Understanding CIRS Symptoms: Early Signs and What to Look For

Lisa always prided herself on being active and energetic, the type of person who could juggle work, family, and hobbies without breaking a sweat. But gradually, things began to change. It started with unexplained fatigue that didn’t go away, even after a full night’s sleep. Then came the brain fog—simple tasks like making a grocery list or following a recipe became Herculean efforts. Her doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. “It’s probably just stress,” they said. But deep down, Lisa knew it was something more. After years of frustration, she stumbled upon Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and everything clicked.

Could this be the answer she was searching for?

If Lisa’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. CIRS is a condition that affects many but is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. Understanding the early signs of CIRS is crucial for getting the right treatment before the condition progresses. This article will guide you through the key symptoms to watch out for, especially if you’ve been dealing with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia-like symptoms.

The Silent Onset of CIRS: Early Warning Signs

CIRS is a multi-system, multi-symptom illness caused by exposure to biotoxins, often from mold, bacteria, or bacterial endotoxins. It’s estimated that about 25% of the population is genetically susceptible to CIRS, meaning they cannot properly identify and eliminate these biotoxins from their body. (source) While many people may come into contact with these toxins without experiencing significant health issues, those with certain genetic mutations can develop a cascade of debilitating symptoms.

Below are some of the most common CIRS symptoms:

• Persistent Fatigue That Doesn’t Improve with Rest
  • One of the earliest and most telling signs of CIRS is persistent fatigue. This isn’t just the tiredness you feel after a long day—it’s a deep, unrelenting exhaustion that doesn’t go away with sleep or rest. If you find yourself constantly dragging, struggling to get through the day even after a full night’s sleep, this could be a red flag for CIRS.
  • This fatigue often intensifies after exertion. You should generally feel an increase in energy/mood after exercise or movement. If you feel worse after exercise, put CIRS on your radar.
• Cognitive Difficulties (Brain Fog)
  • CIRS can significantly impact cognitive function. Patients often describe experiencing “brain fog,” a term that encompasses a range of cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and slowed thinking. You might find it hard to focus on tasks that were once second nature or struggle to recall details you once knew by heart.
• Unexplained Muscle and Joint Pain
  • Pain in muscles and joints without a clear cause is another early symptom of CIRS. This pain can vary in intensity and location, making it hard to pin down. Unlike the aches you might feel after physical exertion, this pain is persistent and doesn’t improve with typical treatments.
• Frequent Headaches and Sensitivity to Light
  • If you’re experiencing frequent headaches that seem to come out of nowhere, along with an increased sensitivity to light, these could be early indicators of CIRS. These headaches are often resistant to over-the-counter pain relief and may be accompanied by dizziness or vertigo.
• Sinus Problems and Respiratory Issues
  • CIRS often manifests with sinus and respiratory issues, such as chronic sinusitis, a constant runny nose, or a persistent cough. These symptoms can be misleading, as they might be mistaken for allergies or a lingering cold. However, if these issues persist despite treatment, it’s worth considering CIRS as a potential cause.
• Digestive Disturbances
  • While less commonly discussed, digestive issues are a significant early sign of CIRS. Patients often report symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation that don’t resolve with diet changes or standard treatments. This can be particularly confusing, as these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, but in the context of other CIRS symptoms, they become more telling.
• Temperature Regulation Problems
  • Do you often feel too hot or too cold, regardless of the actual temperature? CIRS can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature, leading to frequent chills or sweats without a clear cause. This dysregulation is due to the inflammatory processes affecting your hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for temperature control.

Connecting the Dots: CIRS Symptoms vs. Other Conditions

One of the challenges of diagnosing CIRS is that before learning about CIRS, most patients have received some less-than-helpful diagnosis. Diagnoses like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Unfortunately once your doctor labels you with fibromyalgia or CFS, further medical investigation stops. Most of the time, you will receive an antidepressant prescription and sent on your way. When a new symptom appears, you’ll be told that it’s just anxiety.

Sigh…

Some of the other more common diagnoses CIRS patients receive include:

• Lyme Disease
• Gulf War Syndrome
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Diabetes

The Role of a CIRS-Literate Doctor in Early Diagnosis

Given the complexity of CIRS, finding a doctor who is knowledgeable about the condition is crucial. At Flourish Clinic, we specialize in recognizing the early signs of CIRS and implementing the Shoemaker Protocol—the only proven treatment method for treating CIRS. A CIRS-literate doctor will conduct a thorough assessment, including a detailed history of your symptoms, exposure to potential biotoxins, and specialized testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for preventing the progression of CIRS. The Shoemaker Protocol involves a multi-step process designed to eliminate biotoxins from your body, reduce inflammation, and restore normal immune function. This treatment can significantly improve symptoms and prevent long-term damage.

Why Early Detection Matters: Preventing Long-Term Health Issues

If left untreated, CIRS can lead to more severe health problems, including chronic infections, hormonal imbalances, and even neurological damage. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing these complications and improving your quality of life.

In a study published in the journal Biotoxin Illness, researchers found that patients who received early treatment for CIRS had a significantly better prognosis than those who were diagnosed later in the course of the disease. (source) This underscores the importance of recognizing the early signs of CIRS and seeking appropriate care as soon as possible.

Looking Beyond the Symptoms: What to Do If You Suspect CIRS

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s important not to dismiss them. Start by documenting your symptoms in detail, including when they started, how they’ve progressed, and any potential exposure to environmental toxins. This information will be invaluable when you consult a healthcare provider.

At Flourish Clinic, we’ve seen countless patients who were misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed for years before finally receiving the correct diagnosis of CIRS. We use a comprehensive approach that includes advanced testing, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support to help our patients regain their health.

Your next step in understanding the early signs of CIRS

If after reading this article you’re thinking that your symptoms might be caused by CIRS, start with an online visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) test. This test measures your brain’s ability to discern contrast. Those with CIRS will struggle to discern contrast due to a reduction in blood flow to the optic nerve.

Before performing your VCS test, you’ll be asked to review a long list of symptoms. If you have a positive VCS test combined with the common symptoms of  CIRS, the odds of your blood test coming back positive for this conditon is 98.5%.

Please take the VCS test on Surviving Mold not the one found on VCStest.com.

Are You Missing the Early Signs of CIRS?

CIRS is a condition that can easily go unnoticed in its early stages, but recognizing the warning signs is crucial for getting the right treatment. From persistent fatigue and brain fog to unexplained pain and temperature regulation problems, these symptoms are your body’s way of signalling that something is wrong. If you’ve been struggling with chronic health issues that haven’t responded to conventional treatments, it might be time to consider CIRS as a potential cause.

At Flourish Clinic, we’re here to help you navigate this complex condition and get the treatment you need to reclaim your health. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only way to effectively treat CIRS, and our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process.

Call Now to Treat your CIRS

So, do you think it’s time to take a closer look at your symptoms?

Mark Volmer has attained the highest level of Shoemaker Protocol certification, and is one of only two of Canada’s Shoemaker Protocol practitioners. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS.