Former basketball star Donald Watts discusses life with CFS

[Webdog]

Television interview with Donald Watts, who had to give up a basketball career due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

His recommendations are mostly lifestyle and dietary changes, such as giving up sugar and gluten. He also has a "team" of medical specialists, including a chiropractor. Also, an emphasis of a "process of doing the best you can every day with what you have".

I will say his description of his initial CFS symptom being a "loss of power" resonates with me. After my initial viral infection, the first thing I noticed was a loss of power in my legs when I would run. Only months later did neuro, immune and sleep symptoms start to become my primary issues.

Watts does seem fairly mild. While not able to play basketball competitively, he appears to have little trouble with cognitive function or holding down a full time job.

"Donald Watts blazed a basketball trail through high school and college, leading the University of Washington to two consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. The future looked so bright for Donald, and his NBA dreams were in sight, when he was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

http://www.king5.com/entertainment/...-life-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/493965055

 

[Melanie]

Television interview with Donald Watts, who had to give up a basketball career due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I was going to post this with the information below but then saw you already did.

I realize that every patient deserves their voice, but I really hate it when they find what works for them and their mild case of ME/CFS (most likely mild enough to be categorized as SEID) and plasters it all over the news, because as we all know it works for just about no one else.

Because you see, I never tried any of these things. ::snark::

 

[Webdog]

I was going to post this with the information below but then saw you already did.

I realize that every patient deserves their voice, but I really hate it when they find what works for them and their mild case of ME/CFS (most likely mild enough to be categorized as SEID)

While I agree that Watts is mild (after all, he can hold down a full time job), I just wanted to say not to attach too much importance to labels. Personally, I was diagnosed with SEID criteria, because that is what my primary care doctor was familiar with. It doesn't mean I'm less sick than someone how was diagnosed with other criteria.

I just completed a CCC evaluation for a medical study, and checked off every box. On the Bell disability scale I'm a 25, which is moderate/severe (almost entirely housebound, sometimes bedbound).

Strangely enough, my official diagnosis is CFS, because that is the only diagnosis my HMO allows in their computer system. There is no ME, ME/CFS, or technically even SEID diagnosis available to me. Only CFS. Even though my doctor wants to give me an ME diagnosis, he is not allowed.

 

[Melanie]

Strangely enough, my official diagnosis is CFS, because that is the only diagnosis my HMO allows in their computer system. There is no ME, ME/CFS, or technically even SEID diagnosis available to me. Only CFS. Even though my doctor wants to give me an ME diagnosis, he is not allowed.

I am also diagnosed with CFS as it was 2003 and I was disabled with CFS. I think Fukuda was used and then CCC was applied a little later. I believe I can meet ICC. I became progressively worse and if SEID had been available back then I would have been diagnosed using it and then as time progressed would have met CCC. Fukuda was not even available when I first became ill as I was sick prior to Incline Village.

I wish they would make a point of covering information that while all patients meet core symptoms, varying symptoms and severity of these symptoms exist leaving some unable to work or work only part time while others cannot leave their homes and some are wheelchair or bedbound. It makes a huge difference in the public and even patients understanding the disease.

And... I love Buckaroo Bonzai.

 

[Webdog]

I wish they would make a point of covering information that while all patients meet core symptoms, varying symptoms and severity of these symptoms exist leaving some unable to work or work only part time while others cannot leave their homes and some are wheelchair or bedbound. It makes a huge difference in the public and even patients understanding the disease.

And... I love Buckaroo Bonzai.

Great point. I wish the revised CDC website described the disability and functional impairment better. Then perhaps the media would pick this up as well.

And... I love Buckaroo Bonzai.

 

[Valentijn]

I realize that every patient deserves their voice, but I really hate it when they find what works for them and their mild case of ME/CFS (most likely mild enough to be categorized as SEID) and plasters it all over the news, because as we all know it works for just about no one else.

I have absolutely no problem with patients being completely ignorant about ME/CFS, even if they're (rightly or wrongly) diagnosed with it. But if someone's going to talk to the media about treatments, symptoms, etc, even in the context of their personal experience, they are bloody well beholden to at least learn the basics about the damned disease first.

They are not helping the ME community by supposedly spreading awareness when they make claims about diet or lifestyle, or any other personal belief they've got about what helped. They are just media-whoring for their own benefit, and throwing every other patient under the bus in the process with misinformation and trivialization of the disease.

I'm tired of those damned buses trying to run me over

 

[arewenearlythereyet]

Perhaps @Bill can do a media whore bus for us...now who would be on it ..so many to choose from..and there's only limited seats