CFS causes chronic fatigue, not much relieved by rest, which affects daily functioning. It may also cause muscle and joint pains, mood and sleep disturbance, concentration difficulties, headaches, intestinal and urinary symptoms.
The specialist team consists of:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist
- Dietitian
The aims of the service are to:
- Help you understand your condition
- Enable you to develop helpful coping strategies to manage symptoms
- Reduce distress and disability
- Improve your quality of life
A holistic approach is used. This means looking at both the physical and psychological aspects of illness.
You will be seen by a doctor who will make a detailed clinical assessment. Your doctor may do some blood tests to exclude other possible causes of fatigue and associated symptoms, and review any medicines you are currently taking.
Treatment is undertaken by the other members of the team. They will devise a treatment programme designed for your needs, either one to one or in a small group and may include:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Activity Management Therapy
- Graded exercise therapy
- Stress management
- Relaxation techniques
- Sleep management
- Dietary advice
The doctor may see you for follow-up appointments during the programme to review any change in medication, and for final review once treatment is completed.
If you are unable to attend your appointment please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand so we can offer your appointment to someone else. If you do not attend your appointment without telling us we may refer you back to your GP.
Following your treatment you will be referred back to your GP.
The RLHIM is also a teaching hospital and from time to time other healthcare professionals may observe in outpatient clinics as part of a training course. We will always ask your permission for students to sit in during your consultation. You do not have to have students present if you would prefer not to.