In today’s world of chronic illness, many people are living with confusing, overlapping symptoms that seem to defy conventional diagnosis. Fatigue, brain fog, pain, digestive issues, rashes, anxiety, and sensitivity to foods, chemicals, or even light and sound—these symptoms often aren’t “just in your head.” They may be signs of deeper underlying conditions involving immune dysregulation, chronic infections, and environmental exposures.
At Axon Integrative Health, we take a whole-body, brain-body-mind approach to uncover the root causes behind complex, chronic conditions. In this article, we’ll explore four major, often interconnected conditions that many patients are living with—often unknowingly: Lyme disease, Mold illness, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Lyme Disease: More Than Just a Tick Bite
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. While early symptoms may include a bullseye rash, fever, and fatigue, many people go undiagnosed and develop chronic or late-stage Lyme disease, which can impact the nervous system, joints, brain, and immune system.
Possible Associated Symptoms:
- Migrating joint pain
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Persistent fatigue
- Mood changes (depression, anxiety)
What You Can Do:
- Seek specialized testing beyond standard Lyme ELISA (e.g., Western Blot, immunoblot, or PCR from specialty labs)
- Support detoxification pathways and immune function
- Address co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella, etc.)
- Use integrative therapies such as IV therapy (including NAD+), HBOT, Neurofeedback, and targeted antimicrobial protocols
Mold Illness: The Hidden Environmental Trigger
Exposure to mycotoxins—toxic compounds released by mold—can cause systemic inflammation and multi-organ effects, especially in genetically susceptible individuals. Mold illness often occurs in people with a poor ability to detox these biotoxins, leading to a persistent inflammatory response.
Possible Associated Symptoms:
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Respiratory symptoms
- Sinus congestion
- Sensitivity to smells or chemicals
- Visual disturbances or light sensitivity
What You Can Do:
- Test your home or workspace for mold (ERMI or HERTSMI-2 testing)
- Use urinary mycotoxin testing to identify internal exposure
- Support detox with binders, sauna, and liver/gut support
- Integrate therapies like TMS for cognitive recovery and PEMF for cellular repair
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS): When the Immune System Gets Stuck
CIRS is a multi-system, multi-symptom illness caused by exposure to biotoxins (like those from mold or Lyme). For some individuals—especially those with the HLA-DR genetic predisposition—the immune system is unable to properly eliminate these toxins, triggering a cycle of chronic inflammation and dysfunction across the brain, endocrine, and immune systems.
Possible Associated Symptoms:
- History of mold or Lyme exposure
- Hormonal imbalances (low cortisol, thyroid dysfunction)
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor temperature regulation
What You Can Do:
- Use the Shoemaker protocol as a framework: Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS), inflammatory markers (C4a, MMP-9, TGF-β1)
- Address both internal and external toxin sources
- Support limbic system retraining and vagus nerve regulation
- Rebuild cellular function through mitochondrial and neuro-metabolic support
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): The Overreactive Alarm System
MCAS involves dysregulated mast cells—immune cells that are supposed to protect you but, when triggered inappropriately, can release histamine and other inflammatory mediators into the body. MCAS often overlaps with Lyme, mold illness, and CIRS, and can be triggered by stress, infections, toxins, or even foods.
Possible Associated Symptoms:
- Flushing, itching, hives
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Food and chemical sensitivities
- Rapid heart rate, dizziness
- Anxiety or panic without obvious cause
What You Can Do:
- Explore lab testing for histamine, tryptase, and chromogranin A
- Try low-histamine or anti-inflammatory diets
- Use supplements like quercetin, DAO, or vitamin C to stabilize mast cells
- Calm the nervous system through neurofeedback, AVE, and TMS
The Axon Integrative Approach
At Axon Integrative Health, we specialize in helping patients untangle the complex web of Lyme, Mold, CIRS, and MCAS through a neuroscience-based, systems-biology lens. Our care integrates:
- Brain-focused therapies like TMS, Neurofeedback, and PEMF
- Detox and cellular support with IV NAD+, glutathione, Ozone, HBOT, and binders
- Immune and gut support, including Vagus Nerve Stimulation and nutritional interventions
- Mind-body healing, including nervous system retraining, acupuncture, and breathwork.
Ready to Get to the Root?
If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms or feel like you’ve tried everything without answers, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. Chronic illness is complex, but healing is possible. Our team is here to listen, assess, and guide you through a personalized plan that restores clarity, function, and vitality.
Schedule a consultation with Axon Integrative Health today and start your journey toward comprehensive healing.
