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Summary

After years of treatment for tick-borne infections, Lauren was mostly bedbound with chronic fatigue, migraines, severe sensory sensitivities, and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). She began DNRS shortly before turning 22 and describes early improvements that helped her return to learning, hobbies, and outings. At 25, she had graduated high school, discovered a love of graphic design, and completed a long steroid taper. Her story reflects a renewed ability to participate in and fully enjoy her life.

Years of Tick-Borne Illness and Chronic Fatigue

Lauren began treatment for tick-borne infections at 14. Over the following years, she tried alternative therapies and long-term antibiotics. Although Lyme disease had been considered, she says her doctors believed Bartonella and Babesia were the infections involved.

Treatment for Babesia brought some improvement, but she lost those gains after a second bout of COVID. By her early twenties, she was mostly bedbound. At her worst, she could get up only to use the bathroom.

Chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, migraines, insomnia, and drenching night sweats shaped her days and nights. Sometimes she changed her bedding three times in one night. A persistent fever, often low-grade but sometimes higher, lasted about two years.

“There was never a moment that I felt okay,” Lauren recalls.

Migraines and Severe Light and Sound Sensitivity

Lauren’s light and sound sensitivities made ordinary household activities difficult. At one point, she covered her bedroom window with cardboard. She wore earplugs and earmuffs indoors, and her parents whispered because a normal speaking voice could trigger a migraine lasting a day or longer.

Even touch could be painful. Sometimes Lauren could not tolerate a hug or the sheets against her skin. Lying on her bedroom’s cold wooden floor felt more comfortable than being in bed.

Reading, studying and other quiet activities were often beyond her capacity. Much of her time was spent lying down, using an ice pack for her migraines and fever, and trying to get through another day.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Treatment Challenges

Lauren also describes severe mast cell activation syndrome, with reactions to foods, chemicals and smells. She experienced anaphylaxis multiple times and carried an epinephrine auto-injector.

Her reactions complicated further treatment for infections. She tried antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers and supplements. She also describes a treatment she refers to as chemotherapy, during which she became weaker and needed help caring for herself.

Years of medical care brought substantial financial costs. A health-sharing ministry covered more than $150,000 in expenses, a fundraiser raised nearly $20,000, and her parents absorbed additional costs.

By the time she discovered DNRS, Lauren was questioning whether she would ever have the chance to experience life beyond illness.

Early Changes With DNRS Brain Retraining

Lauren began DNRS shortly before her twenty-second birthday. Initially, she was skeptical that brain retraining could help with something as persistent as her fever. Yet she says the fever was among the first symptoms to improve, with breaks appearing where it had previously been constant.

She also noticed a change in her ability to watch the program videos. What had initially been about 20 minutes became hours within a few days. Her mother noticed more energy, too.

Within two weeks, Lauren emailed her treating doctor about her progress. She had visited the pharmacy with her mother, gone for a walk and started Algebra 1 after a long interruption in her education. She was crocheting, reading and attending church.

Lauren describes feeling her nervous system calm and beginning to emerge from shutdown. These early changes gave her hope that more was possible.

Returning to Learning and Completing a Steroid Taper

Since beginning DNRS, Lauren has graduated high school and taught herself graphic design. Tasks that once felt overwhelming became activities she could approach with patience and persistence.

Another meaningful milestone came at 25, when she completed a long, gradual taper from steroids after more than a decade of use. Soon afterward, she swam from one end of a pool to the other, delighted to have the stamina without taking steroids.

Finding Joy and Sharing Hope

Lauren’s outlook has changed alongside her daily life. She now makes time to notice beauty and cook something simply because it tastes good.

“I realize now that life is meant to be enjoyed and meant to be delighted in.”

She recognizes that others may progress more slowly. Her encouragement is to give the practice time and draw hope from other people’s stories.

A late friend once told her, “One day your story will be someone else’s survival guide.” Lauren shares her experience hoping it can offer that encouragement to someone else.