DNRS experiences?

Do a search of the archives on this forum for "DNRS" or "limbic system retraining" - I know I have posted about this at least a dozen times, and a few others have as well. I am happy to tell you about it, though, and answer questions!

In short, I do recommend it. It works. It's less of an investment in time and money than most other treatments, if you think about it. $300 or so, and one hour per day for six months.

DNRS approaches a variety of health issues as a brain injury, and uses the principles of neuroplasticity to modify the neural pathways that perpetuate symptoms. The same principles have been applied for years for strokes and TBIs, and this program has been successful at applying them to CFS/ME, multiple chemical sensitivities, CIRS, Lyme, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, etc. My doctor recommended it to me to address how strongly I react to treatment - herxing, side effects, MCAS, etc. He met Annie Hopper recently and has been impressed by how many patients are finding it helpful for all of their issues. You have to stick with it and be committed, but it makes a difference relatively fast - for some people within a few days. The videos themselves are dated and a little hokey, but take it seriously and give it a chance.

It sounds too good to be true in some ways, but it's actually quite logical. Our emotions cement things into our brains - that's why we remember every detail of joyous events and terrifying events - so this program uses them to cement new neural pathways. Literally rewiring the limbic system can help with these extensive illnesses because the limbic system controls so much: hormone production, digestion, sleep, emotions, immunity, temperature, heart rate, pain, breathing, sensory input, proprioception, etc. Amazing, right? Think about how many of your symptoms fall into those categories. Some people try DNRS and then can handle other treatments easily and progress fast as a result, and others commit to DNRS and find that their symptoms resolve from that alone.

My nervous system fought back for two weeks or so after beginning the program, resulting in nerve pain and depression that I had not experienced prior. Your brain does not want to be rewired, because that takes work, so it will throw a bit of a tantrum, for some of us. But I stuck with it and have been doing much better since.

The actual practice of it involves using phrases and simple movements, along with invoking positive memories and visualizations to help cement the rewiring. There are mindset changes involved, for example you simply aren't allowed to dwell on symptoms. There's an online forum for support, and you might find it helpful to connect with someone else using the program to help motivate each other.

If you're curious about the concept of neuroplasticity, then check out The Brain that Changes Itself by Normal Doidge. Really cool stuff, though at this point it's established science.

DNRS is definitely worth a try.

I have been in touch with two other people using the program who used to be on this forum, but I have not seen them post in a while. From those I know who have tried it (on this forum and elsewhere), the biggest roadblock seems to be life getting in the way and keeping people from consistent practice. I know that's been holding me back as well. When I'm feeling better, it can be hard to find an hour to myself. (You can break it up into 15-minute increments or whatever, but still most days I don't devote anything close to an hour.)

I had a conversation with my husband this morning about the DNRS - I feel like my brain needs some new pathways - it needs to be rewired.
We are treating for so long and improvements (for me anyway) are so slow - I think the brain is traumatized - in my case it’s 6 years since symptoms started.

We carry the burden on our shoulders - and soldier on - trying to push through another day.

I just wish I knew a few more people with lyme who had success with the DNRS.

Sara - how long did it take for you to see the benefits?

Thank you for the feedback. Saraeli, I agree with the time constraint scenario. I wonder if you skip a day if it sets you back to the beginning or does the process just take longer than 6 months?

Thanks again.

I just finished DNRS videos and I am surprised and pleased at how well it is working already. I definitely recommend it.


Laura
EBV, indeterminant Lyme bands, started BW AL complex, MTHFR compound hereto, neuro symptoms, TMJ, chronic fatigue, histamine sensitivity, food allergies

Certainty part of healing is mentally departing from the "I am sick" mindset along with trying your best to subject yourself to less stress. Even conventional healthcare notes that our immune systems are lowest in function at stressful times.

Even being here prob isnt that good for people healed or close to it, which Is why I tell myself this is continued education, as there is some very interesting subject matter now and then.

All body systems seem to have the ability to get stuck in a pattern that it thinks is the new normal, just like bent / warping plastic in the warm sun. Adrenal stress (part of nuero), GERD, body structure after injury, makes sense that the mind cand do similar. Im wondering if hypnosis can help here too??

Any other DNRS experiences out there? I need to purchase the program Asap but am totally dragging my feet. It just feels like a hassle, as if all we do to be well isn't enough....

And the $250 is not a massive investment but when you constantly need to buy supplements, you hope its something you will follow through with.

Thank you dcd, you are not the fist person to say they went with the Gupta program. Simpler sounds good, I will check it out more thoroughly, thank you!

I hope your autoimmune issues get under control very soon! Thank again!

I'm just starting it now, only a few days in. I'm already becoming a believer. I have some horrendous psych symptoms so I don't know how long these things may take but there are already some things that are milder and I'm noticing some of my little patterns that are avoidant or unhelpful are changing. Can't say much for the future but so far I see positive changes so there's definitely merit to it

Aerose and anyone else starting out with DNRS, do not be surprised or deterred if you have a flare of neuro symptoms for about a week while your brain fights back against being rewired. It's normal. It passes after a week and good results will be apparent. (My LLMD knows Annie Hopper and discussed this with her. Plus this is what happened to me.)

You get an account when you buy the online version of the program, but it only tracks the progress of one person. That said, you can re-do the program an unlimited amount of times for a year, so I suppose you could share log-in information with others as long as you use it one at a time. Additionally, you could use it simultaneously with someone who is there with you in person.

I hesitated to write the above paragraph because I think this is a legitimate and very helpful program, and given the number of exploitative charlatans we encounter in the world of chronic illness treatment, I think asking $260 for a program is fair. I spend that on supplements some months. I have spent more than that on a single appointment with a number of doctors who have not made a fraction of the difference this program has. But if someone is in financial need, then I do want them to have access. It's a tough call ethically for me.

I watched the videos the last week of March. By the end of April, I was about 50% better. I was 85% better over the summer - indistinguishable from a healthy person to an outside observer. Then I foolishly stopped daily DNRS practice and slowly began to decline. Now I'd say I'm about 30% better than I was last March. I plan to recommit to daily practice! Truthfully I never did DNRS for the full hour per day that's recommended, usually just 15-25 minutes, so I am not the best poster child.

Aerose91 said...
I'm just starting it now, only a few days in. I'm already becoming a believer. I have some horrendous psych symptoms so I don't know how long these things may take but there are already some things that are milder and I'm noticing some of my little patterns that are avoidant or unhelpful are changing. Can't say much for the future but so far I see positive changes so there's definitely merit to it

Keep reporting please?

I need to do something. My brain gets stuck on symptoms, fear, sadness, hopelessness every single time I have a flare after having some good days.