ME & Osteoarthritis

[mayflower2]

I am female aged 59 & have had ME for 7 years, the last 3 as moderate/severe. 12 months ago I was diagnosed with moderate OA in both hips, being more advanced in the right (& now very painful & debilitating). It seems the widespread muscle & joint pain with ME had masked the OA. 5 months ago with my agreement my previous very supportive & understanding GP referred me for physiotherapy for the OA. After 5 sessions the physiotherapist has put me 'on hold' whilst he

consults with a colleague who has more experience of treating people with CFS/ME as your activity levels have not improved based on my activity diary

I have yet to be told the outcome of his consult. I am not exercise phobic - quite the reverse & want nothing more than to regain strength & energy to live a more active & independent life & I have an open mind to interventions that may help me towards achieving that goal.
I had hoped the physiotherapy would concentrate on specific exercises to conserve both hips for as long as possible but it seems to me I have been treated more with GET for CFS/ME than specific exercises for OA. Even if the physio decides to continue to treat me it is likely to be more of the same ie GET which previous experience has resulted in a worsening of my ME.
My Oxford Hip Score is on the cusp of a referral for a consult with an Orthopaedic Surgeon so I have agreed with my new GP to review the situation in 6 months & earlier if I feel it necessary.
I have been unable to find anything on the internet about ME & OA & physiotherapy & outcomes for replacement hip surgery - can someone help with this? Any information & advice I could share with my GP would be gratefully received.
Mayflower2

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

This is a difficult one because it sounds as though the orthopaedic physiotherapist is advising on exercises that will help to strengthen and maintain muscles involved in hip movement/stability. But this may not be helping your activity management of ME/CFS

So I think you need some input from a physio with good experience in seeing people with ME/CFS

If nothing is happening you need to be proactive - you could phone the local ME/CFS service, explain the situation, and see if you can speak to a physiotherapist

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

From MEA website NHS Services directory:


Oxfordshire
OCCMET (Oxfordshire Community CFS/ME Team), Orchard Health Centre, Cope Road, Banbury OX16 2EZ
Tel: 01295 819191 Fax: 01295 819111 Email: occmet.administrator@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk
Team members: Hilly Quigley and Rachael Rogers, Specialist Occupational Therapists; Glenwys Wormald, Specialist Physiotherapist; Dr. Jean Bailey, GP with special interest in CFS/ME; Hélène Bush, administrator. Referrals should be made through GPs.

MEA website: http://www.meassociation.org.uk