Refresh and Move forward Session at Dorchester

I attended a session last month at Dorchester held by the Dorset M.E. Support Group. There were two occupational therapists there from the M.E. Clinic in Wareham. There were about 8 of us there all at different stages in our illness. I wanted to share some of the points made for anyone who could not attend or has an interest.

We talked mainly about how to move forward in recovery from M.E. and the chart below shows how this could work.

CFS Symptoms

Acceptance and Choice

Stabilisation

Controlled Activity Increases

This is the way to move forward but what often happens is that when activity is increased you go back to the start and your symptoms get worse, therefore having to start the process again.

The Stabilisation area is a consolidation whilst gaining confidence area.

This way forward was created by Diane Cox an Occupational Therapist at The Romford Hospital specialising in M.E.

It was also explained what happens to you when you have M.E. Your HPA Axis has gone wrong. Its your Hypothalamus, Pituitary and Adrenal System that controls a lot of different things in your body. I have tried to explain this to people, that ask and those who do not understand the condition look at me very cynically. I know something went wrong when I got shingles and I have not returned to my previous healthy self, so my fight for understanding still seems to go on.

What helps

Acceptance

Knowledge

Peer Support

Prioritising Time and Activities

Prayer and Belief

Understanding from others

Saying No

Support from significant others

Reminders

Preparing and Planning

Relaxing

Low energy hobbie

Routines

Diet

Avoiding Stressful situations

Ending on this note I had to have another medical for my ESA benefit and I will post a separate blog on that issue another time.

Please contact me if you wish to discuss this further: fifimurphy@hotmail.co.uk