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I took our car in for service. In the past I would have to leave the garage, but this time I SAT in the waiting room next to the open garage where they work on the cars, and I was fine! That same day I shopped in Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond without any issues. Normally I have to run in and out of these places but I was focused and calm and did not struggle with any smells!

Grace H
44 year old female
MCS for 8 years
Third Week Results Observation

Just back from Mexico and as always super busy in the garden. In this trip I was able to stay in my sisters home!!! Big deal! Her house is newly remodeled and I've been unable in the past to be in there for 5 minutes. I spent the night!

The funny thing was, when I opened the window at night for some air, the neighbor was using TIDE! I ignored it and fell asleep

At the dentist office the gal working on me has perfume on. I began to feel a slight headache then stopped myself. It took GREAT focus but I did it and the cleaning was then quickly over.

Grace H
2nd Month Update

I participated in Annie Hopper's Neuroplasticity Program in February 2010. We met on a windy, cloudy, rainy day in a clubhouse overlooking San Francisco.

The weather brought an auspicious feeling of promise. I can still recall the affects the wind had on our shelter as we poked away at the functions of the brain unknown to most of us prior to this gathering.

Everyone came with a story and a sincere desire to move forward in life. My heart was filled with the hope of eliminating environmental illness from my vocabulary. And I must admit I rarely talk about it these days.

In a nutshell, the program has paid of immensely for me and I remain committed to the exercises as needed.

Please understand that this time last year you could never have told me that in July I would be on a plane to the east coast, renting a (new) car, staying in hotels and eating out.

Last month I did all of these things.

In May and June I went to a night club to hear music, stay committed to a taking a dance class I adore even though it had just been newly painted, and starting using a few essential oils in my practice again and even danced in our local summer solstice parade. So much joy in feeling well.

On an airplane back to CA a woman in front of me had perfume on. Hmm. I started my exercises and the perfume lost its grip on me. The woman turned out to be a sweet,
caring, grandmother - someone that in the past I would have turned into a monster in my mind for wearing something uncomfortable to me.

Initially I hesitated when Annie told me the cost of the program because like everyone I have a budget but the minute I said yes to it, the money came. The rest everyday
is up to me. Annie gently leads one out of feeling like a victim and into our innate right to be who the heck we truly are or imagine we can become.

I'm so appreciative for this program and I will continue to discover more about the capacity of the brain because I'm hooked. I don't think anything is a free ride so I do participate with the unfolding and it does require some time and patience but it works.

To health!

Grace H
6th Month Update

 

Hi Annie - Just an update. Since the Fall 2009 class in San Francisco, I now can paint, be around perfume, and many other chemicals with little or no ill effects. I can't thank you enough - worth every cent.

Chris
49 Year Old Male
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities for 28 years
San Francisco November 2009 DNR Participant
10 month follow-up

 

My name is Gary. I am 47 yrs old.

I was born a perfectly healthy baby in the fall of 1962 and lived 38 yrs without any known allergies. In the year 2000 I developed full blown MCS and was almost immediately forced to live the life of a recluse.

I spent a year in a tent and subsequent years living partially in my car as well as various ocean locations that I felt were safe.

Along the way I consulted with at least 30 medical doctors with varying backgrounds ranging from environmental to neural and everything in between. I tried acupuncture, allergy injections, glutathione protocols, neutraceuticals, mind drugs, ALF and many more symptom management aids. This holy grail consumed roughly $350,000 of my savings.

Annie is a pragmatic realist that has a similar history to my own so I can really relate to her past. Annie introduced me to the Norman Doidge book "The Brain That Changes Itself", it was like reading the blueprint for my cure. I always believed that something in my brain had mis-wired itself as a result of prolonged stress and this book started to give me insight that I could dig out and re-wire my brain.

Annie teaches a workshop that combines some really unique exercises that I believe have now for the first time in 10 yrs put me on a clear path to recovery. Everyday I practice an hour a day as per her instructions.

Within the first week of training I was feeling better then I have in 10yrs. I now consider myself 99.9% better and I look forward to the day when MCS is a thing of the past for everyone. Annie is a great healer and she will remain my hero for a long time to come!!

Gary
47 Year Old Male
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities for 10 years
Montreal January 15, 2010 DNR Participant
One Week Results Observation

Thinking back to the MCS days, it seems almost foreign somehow - like some kind of bad dream that I woke up out of. My life is pretty much what it was prior to getting sick, except the only thing that's changed is my gratitude for simple things. I continue to go where I want, when I want to, anytime I want. No challenges, just smooth sailing.

The most important element of practice is consistency. Taking note of subtle improvements form the fabric that is ones recovery.

Gary
Third Month Update

I found that while I was in San Francisco taking the workshop and living at my Aunt's house, the changes occurred faster than my first weeks home again in Houston. I even had some setbacks at first that manifested as greater fatigue. It wasn't because my home was an unsafe place but because the setting, objects, activities and even people had become associated with sadness, inability, and stagnancy.

When a symptom occurs, it's easy to become attached to feelings of frustration and disappointment.

In my mind or aloud, when a symptom occurs, instead of letting my subconscious say, "Oh no, a symptom," I change it to, "Cool! An opportunity to rewire, make awesome changes and show my brain how brilliant and capable it is."

I notice though that sometimes the body/brain has to do its own thing before the symptoms change. I might simply feel calm, then calmer and happier and more stable before the symptoms start going away.

I've spent nearly all my spare time practicing and it's paid off tremendously. I'm sleeping in a bed now! I used to have to sleep on a leather couch in the hallway. My back and body loves it and I can feel my mind become clearer and focused over time.

I’ve also noticed a great reduction in allergies and improved immune system function. I have more energy, improved ability to focus, and my body temperature is balanced now. Before I constantly had really cold extremities (hands and feet). And overall I’m much more confident, trusting and present.

Clara
27 year old female
MCS, Food Sensitivities, EMF Sensitivities for 12 years
2nd month follow-up

My name is Carmen, I am 49 years old and I have had MCS for the last 20 years.

The first 16 years I managed to live an almost normal life. I gradually had reactions to perfumes, paints and other chemical products, but would recover every time upon removing myself from the area.

It wasn't until April of 2006, after spending a whole afternoon in a restaurant with some smokers that I became very sick and never managed to recover.

The minimum exposure gave me headaches and dizziness. Everything changed, I couldn't go out anymore I lost a lot of friends, I even lost faith in life.

I had a very significant inability to think clearly. I had difficulty sleeping. I woke up in the morning exhausted, with terrible headaches and back pain. I tried all sorts of treatments but nothing worked.

I took the DNR retraining system in Montreal in January of 2010. Since the very first day I noticed a change. At the end of the day my daughter invited some friends into my house, some were wearing perfume but I didn't have any reaction. I even slept the whole night.

By the end of the third day, my symptoms had decreased by 80%.

Now three months later I am going shopping, to restaurants, etc. I even went to New York for a few days and I had no reactions. Now I am able to sit in my backyard without even noticing the fabric softener dryer fumes from neighbouring homes.

I do recommend the DNR retraining system to anyone who has MCS . If I have to rate Annie's program, I would give her a 10.

Thank you Annie, you changed my life.

Carmen
49 year old female
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities for 20 years
3rd month follow-up

 

In the past when I would feel a migraine coming on, I would feel everything starting to slip away. The pain was so severe that I would rate it at a thirteen out of ten. The pain was so extreme that I would vomit and not be able to see.

In the past when I would feel a migraine coming on, I would get scared and panicky at the impending pain and the effect it would have on my ability to function.

The Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNR) has changed all that for me. In fact I notice a very big change. The pain is less severe and less frequent. And although I still get headaches, I can function now and do what I have to do - and for the most part I don't think about it.

The most surprising thing is that when I feel a migraine coming, I can stop it or diminish it before it develops into a full-blown migraine.

In fact, I feel better doing DNR than I do when I have taken medication.

I feel like I have something in my arsenal kit that really works!

Paul
52 year old male
Migraine headaches and pain for 49 years
5th week follow-up

 

If I had tried to go into Shopper’s Drug Mart prior to taking the DNR System workshop I would have been instantly hit with a wall of putrid chemical smells.  Today I can walk in and I am totally oblivious to that smell.  I can notice when things are fragrant but I do not have any reactions at all. 

In fact, surprisingly some things that I used to react to actually now smell good.  Not that I would go ever go back to using chemicals, it’s just nice not to live my life in avoidance anymore.  I’m excited that I can look for a job now without having to wonder if the fragrances there would bother me or not.  I can also handle wood smoke better as well!

I’m much happier now and more optimistic about life! 
Thanks Annie!

Donna
56 Year Old Female
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities for 24 years
Victoria September 25, 2009 DNR Participant
6 week follow-up


I can still remember the reaction that I had to the smell in the room of the DNR workshop in Victoria in September, and how I was concerned, that first evening, that I would either have to mask up for the rest of the weekend or take the course another time, in a different location. I was amazed that when I returned the following morning to the same room that I experienced zero reactions to the smell (old fir flooring). I noticed since then, many many times when I have a knee-jerk reaction to something, I use the DNR system exercises and the reaction would be gone instantly.

Donna
4th month results observation


I took the DNR System workshop 5 weeks ago now and I have noticed an 80% improvement in my health so far and a very significant reduction in my chemical sensitivity. For some time now since taking the workshop I have allowed myself to be exposed to fragrances and although I still do not "like" them, I have had no reaction to them at all.

In fact over the last two days I made a quick return trip to Vancouver via ferry and bus. What was new was that I did not feel the need to wear a mask, neither on the ferry nor on the bus. I did smell fragrances off and on but I did not react to them. I also took the Vancouver city buses to go places, without being bothered by fragrances. Clearly there has been a significant reduction in my chemical sensitivity!

I'm so glad I took the DNR System Workshop!
Thank you Annie Hopper

John
71 Year Old Male
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities for 3 years
Victoria September 25, 2009 DNR Participant
5 week follow-up


I've noticed a significant decrease in symptoms of depression and emotional reactivity. I now have the energy both physically and mentally to do the things that I want to do. In fact, I often feel happy for no reason.

You can read all about neuroplasticity but you need to experience "Neuroplasticity Boot Camp" to get results. The three most important aspects of the workshop for me is being there and doing it; the value of a group experience; and having Annie as a skilled instructor leading the workshop. I now have the tools to change gears in my brain when I feel it going down into a depressive groove.

Patti
62 Year Old Female
Depression for 23 years
Victoria September 25, 2009 DNR Participant
5 week follow-up

I would say that there is an 80% improvement in my ability to handle perfumes and also an 80% improvement in my ability to handle “bad” wood fire smoke.  I’m also more comfortable in social situations and use the tools that I learned in the workshop for any feelings of anxiety that might come up.  I’ve also healed faster from a recent surgery.  Things are great Annie!

Dwight
58 Year Old Male
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Depression for 28 years
Campbell River September 11, 2009 DNR Participant
8 week follow-up

My first memory of being afraid of the phone was when I was 5 years old.

By the time my problems were in full force at the age of ten, I was almost totally non-functional in using the phone, a terrible handicap for someone so young who is in an important social developmental stage. As for making a call, I experienced extremely pronounced anticipatory anxiety, and would procrastinate literally for weeks at a time over making a call. Imagine the damper that can put on things, struggling for two weeks to make just one call, while not only that call needs to be made, but others as well. I would pace around and around the house before making the call. When I finally got to the phone, I would lift up the receiver and put it down again repeatedly, then start dialing and hang up, over and over. When the phone started ringing on the other side, I would feel totally vulnerable, with a sort of feeling of falling (as best as I can describe it). I might give up at any time during this process.

As an adult, anxiety was a climate that I lived in perpetually, as it seemed to be in the air that I breathed. You must realize that I was not anxious only when with people, but all the time, because I knew I would have to deal with people very shortly.

Throughout the years I never gave up and I did have some progress with meds and certain exposure therapy modalities.

Just before doing your workshop, the state of affairs was that I dealt with the phone by leaving the ringer off, because I experienced the phone ringing like a fire alarm bell going off right over my head. I would sometimes run and hide in the bathroom, even though no one was there. At best, I would get back to people once a day as per the answering machine messages. When things were at their worst during this period, I could not even look at the phone; it terrified me even to see the flashing red light that indicated messages were there. I could not even listen to the messages. I couldn't look at email messages either. This would sometimes go on for as much as two weeks.

To the best of my recollection, I have probably made nearly as much progress in using the phone in the last 31/2 weeks as I have in the past forty years.

And just a short update on today's phone usage – I actually made or received 12 calls and I'm actually starting to enjoy it! I’ve also ordered a cell phone!

Wow! I've impressed even myself, as well as some others.

John
52 Year Old Male
Social Anxiety Disorder / Panic Attacks for 36 years
Three Weeks Results Observation

I’m sleeping much better
I’m much happier overall – I haven’t felt this way for years
I have much less muscle tension and anxiety
I have more clarity to make decisions and a better awareness of my needs.

Erika
52 Year Old Female
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Electrical Hypersensitivity,
Anxiety, Headaches for 15 years
One Week Results Observation

Since the DNR Training I’ve noticed that I actually wake up feeling better. It’s not 100% yet, but I’ve definitely noticed some huge shifts already. Prior to the work shop it would literally take me hours to get out of bed and get going with my day. The fatigue and pain were so bad that it would take me hours to get one thing done, and at the time, it just seemed like too much. Everything was such a struggle.

Before the training, I would wake up with a bad headache every day and also have sneezing fits that would last a long time. I have not had a bad headache since the workshop and have noticed that I’m also not as sensitive to light or sound. When I wake up I feel good, I’m actually functional, I have more energy and can get more done. In fact, just the other day I made a lunch date with a friend. I gave myself two hours to get ready to get there. Prior to doing the DNR training I would spend that 2 hours forcing myself to work through the pain and fatigue and still be late. This time I was able to do 5 errands prior to lunch and actually arrived at the restaurant before my friend.

Alena
31 Year Old Female
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), Fibromyalgia (FM)
Sensitivity to Stimuli (Light and Sound), for 20 years
One Week Results Observation

 

I'm coming along nicely.  I'm asymptomatic most of the time unless I overdo it - even then, my recovery is much faster than in the past.  

My life has been much easier and enjoyable.  I can make and keep plans, and I feel much more energetic.  I can multi-task now, where before even a single task was difficult to accomplish and may cause worsened symptoms for a prolonged period. I am in poor physical shape, but am working on improving that with daily walks between 15-25 minutes.  I don't need support any longer for day-to-day tasks, and can do my own shopping once more.  I find my mind is clearer, so thinking, speaking, following plots and conversations is much easier most of the time, and reading is also easier.  Also am free of pain nearly all the time.

Thanks again!

Alena
Seven Weeks Results Update

 

I have noticed my brain function has improved. When I practice, something clicks in and my brain starts to work better, and my physiology gets better. Breathing gets better. There have been a few times so far when I walked into stores and did not smell anything or have any kind of reaction. London Drugs is one store that I noticed is very different. I have noticed overall I am not as depressed or down about things or my situation with CFS/MCS.

Kerry
43 Year Old Female
MCS/CFS for 19 years
Two Weeks Results Observation

I went to Office Depot and was okay, so I went to Staples, I was again okay.  I had no awareness of any scents in my car or on me afterwards.  Felt normal.  Went to Wal-Mart, (the "Pinnacle" although Michaels is a twin), and was okay. Again, I had no awareness of any scents on me or in my car with me after I left.

When home, I always change into my "home" clothes and did this. BUT, about 2 hrs later I was able to wear the same shirt to go get the mail and did not discern any scent and had no difficulty wearing this shirt whenever I went out for the next couple of days... unheard of before DNR! (I always had to launder everything immediately after being out.)  I am also more patient and tolerant with my husband. I guess more "normal". Nice.

Abigail
59 Year Old Female
MCS for 10 years
Two Weeks Results Observation

Things are going well, and I am now officially past the 6 month mark! hurray for me!!

We were able to go shopping at Target with no problem. I am tolerating smells of various sorts with none of the old debilitating reactions. We were able to purchase and drive a newer model car and despite noticing the new car odors and driving it over 2000 km on a recent trip, I was not debilitated by the scent.

Abigail
6th month results observation

Over 2 days we had the kitchen sink and bathtub refinished (with the least toxic product) and I am not reacting to the smells. I made sure to stay away from it as much as possible as it is full of toxins. We took measures to make sure the bedroom was free of odour. The first night I was in a panic (but not because of the smells) and had to do DNR through the night because I thought that with my past history, what if I did react and get sick again? I got through the first night without any reactions. I slept through the night on the 2nd night. As I sit here, on the 3rd morning, I can get a whiff of the smell, but I'm fine.

Abigail
10th month results observation

 

 
After the second day of training I noticed a very big difference in my reaction to chemicals.  I would specifically react to a shampoo that my daughter used.  I would immediately get migraine headaches and brain fog with exposure to it.  After the second day of training I no longer reacted to her shampoo.  That was the first really big sign that things had shifted.

In fact the other day I was shopping and this woman was literally “bathed” in perfume.  It seemed like everywhere that I went she would follow, and so would her perfume.  Prior to the DNR System Training I would immediately get a disabling migraine headache, along with brain fog and disorientation.  But this time I stayed for 15 minutes before my nose started to get stuffed up.  But still, no headache or other debilitating symptoms.

I still find cologne and perfumes annoying, because really I don’t understand why people need to wear them to begin with, however with The Dynamic Neural Retraining System my body can tolerate it better and I don’t have to live my life in “avoidance mode.”  

My mother-in-law also uses a hand cream that prior to brain retraining was highly toxic for me.  We joked when she “tested” my newfound wellness with applying the lotion when I came for a visit. When she applied it, I could definitely smell the scent of the lotion; however I did not react in any way to the chemicals within it.  In fact, I totally forgot that she had it on.

Joanne
52 Year Old Female
MCS for 34 years
2nd month results observation

Things are going great with the chemical sensitivity! It is really amazing how something so easy can be so life changing. Lindsey’s boyfriend came over last night to talk to me with strong cologne on. I thought ‘this is strong’, but that was it! My body didn't react at all. Things are great!

Joanne
9th month results observation

I would certainly be sleeping in my car if it wasn't for your workshop.

Grace L
45 Year Old Female
MCS for 15 years
2 weeks results observation



I have tried multiple therapies over the past 15 years and this is the most effective therapy to date. It has helped me get off disability and back into the work force again.

Grace L
7th month results observation

 

 

 
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