My Review Of Graded Exercise Therapy As An M.E. Sufferer

by Joy Bird
(Kent, UK)

I have tried Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) for my Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). I have also tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Here's my personal review...

For me, Graded Exercise Therapy was terrible as it took me a week to get over a session. Getting to the clinic was difficult and I was in pain by time i got there. But I did the exercises nevertheless...

The Graded Exercise Therapist said that I should add 10% on my walking time. I said, Well in a year that would mean I would be walking around the world!

As someone who has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Graded Exercise Therapy was of no use and made me very ill. I do honestly think that before these therapies are given to patients a full assessment of the patient's health should be taken into consideration. You cannot blame the Graded Exercise Therapist as he or she is not a doctor, and they are only doing the job they're being paid for. However, I think that therapists should be trained to spot people with M.E., especially those who are being damaged by the therapy.

Joy