ME Support and Treatment
Local Support Groups
- Oxfordshire ME Group for Action (OMEGA)
- enquire.omega@gmail.com
- http://omegaoxon.org/
- Wantage and Grove ME/CFS Support Group
- Annie Kingsbury
- Tel: 01235 763813
- Email: anniekingsbury@talktalk.net
National Support Groups
- The ME Association (MEA)
- 7 Apollo Office Court
- Radclive Road, Gawcott
- Buckinghamshire
- MK18 4DF
- Tel: 01280 818964
- http://www.meassociation.org.uk/
The ME Connect help line is 0844 5765326, and open every day of the week between 10am till 12 noon, 2pm till 4pm and 7pm till 9pm.
- Action for ME (AfME)
- http://www.actionforme.org.uk
- Third Floor, Canningford House
- 38 Victoria Street
- Bristol
- BS1 6BY
- Tel: 0845 123 2380
- Telephone support service: 0845 123 2314 is open to all from 11am till 1pm, Monday to Friday.
Action for ME now has a welfare rights helpline: 0845 1228648.
Children and Young People
OMEGA is currently campaigning for better services for children and young people. For further information contact ltrl3@tiscali.co.uk Poster available -please click to view Young Faces of ME/CFS
- Tymes Trust (The Young ME Sufferer)
- PO Box 4347
- Stock
- Ingatestone
- CM4 9TE
- Tel: 01245 401080
- http://www.youngactiononline.com
- http://www.tymestrust.org
- Advice Line on 0845 003 9002 available 11am till 1pm and 5pm till 7pm weekdays.
- AYME (The Association of Young People with ME)
- (Now a amalgamated with Action for ME (AfME ) see above
- 25% ME Group
- http://www.25megroup.org/
- Telephone: 01292 318611
This group was set up to offer support services to those severely affected by ME, and their carers. Provides a wide range of services to people affected by ME, most of whom are housebound and/ or bed-bound.
ME Connect The helpline can give advice and information, and is available on 0870 444 1836. They are open every day of the year from 10am to noon, 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Online advice is also available at www.meassociation.org.uk
Carers
- CFS-Care
- http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFS-Care/
NHS Support and Treatment
OCCMET demonstration OMEGA demonstration against cuts in NHS services
GPs will generally make a diagnosis, although they will sometimes request a specialist opinion.
They can refer to: Oxfordshire Community CFS/ ME Team (OCCMET)- particularly for those who require home visits. At present only for adults and young people over 14 years old. OMEGA is currently campaigning for this to be extended to treat all age ranges. If your GP is reluctant to refer you, you can get in contact with the team directly, and the OCCMET specialist GP will be able to discuss and explain to your GP.
- Oxfordshire CFS/ME Service, formerly OCCMET
- http://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/cfs-me
- Windrush House, Windrush Industrial Estate, Witney, OX29 7DX
- cfs@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
- Tel 01993 848266
Clinics at the John Radcliffe Hospital for confirmation of diagnosis and for general management advice. They can refer on to OCCMET (details above), or to other options available for those able to manage attending hospital appointments regularly (eg: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness Groups). Other consultants depending on your particular symptoms
Complementary Medicine
Some people find complementary medicine helpful, particularly with certain symptoms, while others may find no improvement. Some of us have tried various treatments including homeopathy, acupuncture, herbalism, chiropractic and osteopathy. It is always worth finding a reputable practitioner, and finding out the cost and likely time for treatment.
Disclaimer We cannot recommend specific doctors or treatments, whether conventional or complementary medicine. However, you may find it helpful to discuss potential treatments with other members, either at our meetings or by phone.