Dr. Paul Donohue at it again

[gktnorcal]

This is urgent and very important. Dr. Paul Donohue has a syndicated health column across the country and on March 27, 2011, had a Q&A about CFS from a 79 year old woman with CFS. He rambled on and on about how "exercise is key to recovery" and even weight-lifting (WTF). His answers seemed to be pulled from 1995.

My in-laws just sent me a hard-copy of this (they live outside of Albany, NY) and it is so frustrating as I have gone to great lengths to educate them about the facts about the disease.

I am a severe CFS pateint and bed-ridden and don't know how to get lots of people to set this doctor and his widely read column straight.

Does anyone have a form letter of some type I/we could use. My brain doesn't have the capability to even begin to put one together.

Thanks,
Ginger

 

[justinreilly]

WTF is right! Here's one paper in which it appeared:

http://www.herald-review.com/news/o...cle_c9b7852a-573b-11e0-9a86-001cc4c002e0.html

Many approaches have to be taken. Exercise is one of them. It's ridiculous to suggest exercise to someone drained of all energy, but exercise is key to recovery. Start modestly. Five minutes is enough at first. Brisk walking provides aerobic exercise. In time, get in some resistance training - weightlifting. If weights are out of the question, exercises like push-ups, chin-ups and sit-ups will do. Gradually increase exercise time and intensity.

He really should know something about the disease before he writes in newspapers about it.

 

[toddm1960]

In a related news item the NIC released today exercise is the key to curing HIV......details to follow.

 

[justinreilly]

To save my energy, I'm not going to post on these columns since they are small papers and it was a month back. More power to you if you want to post. you can simply say that PEM means the disease gets worse with exertion, certainly the kind he is speaking of. you can put a link to the twisk and maes CBT/GET paper.

I think he might have his own website- that would be the most important to hit- try to email him directly to get his attention so he doesn't do it again.