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What has actually helped people with chronic illness?

40 people answered this on the record, across 22 organisations. The change they described most often was better family or relationship life — 10 of 40 raised it unprompted. 9 described improved mood, anxiety or stress. The timeframe described most often was over a year. Each figure is a count of what someone said in a recorded interview.

Based on interviews recorded up to 2026-08-13. Updated as new interviews arrive.

Individual results vary. This is one customer's first-hand account of their own experience, recorded on camera and published unedited. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health.

What the answers had in common

Counts of interviews where the person described this in their own words.

Outcomes described by people answering: What has actually helped people with chronic illness?
What changedInterviewsShare
Family & relationships10 of 4025%
Mood & stress9 of 4023%
Symptom relief9 of 4023%
More clients9 of 4023%
Digestion7 of 4018%
Better systems7 of 4018%
  • And then as I continued forward going through each level one through four, because healing's not linear, so I'm so grateful for the education I received because I'm not only able to help myself and my family, but make…Suzanne Subaitani
  • And I felt a calm and a sense of more of a direction, I think.Laura Bierwagen
  • And so it really helped me to understand the gut process and how to, with symptom presentation and also really good testing, that we don't guess anymore.Suzanne Subaitani
  • Not only like with what I was doing with clients, but what I was doing with myself and being able to just overcome the gut issues I was experiencing with healing my own gut.Suzanne Subaitani

How long it took them

  • Over a year · 1

The interviews behind this answer

What they doubted first

  • If you are thinking about joining the Institute of Restorative Health, I would say don't hesitate.Suzanne Subaitani
  • Tito noted that while she considered the cost, it eventually evened out when compared to the frequent copays and visits to other physicians. She felt the 'elevated aspect of care' and the fact that Dr. Staid actually listened made it well worth the investment.Tito
  • Audrey Baranishyn-Krause initially had hesitations regarding the cost and time required for the program. However, she decided to move forward because she was 'tired of being tired' and found success by implementing the program in small, manageable steps rathe…Audrey Baranishyn-Krause

Follow-up questions they answered

Is the Urban Monk retreat worth the financial investment?
Laura Bierwagen initially needed to justify the cost, which she did by focusing on the opportunity to discuss the 'Upstream' microbiome program directly with Pedram Shojai. Ultimately, she concluded the experience is a 'gift to yourself' that provides value in ways you cannot anticipate. — Laura Bierwagen
How did you feel before engaging with the program?
I did feel an emotional shift. I had been struggling personally with where am I gonna go? I was on crutches for 10 years, and I had horrible autoimmune arthritis and chronic pain and just it was ... It hurt to move at all. — Laura Bierwagen
What was your motivation for joining the Urban Monk Academy and attending the retreat?
I wanted to be in the room with Pedram. I have been a member of the Urban Monk Academy for a long time. I know that he is science-based. If he says something, he's got evidence and he knows it. I also wanted to talk to him about Upstream, a program talking about the microbiome. — Laura Bierwagen
Is Dr. Autoimmune worth the financial investment?
Ben Hays noted that while his provider mentioned it was a bit of a financial investment, he found the treatment gave him his life back. He felt the approach made sense, similar to how he solves problems as an electrician, giving him the confidence to pursue it. — Ben Hays
What is the treatment process like at Dr. Autoimmune?
Ben described a comprehensive approach involving a nutrition plan, an elimination diet, and a mold detox. He worked closely with Stevie and Dr. Ian, who provided hands-on support and clear communication throughout the recovery process. — Ben Hays
Will symptoms improve immediately with functional medicine?
According to Ben, it actually got worse before it got better once the 'real treatment' started. Dr. Ian was truthful about this possibility upfront, which helped Ben maintain trust and faith in the process until he saw results. — Ben Hays

Where these people were

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