My time at QE health Rotorua

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I'd never heard of QE Health before. I knew Rotorua has natural mineral waters and nice hot mud, but didnt realise there was a place to experience these wonders.

On 26th September 2011 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.. by 4th December 2011 I was at QE health as an in patient for 3 weeks.. The first person I met was Caroline, she'd had a hard week and was wanting to go home, so my listening ear helped her, but her message of slavery and driving the 'inmates' so hard they collapse at the end of the day' didnt make me feel great.. I unpacked and went and had dinner.. that was funny to cos George had told me that the food was horrible.. well according to my tastebuds, this 1st meal is totally delicious..

QE health was developed by a dr Wallis for the soldiers returning home from war.,. he seemed to know that the waters were healing and the soldiers needed that.. the first time I got into the Rachel Pool (a large pool full with mineral water) I sighed with pleasure.. it is recommended that you stay in for no longer than 20 minutes, I could never make it to 8 minutes let alone 20, but the amazing feeling in your body on getting out was totally worth it.. I'd hobble down to the pool and power walk back I was so limbered up.. wow, what a start to the day and one I miss dreadfully, a hot shower just does not do it

after breakfast there are many activities to be involved in, we were given schedules on monday morning.. the appointments included physio and occupational therapist assessments, gym assessment, stress management classes, personal counselling treatment, occupational therapy education classes, orthotics education, pacing and resting classes, communication classes etc... lunch was way down the other end of the 'hospital' and so was dinner, most of the classess were at least 200yards from where you were at that time so another walk was in order... oh wow, I forgot to tell you about the mud wraps.. hot mud mixed with mineral water, wrapped in plastic then towels, and placed on your body where it is needed most.. I had shoulders and knees, oh heaven.. the gentle heat radiating into tired and sore muscles.. oh'

And the amazing massages.. therapeutic, with sweet almond oil and great masseuse, then the most amazing experience of my life AIX massage.. where several shower nozzles aimed at your body, jet mineral waters onto you, while the masseuse massages you.. amazing.. yep you get wet, but it's way worth it, my body tingled for ages, and amazingly I could feel the drops of water hit the backs of my legs for ages after.. wow,.. I told the masseuse the first time that AIX massage was better than chocolate lol

the most distracting thing for me was the picture windows that showed the entire lake Rotorua.. quite distracting sitting in a stress management class when you were tempted to look out the window at the people on and around the lake

I endured 3 weeks at QE.. honestly I say endured cos sometimes the pace was quite full on.. I was more than ready to come home on the 22nd, I'd made heaps of friends, and am still in contact with them, in fact there's a mini-reunion next week.. I have fibro and arthritis.. some have just arthritis, others have other inflammatory issues, ..

you can get funding for this amazing experience through your gp, or through rheumatology dept dhbs, or through your specialist dept.. dont think you're too old to do it, I'm in contact with two 80 + year old women who both touched my heart.. one of them drove all the way from Wellington for this treatment and it wasnt the first time she'd been there.. you dont have to stay 3 weeks .. I was offered 3, opted for 2, then when I'd spent a couple days there, went to Mary (head nurse) and opted again for 3..

The staff are on hand when you need them. I was on the Wallis wing so didnt need full on nursing care, but never felt abandoned or lonely.. the rooms were lovely, I had enough room to spread out and not to feel claustrophobic.. there are radiators in every room that you turn on or off at your comfort.. within 15 minutes the room is toasty warm.. I would recommend anyone with arthritis, inflammatory issues, mobility issues, health issues etc to talk to their dr about going to QE health.. I came away 70% better than I was and was wild with myself a couple days ago cos I did something stupid and hurt my shoulders and neck, 1st time with pain there for nearly a month., I dont regret going to QE and I am looking forward to going back .. check it out online, it's a life changing experience

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