Olympic Sprinter Beth Dobbin Describes Life After ME Diagnosis

Beth Dobbin, who represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is now spending more than 22 hours a day in bed due to a diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

ME is a chronic, fluctuating illness that causes a range of symptoms including sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, pain, and severe, persistent fatigue that is not alleviated by rest. Dobbin described the condition as "life-decimating," stating she has lost her independence, health, and ability to work or exercise.

The onset of her symptoms began in the winter of 2021-22, following back-to-back COVID-19 and glandular fever infections. Initially, she noticed increased sleep needs and slightly slower running times, but carried on competing. By the time of the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships that year, her health had progressively worsened, with symptoms including a sore throat, dizziness, and a loss of feeling in her legs. After the European Championships, she experienced a significant deterioration, leading to extended periods in bed.

Dobbin rejected the term "chronic fatigue syndrome," arguing that the illness is far more severe than mere fatigue. She described the feeling as her entire body "is shutting down" and likened it to being "a few days from death."

ME affects an estimated 400,000 people in the UK, with severity ranging from mild to requiring round-the-clock care. Dobbin herself often finds herself too unwell to sleep, requiring medication to induce rest. Even prolonged periods of sitting up can be exhausting, leading her to prefer being propped up in bed.

Her family has expressed their helplessness in the face of the illness's severity and lack of effective treatments. Dobbin's father noted the absence of specialized services for ME within the NHS, and that doctors often lack referral options. Her younger sister is set to run the Yorkshire Marathon to raise funds for ME Research UK.

Dobbin expressed a bleak outlook for her personal future but noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of long COVID have led to increased attention and research funding for ME. She feels a sense of duty to speak out, believing that her status as an athlete lends credibility to her experience and helps combat skepticism often faced by those with the illness. She stated, "If this happened to most people they wouldn't be able to speak about it, so I do feel like I've got a bit of a duty to do that."