RECOVERY AT A GLANCE
Ted, a dentist from Herefordshire in the UK, was first diagnosed with Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome and later with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Over the years he experienced repeated cycles of improvement and relapse. At his physical worst, he says he could be unable to move or even lift an arm, followed by long periods stuck in a chair; work was reduced to only a few patients a day, with little energy left for anything else.
After a major relapse left him feeling for the first time that he might never recover, Ted enrolled in ANS REWIRE. He says he began to feel and function a little better within about two weeks, rated himself 8/10 after four weeks, and considered himself fully recovered about 4.5 months after starting. By the time of his short testimonial, he said he had been fully recovered for 11 months and was again running, skiing, dancing intensively, travelling and socialising.
Explore This ANS REWIRE Recovery Experience
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This page shares one participant’s personal experience with ANS REWIRE. Individual experiences and outcomes vary. ANS REWIRE is an educational and training program and is not medical treatment or a substitute for diagnosis, advice or care from a qualified healthcare professional.
Watch The Video of Ted Sharing His ANS REWIRE Experience
Video Transcript
From Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome to ME/CFS
Hi, my name is Ted and I wanted to share with you my experiences of full recovery using the ANS REWIRE program after six years of being ill with chronic fatigue syndrome. I live with my wife Kate in a beautiful part of England called Herefordshire where we also work as dentists. When I was first taken ill in 2009, I was first diagnosed with post viral fatigue syndrome. And this, with time, later was changed to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Severe Crashes, Exhaustion and the Cost of Continuing to Work
At its very worst, well, I was unable to move. Couldn't even lift up an arm to pick something up. And this would usually be followed by two weeks of just being stuck in a chair, unable to do anything at all. But I consider myself lucky because, unlike a lot of people, I wasn't stuck bedbound for great long periods of time. Generally, my symptoms were associated with fatigue and general exhaustion. I felt like I was plowing through treacle if I tried to do anything physical or mental at all, along with all those other symptoms, which I'm sure you're well and truly used to.
The Impact of ME/CFS & PVFS Relapse Challenges on Life and Work
This had a massive effect on both Kate and my own life. Being self-employed, I had nine people who needed me working, for them to actually get wages. And so this meant that I pushed myself probably more than I should have trying to work. But this was with restraints. I could only work part time, and I could only see a few patients in a day. This again came with a cost, though. It meant that the rest of my time was spent just sat in a chair. I had no energy for anything else in life.
For Kate, well, incredible stress, increased responsibility, and a massive workload to keep the business afloat. We decided very early on that this illness was not going to be her illness. And so she had to get on with her life. She had to enjoy it. But I know how hard it was for her to go out for an evening or whatever she was going to do to find some enjoyment to just leave me sitting there in the chair.
Treatments and Strategies Ted Tried Before ANS REWIRE
Because I'd had so many patients over the years of my own who'd had chronic fatigue syndrome, I knew when I was first diagnosed that I had to do something really quick and get help. And this was going to be outside the normal medical remit. I had regular traditional five-element Chinese acupuncture and this really helped me tremendously, and I'm very grateful to my acupuncturist for all he's done in keeping me going.
Very early on I signed on to the Gupta program and I had some improvement, but I just couldn't maintain a recovery of any shape or form. I used mindfulness, meditation, pacing, all the normal things. Throughout this time, I was continuing to do research, and this was how I found Dan's book, CFS Unravelled. I tried hard to put elements of his book into what I was trying to do for myself. I worked with a functional medical practitioner, a nutritionist as such, but there was always a common theme, again and again, improvement followed by relapse.
A Major Relapse After Years of Improvement and Relapse
In July 2016, after what had probably been my longest period of improvement, I had a massive, massive crash, a massive relapse. CFS symptoms back at their very worst. And after all those years, for the very first time, I was broken. For the very first time, I felt I wasn't going to recover.
Now, Dan had actually sent me an email a couple of months previously telling me about the launch of his new program, ANS REWIRE. So I fired an email off to Dan straight away, giving a little brief history of what was going on with me. And in less than 24 hours, we got a reply. A reply full of hope and encouragement. When Kate read it, she burst into tears. It meant that much to her. And without any hesitation, I signed on to the ANS REWIRE program.
Improvement Within Weeks and Full Recovery in About 4.5 Months
Within an incredibly short time, as I remember, about two weeks, I was starting to feel and function a little bit better. I went from my worst case scenario, as I say, to actually being able to do things again. In four weeks, well, I was scoring myself at 8 out of 10. And after four and a half months, I was fully recovered as far as I was concerned. But to be truthful, I didn't admit it to anyone for another month.
What Full Recovery Looked Like for Ted
So here I am now, 11 months into full recovery, and wow does it feel good. I'm able to do anything I like. Two weeks ago, I returned from a 10-day trip to Barcelona, where I was involved in 10 days of intensive dance training. Last weekend, again, I was at a full weekend dance event. I can run, I can ski, I'm even learning Spanish. I can socialize, I can go out and enjoy myself again. I can live life fully, and it's great.
What Recovery Meant for Ted and His Wife
In all this though, the best part of it, for me, is not to see the stress on my wife's face anymore. I believe that Dan has put a wonderful program together in the ANS REWIRE program. My experience with it has been positive and life-changing. It's skillfully put together so that at whatever stage you're at, even if you're bedbound, you can move forward at your own pace, building on the success of each step.
Ted's Message of Hope For Full Recovery from Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome
But I think the most important thing you need to hear from me is that full recovery is possible. There is hope. Working with Dan has been a life-changing, transforming experience for me. And as he said, it probably would be the greatest achievement of my life. I'm very grateful to Dan for what he's done for me. Firstly, for giving me hope. Secondly, for that help, encouragement, and advice that's brought me to this new way of life.
Full recovery is possible. Don't give up. There is hope, and I fully commend the ANS REWIRE program to you.
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