"The team have made an immense difference to my life"

Having been diagnosed with haemochromatosis and Chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia I was unable to manage day to day tasks, was immobile and suffered severe cognitive difficulties. I was referred onto the programme by my GP. 

I was exhausted by simple everyday tasks, in a lot of pain, and spent most of my days asleep or struggling to remain awake. 

I was profoundly distressed by the change in my lifestyle (I was medically retired from a demanding and challenging career), and very frightened by the onset of seemingly insurmountable symptoms. I couldn’t see much of a future and was in a negative frame of mind. I felt socially isolated (due in part to lockdown, but also because my circumstances had changed so much that I felt I had no value), and my speech was impaired to an extent that I was embarrassed by social interaction. 

At first I was referred to Paddy, the physio at Altnagelvin- after a while he started to see me alongside Caroline (OH) and Seamus (Exercise Specialist). This multidisciplinary approach suited my conditions well: it allowed me to discuss with Caroline the devastating impact my sudden health problems were having upon me. She was brilliant at being able to help me understand that I was actually making progress, even though I felt at times utterly hopeless and indeed helpless.

Through time I began to open up more and trust Caroline, who was such a transformative influence on my wellbeing. When I started doing the aqua therapy with Seamus it was as if a door had been opened - I felt that I had finally made a breakthrough - when Paddy was helping me with movements and strengthening exercises I had to do it by myself: I wasn’t sure I was doing them correctly or often enough.

At that stage of the programme I wasn’t able to complete my exercises due to pushing myself too hard. I experienced a severe crash during the summer months and thought I wouldn’t recover. The team were understanding and patient with me. Paddy assured me that I would gradually reach the same level I’d been at before the crash, Caroline could see that even the effort of travelling to the sessions was too much for me at that stage, and we had some phone sessions instead.

Gradually, the aqua therapy became the key to improved energy levels, concentration and a psychological shift in my thinking: I was more energetic and more able to listen to my body about what was too much, and act accordingly. I still experienced the pain, fatigue and cognitive/speech issues, but I felt as if I was armed with resources in how to deal better with them. 

I am so grateful that I was referred to the course. Seamus recommended that I continue with the type of exercises he was doing one-to-one with me by attending Aquafit at the local pool: I’ve been doing this and it is so helpful. 

The team have made an immense difference to my life and have equipped me with a greater understanding of my conditions, how they interact with each other, and what to do in order to gradually improve and increase my physical and mental wellbeing.