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Friday, July 25, 2014

Celebrities with ME/CFS

Erica Verrillo, a wonderful journalist with ME/CFS who writes about our illness, has written a new article for ProHealth called 10 Celebrities with ME/CFS. I found it interesting because I only knew about a few of them.

Of course, everyone knows about Laura Hillenbrand, the award-winning author of Seasbiscuit and Unbroken who is housebound by ME/CFS. I knew about Blake Edwards, the famous Hollywood writer and director, and our family has long hailed Michelle Akers, an extraordinary professional soccer player until ME/CFS ended her career, as our own personal hero. But there are many more on this list whom I had no idea had ME/CFS.

Interestingly, it also appears that a few of them have recovered, which is hopeful in itself. I just wish the general public knew more about these celebrities and their/our illness. We need a famous face to help build awareness - our very own Michael J. Fox. I posted this article to my personal Facebook page to help build awareness among my friends and family. It's a small step...

Did you know about these celebrities' struggles with ME/CFS? Do you know of any others not on this list? Help spread the word!

(And a big thanks to Erica Verrillo for what must have been a lot of extensive research!)

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:01 PM

    Hi Sue. Im on highdose docyklin right now (400mg) for lyme. Unfortnatly its very sunny right now and i got rashes and some discoloration on my hands. Im a Little bit worried that this rash/ezcema will be a problem. It seems like am rather sensitiv right now. I know its UVA that causes it and it can get through windows as well. Is this something than may need a change in antibiotics do you Think? I will talk to my doctor but his on vacation right now.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, doxycycline is well known for causing extreme sun sensitivity. Many Lyme doctors switch their patients to other abx in summertime. I have found only mild sensitivity at 200 mg a day (and as you described at 400 mg a day), so decreasing dose is another option, especially while you wait to talk to your doctor.

      Also, if you are on doxy at all, it;s critical to protect yourself from the sun - high SPF sunscreen all over plus sun protection clothing. I wear a big sunhat and a long-sleeve shirt, both made of sun protection fabric - they help a lot.

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