeed the whole ‘detox’ narrative can get a bit out of hand – in fact, this can be said about many many treatments for recovery as they focus on symptoms. It’s important to recognise that feeling toxic and whether there actually is toxicity may be different – so we talk about a practical balanced approach which for many people means doing very little or nothing (for detox).
Naturopathy unfortunately is wide and varied. Much of it is science-based and practiced my medical doctors, usually integrative physicians or functional medicine doctors. Some of it is a bit questionable to say the least, so it depends on who you see as there can be a lot of pseudoscience. Speaking of pseudoscience, there is plenty of that in mainstream medicine “evidence based medicine”, which may be surprising if you haven’t looked into the evidence behind many main-stream medical interventions. Frankly, the wheels crank slowly to shift towards ACTUAL evidence based as opposed to ‘sponsored’ evidence based.
The questions of food and what is healthy is complex. I eat wholegrains, but I accept that there are much healthier less Omega 6 laden options which would be preferrable. The evidence behind the harmful effects of diets that are heavily tilted to omega 6 foods as opposed to omega 3 foods is pretty clear in my view. Does that mean you should stop eating wholegrains?
Well it depends on many factors. The main factor is how it is affecting you, especially in the immediacy of your recovery – so probably the more important question here is how you are responding to eating gluten and how much inflammation are you experiencing!?
My general advice is not to get carried away with diet and focus on several diet principles in the program. The only time that we need to go further with eliminating foods is if we have severe gut dysfunction or food intolerances. That is when working with an experienced naturopath (scienced based, not crystal waving) or an integrative or functional medicine doctor is VERY helpful for most people.
Will you find “ideas that contradict established science on your course?” – maybe. If you are very firm in your mind regarding all mainstream established ‘facts’, then you may struggle. Most people including doctors and scientists that use the program report that they appreciate the science based approach of the program. Over the years I have had a couple of people who arc up saying that it’s not science based.
So I think you should reflect carefully.
A good exercise for you is looking at this “wholegrains are healthy” topic to start of with!. Are you open minded to change your mind on this or are you firm?
Yes of course I can make a lengthy argument about wholegrain benefits, the nutrients, the fibre and so on. But I can also make an argument that ice cream is very healthy (which it is when you give it to a person that is starving and has not consumed sufficient calories for months – that’s why many elderly people get sugar laden junk food in hospitals, they simply want them to have the calories – it’s clearly better then not having calories, but are there better options?).
But what about the Omega 6 aspect? What about anti-nutrients in wholegrains?
What I do when I first form a position on an issue, is that I investigate the opposing view with an open mind. It appears this is no longer fashionable which we can see in politics as well as the public health response during the pandemic. It is actually central to the scientific method, which is why the suppression of such activity during the pandemic was so concerning where even decades long scientifically established medical facts were labelled as misinformation. How can it be misinformation when doctors have learned about this for decades and there is overwhelming evidence? How can it be misinformation when the leading professors of immunology and medicine around the world clearly report something as an established scientific fact?
Sorry about the lengthy response, but it’s a complex question as we live in an increasingly complex world in terms of information – I would suggestion you should proceed cautiously as the program may or may not be a good fit for you.
Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully to my question. I’ll change my mind if good science provides new evidence so I’ll take another look at wholegrains but choose my sources carefully. Opposing opinions are always interesting but some deserve more weight than others. I’ll take conflicting peer reviewed articles over a simple answer from ‘paleo mom’.
I’ll also read your book over Christmas and make a decision about the course in the New Year.
Thank you again for your time and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Marcia
I have read studies that showed brain entrainment (BE) is not recommended for treatment with CFS as the HPA axis is affected. And when I’ve done audios with Be I’ve been off kilter for weeks after a short exposure. Your suggestions?
Plus, I’ve been doing DNRS for 3+ years and still not recovered, (and spent over $5000 in coaching etc) wondering how I can determine what your brain retraining process is.
Hi Holly,
Please share this study!
In my experience, people with CFS are highly variable and just about any helpful strategy puts some people out of kilter. (including the most benign stuff)
What I would say is that you should NOT engage in strategies that unsettle you or clearly make you worse. That’s why the program encourages you to customise your approach.
Many people find the BE extremely helpful and have asked me to supply longer tracks with this. However, I believe that it’s more of a ‘training wheels’ tool to help people get started and hence the extended tracks that people progress to are without any music. In fact, it’s preferrable for people to graduate to doing the training without any guidance.
So in your case, you would not use the BE.
Sorry to hear that you haven’t recovered despite all those efforts and costs – how frustrating.
First thing to realise that unlike some other programs, ANS REWIRE is NOT solely a brain-training program. We also look at a range of physical strategies which may in some cases include working with health care professionals.
Regarding the brain training, the program seeks to help people customise their approach to something that is effective for them – which is why we teach multiple versions.
Holly, it’s never about using some process. It’s about understanding why you became ill and what has stopped you from recovering. That’s why the education component of the program is such a critical foundation. We must be able to answer such questions not just to recover, but in order to build a robust recovery. If we cannot answer them, how can we be confident that we won’t simply get sick again after recovering?
Is that helpful?
Yes, but with so many possibilities as to why we got ill how can we be sure of the reason?
Hi Paulee,
Well, I am not sure how to answer that question – it may be more of a personal reflection.
I certainly sought to make a clear and compelling case given all the evidence in CFS Unravelled and then in the program.
So let me ask you, what would you need to be sure of the reason?
Hi Dan
I fell ill after a routine colonoscopy 3 months ago and always had been healthy prior. Currently they have diagnosed me with dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy- that I think is ANS dysfunction- possibly from some unknown viral fatigue syndrome- but fatigue is so severe and out of proportion for usual orthostasis. Watching your videos it appears that ANS dysfunction underlines CFS and I am in early days of this issue. In general, I believe, earlier the intervention better it is. Do you think your program can be of help to someone so early in the issue?
Hi Rid,
I would say yes as long as all new symptoms are investigated and diagnosed by your doctor and any existing investigations are concluded to ensure that there is not another disease mechanism at play.
Thank you for your reply. Yes extensive investigation and follow up continues including CFS studies, Tilt table testing, even electron microscopy to find a virus in my CSF- they all have come empty. I am starting to exhibit post exertion myalgias, and even after fixing orthistasis, my energy is so limited, I haven’t been able to work, drive or participate with family during Christmas. I commend your mental fortitude when you were sick and had energy and courage to persist and improve. I am likely to give your program a try.
Is there a way to access the brain training portion only? I have a background in much of this material and in terms of illness, have already seen progress with applied methods including pacing, tracking symptoms, alternative therapies I was already doing (previous brain injury and trauma healing), etc. Thanks!
Hi Purna,
The program is comprehensive and integrated.
The problem with most people’s approach is either doing strategies in isolation or thinking the strategies are separated and isolated.
Having a deeper understanding of the dynamics is key, which is why I ask people to watch lessons on symptoms they don’t even have – because the learning and research translate.
So, if you are tracking symptoms, using alternative therapies and pacing – are those activities sensitising you or not? Whilst rendering a physical benefit, is the way you are doing these in line with the brain-training or are they having the opposite effect? In many cases, it’s actually the opposite, so understanding the distinctions is key – that’s why the program is comprehensive and can’t be engaged in isolation (like ‘brain-training’ only)
Hope that makes sense?
Hello Dan, I’ve just completed watching your first four videos and some more on YouTube. Very informative. My question I have is this… how or can your program help with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome? I was diagnosed with Lyme and confections that seem to be under control and was diagnosed with CFS/fibromyalgia before they ran the Lyme tests. Now I’m told I have CIRS because I’ve (unknowingly been living in black mold). My home has been remediated and tests on the home show it’s safe but my blood markers are showing high levels of mold still. Will your program help with such injuries? Thank you.
Hi Mary Anne,
If you are diagnosed with CFS/fibromyalgia you are welcome to enrol in the program.
I cannot comment on the CIRS beyond saying that I think it is likely to be an extention of the illness just like we see when people develop Hashimoto’s and such like.
Is there any way to receive an MP3 recordings of the DVD’s? I don’t have a DVD player nor headphones that connect to your typical DVD player.
Yes we know the CD option is a little outdated and we hope to give more options in the future. Thank you for the feedback.
We don’t have the tracks available for download at this time, but you can ask someone to rip the tracks onto your mobile device (if they have a CD rom). Alternatively, you can also listen to them by streaming them online inside the ANS REWIRE PROGRAM. So just login with your phone and go to the tools section to find the audio tracks. ?
Hi Dan,
I saw you 2 days ago on YT being interviewed by Raelan Agle (read her book) and ordered your book from Amazon that evening. I am now up to page 89 and have now also watched all 4 of your videos and the first 3 twice each.
Firstly, I have an observation/question as to why virtually all of your posted comments/replies are 4, 5 and 6 years old? That could have a better ring to it.
I do plan on signing up for your program very shortly. I am also waiting for some microbiome results to come back which should prove very interesting. I’m sure once I’m enrolled I’ll be able to throw out some specific concerns but felt compelled to ask about the time line of the comments…makes things look like they’re not up to date. Thanks.
Chuck McElwain.
Hi Chuck
The reason is that you are looking at the old comments, not the new ones. (or perhaps you are looking at the comments most voted on).
So you can sort the comments for different criteria! If you sort newest, you will see recent ones.
Understood and thank you for the reply Dan. That was my first ‘blog’ ever. Just for accuracy, it was probably more like 5 or 6 days ago that I first saw your interview with Raelan Agle. I will be coming on board soon. Thanks again.
Chuck McElwain.
Hi Dan.
Thanks for your videos! Maybe you could help me with my questions.
I was diagnosed with burnout first, then they said it’s the same as cfs, then the other doctor said it’s fibromyalgia and by now my gp thinks I’m anxious and depressed and all I’m struggling with are parts of the psychological condition.
I have two specific areas to question; one is about my tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds which happened through my sickness and got worse by each relapse and deteriorates easily. Do you know if others have recovered from this by their own or through ans rewire?
The second one is about the sleep problems, waking up many times with heart pounding hand numbness and lack of air. And then tooth grinding that is very sever. The gp says the sleep problems are just because of stress. I don’t know what to do even if it’s because of stress cus I’m managing the stress in daytime.
I want to know your thoughts about these two issues and if it is discussed and addressed in the ans rewire program.
Thanks again.
Hi M.J.
Yes, the old ‘it’s all in your head’ – very frustrating.
Of course, the mental health issues feed into the CFS/Fibromyalgia and exacerbate symptoms, which is why it’s important to address them, but frankly it’s silly to suggest that the illness isn’t real.
The sound sensitivity is normal and quite common and resolves with recovery. Tinnitus is a related condition in my view, but can be resolved (or not resolved) independantly. So I have seen some people’s tinnitus simply stop as they recovered – whilst others need to address it independantly.
The sleep issues are part of CFS/Fibromyalgia. What your GP says here is kind of right, it certainly is due to stress but also due to the maladaptive stress response of CFS/Fibro.
Resolving your feelings of anxiety and depression in parallel to the program would be important to help you make a recovery. I would strongly advise that you seek the assistance of an experienced psychotherapist to support you with this.
Hi Dan, I’ve found your explanation of the illness really helpful. Can you tell me how the practical elements of ANS Rewire, especially retraining your brain is different to the lightning process and the gupta program please?
Hi Lottie,
We can’t really comment on specific programs, because we are not familiar with them.
However, people have advised us that the brain-training component does not require visualisations like some other programs and that it is more flexible and customisable than other programs.
Hope that helps. I think it would be great to have comparative discussions in forums by people who have done multiple programs to give a good comparison.
Have you considered providing the audio in mp3? Many people no longer have a way to play CDs. I do, but I don’t think I can connect headphones to my player, nor conveniently listen in my bedroom, for instance.
Hi Jennifer
We know the options are a bit outdated – we don’t have mp3 versions yet.
However, we hope to provide additional options in the future.
For now, you can stream the tracks online inside the program.
Hi Dan, thanks for all the info and for creating a place to find so many stories from folks like me! Could you tell me on average what percentage of your students recover fully and what percentage partially? I’ve been sick for 10 months, mostly bedridden, and have learned a lot about the illness and my own triggers already. I plan on enrolling in a few months once I have my finances sorted out… losing my career has been a huge blow, as I’m sure folks here all know. Looking forward to progress… and feeling grateful I can learn from you and others who have made it through!
Hi Lisa
The ANS REWIRE is a self-help program, so it is not in a clinical setting.
Hence there is no way to accurately access recovery rates.
I know some other programs make claims based on smaller sample sizes, but I don’t feel this is scientifically accurate and most likely is misleading.
Sorry not to be able to give you a better answer. Thanks for understanding.
Hi Dan, I saw the Videos 1-4 of ANS Rewire and I am really in your programm. For more than 15 years, I am suffering from chronic joint hypermobility, especially cranio-cervical instability. The exact reason of my joint hypermobility is still unknown… so maybe you can call Ehers Danlos-Syndrome, maybe it is some kind of fibromyalgia. But I am sure that it startet after a severe viral infection in 2002.
My question: Might ANS Rewire also be able to cure joint hypermobility issues? I am asking because the reasons for joint hypermobility might be different than the reasons for CFS and/or fibromyalgia.
Thank you!
Hi Philipp
Look, most of the time when people think there are ‘separate’ reasons for symptoms, they are actually usually part of the syndrome. However, that may not apply here.
If you have some specific hypermobility that can be traced to lack of muscle tone, then maybe. But otherwise, if it some systemic, perhaps something else may be at play (such as EDS)
People that experience EDS often experience CFS/Fibromyalgia – it’s my view that this is directly triggered by the EDS. However, not all people with EDS have CFS/FMS, so it may be possible to reverse the CFS/FMS for people with EDS, but not the EDS itself (although symptoms can improve as far as I understand)! I don’t have a lot of experience with EDS – at this time, I have not come across people with EDS who recovered from CFS/FMS. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist or that it isn’t possible, but I simply cannot speak with confidence about such recovery possibilities. It may very well depend on the type and severity of the EDS the person is experiencing.
My suggestion to you is to get another opinion from a specialist doctor to find the reason for the hypermobility. How does that sound?
Hi Dan,
thank you very much for your honest answer.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Dan,
I really resonate with your hypothesis as to the causes and perpetuating factors in the condition. I’m a scientist and my own deep research and personal experience has led me to the same conclusions regarding ANS dysfunction. I particularly like your nuanced view that it’s both SNS and PNS that are overactive at the same time.
My reservation is that your program is too similar to some of the other brain retraining approaches like DNRS and the Gupta program. Both had their role in my progress, but what made it ineffective was their emphasis on “stopping” negative thoughts. This approach usually backfired for me and made me feel more negative and have more thoughts (what you resist persists). It always felt like I was playing an elaborate game of denial about my reality and state of mind. Mindfulness is far more effective here, I’ve found, even though that too takes a lot of practice. I realize you can’t reveal too much here, but could you speak broad strokes about how your program differs from the other brain retraining strategies out there?
Thanks,
Nikita
Hi Nikita
It’s difficult for me to speak about other programs, although some people have mentioned them in their recovery interviews on cfsunravelled.com
Here is the FAQ response, I suggest you check that out!
I appreciate what you say about the denial. In standard life, that’s not a great strategy, however, in this context, it is merely a strategy to seek a different response from the nervous system. The key to changing thought behaviours is to gain a new way of thinking about the topic – whatever that is. This is a key step in the REWIRE process – I – Initiate a new perspective. But it’s important to realise that you may require to take action in your life also, depending on what the ‘negative thought’ is.
Also, the program addresses the physiological triggers of the ANS dysfunction – doing this is key in my view alongside any brain-training. Mindfulness is also an important component of the program and the REWIRE process directly leverages off this practice.
Hope that helps.
Hi Dan,
I’ve had what I believe to be ME/CFS for over 30 years now. Went to doctor after doctor. Was sent to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with anxiety which is true and then put me on a round of anti depressants, none of which made a difference. I gave up. First three years were horrible. Since then I have what I call are flare ups which can last from a few days to almost three months. I don’t have pain. I have unrestful sleep, am lethargic, have immense tightness/pressure in my chest and exhaustion in my legs and arms.
I’m so scared when it gets bad, I start to lose all hope and don’t want to live if this is what it’s going to be like. That’s my thoughts and I hate having thoughts like that.?.
I have to save my money for your course. What I don’t understand is, you offer a 30 day money back guarantee, yet it sounds like the course takes much longer than a month, so how would a person know, if they don’t follow it through and give it a chance? I also note you haven’t had a comment on here in the past 11 months, that worries me. I’m reading the comments from two and three years ago, and I never see an updated comment from anyone except Molly who said she feels great. I’m sorry, don’t mean to be so negative but I really have given up. I hate feeling this way, but am so worried this is just another gimmick.
Sincerely,
Jeannine from Western Canada
Hi Jeannine
Yes I agree with you about the policy. Until very recently, we actually had a 6-12 months money-back guarantee for the exact reasons that you state, so that the requests for refunds were based on outcomes (instead of whether you think the course is worthwhile and helpful).
Unfortunately, given the global economic crisis, we felt such a long-tail policy was not sustainable, so the change was made very reluctantly. I am not happy about it, but of course sustainability is essential.
Regarding the comments, you are not seeing them correctly. There are more recent comments than that – simply click the ‘newest’ button and it will order them with the most recent comments first. ?
I am really interested in your program and I just finished your last video that you emailed me recently. I’ve listened to 4 recovery videos and I think we all have one thing in common which is too many doctors in Therapies we’ve tried over the years and they have all failed 2 bring lasting recovery. So my husband is rather skeptical because nothing has worked so far. He doesn’t like to see me get my hopes up and then it doesn’t help. I have had fibromyalgia for the past 10 years and it’s a little different than other people. I have it one day and the next I don’t have it. It is like it turns on and turns off every other day. Once in a while I’ll have two days in a row of feeling normal or two days having pain, paresthesia etc. For the first 9 years it was all on my right side. This past year I’ve also been having pain on my left side. Have you ever talked to anyone that has symptoms every other day? I am very grateful for the “good days”.
Hi Janet
I certainly appreciate the skepticism – but I think it would be helpful for you to narrow down what your skepticism is about.
Is it about the explanation for the cause and mechanism of the illness? If so, consider reading CFS Unravelled
If it is about the program, then again it is about being specific. Certainly ANS REWIRE is not some kind of magic cure! It is a program to help you recover and requires a range of actions on your behalf. It is to help you build a framework for your recovery with a focus that goes beyond symptom treatment.
Fluctuations in symptoms are normal, but it is unusual to have them being so short and regular (one day good and one day bad). It is also unusual for the symptoms to be on just one side, although I have come across that on one or two occasions. What did your doctor say about these symptom features?
Hello Dan, re your reply to Shauna 11 mths ago – ‘PS: the lessons are 30-60 minutes a day. We recommend dedicated brain-training of 30-60 minutes per day on top of that plus any other activities you need to undertake (other medical appointments or therapies)’.
I am keen to undertake your program to get my body and brain back on track, but I live in western Qld without much help in the way of therapies and my doctor is 4 hrs away (local ones very unsupportive). Are the therapies and medical aspects an essential part of the program? If so, maybe I should not start the program until I move further east for a few months OR maybe I could do most of it here, if the support from med. profession , etc is at the end. What is your opinion?
Hi Susie
It depends on the individual!
If you have certain physical or psychological illness that needs treating and addressing that is triggering you, then that may be the case.
So for example, somebody experiencing type 2 diabetes that is untreated, or with a specific gut parasite or with bipolar disorder may struggle to recover if these conditions are not treated.
However, many people simply have a long list of symptoms that the doctor cannot seem to treat or resolve – they often do the program without additional help/treatments and still recover!
Hope that helps.
Hi Dan,
Firstly, thanks for putting together the introductory material. That the ANS is at the route of the problem certainly fits with my symptoms and own research.
I’m planning on enrolling, but have a couple of questions first:
1) I’m fairly new to having CFS, and have been given very little information by the GP/physicians I’ve seen. Would you say this programme is comprehensive, in that it can take you from a position of ‘complete ignorance’ if you like, through to recovery?
2) The fact that this sort of programme is not available through standard medical channels (the NHS in the UK) is a bit baffling to me if it works. Do you have an opinion on why this hasn’t been adopted yet more widely? And are you/ have you had any independent trials to assess the effectiveness of your approach? I have a scientific background (like you) and am pretty sensitive to the existence of a lot of BS in such a murky and generally poorly understood area! Not trying to undermine your legitimacy, but hopefully you can understand my desire to be evidence-led, and the difficulty that poses with this illness!
Thanks again,
Rory
Hi Rory,
Yes, the program is doesn’t presume any previous knowledge and is designed to help you make that journey!
Standard medical channels firstly have quite a variety of opinions about this illness, ranging from it not being a real illness, to being a range of conditions, to being primarily a dysfunction of the nervous system or being a complete mystery. So the lack of consensus stops progress on treatment focus.
Further, neurological triggers can be both physiological and psychological in nature – anything referring to psychology seems to get a huge backlash from the patient community (probably because we have often been treated as malingerers or hypochondriacs), so selling anything that has such components to the patient community is not an easy gig for those channels.
Last but not least, recommended programs have to be evidenced-based. The question is who would do and fund such trials? Further, they are not as straight forward to do as for a medication or singular physical treatment – the whole premise of the ANS REWIRE program is that it is not simply a singular treatment protocol, but rather an education program to help you tailor your recovery approach. The program is designed to let you even tailor how you use the brain-training strategies to your preference. All that would make the science quite complicated to do. However, the point is that nobody has even asked me about it, probably because they are not even aware of it or wouldn’t take it seriously because it wasn’t developed by a University or other standard medical channel.
So I totally understand and concur with the thrust of your question. It should be evidenced based and whilst there is evidence of efficacy, it would be preferable to gather this in a proper clinical setting.
Kind regards,
Dan
Hi Dan,
Thanks for coming back to me so promptly, really appreciate it. And really glad to hear the programme doesn’t assume any knowledge.
Yes, what you say makes sense to me – and as you may have seen I’ve signed up (and done my first lesson + homework!).
I massively appreciate what you’ve done with this. Must have taken a lot of guts in the depths of CFS to dig into research papers. Those can be tricky reading at the best of times…To me, the delivery mechanism is ideal. Not just lower cost, but the ability to pause and take in a 30 min video in bitesize chunks from home is just absolutely invaluable.
I very much look forward to continuing my work with the virtual you tomorrow!
Cheers,
Rory
Hello Dan, I have been suffering from CFS for over 8 years. In the beginning, It was so bad I did not have the energy to stand up on my legs for over 3 months. and that was only one of the many many many crazy symptoms. I am at a point where I was like 80% recovered and just last week I crashed pretty bad by doing and stressing too much. As you know I am pretty discouraged right now….My question is I ordered a product called DNRS a few years back and it really didn’t help me.(maybe because I couldn’t do it at the time, my brain did not have the energy to visualize for longer than like 5 to 10 minutes and that program required the brain energy to really use the brain energy I didn’t have, if that makes sense.) Anyway I am pretty excited to see your program, but how similar is it to that DNRS program? thanks.
The key is about doing what you can do.
ANS REWIRE is all about a MULTI-LATERAL approach – so it is quite different from most ‘brain-training’ programs.
The brain-training components are designed to flexible to suit you. Check out the answer to your question in the FAQs!
Well, Dan, thanks very much! For someone who has craved plausible explanations and to understand what might be happening in my body for years (became ill during university, over 30 years ago…), your videos are a tremendous relief. I had in recent years heard about neuroplasticity, and that gave me hope, but I have not got a “scientific brain”, so I couldn’t really make enough sense of it. Besides that, what would I do with that knowledge? I’m planning to enrol after the summer (European!), once I’m on my own again after the holidays. I’ll by then have had the opportunity of reading through your book which I’ve ordered. I still prefer paper to screen, although I must add that I find the way you express things very agreeable (rhythm, tone of voice…) Oh, must add that I know brain-training is just one aspect of your programme. A number of things I’ve been trying to do over the past years might fit in well, actually.
I’m a bit brain-foggy just now, having just read all the comments after looking at introductory video nr 4.
I am interested in the language aspect – the French lady commenting about retraining in English or in her mother-tongue. I’ve been intrigued about the impact of language since I embarked on psychotherapy. I have 2 mother-tongues, French and English. I live in France, and all psychotherapy has been in French, although I have sometimes expressed myself in English (my mother’s language). I’ll see when I embark on your programme whether I feel that doing a course in English seems to impact in some way or the other.
I wonder about CCI, i.e. cranial-cervical instability. Have you come across links between dysfunctional ANS and development of CCI? If yes, conversely, could CCI diminish and even disappear as general neurological functioning improves as ANS “normalises”? I was told by a physiotherapist that he thinks my muscles are fine, except they don’t get the neurological information to function well.
Thanks, Dan! All best. Isabelle
Hi Isabelle,
Thanks for the feedback – it’s interesting about the use of different languages for our retraining.
I haven’t researched CCI in detail. However, from what I know, some people have ME/CFS/Fibro/POTS(ie. dysautonomia) triggered by CCI. This makes sense given the impact of CCI on the brainstem and hence the ANS. There is anecdotal evidence that as people resolved their CCI, that their dysautonomia (ME/CFS/Fibro/POTS) resolved also.
There are many symptoms of the illness that are also triggers, and so as people recover, these trigger symptoms resolve themselves. If CCI is caused by CFS/Fibromyalgia/POTS, then it would go to follow that a similar experience of recovery of both might be possible (as you are suggesting based on the comments of your physiotherapist) However, because I have not researched this and have not made the causal connections, I can’t state that I know this to be the case. (that doesn’t mean it isn’t – I simply don’t know)
Similarly, as CCI is less common in the patient population (or at least diagnosed less often), I have not come across a recovery from the syndrome that led to CCI being resolved ‘spontaneously’. But again, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened or that it isn’t possible.
It would strike me that your best approach is to do whatever you can to resolve CCI whilst at the same time doing everything you can to recover from the syndrome – I always advocate a multi-lateral approach that addresses both the root cause as well as the secondary dysfunctions and triggers.
Hope you didn’t find my answer too wishy-washy – but I am sure you appreciate that I don’t want to speculate on areas that I haven’t researched or had experience with.
Hi Dan, Sorry for having taken such a very long time to write back and thank you for your comment. Let’s just say that these past months have not been easy…. As to your response to my first message, I just wanted to assure you in writing that far from thinking your answer wishy-washy, I appreciate your honesty and rigour. Thanks very much. I did manage to start reading your very interesting book, but if I wait to finish it to enrol, I’ll never start! I’m a little concerned about how I’ll cope with the nutrition aspect, since I find it so hard-going to prepare meals etc, but hey ho, I’m now on the point of enroling, once I’ve posted this comment. Wishing you all in Australia the very best. Take care. Isabelle
I’m ready to sign up, but I have no access to a CD player. I’m guessing this is a common problem now everything is streamed, a lot has changed in the 3 or 4 years since you started the program 🙂 – how can I access this vital component otherwise? Thanks Dan.
Hi KTW
You can stream the tracks online.
Alternatively you can rip the CDs to your mobile device.(or have someone else do it for you)
Honestly, I fear hope more than anything. I’ve spent all my energy trying to keep from losing my mind, trying to not go to the dark places of wishing for death. I’ve succeeded mostly. But, real hope for a full recovery? Even thinking about that feels like it could break me.
Totally get where you are coming from.
So, forget FULL RECOVERY – instead, focus on the possibility and goal of feeling just a ‘little bit’ better! 🙂
Hello Dan
I have concerns about the CDs of binaural beats, etc. I only have hearing on the left side and my understanding is that you need to hear from both sides. Is this correct?
Hi Sherry
That’s correct, you need hearing in both hears to benefit from the binaural beats.
However, you can still practice in the brain training exercises without that additional benefit, so it doesn’t preclude you from enrolling in any way. ???
I did nlp/hypnotherapy diploma over a decade ago, so alot of what ur vids say resonate n confirm my own reseach into mecfs. I just have to convince parents (who look after my savings)
Although i think iv got my puzzle figured out
(gut dysbiosis via diet making HUGE improvement, such that i now have energy n resilience to deal with emo n mental stressors, many self perpetuated due to childhood survival strategies -at least these r my biggest 2 causes of maintaining unstable ANS)
I think ur course will save me time n give me that daily motivation to not allow myself to slip the good things that work (discipline needs improving)
There is a local highly qualified lady that uses a hypnosis nlp cbt approach nearby who im waiting to hear back from
Would this b in conflict to ur approach?
She said her thing takes 5 intensive full days, which i believe i can handle with appropriate organisation. I think it would give me a kickstart/boost n help me make changes in my subconscious much easier
(i have lost the ability to self hypnotise n meditate cos fear reasons after hypnotist tried to uncover suppressed memories i wasnt strong enough/wanted to handle. This was after the hypnosis n NLP training i did was half forgotten, so i lacked confidence in resolving the issue myself)
Obvs being able to meditate is a foundational habit to cultivate which i am lacking
I can’t really comment because I don’t know what the course entails.
However, inside ANS REWIRE we talk about getting support from a range of professionals and once you understand how the triggers work, NLP, hypnotherapy and many other types of therapies (including physical treatments) can be very helpful.
I am really amazed, and also sort of angry, to have finally found a program that seems so accurate. This is the first time for me over the 14-15 years of cfs and fibro that I encounter a healing system that sound right to me, and has the proof to back it up. And believe me , I researched a lot and worked so hard, in fact I came to the same conclusions as you, except it took me many years, about neuroplasticity being one of the keys to change.
I was wondering if the program works as well if french is my firts language. I have heard in the past the brain retraining works better in your maternal language. But I have listened to most meditations and programs in english over the last 5 years or more. Congratulations on the great works, Im going to read the book, and if everything goes well, I shall pursue with the program!
Hi Edith
Well, that’s an interesting question – I actually don’t have any research to back a firm opinion either way.
However, my expectation would be that if French is your first language, that you do the brain-training in French! The program is highly customisable, there is no reason why you cannot do any mental exercises in French. The guided tracks are in English, but that is only one component.
Hope you enjoy CFS Unravelled.
Hi, Dan,
Thanks so much for the videos. I found them very interesting and am interested in enrolling in the program. My question is how do you tell if you are actually recovering or just in between relapses? I often think I’m getting better but then have a relapse. It’s quite confusing, and hard to tell if I’m ever doing the right thing
What a great question Cindy.
I think many of us wrestle with that during recovery, which really makes that rollercoaster of hope and disappointment so much worse!
What I would say is that there are usually three helpful measures:
1.) what is your level of health in-between flare-ups like?
2.) how severe are the flare-ups
3.) how long are the flare-ups
In my experience, as people recover the flare-ups are often less severe (although not always, sometimes they actually get a little worse), but also they often tend to last less time. Trying to assess well-being between flare-ups is a bit tricky, it gets a bit muddied and self-assessments are not that easy to be accurate with until you make a greater level of progress. However, the early bounce-backs from flare-ups are probably one of the best indicators.
An important point to note – I recommend that you limit any assessment to once per month, constant measuring is a bit fruitless and confusing in my experience. Use that measurement not to reflect that day, but rather the month as a whole.
Dan,
I am someone who has suffered a lot from anxiety and panic disorder, and OCD. I was a member of the US Military. I have recently gotten off of benzodiazepines and noticed four strong days of horrid bedridden illness which led me to finding your website. But earlier last year I was told I have likely have ANS dysfunction by a wholistic healthcare provider. Orthostatic tachycardia and lightheadedness, balance issues, a loss of interest in exercise and activities, and terrifying chest pains and many GI issues. Plus severe panic attacks. Drs all say My labs and tests are good. I KNOW I’M NOT GOOD. The past four days of bed ridden illness are over thankfully, but the other symptoms persist.
My question for you is, I am 23Yr M who is craving adventure and excitement in life. My dream is to fully recover and become a firefighter. However I know that is a very demanding and stressful job. When you say recovery, does this mean in order to stay healthy, you must avoid such a lifestyle of physical exertion and demand?
You have my full respect and thanks for sharing your incredible experience with the rest of us.
Best regards,
Blake
Hi Blake
The way people can engage depends on how solid their recovery is.
So I would recommend against that kind of thing in the first couple of years after recovery.
Also, emergency services jobs often involve trauma – given the difficulties you are experiencing, why wouldn’t you choose something gentler?
I am not saying you can’t do it, but perhaps there would be a better choice.
Thank you Dan,I have listened to your 4 videos and they have helped me to understand better how my granddaughter Louise is feeling and that there is hope for her to get better.
As she is only 16 and not able to concentrate on things at the moment due to the illness ,I don’t feel that she would be able to follow your programme for now but hopefully in time she will feel able to.
Thank you so much.
Best wishes
Diana
Hi Diane
Yes, the program isn’t designed for minors.
Hopefully these videos have helped you and hopefully CFS Unravelled will give you a deeper understanding.
Best wishes, I hope Louise feels better soon.
Dan
Do you see a lot of people with extreme anxiety as part of cfs/me? I am in a constant state of it . Especially in the morning and before bedtime. I can never feel truly relaxed. My fatigue seems to bring it on. I try to do things physically, but I’m so exhausted my body seems to respond with anxiety. Anybody else experience this?
Hi Tammy,
It is quite common and linked to the root cause of the illness in my view.
One way to think about this is that the ANS dysfunction is like a subconscious anxiety, where the nervous system reacts ‘anxiously’ to stimulous whether it be an infection, exercise or even normal blood sugar variations.
Also, it’s a way for your nervous system to tell you to back up in my view. so ‘pushing through’ when you are exhausted is clearly not well received by your body. Think of it as a learning opportunity.
Dan, thank you for these introductory videos. I have two questions. First, I have done the Gupta Programme and had some mild improvement but not as much as I had hoped for. I wonder if this might have been because I have severe histamine intolerance and other food intolerances. I am not sure how amenable severe food intolerances and histamine intolerance in particular are to ANS rewiring. No mainstream or alternative medical practitioner has been able to help me heal my histamine intolerance. Do you know of anyone with histamine intolerance who has recovered using your program?
Second, I read that your program involves dietary guidelines or changes. I currently must adhere to a very restrictive diet in order to avoid extreme pain and fatigue and neurological symptoms. Is it possible to find out what your program requires re diet before ordering the program to see if it is something I will be able to do? For example, I cannot eat more than tiny amounts of animal protein without extreme fatigue, joint pain, and migraines. I also cannot eat wheat, corn, fruit, nuts, fermented foods, or dairy.
Also, what is the time commitment in hours/minutes per day that must be set aside to accomplish the lessons?
Thanks very much!
Hi Shauna,
Sorry you didn’t have better results withe the other programme. As per the intro lessons, I believe that physiological, neurological and psychological triggers need to be addressed to maxmise the recovery progress. If this histamine issue was poorly managed, that may have been unhelpful.
I cannot answer your question about the histamine intolerance, such details given the large range of symptoms/dysfunctions are not usually shared with me.
The program is about tailoring your approach, so we give guidelines but ultimately you have to use them as they support you. In other words, if any guidelines don’t support you or conflict with your current diet, then you simply don’t do them. Having said that, chances are that you would be able to make a range of changes inline wit the program on diet. Much of what you are doing now will fit very well with the recommendations, the main changes will likely be around timing, portions and perhaps fine-tuning your sources of fat/protein.
PS: the lessons are 30-60 minutes a day. We recommend dedicated brain-training of 30-60 minutes per day on top of that plus any other activities you need to understake (other medical appointments or therapies)
Thank you dearly Dan!!!
Melanie 🙂
Dear Dan,
Thank you so much for the wonderful tool you have created… REALLY! And you have lightened a little candle of hope in my heart.
I’ve been suffering from fibromyalgia for almost 2 years now, but really severely for 1 year… I’m 43. Like many of you, I guess, within a few months, my life just shattered to pieces. Just like that. Puf. All my dreams, everything, gone. In December 2016, I was running with my loving dog and doing yoga 1 hour per day + working part time + studying almost full time… Then I fell… and later on, I crashed. So now, life is like this: “Today, I’ll drag myself out of bed, eat, walk the dog, clean the house as best as I can, bathe, eat, watch cartoons (for mood), walk the dog, then ‘die’ in my bed”. Then, the following day will be: “OK, today, I’ll eat, walk the dog, bathe, go to the market for food, eat, watch cartoons, walk the dog, then ‘die’ in my bed”. And then the next day will be a variation of the previous ones, the “activity” being maybe to wash, hang and-or dry and fold clothes, or to go to see my doctor to fill in some papers (oooh, those papers, right?), or to fill a form for whatever reason, that sort of thing… Wow… That’s my life now…
But I know how I came to this. First, I pushed myself all my life, many times beyond my limits; physically, mentally and emotionally. After listening to your introduction lessons, I thought deeply, did some big introspection… And I contemplated the amount of stress and counted the amount of “traumas” (major stressors) that my body-mind-soul had to go through in my life. 43 ‘traumas’, just like my age. Wow. That’s a lot. But, somewhat, loving so much life and being so lively and positive, my ANS held on, until it was deeply shaken in December 2016 when I pushed my little self beyond my “beyond limits”, and I experienced a burn out. During the following 5 months, it kind of “held on a thread”, regaining a little (artificial) “balance”, with some “supposedly mild” anti-depressant and sleep meds (had barely taken any medication of any sort, before that, in my life, couldn’t even drink coffee)… BUT my ANS was definitely traumatized and FLIPPED for the worse after an adverse reaction to that medication and an improper withdrawal (horrendous) in July 2017, followed by two shingles attacks (October 2017 and January 2018 – never had that in my life). My father in law passed away in January 2018 (was the only one with him until the very end, really really tough thing), then I travelled to Cuba, in February, to get some specific treatment (that didn’t happened), and got quite sick while there (lungs and intestines) + was exposed to lots of exhaust, smoke, extreme heat, some stress too, etc… Came back to Montreal in May even more exhausted… And since then, my FMS has only worsened (whole body burning, very strong in my face + spasms + post-herpetic electric shock in hip and leg), …and I now have developed MCS. Oh boy. Also, I had black mould exposure for the past 4 years without knowing it, in my current apartment – but my spouse and I are moving out now within a few weeks (with lots of help from my family) outside of town to a mountainous area, in the hope I will start to recover in that new healthier environment…
I tried sooooo many things (didn’t help) – many “off the chart” (like rTMS, for instance), didn’t get real help from doctors, sometimes quite the opposite actually! Can’t do yoga anymore, which saddens me so much because I was good at it and above all it made me feel sooo good in the past, and I try to meditate or visualize like before, but the pain is so great that it interferes and I just can’t see any benefits… so sad. Also, I can’t tolerate meds for pain (at least, the ones they had me try), and I refused to take Prozac or Cymbalta, because of my previous adverse reaction to those + big side effects they would have on my marriage. I only take meds to sleep, quite strong dose, because the pain is so huge. And now, on top of the tremendous pain, I have lots of flu symptoms, respiratory distress (heavy duty sometimes), a “pain in the bone” feeling too, more and more digestive issues, more tired every day, energy going down and down, and many others…well, MCS stuff I guess (from what you mentioned). And my mood? You can imagine. Living a torture like that everyday (being burned alive), I am not the cheerful, go-getter, always positive and dynamic person I once was. Sometimes I feel dead inside, like a ghost, or a shadow of my former self…
Anyhow, my big question is: do you sincerely think that your program could really help me heal from such a HUGE pain issue + all the rest…? I really feel that my body is slowly and very painfully dying away, that I’m pushing to live on some “borrowed time” that doesn’t belong to me anymore… Really sorry for this long story and the (quite) negative-depressive tone, but that’s my crude truth. I deeply believe in neuroplasticity, I really do! But I wonder, because of my past, and also, since I just keep going down the drain… maybe I am really broken, unfixable and… done for?
Thank you in advance for your insight, please…
(PS: I’ve been told by a therapist to distract from the pain, but it’s always there, intense and burning… so, how could I?) …
Melanie
Hello Melanie
Thank you for sharing your story – it’s a rough trot isn’t it!
Many of us end up thinking ‘we are broken’ or ‘unfixable’. In the end, whilst there are others with similar experiences to you that have recovered, the only thing that will ever really convince you of the possibility is experiencing tangible progress with your recovery.
But as you are hopefully gathering, it’s a process, not a quick magic cure.
Your therapist is giving you great advice – the key is practice and persistence. But it is also about looking at the other psychological factors that influence pain. In the end, focus on that which allows you to make progress right this moment. As you make more progress, you can extend the strategies that you are doing as they become more available.
Little steps Melanie – remember that looking after yourself emotionally is really important, not just for the obvious reasons, but also because it will directly impact on how you experience the pain reduction. We give you many tools to help you change your approach Melanie, including how you think of your daily experience, however, ultimately it is about TAKING action to create change. And by action, I don’t mean enrolling in ANS REWIRE, but rather doing whatever you can and learn to move yourself forward. So make sure that you make that promise to yourself first, make a full commitment to doing whatever it takes, to finding a way even when one doesn’t seem obvious or easy.
Best wishes,
Dan
Dan I’m the father of a young CFS sufferer who is forcing his way out of the grips of the disease with a positive attitude that might be too positive. Meaning: he believes he will be soon well, and as an athlete, he is used to pushing through pain. So every other week he works his body too hard and pays about ~36 hours later for about 2-3 days. He has a short memory. So a week later, he’s pushing again because he believes that’s the way to get his conditioning back.
Anyway, I really believe this is an ANS issue. So I’ve been watching your videos. They are very professional, and you are very articulate. One quibble. You don’t seem to provide a setting to speed up your presentation, a la YOUTUBE. For a 15 y old, you’re very precise with language but the videos drag a bit. Can you add a 1.5x speed setting if we pay for the program?
Very impressive site.
Hi Oscar,
The challenges you mention are common – we educate people in the program as to WHY this happens and the best approach to overcome this challenge. However, unless someone wants to watch the lessons and make the changes, such information isn’t helpful.
The program has been designed for adults – so it may not be appropriate for your son.
Whilst you might be able to watch the lessons ahead of time to make sure it is appropriate for his level of maturity and to discuss with him as he goes along – simply ‘buying the program for him now’ is not advisable and I would strongly recommend against you against that – it would almost certainly be a waste of money/effort.
Having ‘buy-in’ from participants is essential – recovery takes a firm commitment and confidence in the underlying explanation to ensure that participants do the work and see it through.
I would suggest you encourage your son to watch the lessons under your supervision – then if he decides he is interested, it would be up to watch the lessons with him and to deliver the content as you see appropriate. We don’t have any facility to speed up the viewing.
Hi!
Is it possible to somehow get the audio files online, maybe by streaming? I live in sweden so I guess it would take a while for the CDs to get here and it might also be expensive to ship them (and I don’t own a CD player?).
Hi Veronica
You can listen to them online inside the program.
You can also transfer the CD tracks to an MP3 device or ask a friend with a CD ROM drive to do it for you. 🙂 We hope to add additional delivery options in due time.
Dan, I tried to enroll today, but could nott complete the order form. The country selection box is not working.
Hi Denise
Sorry about the difficulty.
We are seeking to resolve this issue.
You can get to the country box by using the Tab button.
Alternatively, try using another browser (presumably you are using Mozilla Firefox)
Thanks Dan, appreciate your feedback. Looking forward to signing up to the course.
Hi Dan,
I’ve just been recently diagnosed with CFS/ME in the last few weeks and my mind is still in a bit of spin trying to understand it all and how I’m going to recover etc.
Your introductory windows have been nothing short of brilliant to explain what is happening, and for that I thank you very much. I’m the type of person that likes to break down and understand things, so your videos were just made for my type of personality.
I guess I’m a classic case of CFS where I’ve had a long history of stomach and traumatic experiences in childhood and in my early adulthood. Coupled with the fact I was on antidepressants for a number of years and this seems to have made my condition worse to the point where I’m now bed ridden.
I’m seriously considering going ahead with the ANS course but I’m also keen to look at what’s going on with my gut, so I’ve made myself an appointment with an nutritionalist.
Will that in anyway contradict any of the teachings you provide in your course?
Also I’ve been doing a bit of meditation and relaxation through various different apps on my phone, and while they have helped me to relax I find that once my nervous system settles (nice warm fuzzy feeling and maybe a nice deep breath) it almost immediately goes straight back into high gear, giving me no time at all to fully enjoy the relaxation I’ve just encountered. Just wondering if this sort of thing is addressed within your course?
Hi Graeme,
Your experience with this rebound after relaxation is quite common and really at the heart of the issue. Indeed, the program is all about normalising the function of the ANS through a range of strategies and techniques.
Whilst brain training is central and features heavily in the program (after all, we need to address the central cause), other strategies are also explored to reduce dysfunction and create a healing environment. Of course I cannot say whether the advice of the nutritionlist will conflict with what’s in the program, but I would say that addressing gut issues is strongly featured in the program and the program encourages you work with other health care professionals to help you optimise gut function recovery.
I hope you find the nutritionist helpful – however, my view would be that working with an integrative doctor or a naturopath specialisting in gut health would be much more beneficial.
Hi Dan,
I am considering trying your programme because I am so desperate. But I wonder if I am too old at 69years and too ill at the moment? I am bedridden with ME and suffer constant headache difficulty sleeping and Anxiety/ panic disorder
and not able to do more than get up to the toilet and lie in bed ! So would your programme suit someone so ill?
Also can you say something about the fact that people might be made to feel a failure if the programme does not work for them. The “blame” thing.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
Of course, I appreciate the challenge you describe – it sure doesn’t make recovering easier!
However, I have learned never to preclude anyone from possibly recovering. Certainly, in my experience, neither age or being bedridden have proven to preclude people from recovering – I have seen people recover in their 60s and 70s, sometimes after many decades of illness. Similarly, I have had people recover that were bed and couch-ridden.
However, if you feel you are so unwell that you can’t watch the videos or be doing anything to move forward, I would suggest to hold off from enrolling – but remember, you can progress at your own pace.
Regarding the ‘blaming’ comment – not sure what I can say about that except that ‘blame’ isn’t helpful.
Yes, of course, like with any self-help program, we see some people not do so well and the obvious reason is sometimes how they approach their recovery and the effort and attitude towards it. So we can see that if someone doesn’t do their homework, doesn’t do what their doctor says and doesn’t put the effort in, that it isn’t surprising they don’t make more progress. That is their choice and natural consequence. Whether you call that blame or not is really up to you – I personally think it isn’t nice to ‘blame’ people – I think people can benefit from being kinder and gentler with themselves! I have to say I often see people doing really well and when they get to like 80% recovered, they drop the ball and stop doing what they did to get there – I think that is a poor choice!
But you also have to appreciate that just because some doesn’t do well can be for other reasons. It can be because there are other triggers/dysfunctions not identified or addressed – or it can be because people are not engaging in the recovery processes correctly, even if they think they are. That doesn’t mean they should be ‘blamed’ – goodness, all we can do is do our best – we don’t always get it right, especially when we are sick. The KEY HERE is really to say, “why am I not progressing?” “what is missing” – ask the questions and then do something about it!
Not sure if that resonates with you or not?
It sounds like someone has either blamed you for not recovering or perhaps you have blamed yourself. All I can say is that everyone needs to learn to adopt more compassion and simply seek to uplift and assist people seeking recovery – including the people themselves.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your comments. I am thinking I will enrol on the programme because I am really desperate. Is this a wrong reason to do so?
Secondly, where I live and because I am bed bound, I don’t know where I could get support with supplements and vitamins etc or other support you suggest. I have Dr Sarah Myhill’s book and have looked on her website at the supplements etc she recommends. Are you familiar with her work?
What would you suggest in my situation?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Margaret,
Well, desperation can certainly help with motivation – that was my own experience.
So I am not sure if that is ‘the right’ or ‘the wrong’ reason to do so.
Obviously the reason for enrolling is wanting to be well again, but more importantly, feeling like the explanation offered makes sense. If it makes sense to you and can commit yourself to doing the work, then absolutley go for it.
What is important Margaret is that you recognise that you will have to do SOMETHING to move forward, simply watching the lessons isn’t enough. Being bed-bound does not preclude you, have seen many others in that situation. As long as you can watch the videos and start taking some steps forward, you can build your recovery momentum. So it’s OK if you can’t get support with supplements now, recovery is about doing what you can to feel a bit better and then doing more to move forward.
If you don’t feel confident and commited yet, you might like to read my book CFS Unravelled first. 🙂
Thank you,Dan.
Dan, I have enjoyed your videos and the systematic way you have presented your theoretical framework…all done with compassion…..true insight and of course scientific riguer.
I heard you mention that fatigue is typically the last symptom to disappear. Have you a theory as to why? Have you noticed a general trend in symptom abatement. If so which symptons (perhaps sytem related?) tend to resolve first? Tx
Hi Helen
Not sure where I mention that?
The issue with fatigue is that it can have multiple mechanisms including significant secondary dysfunctions. So as ANS function normalises, the body still needs some time to recover and for these processes to improve. If there are severe nutrient depletions at a cellular level, these can take some time to normalise as these processes can actually use up energy to occur (isn’t that the irony).
I haven’t got a firm sequence of symptoms abating per se, but what I have noticed is that one of the early signs of recovery is when people start to bounce back much quicker from flare ups. That is a major signal that things are improving in my experience.
Hey Dan 😉
Thank you for writing such an awesome book 😉 As a mild CFS sufferer myself (now 25 years old male), my main problem is brainfog and low amino acid/neurotransmitter problems. Adrenal fatigue as well, low ATP output. I’m helped by a good orthomolecular physician but I really want to now what supplements exactly did you take when you recovered? In the book, you didn’t give very detailed information and I want to show my physician something. My liver detox phases are out of whack too and maybe you can help?
Regards,
Sebastian
Hi Sebastian,
Thanks for your positive feedback.
It’s good that you are the care of a skilled physician because we need to tailor our approach.
The key is really approprate aminio acids, so having a diet rich in protein is important. A number of specific amino acids as outlined in the book (eg. 5-HTP) can also be helpful, but the real message of the book is that we need to focus on normalising nervous system functioning, not just neurotranmitter balances (which we can’t really measure accurately anyway). So like always, the approach is as important as the actual action steps – it’s my view that we are only supporting the body to normalise, not ‘fixing it’.
The focus always needs to be on brain training as part of our overall efforts.
Regards,
Dan
Thank you for your input DAN, but I have another question 😉 I’ll be able to buy your program in April as I have to take care of my money for supplements and good food.
My nervous system is out of balance, if I watch a violent movie now, my body shakes and is in a stressed state, but my conscious mind understands that there is no threat. It’s weird. Meditation helps to calm the mind, but little stressors get me completely out of balance again. When I lie down, I don’t get tired and can think better. Long standing makes me tired.
Despite having a high protein diet, my amino acids are always very low in my blood. There could be malabsorption as well (I have the usual dysbiosis). I have symptoms of lactic acidosis.
Please correct me if I am wrong, I’m not a chemist. Newest studies show that PeCFS show an altered carbohydrate metabolism in CFS in which the body breaks down protein, as if it is in a starving state. This fits exactly my bloodwork.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2121162-metabolic-switch-may-bring-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
So if the body uses our amino ACIDS for energy, the consequence is constant acidosis which leads to hypercalcemia which leads to a host of problems including osteoporosis. (This applies to me according to my physician). If the body doesn’t have enough AA, liver detoxification is impaired? Also the body can’t produce enough neurotransmitters. Thats’s why amino acid therapies are helpful for CFS, but they are not the cure.
According to your theory, if we calm our nervous system down the body should switch to efficient energy metabolism again? Did I get that right?
Since adding Betain HCL+Pepsin, I noticed a more efficient digestion, but that’s only another crutch for me.
Thank you Dan 😉
Hi Sebastian
Sorry for the late reply, this one slipped through during website upgrades. 🙂
Your comment is really pertinent as it shows you the complexity of the illness and the resulting secondary dysfunctions (which of course can also vary over time and between individuals)
Indeed it’s my view that when ANS function normalises, the body can heal and these issues resolve. Whilst we can see this in people as they return to health, I am of the view that we should also support the body to normalise function. Many people abandon this some years into their recovery efforts (because as you know, you can’t ‘fix’ these things, the illness just brings them back). But once ANS function starts to normalise, helping the body to resolve these secondary dysfunctions which sometimes have a bit of a life of their own is not only really helpful to speed up recovery and assists ANS normalisation, but in some cases, it is really needed. This is particularly the case with dysbiosis and some infections.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Hi Dan – I’ve just watched through your intro videos and I have to say I think you’ve nailed it! I love your comprehensive and clear analysis and so I’m very confident that you have put together a great programme to follow. I have been on journey of believing I can overcome this illness since doing the LP 12 months ago. I’ve come a long way but relapsed quite badly over the last 6 weeks or so – probably from getting a little too determined to build my exercise routine. I have watched the Gupta Amygdala retraining programme as well as Annie Hopper’s dynamic neural retraining programme so already have a lot of understanding of the role that brain retraining can play. One of the biggest challenges I find with these processes is the ability to recall memories or create strong imagery of wellness to replace whatever symptoms I am currently grappling with. I do see how this can be a powerful tool to use but have found practising it consistently and effectively has been a challenge. I’m loathe to admit it but I do find the need to continually jump into the NLP step process has become a little tiresome. It can be great for some self-coaching and mood/motivation – but I haven’t found it having much impact on the physical symptoms which continue to be my biggest problem. My main coping strategy throughout my (27 years this year!) journey with this illness has always been on needing to calm the nervous system (lots of meditation, massage, float tanks, yoga…) – but it’s just not realistic to spend 24 hours per day in meditation! I have great hopes that your programme will give me a clear road-map and discipline to stick with and that I will soon be able to get back to pursuing ALL my goals. Thank you Dan – I hope you will be adding me to your list of successes very soon…
Hi Martin,
Thank you for your positive feedback.
The key in my view is to have a wider approach to recovery, and a deeper understanding into how the triggers play out.
Positive visualisation and visualising yourself well isn’t always easy and perhaps not strictly required. I personally couldn’t envisage myself as well after so many years, even WHEN I was actually well. (how weird is that – right?)
Martin, first of all well done for being so positive and focussed on recovery after so many years. Recovery is a process and a journey – so as you progress, your road map will change and you will even need to adjust (dare I forget) some of the very strategies and tools you used to get well. The best way I can describe it is to say;
1.) learn everything you need to and start doing it
2.) do it in the background without focussing on it
3.) as you get to 85-95% still be overall sensible, but forget all the stuff you used and learned to get there to make that final slide into full recovery.
I look forward to seeing you progress with your recovery. 🙂
Hi Dan
I’ll keep this quick
Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have all the symptoms of this but having put my detective hat on so to speak think I’ve got PTSD
Hi Reg,
Well, it’s hard to be succinct with complicated issues, short answers often raise more questions.
But here is my ‘quick answer’ – PTSD and ME/CFS/FMS are on the same spectrum in my view. The difference is the trigger and some symptoms at times (not always), and so we need to tailor our recovery accordingly and sometimes hence need to take additional tailored recovery actions.
Question: if I only have a tablet or phone but no computer can I do the program? I have a Wi-Fi connection. I have watched the introductory videos on my tablet.
Thanks,
Maryann
Hi Maryann,
If you can watch the intro videos on your tablet, you will also be able to watch the rest of the program.
?
Can the program help with emotional trauma? A couple of years ago I had very severe heart palpitations and was taken to accident & emergency dept at my loacl hospital. This experience left me with some trauma which despite a lot of therapy hasn’t completely resolved. The hospital did a full range of heart tests and everything came back normal except the tilt table test so they diagnosed POTS.
I have been struggling to recover as I have anxiety reactions to continuing heart symptoms that are caused by the dysautonomia of the POTS syndrome. I’ve tried meditation, EFT, breathing exercises, yoga, Gupta Programme, acupuncture etc etc and have found it difficult to interrupt the loop of heart symptoms -> anxiety -> worse symptoms
Can ANS Rewire help with this?
Hi Jon,
Yes, ANS REWIRE can help with this, but you may also need some personal 1-1 help to resolve this.
Letting go of emotional trauma can be an important component of recovery and there are a number of strategies to assist with this in the program, which some people have used to overcome this challenge on their own.
In my experience, recovering from anxiety, emotional trauma and CFS/POTS all goes hand in hand. But getting some help with this along with the program (as your progress with the techniques), can really be very helpful to make a breakthrough and accelerate progress.
Thanks for the quick response Dan. Since I had been experiencing the muscle type pain for so many years, I did not realize that fibromyalgia could also give you the burning skin pain (i.e., neuropathic). When it “morphed” into burning pain (can’t have anything touch my skin in areas, even clothing or hot water hurts), I didn’t recognize it as possibly fibromyalgia. You see I had given up a very long time ago on recovering and researching about it. I did not know that the type of pain can change over the years. I’m still not 100% sure if this burning pain is fibro, but I believe that if it truly is part of the long list of symptoms that I have, that with ANS retraining I will see it leave my body. And that is a very hopeful thought. Thanks again Dan–I’m planning on beginning the program as soon as I can.
The list of symptoms seems endless, and of course that is one reason why we should asways be investigated by our MD to make sure it’s not something else going on. So well done for doing that! The type of pain where light touch is uncomfortable is called allodynia! 🙂
Hi Dan,
Thanks so much for providing these introductory videos. After 26 years of having fibromyalgia, all of my symptoms finally make sense. But I do have a question for you about neuropathic pain. 23 years into my having fibromyalgia, I began having new pain in my skin that feels as if it is burning and prickling in certain areas of my body. I’ve gone through the same process of seeing doctor after doctor and no one can figure out where this neuropathic pain is coming from besides maybe peripheral nerve damage. My gut is telling me that it is the fibromyalgia. Have you heard of many people that have had this type of symptom?
Hi Robin
I am glad it resonates with you and finally makes sense.
Yes I have heard of patients having this type of burning/prickling pain. But of course, it is important that all symptoms always be reported to your MD and investigated appropriately!
The pains and sensations in the syndrome go way beyond just classic pain and tender points – there can be burning, even sore to touch sensations where people struggle to feel a shirt against their skin.
Hey Dan,
I have enjoyed watching these 4 introduction videos. You have a clear way of explaining things, and your explanations seem logical. I have enjoyed tangible improvement in the last 6 months or so as a result of lifestyle changes etc, I know I am in a better place than I was a year ago. However I feel as though I have stalled a bit, and I know there is still a long way to go. I look forward to following this course, especially the brain retraining parts, and I am confident that I can move towards a 100% recovery if I am diligent.
Cheers,
Alex
Hey Alex,
Thank you for the positive feedback and well done for making progress in your recovery so far.
This stalling is quite common, in particular at the 70-80% mark.
I am sure you will be diligent in your approach going forward, we are getting lots of postive feedback from people enrolled in ANS REWIRE saying how easy they are finding to engage in the program and how much they are enjoying the daily videos. Having the program delivered like this is much easier and more motivating than having it all lumped on us in 1 go – it allows us to take lots of little steps.
Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold!
Cheers,
Dan
Hi, I just wanted to shout out to people considering this course. I am just shy of 3 months in, and I have made huge improvement. I feel quite close to being fully well. I am sort of shocked at how fast this happened. I have worked the program really hard and it is paying off hugely. You should try this if you are suffering. I feel I am getting my life back.
Hi Mollie, thank you for your positive comment. That is really wonderful to hear. Well done for working so hard and engaging in the program. As you move into full recovery and have a little time to enjoy it, it would be really lovely to get a testimonial and perhaps even record a recovery interview if you like! 🙂 Stay in touch!
Hello Dan,
Firstly, let me express appreciation for your sharing your own journey and taking what you researched and learned and forming it all into books and your ANS REWIRE program. Bravo for you! 😀
I live in NY, US, am 71 and live on Social Security/Medicare. I was diagnosed with FMS/CFS in Houston, TX; first w/FMS in late 80’s after an auto accident, then in 1998 with CFS by one of the leading doctors/researchers in that field (post-viral onset for which I had to take short-term disability). I should clarify that I lived like an “adrenaline junkie” through a large part of my life. I moved to Beirut with a Lebanese husband, experienced a completely different culture and a civil war there, came back to US and became a single mother, kept living that adrenaline lifestyle, as well as I was rather obsessive-compulsive, both on the job and off. On top of all that, my son committed suicide in 1997. I continued working full-time until early 2008 when I took early retirement at age 62. I could no longer bear the constant pain, fatigue, severe headaches and myriad symptoms anymore.
I think I’ve recovered about 50%, maybe more, and I’m on somewhat helpful medications and supplements. I now live with a partner, which is why I came here; my daughter lives with her husband in NY City, so I’m not alone. My challenges are the FMS PAIN in upper neck, shoulders and back, and the terrible headaches it produces. I flip-flop from parasympathetic to sympathetic, with cold extremities, sweating, tachycardia, neurally mediated hypotension, vertigo and all kinds of awful vasovagal symptoms. In spite of all that, I garden, try to pace and take care of myself and enjoy life. Well, truthfully, I still push and crash.
I tried the Gupta Programme after I first moved here, read it voraciously and easily understood it (I have a nursing background), but the script approach just didn’t suit me. I want to invest in your program, Dan, because after viewing the videos and reading most of this web site, I believe you are spot on about the necessity of focusing on the ANS and brain plasticity. My challenge is I tend to go gung-ho into something, then I start procrastinating “oh, I’ll watch that tomorrow…just don’t feel like it now…I have time, I’m retired, I’ll listen to that CD later on…” However, whenever I’m enrolled in a class, even if it’s online, and I know a homework is due, I stay focused and always complete the course with flying colors. The fact that your lessons are delivered day-by-day fits more with my personality, and MAYBE I’d be more likely to think “Dan’s next lesson is coming in today, so I’ll set aside time to focus on that.” I know I really looked forward to each of your four introductory videos, and I eagerly watched my emails each day for your next video.
In June, with my next SS deposit, I’ll use my discretionary funds to purchase your program. I’ve been trying to make jewelry to open an online shop (ETSY), but I can’t even sit for more than 10 minutes before the upper body pain and spasms set in. Such an endeavor would require a big time commitment as well. I believe the best approach for me would be to focus on your program, set aside labor intensive projects for now and pace myself to do the easy stuff and things I enjoy while working on recovery. After all, I am retired!
I apologize for this super LONG comment, Dan! I can be quite wordy. Thank you again for all your committed and heart felt work and the blessings you’ve given so many people.
Cheers! Judith
Hi Judith,
Thank you for your positive comment and kudos.
Like so many of us with this illness, you have clearly had a rough time for many years.
I must say it is very surprising and amazing how you have managed to keep working through all your illness and challenges.
Regarding the program, lack of follow through was my biggest concern for the program, especially given the comprehensive nature of the program.
However, it has been very pleasing to see the excellent engagement of people enrolled in the program and nearly all enrolled people (except those having difficulties with computer sensitivities) have easily progressed and completed the program. In time we will seek to share the user feedback and recovery testimonials.
Cheers,
Dan
Dan,
I am currently working from home (as a computer programmer) and barely hanging on. I’ve been saving up so I can stop working and focus on my recovery.
Do you recommend one stop working during the recovery period and especially before enrolling in your program? Seems like that would be part of a healing environment and make recovery easier (or even possible).
Well, in an ideal world it’s great to take some time off, even it’s for 3 months or so. But obviously, we cannot always do that (although sometimes we cannot work, so it depends)
But it is also easy to wait for the ‘perfect’ time and never get there because such an opportunity never comes – so it’s a balancing act and a personal decision at the end of the day.
What I would say however, is that the key is actually using that time wisely. There is a learning curve to everything we do, including the processes involved in recovery. So for people planning on taking some time off during their early part of recovery, I would suggest going through the initial education phase of the program first (if that is manageable to do whilst working – we are all different). Then when you have practiced the different strategies and explored them and are more ready to really engage, take the time off then so that you can hit the ground running.
Thanks Dan. That’s really helpful 🙂
Thanks Dan, that’s really helpful. I’ll try and clarify a bit. With the Lightning process we weren’t really allowed to have questions which made me very stuck, so I’d apply the process for my symptoms but get pain/fatigue anyway which led to frustration and feeling disheartened and feeling I was just ‘pushing through.’ I’d then have to use it to change my emotional state eg to joy etc and to my beliefs about the Lightning process, but it didn’t really help because the problem wasn’t really being addressed.
Physically I’d also try and change my state to energised and comfortable and really absorb myself in it but ultimately my body still felt like lead, and/or in pain. It wouldn’t listen. Eventually it would get too much, coz what u resist persists right 🙂 and I’d end up crying myself to sleep, feeling like I wasn’t being genuine with myself and making myself worse and couldn’t for the life of me just change my state to happy all the time and therefore Wd never get well. I understand with neuroplasticity it’s really important to be positive all the time, I just find it super hard!! Also -ve emotions like grief when my gran died have their place so it doesn’t always feel appropriate to try and change that. I kept calm, and allowed myself to grieve however I still relapsed 🙁 it was quite traumatic as it happened suddenly and she suffered so I can see why a relapse occurred, I just don’t know what else I cd have done to prevent it.
Your explanation does make a huge amount of sense and I really want to reset my ANS, so I’m really thankful for all your feedback:) Your course sounds amazing, I’m just a bit apprehensive about the neuroplasticity due to bad experiences. I have two rules with anything I try- it doesn’t make me worse, and it’s sustainable for me to continue emotionally and physically.
Sorry for the life story everyone, I’m a bit of a chatterbox! Hopefully other ppl might relate to some of my experience and therefore find some of the answers helpful. Hope that helped with clarifying the context of my question a bit, and thanks Dan for all your feedback 🙂
Hi Natalie,
It seems many struggle with aspects of brain training if they have been ill a very long time and have other emotional challenges also.
Finding a way forward is often a personal experience, that usually involves some personal transformation.
Also, depending on what your triggers are, you have address these differently and where emotional triggers are involved (as opposed to physiological, mental and neurological ones), we often need further exploration and sometimes some help.
It’s important to realise that there are many ways to recover. Some people simply retrain by becoming at ease from their peronal beliefs or understanding of the neural dysfunction. In my experience, ‘forcing’ or ‘suppressing’ the challenges can have quite variable results. A gentler and sometimes indirect approach can be helpful.
Regarding the relapsing, that is normal in face of something like that. The key not to experience that is to build a deeper recovery that has some history behind it, usually with some stress testing along the way.
In the end, we are often the experts at our own recovery. I always encourage people to explore multiple options and to go with their instinct. 🙂
The Lightening Process is a load of c–p. I did it, overpriced rubbish! This is being proven now. I got v depressed afterwards as I realised immediately that I had wasted a load of my hard-earned cash.
Hi Jan,
Look I totally understand how you feel.
Whilst some people certainly do well and recover, in my experience, they often actually adopt a multilateral approach. In other words, they do a whole bunch of other stuff, not only the LP. Having said that, I am sure some people only use the LP and have success, but it’s a shame when people don’t have success and feel bad afterward.
Hi Dan, I read CFS unravelled last year and loved it, I found it a massive source of comfort to finally understand what was going on in my body. I’ve been ill for just over 5 years and like many other ppl have tried loooots of other therapies. Whilst like you’ve been saying none gave me that 100% ‘aha’ recovery there was one that I was able to adapt to my own needs and see improvement over a period of about 2 years. I also tried the Lightning process during that time, but I was one if the ones that didn’t experience improvement. I did however successfully use it to treat my anxiety and ocd, it just didn’t impact symptoms. I ran into struggles with it because it wasn’t impacting my symptoms but I was challenging my beliefs about not being able to do things and ended up with alooot of a cycle of boom, crash and post exertional malaise. My question is- does the program deal with this aspect of things? I’m quite a determined person, but when it felt like I wasn’t listening to my body I had to stop and go ‘ok obv something’s not working.’
Also I’ve always been a highly sensitive person, and it ended up just feeling like I was suppressing emotion and not being authentic. So acknowledging my emotions and allowing myself to feel what I needed to feel was part of my recovery, along with pacing, getting as much joy in my life as possible, doing things which made me feel well, avoiding what made me feel worse. I recovered to about 50%. Then last year a few big life events happened which all took its toll emotionally. Last August a family member died and since then I’ve been bedbound. So I recognise that feeling things so deeply takes a toll on my body, And obv the things that were working for me before aren’t applicable when I can’t stand for more than a few secs or do much now. Your explanation of the ANS makes a lot of sense to me. I suppose my question is- for those of us highly sensitive is it possible to work with the sensitivity in terms of neuropathic relearning rather than feeling like It’s going against it? I really want to get well, I just also don’t want to feel like I’m trying to bend myself into a shape I don’t fit. any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Hi Natalie,
Unfortunately your experience is not unique.
The program provides a multi-faceted framework including physical brain training as well as mental brain training. However, the mental brain training is customisable and gives you many different options beyond the basic stop (which some people find a bit jarring). We also address how energy crashes and flare ups happen and how to approach the increasing of activity to avoid this.
Supressing emotions isn’t helpful, they tend to resurface later to be addressed. The key to lasting change is TRANSFORMATION – changing the meaning of our experiences.
I am not sure I fully understand this question : ” I suppose my question is- for those of us highly sensitive is it possible to work with the sensitivity in terms of neuropathic relearning rather than feeling like It’s going against it?”
However, what I can say is that the ANS REWIRE program addresses emotional triggers as well as mental triggers. The programs helps you identify the drivers behind the emotions to help you transform your experience using the REWIRE process. So rather than ‘supressing’ unhelpful excessive feelings, it is about soothing them. Hope that answers your question and makes sense.
Thanks you Dan! Does this mean do work with the cfs doctor while doing your program? I am planning on this. Or, do you mean the doctor knows how to improve metabolic symptoms and … Not sure? Dawn
Hi Dawn
It means that if your Doctor can help you with improving metabolic symptoms, that’s great.
My point was, the best benefit from treatments occurs when we are also doing other things to recover as outlined in the program. 😉
Hi Dan,
I found a CFS doctor in MI. Should I have him on my team for my Kreb’s cycle dysfunction or is it just treating the symptom?
Thanks,
Dawn
Hello Dawn,
Having your doctor assist you with improving metabolic function is certainly helpful if that is a major challenge.
However, it is my view that we benefit most when we treat these symptoms and dysfunctions in conjunction with an overall push towards ANS normalisation. Treating symptoms in isolation tends to have only short term limited benefits.
Hi Dan
I have been following you online for the past few years with a break until recently as l used to get so emotional hearing people’s stories. I am one of the many that have thought l am different and can’t get better. I have tried so many different things and many have helped, but only much; there’s always been a disappointment after a relapse.
After having got over some debiliating years of not being able to do anything, l have embarked on a year of travelling at a slower pace, doing housesitting for a few weeks at a time. I had set a goal of travelling when l turned 50 but wasn’t well enough to, so three years later l decided that l couldn’t wait until l was well enough….was that ever going to be, and took the plunge.
I am keen to start your program, but wondering about the practicalities such as not always having access to a computer. I do have my mobile phone. Also, l will not be at the same address and will this be a problem?
Hi Mim
Well, I completely understand how you feel of course – been there done that like so many of us!
Access to a computer and internet is important during the first 6 weeks of the program whilst you go through the initial education. Depending on your mobile phone and internet connection, you may be frustrated watching the lessons. If these lessons work OK, then you are probably going to be fine.
We can make allowances for your login with you moving regularly, so that should be OK. However, you will need to provide a reliable address for shipping the physical component (CD Pack) when you first enrol.
Hi Dan. Well that was a couple of years ago and after many more relapses and setbacks, I have watched the intro video and I am waiting for your CFS Unravelled book to arrive and then I will start ANS Rewired. I look forward to sharing my recovery in the near future!
Hi Mim,
Look forward to seeing you in the program. 🙂
Hello Dan
I have just completed watching your introductory lessons and have read about your own story, which is most inspiring. I have been suffering with bouts of fatigue for the last 10 years now and been through several rounds of blood tests with nothing found. I am now on the 8th day of the latest bout whereby I have been mostly lying about in bed and have cancelled meetings with friends and family which is most frustrating for me and them. I have in the past suffered also with anxiety and felt that the mindfulness and relaxing training would be of help. I have not specifically been diagnosed with any syndrome or illness but wanted to know if you think this programme could be of benefit to me if the latest blood test again proves negative.
Hi Nina,
It is always important to be diagnosed by a MD to ensure that you are not suffering from another illness.
However, unfortunately because many doctors are not fully familiar with the illness, diagnosis isn’t that simple and we often struggle to get that diagnosis for many years. Only a medical doctor can make the diagnosis.
Once your Dr has rulled out all other illnesses, if you still haven’t been diagnosed with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia, I would suggest that you contact me and describe your experience and symptoms in more detail so that I can evaluate whether the program would be suitable for you.
Hello
I wounder abort the difference of this program and Gupta program? I have a friend, also with ME/CFS like me, she says Gupta program has helpt her to almost get well. I think your program and everything about it really make sens to me and I read your book so I just wondering about that. It seems to me that Gupta program is more complicated.
Kind regards
Thanks for your comment and query Anna-Maria. I hope you can appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on other programs.
However, there are a range of brain-training programs around the world that many people have good success with. But some people also try some of these programs and only have limited or no success. I believe that the reason for this is that they don’t address some of their physical triggers and don’t personalise their approach.
What makes ANS REWIRE unique as far as I understand, is that we address both PHYSIOLOGICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL/NEUROLOGICAL triggers. Further, the techniques are designed to be simple to use, and also can be customised to your personal preference to ensure they are comfortable for you.
Trust that helps. This page has been updated to reflect more detailed information about the program contents, so have a good look and hopefully it and the FAQ page answer all your questions. 🙂
Hi Dan, great stuff, very moving hearing you talk of your recovery.
I did the L.P and got well… but I still crash at times and feel ill. I use the LP process and get well again. Is your brain training like the LP; do you teach the stop and take yourself somewhere nice? If so it works but doesn’t last always so I was hoping yours was different 🙂
I still can’t do coffee, tea or wine. I find some friends upset my ANS and don’t see them. My LP teacher tells me to use tapping to help this, but it hasn’t worked for me. So maybe your training is the missing link for me to stay well or does one have to keep using the method for ever?
Hi Lucinda, thank you for your positive comments.
I often hear about people who have made good progress like yourself, but get stuck in that last little bit.
The key is understanding WHY and what our personal triggers are. In my experience, we need to tailor our approach!
That is why the program works on tailoring the ANS REWIRE process to your preference, but also explores the different triggers in different ways with different solutions.
The REWIRE process uses a range of pattern interupts (not just the basic stop), but the biggest key is how we recontextualise the trigger in our nervous system. This is where the education which is tailored to address the different triggers is key. Of course someone that experiences pain, as opposed to MCS, as opposed to symptom focus as opposed to emotional triggers is different in how they need to approach and understand things.
I haven’t done the L.P. process myself, so not really in a position to comment.
However, the feedback from people that have done so has been very positive indeed. Here is some feedback someone left in the program, hope that helps you:
“I have to say I have done a lot of “retraining” in the past but your process is my favorite because it is much more simple that the previous ones I have tried. I was actually dreading trying to retrain yet again because I had really become jaded. But right now this feels do-able.”
Hope that helps,
Dan
Hi dan , does the online program work on the phone . It’s my only access to the internet. Thanks .
The online program is in the same format you are seeing here – so if you can see these lessons OK, you should be able to watch the program lessons also. ?
I forgot to mention that your program is like a marrying up of the LP (ANS training program) and Toby Morrison lifestyle program…truly comprehensive and wholistic, especially for those who haven’t done any program yet, it will save them a lot of running around putthing the pieces together.I could have saved so much money! Thank you for work in putting this together.
Dan great job…looks like an excellent program, muchmore comprehensive and support driven than some of the other programs I’ve seen. Unfortunately I’ve spend my money on doing the Toby Morrison program which costs double the price of this program and provides very little support other than videos and handouts and extra fees for face to face appointments. I also did the Lightning process which was great but again you are not provided with a wholistic program to support life changes. I think your foundation information was vital and even more comprehensive than what i found in your book. It’s a major step up alright and I think it will make a world of difference. In fact your intro videos explaining the ANS has even helped me take my LP practice that step further as seems I’ve been missing this piece of the parcel – that my hormone and insulin issues are indeed a connection to dysfunction of the ANS also, I had viewed them as a separate issue.. the connection has been a wow moment for me and has made me more determined. Shame your program didn’t come earlier, so much more affordable than what I’ve paid and more suited to my personal needs (supporting the ANS and improtant explanations provided) You’ve really put in a lot of consideration and thought and focus on the ANS I think will be a deal breaker for most sufferers, it will be the mssing link needed for true long lasting recovery. Looks like a really comprehenisve and great program. All the best…and hope to start hearing success stories soon.
Hi Viv
Thanks for the positive feedback.
I am sorry you didn’t quite get the full result you hoped for with the other programs, but it sounds like you got some value and have made progress, which is great to hear!
Making the connections and distinctions of WHY strategies can work and fail is key to our recovery journey. So I am glad that CFS Unravelled and the intro portion of the ANS REWIRE program have helped you towards that already.
Totally understand your position right now, but you sound like you have many tools and helpful strategies and a great attitude, so I hope that we all get to hear your story of recovery on cfsunravelled.com some time soon anyway. 🙂