Miruvor
ME/CFS Very severe → full recoveryIll for 10 years

Could Craniocervical Instability Be Causing ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and POTS? (Jeff)

Condition
ME/CFS
At worst
Very severe (bedbound, unable to do basic care)
Ill for
10 years
Published
Feb 2019

Summary

Jeff was young, healthy and active before a viral infection with high fever triggered symptoms that progressed until he was bedbound, unable to chew food, and diagnosed with ME/CFS, POTS and mast cell activation syndrome. Years into his decline he learned he had craniocervical and atlantoaxial instability compressing his brainstem, and fusion surgery eliminated his symptoms, letting him work out at the gym without post-exertional malaise or POTS. In late 2018 loosened fusion screws briefly brought symptoms back, but revision surgery restored his health. His story prompted Jennifer Brea's own diagnosis.

Read it in their words

healthrising.org

What they credit

Credits Craniocervical surgery, POTS medication, Antihistamines & MCAS, Surgery & structural, Craniocervical fusion / tethered cord.

Symptoms mentioned

Symptoms: Mast cell (MCAS) & allergies, POTS & dysautonomia, Pain & fibromyalgia, Post-exertional malaise.

Similar stories

  • This surgery fuses people's skulls to their spines to treat ME-overlapping condition

    Partial ME/CFS SevereIll 8 years thesicktimes.org Apr 2025

    Jen Brea underwent craniocervical fusion performed by Dr. Paolo Bolognese, using two 2.5-centimeter titanium bars and six screws to fuse her top two vertebrae to her skull and lift her head by 4 millimeters, followed about two weeks later by tethered cord…

  • The Mechanical Basis of ME

    Full recovery ME/CFS Very severe mechanicalbasis.org 2022

    Jeff Wood became severely bedridden with post-viral ME around 2015 and, after two years developing his "Mechanical Paradigm" theory that connective-tissue problems underlie some ME cases, reported achieving full remission. The 2022 article confirms his…

  • Mallory's Dangerous Spinal Treatments Eventually Work

    Full recovery ME/CFS Very severeIll 9 yearsEffect faded healthrising.org Nov 2021

    Mallory had ME/CFS with several comorbid conditions and was mostly bedbound for around nine years. He pursued two experimental spine treatments: GHK-Cu peptide injections to stabilise his spine, and frequency specific microcurrent for a tethered cord, which…

  • ME/CFS in remission from Mold Avoidance

    Partial ME/CFS forums.phoenixrising.me May 2021

    Despite comorbid craniocervical instability, mold avoidance "still helped" and affected symptoms like sound sensitivity and POTS, which he calls "the most impressive [treatment] I've done YET." He says he never achieved full remission from mold avoidance…